Whether you are a musical veteran or just an audio adventurist who just bought a new pair of exclusive headphones, ready to experience your tracks like never before, then you are in the right place.
This article is artistically crafted to help you choose the best headphone amplifier for your headphones.
We have compiled the best headphone amplifiers in the market which includes high-end model, mid-range, and budget amps.
Here is a quick summary of the top picks:
- Editor’s Pick- Behringer Micro amp HA400
- Most popular pick-VOX AP2AC amPlug 2 AC30
Best Portable Headphone Amps Under $100- Top Picks
Behringer Micro amp HA400
Behringer Micro amp Ha400 is an ultra-compact 4-channel output headphone amplifier.
It is smaller than a standard cell phone and can drive up to four headphones with high-quality audio output.
It has 4 control knobs and an exceptionally practical design compatible with most audio plugins. It is a tiny modest amp built to last a lifetime with excellent durability construction.
Behringer Microamp does its job perfectly by allowing you to split an audio signal and share it with up to four pairs of headphones and receive a similar signal of audio output across the 4-channels. This technique is ideal for musicians with a home recording studio setup.
Generally, this headphone amp allows you to connect multiple headphones and enable your friends to listen along.
As a musician, there are times when I want to listen to the quality audio output of my recordings without interrupting the other party, therefore, considering the matchless value you receive from this simple 4-channel splitting headphone amp, Behringer Microamp will remain your best choice
Pros
- Excellent quality construction for prolonged durability
- 4-channel stereo amp for the best sound output quality
- Low-priced headphone amp
- A compact design ideal for studio productions and stage performances.
M-Audio Bass Traveler Portable Powered Headphone Amp
The M-Audio Bass is a compact portable headphone amp with dual outputs and a two-level boost.
This device is one of the best headphone amps with a magical listening experience uniquely designed to support up to two headphones and produce the same audio signal quality.
M-Audio headphone amplifier comes with an inbuilt 2-level bass boost that offers you powerful sound output and the extras-equipped specifics.
If you are planning to travel as you listen along, worry not because the M-Audio bass headphone amp is the best traveling companion since its supercharged battery power can run up to 8 hours eliminating the constant need for electricity.
Pros
- Can enhance the sound quality of up to two headphones concurrently
- The long-lasting battery power of up to 8 hours non-stop
- Bass boosts quality sound feature
Related: Best Bluetooth Headphones for Guitar Amp
PreSonus HP4 4-Channel Compact Headphone Amp
PreSonus HP4 4-channel is an all-time headphone amp that has been circulating in the market for several decades now.
PreSonus amp’s main selling strength is the capability to support four pairs of headphones.
This headphone amp comes with a room monitor control and global mute for mounting it on a 1/3U rack.
Surprisingly, the PreSonus amp allows you to run multiple recordings while producing equally powered output audio signals.
The sound quality of this amp is more defined than most other 4-channel headphone amps, the output quality is powerful across all four headphones with clear loudness, and therefore you will not have to crank up the volume on any channel.
PreSonus HP4 headphone amplifier comes with line-in and line-out ports and specially designed 4 ¼ inch headphone jacks for hooking up the four headphones and mounting studio monitors. This feature allows you to daisy chain several PreSonus at the same time.
Pros
- Broad dynamic reception
- Room monitoring cue control
- 4-channel output
- Mountable with a 1/3U rack
VOX AP2AC amPlug 2 AC30 Guitar/Bass Headphone Amplifier
Many musicians suggest Vox amPlug 2 headphone amp due to its quality sound synchronization ability.
This micro amp has a variety of different models ranging from metal tone, clean model, bass tone, and tones for classic rock and blues.
Each model has a specialized design for different functions and uses. For example, the ergonomic 180°swivel on the input offers you the flexibility of connecting the headphone amp to different guitar models if needed.
If you are looking for a device to amplify your electric guitar or bass so that you can listen through your headphones, VOX amPlug offers in-depth qualities like an aux input which allows you to play your instrument alongside an audio track.
Similarly, VOX amPlug micro amp is designed with a bass mini speaker for a player opting to practice without a headphone.
The 17 hours battery life offers an ideal solution for you to practice the guitar with your headphones as you travel.
When it comes to pricing this amp is a perfect choice especially if you are weighing between price and quality. With such a low price, you get to experience the awesome features that come with this guitar/bass headphone.
Pros
- Low price
- Different models to choose from
- Excellent onboard effects
- Specialized features for guitar/bass
AudioQuest – DragonFly Cobalt USB DAC/Headphone Amplifier
DragonFly Cobalt is no child’s play. It is a truly excellent performer among portable headphone amps.
Its luxurious glossy blue finish has a DragonFly logo that glows in various colors depending on the track type currently playing and the specific sample rate.
Despite the tiny elegant appearance, this amp is compact. Its design is simple but hosts terrible power inside, with an original resolution of 24-bit/96khz and an onboard DAC micro-chip ESS ES9038Q2M as well as a minimum-phase slow roll-off filter for stunning natural sound.
However, DragonFly Cobalt requires a USB adapter to operate.
This headphone amp stands out due to its ability to play all music files from MP3 to MQA and displays the file type playing via the LED visual logo.
It has a bit-control volume and stereo DAC with the potential to power both high and low-powered headphones. DragonFly Cobalt comes with a leather pouch for securing your headphone amp in your pocket as you travel.
Pros
- Surprisingly portable
- Perfect quality
- Compatible with iOS mobile devices and Android mobile devices
- Plays all music file types
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are cheap headphone amps worthwhile?
While it is true that using an amplifier with budget-friendly earbuds or headphones likely won’t offer a significant notch up in sound quality, it’s an entirely different story for those high-fidelity, premium headphones in the market. Those headphones, which usually come with a hefty price tag of $200 to $300 and above, are designed to give you the best sonic experience and they often require an amp to do so. These amps, even if on the cheaper side, can make a world of difference.
Remember the first time you heard your favorite song through a high-quality sound system and it felt like an entirely new piece of music, full of previously unheard subtleties? That's the potential power of a headphone amp. However, for users who just want to listen to their favorite podcast or do a Zoom call, an amp may not make a significant improvement. Deciding whether a cheap amp is worth it largely depends on your audio needs.
How much should I invest in a headphone amp?
When considering how much to invest in a headphone amp, you really have to consider the needs of your headphones. Getting an amplifier costing more than $100 to $200 is usually justifiable if your headphones are notably power-hungry or if you are in search of some specific features. Many amps that fall in this price range come with an integrated DAC or digital-to-analog convertor, which is another plus.
There's no absolute right or wrong answer as to how much to spend. The market has a wide price range and it’s really about whether you are getting your money's worth. What would matter is if you get the features you want and need, and if it improves your listening experience in a manner that justifies the cost.
What is the best DAC under $100?
I’m sorry, as of now, I don’t have information about the best DAC under $100. I will update as soon as it’s available.
Is it worth purchasing an amp for headphones?
Now, whether getting an amp for your headphones pays off largely depends on the type of headphones you own. Earbuds and in-ear headphones are generally quite efficient and the noticeable difference that an amp makes is relatively minimal.
But if you have larger over-ear headphones, that's when an amp can be a game-changer. Imagine an over-ear headphone that offers good sound, but when paired with an aptly chosen amp, its performance can be brought to a different level – it becomes clearer, even more, engaging, and truly excellent. It's like having a good athlete unleashed with apt training.
If you are someone who appreciates every beat, every note in its fullest glory, an amp for your headphones might be a great investment. It's like capturing those elusive butterflies of richer, deeper sounds that often get lost in the air when directly plugged into the device.