25 mW per channel into 16 Ω — the output ceiling for portable audio
The MAX9725AETC delivers 25 mW per channel into a 16 Ω load, which is the power budget for driving earbuds or small on-ear headphones from a single lithium cell or a 1.8 V rail. The Class AB output stage runs on a 0.9 V to 1.8 V supply, so it operates directly from a battery without a boost converter — the supply voltage range sets the headroom before clipping, not the output stage topology.
DirectDrive architecture and package fit
Analog Devices' DirectDrive® series generates a negative rail internally, eliminating the need for DC-blocking output capacitors — the headphone jack sees a clean ground-referenced signal without the pop and thump of a coupling-cap discharge.