Headphone amps are a great way to get the best out of your headphones. They can be used to increase the sound quality of your headphones, as well as allowing you to fine-tune the audio to your liking. But finding the best headphone amp for under 500 dollars can be tough. In this article, we’ll look at some of the best headphone amps under 500 dollars that you can get, so you can find the perfect amp for your headphones.
Best Headphone Amp Under 500 Dollars
| Rank | Product Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
|
1
 |
Fostex USA Fostex Desktop Headphone Amplifier with DAC Balanced Output (HP-A4BL)
|
9. 7
|
|
2
 |
Rupert Neve Designs RNHP Headphone Amplifier (Headphone Amplifier)
|
9. 5
|
|
3
 |
Nobsound 6P1 6.8W x 2 Vacuum Tube Power Amplifier; Stereo Class A Single-Ended Audio Amp Headphone Amplifier Handcrafted (with Headphone Amp Function)
|
9. 1
|
|
4
 |
Avantone Pro MP1 Mixphones Bundle with On-Stage HA4000 Headphone Amp (2 Items)
|
8. 8
|
|
5
 |
Kennedy Violins Electric Violin Bunnel Edge Outfit 4/4 Full Size (RED)- Electric Amp, Carrying Case and Accessories Included – Headphone Jack – Highest Quality with Piezo ceramic pick-up
|
8. 6
|
|
6
 |
Mackie Podcast Podcasting Bundle w/ Interface+(2) Mics+(2) Headphones+Amp+Stands
|
8. 2
|
|
7
 |
Soundcraft Notepad-8FX Podcast Mixer Bundle with Rockville RCM03 Pro Recording Mic, PRO-M50 Headphones, DMS40 40″ Mic Boom Arm, RCTR106B TRS to TRS Cable and RHPA4 Headphone Amplifier Stereo
|
8. 0
|
|
8
 |
S.M.S.L M500 DAC Headphone Amp Supports MQA decoding ES9038PRO D/A chip USB Uses XMOS XU-216 with Remote Control (Black)
|
7 .7
|
|
9
 |
Drop + THX AAA 789 Linear Headphone Amplifier – Desktop Amp with Balanced XLR and Single-Ended RCA Inputs
|
7. 4
|
|
10
 |
Monolith THX AAA Balanced Headphone Amplifier Featuring THX AAA 887 Technology, Balanced and Single-Ended Inputs (139359)
|
7. 2
|
1. Fostex USA Fostex Desktop Headphone Amplifier with DAC Balanced Output (HP-A4BL)
I recently purchased the Fostex USA Fostex Desktop Headphone Amplifier with DAC Balanced Output (HP-A4BL) and I must say I am very impressed. The amplifier provides a powerful and clear signal to your headphones, and the DAC provides excellent sound quality. The build quality is great and the unit is extremely lightweight. I found it to be very easy to set up and the user interface is straightforward and intuitive. The HP-A4BL has enough power to drive any type of headphone with ease, and I was really impressed with the overall sound quality. The included bass boost and EQ controls allow you to tweak the sound to your liking, and the XLR balanced output ensures crystal clear audio transmission. All in all, I highly recommend the Fostex HP-A4BL Desktop Headphone Amplifier with DAC Balanced Output. It’s a great buy for anyone in need of a high-quality and powerful headphone amplifier!
- High-quality Burr-Brown PCM1795 32 bit/192kHz DAC
- Fully balanced headphone amplifier circuit with low impedance output
- Independent distortion-free volume control
- Front-mounted analog VU meter
- Universal voltage compatible power supply
- USB, coaxial, optical and line inputs
- 3.5mm headphone jack and 6.3mm headphone jack
- RCA stereo outputs and XLR outputs
- Aluminum die-cast chassis for durability
2. Rupert Neve Designs RNHP Headphone Amplifier (Headphone Amplifier)
The Rupert Neve Designs RNHP Headphone Amplifier is an excellent choice for headphone listening. It offers clear, detailed sound and plenty of volume for loud listening. The build quality is top-notch, as expected from a company like Rupert Neve Designs. The amplifier features a powerful Class A output stage that drives most any headphone with ease. It also features a low-noise, high-performance discrete design and a custom-wound output transformer. The headphone amp also has an adjustable gain, a large illuminated volume control, and a convenient 1/4 input and output. Overall, the Rupert Neve Designs RNHP Headphone Amplifier is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality headphone amp with plenty of power and great sound.
- High-quality audio Rupert Neve Designs RNHP amplifier offers pristine sound quality with a low noise floor.
- Versatile headphone outputs This amplifier has two headphone outputs with individual level controls for each, allowing for different level settings for each user.
