Best headphone audio amplifiers in 2020

Everyone has encountered a bad signal in their headphones. Even buying expensive models, the problem does not disappear, and the desired volume remains the ultimate dream. This problem is not related to the headphones, but to the technology to which they are connected. Because standard connectors are limited in their capabilities, while specialized devices are not.

The editors of the site "bestx.htgetrid.com/en/" have prepared for you a rating of the best sound amplifiers for headphones for 2020.

Purpose and features

There are thousands of audio amplifiers sold in the store, and each one is different in both size and purpose. Some are used for non-professional headphones, which are more often used by ordinary users, their voltage ranges from 0.5 V. The second group is intended for use in professional studios, where full-size devices are used, whose output voltage exceeds 2 V.

The headphones used in smartphones are designed to adhere to the golden mean in order to maintain medium-quality sound and at the same time not waste the entire battery charge. In external amplifiers, the main parameter is to ensure the best sound quality and that's it.

In the production of mobile phones, firms try to equip it with parts with minimum power consumption in order to achieve maximum autonomy. Therefore, one can only dream of a high-quality microcircuit that will amplify the sound. The manufacturer tries to invest in a minimum budget and maximum autonomy. For this reason, smartphone owners receive a sound that is far from ideal, and if most do not distinguish this, then for people who constantly work with music, the difference is obvious.

Often, in order to achieve good sound on a smartphone, PC or laptop, an external amplifier is bought. It plugs into a standard 3.5mm jack and the headphones use the amplifier jack. Such models are equipped with small dimensions, which makes them easy to move in a pocket or backpack. It is important to know that the supported headphones depend on the dimensions, i.e. for small vacuum plugs, compact amplifiers are used, for full-sized ones, more overall.

In addition to high sound quality, the sound amplifier increases the battery life, because it practically does not consume current from the smartphone, but consume its own battery.

For people who make music at home, buying a stationary amplifier will be a useful acquisition. It is powered from a 220 V network, but the use of such a unit is limited and it is not possible to take it with you on a trip.

The benefits of audio amplifiers

A sound amplifier for headphones is able to provide the user with sufficient volume and make the sound comfortable and rich, since noise and distortion will not come to the fore. Every instrument will be heard perfectly - drums, electric guitar, violin and synthesizer.

These two functions are important and dependent on each other. Because even at the minimum volume setting, the owner will not get a clear sound, but the distortion will remain. Therefore, most connoisseurs or those who have tried to listen to music in excellent quality once, prefer to buy external amplifiers, which will provide comfort and purity.

Rating of the best amplifiers

Fiio BTR3

A two-channel audio amplifier for headphones that provides the user with the best sound at an average cost. The power of the front channels is 16 and 32 ohms, respectively. The owner of Fiio BTR3 will no longer be able to listen to music in standard quality. The signal-to-noise ratio is 120 dB.

There is the possibility of a Bluetooth connection, and there is also NFC. The built-in battery will allow you not to waste the electric energy of your smartphone, which will save performance tenfold. A useful feature is the built-in active noise canceling microphone. The operating time from one charge reaches 11 hours, which is a good result.

Sold at a price of 4,300 rubles.

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BEHRINGER P1

Great solution for personal monitoring. The amplifier will give the user reliability and high sound quality. But this device is more intended for professional use by beginner music groups. Its ease of customization due to its accessible interface will make it easier to find performance flaws.

An excellent solution is the presence of a built-in limiting circuit that protects the person from peaks and protects his eardrums. It is also possible to work with two sources, for this you need to use the mix function.

The battery life reaches 12 hours, while the device operates from a 9 V battery. For convenient monitoring of the power status, the manufacturer has equipped the device with an LED. The body is made of metal, so an accidental drop will not damage it and guarantee a long service life.

The average cost is 3,500 rubles.

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S.M.S.L Idol +

A small audio amplifier that looks like a standard USB stick at first glance. The model is intended for private use among people who only want to get acquainted with sound amplifiers and find out their positive aspects in practice, and not in the text.

The sound is clear and distortion-minimized. In addition, if a person uses good programs that bypass sound conversions and output sound directly, then the difference will be even greater. And the smartphone will turn into a good Hi-Fi player with movie viewing capabilities.

Sold at a price of 3,500 rubles.

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xDuoo XQ-10

An excellent compact device that will be a great replacement for outdated models from 2017 and 2018. The package bundle is simple, the box contains a USB cable, an amplifier and a wire for connecting to a phone, tablet, laptop. The body is made of aluminum alloy, which is not a bad decision considering the cost of the product. The sale is carried out in two colors: black and silver, but regardless of the option chosen, the paint will slide off after several months of active use. If you do not take into account this drawback, but look at the external performance completely, then this is an excellent device that will not break down on the first fall and will last as long as possible.

