Cadenza12 vs DZ4: which needs more amplifier?

The Letshuoer Cadenza12 is 16Ω at 110.0 dB/mW; the Letshuoer DZ4 is 12Ω at 104.0 dB/mW. This page is only about what they ask of an amplifier — not how they sound, which no specification on either sheet can tell you.

The DZ4 needs 6.0 dB more than the Cadenza12 to reach the same loudness — 0.40 mW against 0.10 mW.

The numbers that decide it

SpecificationCadenza12DZ4
Impedance16 Ω12 Ω
Sensitivity110.0 dB/mW104.0 dB/mW
Sensitivity (voltage)128.0 dB/V123.2 dB/V
Power for 100 dB0.10 mW0.40 mW
Voltage for 100 dB40 mV69 mV
Current for 100 dB2.5 mA5.8 mA
Highest source impedance
that leaves them alone (one-eighth rule)
2.00 Ω1.50 Ω
Sources that reach 100 dB
out of 280
280280

Where the two part company

Every source in the database that drives one of them drives the other. On power, the choice between these two changes nothing about what amplifier you need.

5 sources are low enough in output impedance for the Cadenza12 under the one-eighth rule but not for the DZ4 (FiiO KA13, Schiit Vali 2+, Astell&Kern HC3, 2 more).

12 sources stay below the audible-hiss threshold with the DZ4 but cross it with the Cadenza12 (Lake People G103-S Mk II, Lake People G111 Mk II, Grace Design m900, 9 more).

280 of the 280 sources here reach 100 dB on both. That count is about power only — the output-impedance and hiss lines above are separate questions, and a source can pass this one and fail those.

Both pages in full

Each model has a page of its own with the full source list, the hiss estimate and the provenance of every figure above: Letshuoer Cadenza12 and Letshuoer DZ4. Every figure on this page comes from what Letshuoer published, or is derived from it — what that maker publishes, counted.