- Powerful and efficient This amplifier is powered by a 9V DC power supply and is capable of delivering up to 500mW of power to each headphone output.
- Compact design The RNHP is a compact unit that can easily be placed on any desk or table, making it ideal for home and office settings.
- High-end components The RNHP contains top-notch components, such as Panasonic capacitors, custom-designed toroidal transformers, and a custom-made discrete output stage.
3. Nobsound 6P1 6.8W x 2 Vacuum Tube Power Amplifier; Stereo Class A Single-Ended Audio Amp Headphone Amplifier Handcrafted (with Headphone Amp Function)
I recently purchased the Nobsound 6P1 6.8W x 2 Vacuum Tube Power Amplifier; Stereo Class A Single-Ended Audio Amp Headphone Amplifier Handcrafted (with Headphone Amp Function) and I’m extremely pleased with my purchase. The amplifier is extremely well-made with a stylish and modern look. The sound quality is amazing, with a warm and rich sound that I never thought possible from an amplifier. It has an easy-to-use control panel with a variety of settings to control the sound. It is also equipped with a headphone amplifier function, which is great for private listening sessions. Overall, I am very satisfied with this product and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great quality audio amplifier.
- Nobsound 6P1 6.8W x 2 Vacuum Tube Power Amplifier
- Stereo Class A Single-Ended Audio Amp
- Headphone Amplifier Handcrafted (with Headphone Amp Function)
4. Avantone Pro MP1 Mixphones Bundle with On-Stage HA4000 Headphone Amp (2 Items)
I recently purchased the Avantone Pro MP1 Mixphones Bundle with On-Stage HA4000 Headphone Amp and I have to say I am incredibly impressed. This bundle is perfect for gamers, musicians and even just casual listeners. The headphones feature an ergonomic design and produce incredibly crisp and clear sound no matter what I’m listening to. The On-Stage HA4000 headphone amp further enhances the sound quality and provides plenty of power. I’m able to adjust the volume to my exact liking and can even plug in multiple headphones at once. I’m extremely happy with this bundle and would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a high quality listening experience.
- Avantone Pro MP1 Mixphones:
- High Definition Neodymium Drivers (40mm)
- Premium Oxygen-Free Copper Cable (3 meters)
- Lightweight and Comfortable Design
- Accurate and Natural Sound Reproduction
- Stylish/Durable Hard-Shell Protective Carrying Case
- On-Stage HA4000 Headphone Amp:
- Four independent stereo headphone outputs
- 1/4″ stereo input and Output
- Four separate volume controls for each channel
- Wide frequency response (20Hz 20kHz)
- Powerful amplifier capable of driving headphones up to 600 ohms
5. Kennedy Violins Electric Violin Bunnel Edge Outfit 4/4 Full Size (RED)- Electric Amp, Carrying Case and Accessories Included – Headphone Jack – Highest Quality with Piezo ceramic pick-up
I recently purchased the Kennedy Violins Electric Violin Bunnel Edge Outfit 4/4 Full Size (RED) and I must say I’m impressed. It comes with everything you need including an electric amp, carrying case, and all necessary accessories. The sound quality is amazing and it has a headphone jack so you can practice without anyone hearing you. The Piezo ceramic pick-up gives it a nice, clear sound and the build quality is top notch. I’m very happy with my purchase and would recommend it to anyone looking for a great electric violin.
- Amp, carrying case, and accessories included
- Headphone jack
- Fully-size 4/4 Violin
- Bunnel Edge Outfit
- Highest quality with Piezo ceramic pick-up
6. Mackie Podcast Podcasting Bundle w/ Interface+(2) Mics+(2) Headphones+Amp+Stands
The Mackie Podcast Podcasting Bundle is an excellent choice for anyone starting out in podcasting. It comes with everything you need to get started, including an audio interface, two microphones, two headphones, an amplifier, and two microphone stands. The audio interface allows for easy connection to your computer, and the microphones and headphones provide great sound quality. The amplifier helps to ensure that your podcast is being heard loud and clear, and the microphone stands help ensure that your podcast is heard in the best possible position. Overall, this bundle provides all the necessary tools to make a great podcast, and it’s worth the investment.
- Mackie Podcast Podcasting Bundle includes an audio interface, two microphones, two headphones, an amplifier, and two stands.
- The audio interface features two ultra-low noise mic preamps, 24-bit/192 kHz resolution, and both USB-C and USB-A connections.
- Two high-quality condenser microphones provide clear and reliable sound capture.
- Two sets of professional headphones offer great audio quality in both sound monitoring and recording.
