IEM Impedance & Sensitivity: How to Read the GK KUNTEN Specifications

Ω

Impedance is opposition to alternating current and can vary with frequency. A nominal value such as KUNTEN's published 43Ω is one point, not an impedance curve or a promise that every source can drive it without distortion.

dB/mW / dB/Vrms

KUNTEN's published 109dB/mW sensitivity describes sound pressure for a stated power reference. A dB/Vrms value uses a voltage reference; the two numbers are not directly comparable. A sensitivity written only as dB omits that reference. Do not silently append /mW to it or use it to rank loudness.

1 / 8

The one-eighth rule is a conservative source-matching heuristic: output impedance below about one-eighth of the load can limit interactions with a varying load impedance. For a nominal 43Ω load the calculation is about 5.4Ω. It is not a noise rating; hiss also depends on source noise, gain and sensitivity. A lower nominal IEM impedance is not automatically better or worse.

Matching the source

Source matching requires impedance, sensitivity with its reference unit, available voltage and current, output impedance and noise. A phone's USB-C port does not establish its analog output quality: with a digital adapter the adapter contains the DAC and amplifier. Start at low volume and check the exact cable, microphone and device compatibility.

GK KUNTEN · DD / BA