I've got the DT 770 Pro 250 ohm headphones, and an Arturia Minifuse 2.
In my day-to-day use of my MacBook Air, I like to use those headphones, and was wondering whether there would be a noticeable difference in sound quality from e.g. Spotify by using the audio interface. Obviously this would only be for home use, but still, curious about the difference.
Sound quality with Audio Interface and without
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- KVRAF
- 16879 posts since 8 Mar, 2005 from Utrecht, Holland
I don't know about 'quality', since I don't have all the details. But my gut feeling says it won't make much difference.
What I do know about the Arturia Minifuse headphone output:
However these two dot something Volts into 250 Ohm results in only 18mW / 8mA. Personally I think that's not a lot of power, but if it is loud enough for you, then it's loud enough.
I don't think the power specs of the MacBook Air headphone output is published, so I cannot compare.
What I do know about the Arturia Minifuse headphone output:
That translates to 2.126V / 64mA.Power @ 33ohm: 137mW
However these two dot something Volts into 250 Ohm results in only 18mW / 8mA. Personally I think that's not a lot of power, but if it is loud enough for you, then it's loud enough.
I don't think the power specs of the MacBook Air headphone output is published, so I cannot compare.
We are the KVR collective. Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated. 
My MusicCalc is served over https!!
My MusicCalc is served over https!!
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- KVRian
- 1188 posts since 21 Aug, 2017 from Brasil
Check https://chatgpt.com/share/688543db-fb88 ... 5158c256c8J19134 wrote: Sat Jul 26, 2025 5:24 pm I've got the DT 770 Pro 250 ohm headphones, and an Arturia Minifuse 2.
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- KVRAF
- 5557 posts since 26 Apr, 2007 from Noosphere
Why do people believe in ChatGPT for conclusion, especially regarding the tech specs? I wouldn't advise that.
I remember I asked it for some details about my phone, wireless headphones and supported Bluetooth protocols. This stupid bot gave me a wrong answer, because I checked before. I said this to the bot and he said: " you are right, my mistake, it is not supported. ". Then I said, that I just lied, it is actually supported. And he apologized and said that "yeah, I just double checked and it supported". Then I said no, I just lied cause I have 100% information about it. And stupid bot changed his mind again!
Some people even call it "AI". Lol
Answering the main question - no, in some cases MiniFuse won't be enough. I have had the same setup. I sold the MiniFuse. Get Audient instead. They don't have problems with 250 Ohms. Unfortunately, I don't know what MAC can do about it.
I remember I asked it for some details about my phone, wireless headphones and supported Bluetooth protocols. This stupid bot gave me a wrong answer, because I checked before. I said this to the bot and he said: " you are right, my mistake, it is not supported. ". Then I said, that I just lied, it is actually supported. And he apologized and said that "yeah, I just double checked and it supported". Then I said no, I just lied cause I have 100% information about it. And stupid bot changed his mind again!
Some people even call it "AI". Lol
Answering the main question - no, in some cases MiniFuse won't be enough. I have had the same setup. I sold the MiniFuse. Get Audient instead. They don't have problems with 250 Ohms. Unfortunately, I don't know what MAC can do about it.
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- KVRian
- 564 posts since 3 Jan, 2021
All that we've seen is concerned with volume, not quality.
OP unfortunately doesn't say what kind of Macbook Air. If it is one of the newer ones it has headphone out specced with high impedance in mind. That should be loud enough.
Quality wise it's hard to say but generally my impression is that the headphone out on recent Macbooks is not worse than $200 class audio interfaces.
OP unfortunately doesn't say what kind of Macbook Air. If it is one of the newer ones it has headphone out specced with high impedance in mind. That should be loud enough.
Quality wise it's hard to say but generally my impression is that the headphone out on recent Macbooks is not worse than $200 class audio interfaces.
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- KVRAF
- 7120 posts since 22 Jan, 2005 from Sweden
If it's listening for pleasure it's all up to listener of course, but if caring more than that like mixing to translate well, I would try a headphone preamp that has higher than 5V for 250 ohm phones.
- it'a not only about enough volume, it's about frequency curve all through spectrum that matters more
I've done the math on KVR before, and just shorten, if 250 ohm that is at 1 000 Hz static signal. If all the way up above 15 000 Hz or so, that might be 5000-10000 ohm or in that range, so to produce enough effect also way up frequencies higher voltage is needed according to effekt P=U*U/R where R is impedance here.
Todays generous return policies on online shops you can always try and send back if no difference that matters to you.
I had a Focusrite interface and if it was a pair of DT 770, or 880 or something that I sent back since I felt there were no mids. Like a hole in frequency response.
- later I figured this was to do with phones out on interface not handling it
So I found this headphone preamp from Pro-Ject Headbox S, driven by 18V, and that was a major difference.
- since I already sent DT back and tried HD650 and kept that once having a preamp as well
- cheap in comparison, around $100 at the time
If having subscription on Spotify you also get better quality streaming than the free version. So free version is crap sound in comparison. Often ok in earbuds, but real phones you really hear it.
So walk the extra mile maybe to get the most out of your listening having decent phones and all.