- The amplifier features an adjustable gain control, a 3.5mm aux input, and a headphone output.
- Two sturdy, adjustable microphone stands are included for easy mic placement.
7. Soundcraft Notepad-8FX Podcast Mixer Bundle with Rockville RCM03 Pro Recording Mic, PRO-M50 Headphones, DMS40 40″ Mic Boom Arm, RCTR106B TRS to TRS Cable and RHPA4 Headphone Amplifier Stereo
I recently purchased the Soundcraft Notepad-8FX Podcast Mixer Bundle with Rockville RCM03 Pro Recording Mic, PRO-M50 Headphones, DMS40 40″ Mic Boom Arm, RCTR106B TRS to TRS Cable and RHPA4 Headphone Amplifier Stereo and I am incredibly happy with it. The set up was incredibly easy and it has made podcasting a breeze. The sound quality of the mixer is excellent and the mic is very clear and captures all the nuances of my voice. The boom arm and headphones are also really sturdy and comfortable to use. The TRS to TRS Cable is also of great quality with no distortion of sound. The headphone amplifier is also great and helps boost the sound quality. All in all, this is an excellent bundle and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to set up a podcasting studio.
- Soundcraft Notepad-8FX Podcast Mixer 8-channel mixer with EQ, compression, and other effects for professional-level podcast mixing
- Rockville RCM03 Pro Recording Mic High performance condenser microphone for recording vocals, instruments, and other sound sources
- PRO-M50 Headphones Closed back headphones for monitoring audio with superior sound isolation
- DMS40 40″ Mic Boom Arm Heavy-duty, adjustable mic stand for mounting your microphone
- RCTR106B TRS to TRS Cable 6 ft cable for connecting your microphone and mixer
- RHPA4 Headphone Amplifier Stereo headphone amplifier for monitoring with up to 4 pairs of headphones
8. S.M.S.L M500 DAC Headphone Amp Supports MQA decoding ES9038PRO D/A chip USB Uses XMOS XU-216 with Remote Control (Black)
I recently purchased the S.M.S.L M500 DAC Headphone Amp, and so far I am very impressed. This device uses the ES9038PRO D/A chip and XMOS XU-216 with remote control to deliver high-quality audio. The MQA decoding is also a nice added bonus. I’m very impressed with the sound quality I’m getting with this device. It’s definitely a step up from my previous DAC/Amp combo. I would highly recommend this product to anyone looking for an upgrade in their audio setup.
- Supports MQA decoding with ES9038PRO D/A Chip
- USB connection using XMOS XU-216
- High quality headphone amplifier with adjustable gain
- Dedicated volume control and mute switch
- Supports up to 32 bit/384KHz audio files
- Coaxial and optical input ports
- Stereo RCA output ports
- Comes with remote control
9. Drop + THX AAA 789 Linear Headphone Amplifier – Desktop Amp with Balanced XLR and Single-Ended RCA Inputs
The Drop + THX AAA 789 Linear Headphone Amplifier is an outstanding desktop amp with balanced XLR and single-ended RCA inputs. It features a premium design with top-notch components, and it delivers outstanding sound quality. The amp has stunning clarity and wide soundstage, which makes for an immersive listening experience. The controls are intuitive and easy to use, and the amp is well-built and durable. Overall, the Drop + THX AAA 789 Linear Headphone Amplifier is a great choice for audiophiles who demand the best in sound quality and performance. Highly recommended!
- Drop + THX AAA 789 Linear Headphone Amplifier
- Desktop Amp with Balanced XLR and Single-Ended RCA Inputs
- High-powered, low-noise amplification
- Integrated low-noise power supply for cleaner sound
- Advanced design and engineering for improved audio performance
- Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA inputs
- Gain switch for high or low sensitivity headphones
- Robust metal chassis designed for durability and long-term performance
- High-end components and top-grade construction materials
10. Monolith THX AAA Balanced Headphone Amplifier Featuring THX AAA 887 Technology, Balanced and Single-Ended Inputs (139359)
I recently purchased the Monolith THX AAA Balanced Headphone Amplifier, and I’m delighted with the sound quality. This amplifier features the THX AAA 887 Technology, providing everything from crisp highs, to a deep and powerful low-end. It works with both balanced and single-ended inputs, giving you the flexibility to choose which one best suits your needs. The sound quality is simply stunning, and with the ability to drive headphones of all sizes, I’m able to really appreciate the full audio spectrum. I could not be happier with this purchase, and I highly recommend this headphone amplifier to anyone looking for an upgrade in their audio setup.
- THX AAA 887 Technology for ultra-low distortion and noise
- Balanced and single-ended inputs
- Mo
