An Overview of Headphone Amplifiers

Whether you're working in a studio or just listening to music for fun, you'll get the best sound out of your headphones with a headphone amplifier. There are many options, but a basic understanding of what they do and how you'll use yours will help you decide what you need.

What Are Headphone Amplifiers?

Headphones are small speakers that require adequate power to drive them. Headphone amplifiers give you extra power beyond what the source of your audio provides. If you don't have enough power, you may experience problems with sound quality, such as distortion. Using an amplifier delivers a much cleaner signal. Also, if you're using high-impedance headphones, you may need an amplifier for your headphones to work at all.

Studio Headphone Amplifiers

There is a wide variety of studio headphone amps available to boost your studio headphones. Small desktop units with just a few inputs may be perfect for smaller or home studios. Bigger rack units offer more channels and inputs, if you have a larger studio and require more power. Some rack systems enable individual musicians to control mixers by allowing them to send audio individually, which gives each musician more control over the sound.

Personal Headphone Amplifiers

If you're not working with sound professionally, you can get personal desktop and portable bluetooth headphone amplifiers to improve your listening experience. In addition to amplification, many personal amplifiers also include a DAC, or digital-to-audio converter, which enhances the quality of your digital audio. To minimize clutter, consider wireless or Bluetooth headphone amplifiers, which connect to your headphones directly and communicate with your audio source without cords.

There's a wide selection of headphones, headphone amplifiers, and personal and pro audio gear available at B&H Photo and Video. Find the right equipment and make sure your audio always sounds its best.