The Best Headphone Amps
Audiophiles around the globe know that putting a great record on and listening through headphones is one of the surest paths to joy. But what if your phone doesn’t have a headphone jack? What if your computer’s sound quality is sub-par? You can easily fix those problems by investing in a headphone amplifier. A headphone amplifier is a DAC (digital-to-analog converter) that converts a digital signal into an analog source that your speakers can play. Our phones and computers have built-in DACs, but they aren’t all the best quality, and some devices don’t even have a headphone jack. Choosing an aftermarket headphone amp can fix a variety of problems and make your music sound better than ever before. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up the best headphone amplifiers on the market today, so get ready to crank up the tunes.
What to Look For
In our research, the best headphone amps deliver quality sound, are reasonably priced, and user-friendly. For example, if you’re looking for a wireless option, FiiO’s Bluetooth headphone amp offers audiophile quality and works with most apps. If you’re in a band but also on a budget, consider Pyle’s portable stereo headphone amplifier. For a decent price, you’ll have an amp that includes four outputs, which are ideal for recording. Read on to learn more about our favorite pics.
FiiO Bluetooth Receiver Headphone Amp
Bluetooth and bass
If you want quality audio for headphones on the go, this is the amp for you. This Bluetooth receiver headphone amp provides a reliable wireless connection and crystal clear sound reproduction. It can work for getting a great sound at the headphone level or even for playing over loudspeakers. This device is fully compatible with smartphone apps and can even adjust the tone with a ten-band equalizer. Make sure you always get the mix you like by adjusting settings from your smartphone.
Pros:
- We love the small, sleek design, though it still has a nice weight to it.
- Given the superior sound quality, we think it’s a great price.
Cons:
- It doesn’t feature analog controls like knobs or sliders.
VOX Amplug 2 Clean
Guitar worthy
This type of headphone amplifier is specifically designed for guitars. While Vox typically makes British-style tube amplifiers for live music settings, this amp is a bit different. It replicates the sound of a VOX amp but does so without the room-shaking volume. Simply plug the jack into the guitar, plug in your headphones, and start jamming — no guitar cable required. In addition to nailing that classic boutique clean tone, it also offers different settings and effects, including delay, reverb, and chorus. For the beginner guitarist that needs an amp to practice but can’t afford a thousand-dollar AC-30, this tiny headphone amp is a great solution. Practice at bedroom volume, but do it with the tone of your dreams.
Pros:
- We think it’s a great way to practice without bothering anyone, especially if you’re a college student living in a dorm.
- We’re impressed by the battery, which can last up to six hours.
Cons:
- While it looks like a tube amp, it’s not an exact replica of the tube amp sound.
Pyle Portable Stereo Headphone Amplifier
Band-ready in minutes
For group listening or a live in-studio session, this deal can’t be beaten. This four-channel headphone amp from Pyle is made to take one input and create four independent, high-quality outputs with their own volume controls. This makes it ideal if you want to listen to a mix with your fellow band members, as each channel has its own volume. It’s also great for a live band session where each player needs their own mix. Simply plug in the output from a mixer, and then everyone will get their own monitor they can play along to. With a 1/4” input and all 1/4” outputs, it’s easy to get plugged in and session-ready. The analog controls and amazing price make this a must-have for any studio producer.
Pros:
- If you have a makeshift recording studio or need to record on the go, this is a great tool.
- We love that the controls are all analog and easy to use.
Cons:
- While this may be portable, it still needs DC power to work.
KGUSS DAC X6 Headphone Amp
Handle it all
If you have multiple input types you need to amplify, you came to the right place. This headphone amp gives options for USB, optical, and coaxial inputs with a toggle switch to choose between them. The other controls are very simple, including a power switch and volume knob. With all-analog controls, you can’t get much more streamlined than this. If you want a clear audio signal from all your devices, there’s a good chance this unit can accept their inputs. No rocket science here; just plug in and crank it.
Pros:
- We were impressed with the overall audio quality of this amp. It’s quite balanced and boasts a balanced mids and deep bass.
- This amp can carry amazing sound to the most demanding of headphones.
Cons:
- The sound quality is not as good as higher-end models, but at this price, we’re not complaining.
IFI Hip-DAC Portable Headphone Amp
Getting a great audio signal doesn’t have to come from your living room or a surround sound theatre; now, you can get high-quality tunes from your pocket. This headphone amp is small enough to fit in your front pocket and has multiple settings to get the best mix for you. This amp has two USB ports on the back: one for charging and the other as an input. Connect your smartphone or computer via the USB on the back while plugging in your headphones of choice into the front outputs. The front controls offer a switchable gain setting to fit the load of your headphones and a bass response switch that will boost the low end while maintaining a crystal clear midrange. With all these features in such a small package, this amp is a winner.
Pros:
- We love the small size and user-friendly controls.
- There’s lots of adjustability for gain and tone.
Cons:
- It’s pricey compared to other competitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a headphone amplifier?
That depends on your audio setup. If your current setup is giving you unwanted noise or sub-par quality, then a headphone amp could help you. Also, if your current device doesn’t have a headphone jack, an amp could help. Using a DAC like a headphone amplifier can help make your headphones sound better than a typical device, so there are perks. Some even have Bluetooth connectivity so that you can get high-quality music without needing any cables. If you’re not happy with the way your current setup sounds, there’s always room for improvement, and a headphone amp is a relatively inexpensive way to achieve that boost in sound quality.
Is a headphone amp a speaker amp or a guitar amp?
Technically it’s both and neither. An amplifier just amplifies a signal. A headphone amp converts a digital signal into analog (if it’s necessary) and then amplifies it to headphone level. A traditional amplifier amplifies an analog signal to speaker level, which is much louder. A guitar amplifier amplifies an electromagnetic signal through a circuit and sets of pre-amp and power-amp tubes. There are also guitar amps that simply amplify that signal to headphone level by digitally simulating the sound of traditional tube amps. Technically, all of these are amplifiers, and they all have different functions. So here’s the simple answer: if it has a headphone jack, it can be considered a headphone amplifier.
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