To enable, use the corresponding button. It is located at the bottom of the equipment and is marked with a special pattern. In the upper part there is a volume control, which surpasses the built-in smartphone several times.On the right is the charging connector with light indication, and on the left is the headphone jack.

The dimensions of the amplifier are small. They are a couple of centimeters larger than a matchbox. However, despite such dimensions, the equipment will give a person a comfortable sound and will not take up much space in his pocket. The battery life reaches 20 hours, making it useful for most music lovers. Also, the advantage of this Chinese device is that, unlike some models, it does not "embellish" the sound, but amplifies it.

It is sold on AliExpress for about 2,000 rubles.

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M-Audio Bass Traveler

A good device that is suitable for amplifying sound on full-size headphones that connect to a smartphone. The model copes well with devices of any class and provides excellent quality throughout the entire period of operation. The package contents are the same as for the previous model, the only difference is that the delivery is carried out in plastic boxes, not cardboard ones.

Also, the body has undergone changes, which is not made of the usual metal, but of glossy plastic. Of course, you can only dream of reliability here, and if you remove the film, then scratches with prints will appear after an hour of use. The dimensions are the same as for a matchbox.

When charging is in progress, the indicator lights up in red, at the end of this process, it changes to blue. At the top is a toggle switch. He is responsible for changing the volume value and turns the device on or off. Also on this panel there are 2 mini jacks, which allows you to listen to music from two devices at once.

At the bottom there is a USB connector for charging, an input 3.5 mm jack, and a mode switch. When the Flat function is turned on, the device will pass the sound through itself and increase it, the bass remains unchanged, in the Medium mode, there is a slight increase in the low frequencies, and the High will open the low frequencies at full power.

Sold at a price of 3 300 rubles.

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Cayin C5

An excellent product from a popular company that is in demand among most high-quality sound lovers. This model is a direct competitor to the Fiio E12 amplifiers, which have proven themselves well in the market.

It is based on the OPA134 and LME49600 chips. The exact same elements are present in the competitive model. Therefore, the output power of these devices is absolutely the same. However, the Cayin C5 can be used not only as an amplifier, but also as a portable battery. Such a function cannot be called in demand, since the equipment capacity is 1000 mAh, which is not enough for full charging. But in an emergency, for example, when a person is waiting for an important call, this opportunity can be decisive.

The appearance of the device differs from typical representatives, and for the better. The entire design is made in the "retro" style, which is very much appreciated among the true connoisseurs of quality sound. The body is made of metal, which does not retain fingerprints and is scratch resistant. The assembly is made at a premium level, the body looks like a whole, no gaps, backlashes, etc. The maximum battery life is 12 hours.

Sounds good, low frequencies are easy to control and well expressed. High frequencies are transmitted without distortion or crackling. The level of detail is comparable to that of the studio, which is also a positive point.

The average cost is 8,700 rubles.

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Creative SXFI AMP

An excellent professional device that will give only positive emotions from listening. For this, the manufacturer uses modern Super X-Fi technology. It allowed not only to improve the sound quality, but also to make the body small. The signal is transmitted to headphones in studio quality with a high level of detail. This makes the music more realistic and immersive.

Since everyone hears the world differently, Creative SXFI AMP strives to create a personalized sound that can be adjusted to each person individually. As the results of reviews and tests show, they practically succeeded. The purity and quality cannot be compared to cheap Chinese amplifiers.

The body is made of a solid sheet of aluminum, which gives the device more robustness. The size of the equipment is about the size of the index finger of the average man, while weighing only 15 grams.

Creative SXFI AMP gives you the opportunity to enjoy not only the first-class sound of musical compositions, but also give an unforgettable experience of movies and games. The model is compatible with a laptop, smartphone, tablet, personal computer, console.

The average cost is 15,000 rubles.

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Sony PHA3

The path to this device began back in 2013, when Sony made only the first attempts to conquer the HiEnd market. At first, no one took the company's intentions seriously, and the firm was not able to achieve much success. However, with the release of this model, everything changed. Professionals received a quality product at a low cost by their standards. Of course, this product is not suitable for ordinary consumers, since they will not be able to open it up to the full, and buying it for 50,000 rubles to use a couple of functions is not the best solution.

This product implements high-definition audio recording and DSD support. A big advantage is the ability to use balanced headphones, where the channels are connected separately.

The design is perfect. With all his appearance, he shows the seriousness of the company and its firm intentions. The body is made entirely of metal and has a slight roughness that will not allow the device to slip off at the wrong moment. The rear panel houses the main inputs and connectors, each labeled with a corresponding pattern, which is a convenient solution for beginners.

Sold at a price of 50,000 rubles.

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Finally

You don't have to buy expensive headphones to enjoy your music. All that is needed is a good amplifier. If you have experience using the models described in the rating, or more interesting representatives, tell us about it in the comments.