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LD Systems HPA 1 Headphone and In-Ear Monitor (IEM) Amplifier

BH #LDSHPA1 • MFR #LDS-HPA1(US)
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LD Systems HPA 1 Headphone and In-Ear Monitor (IEM) Amplifier
Key Features
  • Compact Headphone Amplifier
  • Ideal for Wired In-Ear Monitoring
  • Balanced XLR Inputs
  • 3.5mm Aux Input for Playback
The black HPA 1 by LD Systems is a headphone amplifier with high-power output for use in stage, studio, and home recording applications. It is an ideal solution for wired in-ear monitoring, and the compact design is ergonomically shaped with a rugged plastic housing. The HPA 1 has a soft-touch surface and a belt clip that can attach to the talent during a performance. 
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Expected availability: 7-14 Business Days
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$124.05
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LD Systems LDS-HPA1(US) Overview

The black HPA 1 by LD Systems is a headphone amplifier with high-power output for use in stage, studio, and home recording applications. It is an ideal solution for wired in-ear monitoring, and the compact design is ergonomically shaped with a rugged plastic housing. The HPA 1 has a soft-touch surface and a belt clip that can attach to the talent during a performance. 

It has locking XLR connectors for the stereo signal L/R input and a 3.5mm stereo AUX input, which can be used for playback or click. A 3.5mm stereo jack is provided as a headphone output. It has a push-button switch to select between a summed mono or stereo signals. The HPA 1 provides a built-in limiter that can give you protection against feedback and an optimal playback signal. The headphone amplifier is lightweight and can operate for up to 12 hours using a 9V battery (not included) or a 9 VDC power supply (available separately).

LD Systems LDS-HPA1(US) Specs

Input Connection Type
2 x XLR-F (Balanced)
1 x 1/8" / 3.5 mm Stereo Jack (AUX In)
Input Impedance
XLR: 6 kOhms
AUX: 10 kOhms
Input Sensitivity
XLR-F: 3 dBu
AUX: -6 dBV
Protection Circuits
Audio Limiter, Max Input Leveling, Power OFF, Mute Relay
Headphone Output
1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS
Power Output
2 x 1.65 Vrms
Minimum Impedance
16 Ohms (per Channel)
Frequency Response
20 Hz to 40 kHz
THD
0.04%
Controls
Balance L/R, Power/Volume, Stereo/Mono (Focus) Switch
Indicator LEDs
Battery (Low Battery, Red), Peak (Amber), Power LED (Power ON, Green), Signal (Green)
Operating Voltage
9 V Battery
9 VDC Power Supply
Current Draw
Nominal 0.07 A
Maximum 0.15 A
Material of Construction
Plastic
Cabinet Construction
Soft-Touch Plastic
Dimensions
3.1 x 1.6 x 5.3" / 80 x 42.5 x 133 mm
Weight
5.4 oz / 155 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight
0.565 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
6.3 x 4 x 2.3"

LD Systems LDS-HPA1(US) Reviews

Exactly what you would want a headphone amp to do

By Guillermo
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2026-01-05

Obviously, if you're working with a sound recordist on location, they'll have their own gear and mixer- but when I'm shooting solo and have to pay attention to video AND sound, I'm routing all mics into my camera and monitoring that feed. It doesn't matter what camera you use- Blackmagic, Sony, Canon, or what- those headphone jacks are never loud enough and make it impossible to listen critically for audio issues (rubbing on clothes, wind, whathaveyou.) For years I suffered through it until, after a lot of searching, I found this unit- and it works exactly as I would have designed it myself. It'll take a stereo mini output from your camera and boost it loud enough for you to really hear it on your cans- without adding any line noise. It's a perfectly clean signal. Even better, you can switch to mono mode to hear your mix out of both sides, something cameras don't do and which gives you a much fuller sound. When in mono mode, the pan knob becomes a balance knob, making this a simple mixer- if you want to only hear Mic 1 out of both ears, and mite Mic 2 for a moment, you just pan over to the Left side, and if you want to hear Mic 2, pan the other way... and if you want to hear both but adjust the levels on each mic, just set the balance knob to favor whatever mic you prefer. A poor man's mixer! As if that's not enough, you can also use the 2 XLR inputs in addition to the mini jack, for a total of 4 discreet inputs mixed into stereo L/R or 1 mono mix. So it's not just good for a video camera's audio feed, it's good for monitoring soundboard mixes, for example. The belt clip makes it east to attach anywhere, and it takes a 9 volt or DC power adapter if you've got one that fits. The only thing I can't comment on yet is durability- if the thing doesn't last you can be sure I'll come back and update this review- but after testing it with music, dialogue, whathaveyou, it works exactly as I would want a device to work, which almost never happens (hence my rare enthusiastic review.)

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