- it'a not only about enough volume, it's about frequency curve all through spectrum that matters more
I've done the math on KVR before, and just shorten, if 250 ohm that is at 1 000 Hz static signal. If all the way up above 15 000 Hz or so, that might be 5000-10000 ohm or in that range, so to produce enough effect also way up frequencies higher voltage is needed according to effekt P=U*U/R where R is impedance here.
Todays generous return policies on online shops you can always try and send back if no difference that matters to you.
I had a Focusrite interface and if it was a pair of DT 770, or 880 or something that I sent back since I felt there were no mids. Like a hole in frequency response.
- later I figured this was to do with phones out on interface not handling it
So I found this headphone preamp from Pro-Ject Headbox S, driven by 18V, and that was a major difference.
- since I already sent DT back and tried HD650 and kept that once having a preamp as well
- cheap in comparison, around $100 at the time
If having subscription on Spotify you also get better quality streaming than the free version. So free version is crap sound in comparison. Often ok in earbuds, but real phones you really hear it.
So walk the extra mile maybe to get the most out of your listening having decent phones and all.
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- KVRian
- 1370 posts since 2 Mar, 2018
Don't get me started...
No, the AI won't make a real diff listening. It's in recording where it matters. And the diff in quality of AIs at various price points has diminished rapidly to a point of mostly negligible.
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- KVRian
- 1485 posts since 7 Oct, 2023 from Tokyo
Is there a measurable qualitative difference between audio interfaces for recording?
Yes.
Does it actually matter?
Maybe, but probably not unless the interface is truly a piece of shit.
Will it matter for listening to Spotify?
LMAO no
Yes.
Does it actually matter?
Maybe, but probably not unless the interface is truly a piece of shit.
Will it matter for listening to Spotify?
LMAO no
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- KVRAF
- 18510 posts since 26 Jun, 2006 from San Francisco Bay Area
I'm not sure what the audio card in the MacBook Air is like... I'm typing on one now, but I've never plugged anything into it, but a long time ago I had a Toshiba Satellite and using my MOTU interface made quite a bit of difference, even with the same headphones.
Zerocrossing Media
4th Law of Robotics: When turning evil, display a red indicator light. ~[ ●_● ]~
4th Law of Robotics: When turning evil, display a red indicator light. ~[ ●_● ]~
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- KVRian
- 1485 posts since 7 Oct, 2023 from Tokyo
I forgot they even had headphone jacks. How very un-Applezerocrossing wrote: Tue Sep 09, 2025 4:39 am I'm not sure what the audio card in the MacBook Air is like... I'm typing on one now, but I've never plugged anything into it, but a long time ago I had a Toshiba Satellite and using my MOTU interface made quite a bit of difference, even with the same headphones.
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- KVRAF
- 18510 posts since 26 Jun, 2006 from San Francisco Bay Area
I don’t know that they do. Seems a bit ol’ fashioned, if you ask me.stoopicus wrote: Tue Sep 09, 2025 7:48 amI forgot they even had headphone jacks. How very un-Applezerocrossing wrote: Tue Sep 09, 2025 4:39 am I'm not sure what the audio card in the MacBook Air is like... I'm typing on one now, but I've never plugged anything into it, but a long time ago I had a Toshiba Satellite and using my MOTU interface made quite a bit of difference, even with the same headphones.
(just checked, it does seem like there is a headphone jack on it)
Zerocrossing Media
4th Law of Robotics: When turning evil, display a red indicator light. ~[ ●_● ]~
4th Law of Robotics: When turning evil, display a red indicator light. ~[ ●_● ]~
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- KVRian
- 705 posts since 25 Nov, 2010
Sorry i don't have an answer to your question.
Anyway i would try to get a refund for the Minifuse. I had it - it puts out sound even with the volume knob set to zero. Seems to be so with all of the units. Might not bother you though. And might be to late now
Just my 2 cents.
Anyway i would try to get a refund for the Minifuse. I had it - it puts out sound even with the volume knob set to zero. Seems to be so with all of the units. Might not bother you though. And might be to late now
Just my 2 cents.
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- KVRian
- 1485 posts since 7 Oct, 2023 from Tokyo
Yep. All six macs in my place have them.zerocrossing wrote: Tue Sep 09, 2025 5:01 pmI don’t know that they do. Seems a bit ol’ fashioned, if you ask me.stoopicus wrote: Tue Sep 09, 2025 7:48 amI forgot they even had headphone jacks. How very un-Applezerocrossing wrote: Tue Sep 09, 2025 4:39 am I'm not sure what the audio card in the MacBook Air is like... I'm typing on one now, but I've never plugged anything into it, but a long time ago I had a Toshiba Satellite and using my MOTU interface made quite a bit of difference, even with the same headphones.
(just checked, it does seem like there is a headphone jack on it)
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- KVRAF
- 26033 posts since 20 Oct, 2007 from gonesville
I have a lot of experience with MacBook bult-in audio. The quality, for what it is, is good. However I've run into problems more than once in more than one OS. To the topic, switching from onboard to a real interface has run the gamut from fantastic to ruinous.