I might consider a new pair of headphones instead of monitors, but if I get studio headphones, can they work 100% just plugged into a headphone jack from the computer or do I need an audio interface for best results? Just wondering in case I can simply use headphones on sale and get monitors later when I upgrade my Mac, and if I can get better bass from my ROG Ally and plug the headphones into that? I have an interface already, but I’m wondering if I won’t need it for headphones if I’m not connecting my external instruments and if there’s any good recommendations that match or are superior than Yamaha hs4?

 

Yes, you need an audio interface. I've listed three for you. An audio interface provides you with high-quality converters that are better than the ones on your PC. You'll also need an audio interface if you plan to use studio monitors later.

Audient iD4 MKII - 154 € https://audient.com/products/audio-interfaces/id14/overview/
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen - 119 € https://focusrite.com/products/scarlett-2i2-3rd-gen
Behringer U-Phoria UMC202HD - 49 €

Audient iD4 MKII und iD14 MKII

BASIC AUDIO INTERFACE SETUP [with Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen]

 

Last edited: Nov 26, 2025 at 6:14 PM

I actually have two interfaces, I have the 2i2 3rd generation and a presonus interface, so would the interface also like power the headphones like how you sometimes need power for microphones?

 

Best thing to do is read reviews, then buy 3 headsets (from Amazon) which fit your price range, making sure they don't exceed 80 ohms or so. Play one off against the others and keep the ones you prefer most.

OH. I just read you DO have an audio interface! That changes things then!

 

You are conflating different things. Headphones aren’t powered by phantom power. That’s only for certain microphones. Mic level and line level refer to signal strength being input, not headphones output. Headphones get their power from the headphone amp built into your interface. As long as you’re using a proper audio interface, the headphones will be powered correctly.

The entire issue is not just impedance matching. And if you get lower impedance headphones, you will not have a problem. Which are you actually considering getting and what budget?

 

if the stick can enter the hole, you re good.

 

How loud and how well a headphone will sound depends on multiple variables. First, there's the impedance (which will change the frequency curve of the headphones), then secondary, there's the sensitivity. Then, the output impedance of the device plus how many watts (or in most devices, milliwatts) it can output.

Check this and do some research for a better baseline on what to get: https://headphones.com/pages/headphones-power-calculator

 

I have to look around for a deal first, I figured I’d ask here before finding the right pair cause I was thinking of getting headphones instead. And thanks for telling the difference between headphone and microphone power, I thought it was similar before reading your post

 

Depending on your interface's software, that is where things can get a little tricky evaluating if higher impedance headphones will work with your interface.

The real issue with driving headphones properly on a Mac is getting your gain staging right before the signal reaches your audio interface. Your Mac’s main volume should be at 100%, and your DAW’s master output (Stereo Out and Master in Logic) should sit at unity. That way the interface receives the proper line level signal it expects, rather than a weak headphones signal.

Once that’s set, you have to adjust applications volumes like browser audio, audio players, system sounds to the level you want. After that, you leave the Mac alone and use your interface’s volume control to set headphone level, and your monitors’ level for speakers. This is why many people get one of those passive Mackie Big Knob monitor controllers.

People confuse this because they think headphones need power like a mic does, but there’s no separate headphone phantom power. Your interface amp drives them. If the Mac's signal to the interface is too weak, it’ll act like your interface can’t handle higher-impedance headphones, but it’s really just reacting to a low incoming level. Most of the time people skip over external gainstaging and think the interface won't drive the headphones properly. Looking at numbers in tech specifications doesn't always help as much as you would like. If you look on Sister Site today, actually; there is a program called SoundSource shared. This scenarios is what people use it for.

It's easy to bake in lots of attenuation all over the place and then wonder why your headphones suck.

 

Last edited: Nov 26, 2025 at 8:42 PM

What kind of headphones do you have? Just plug them in and play a bit. Turn up the volume and read the manual. Your audio interface provides the power. It would make things much easier if you always posted the complete product details.

 

Ok, looks like I’ll have to go back to looking for deals on monitors, I’ll have to wait till I have my new Mac mini before looking into this since it’ll have my audio interface plugged in. Just wondered if it was possible to use studio headphones without an audio interface all the time, thank you all for letting me know what I’d need if I were going to look and I’ll probably be back in the future on this part of the forum looking for good starting studio headphones

 

If you go the headphone route - I have beyerdynamic dt 900 pro x... low impedance, great for mixing, they are pretty flat in terms of frequency response

link: https://global.beyerdynamic.com/p/dt-900-pro-x

 

When you get headphones with low impedance (like 32 or 48 ohm) your on board soundchip is perfectly up to speed to power that thing.
If impedance of the headphone is too high (like 250 ohm) the output won't have enough power. Then you won't get enough volume and lack some low frequencies.
The quality of you on board sound can be hit and miss. The quality depends less on the chip that is soldered on, these are all better than needed.
Problem lies within the analog circuitry and power lines along the board. Like you could hear some hiss from the USB port. All in all on board is way better than people think. It's not as bad as it was 30 years ago. It's quite decent.
//edit// I like the 32 ohm version of the DT770. There is a new version with 48 ohm, (is it mk2? ), Beyerdynamic says the new one is better... Have not tested yet.