Many audio fanatics nonetheless favor wired headphones, however the very best pairs could require extra energy than a budget amps constructed into telephones, tablets, and computer systems can muster. In case your favourite wired headphones sound too quiet or boring when linked to a cell system, you might want a conveyable headphone amplifier with a built-in digital-to-analog converter (DAC).
We advocate the EarMen Eagle for most individuals due to its nice mixture of comfort, efficiency, and affordability. However we even have suggestions when you want one thing extra highly effective or extra reasonably priced.
Our decide
The EarMen Eagle packs spectacular energy right into a super-compact, reasonably priced design, nevertheless it lacks some audiophile-oriented options like MQA assist and balanced audio output.
Regardless of its small dimension, the EarMen Eagle has sufficient energy to get optimum efficiency from nearly all of hard-to-drive audiophile headphones. Relying on the way it’s measured, it produces virtually 4 occasions as a lot energy as our earlier high decide, the AudioQuest DragonFly Purple, but it usually prices about 35% much less. Resembling a USB stick, the Eagle has a normal 3.5 mm headphone jack on one finish and a USB-A plug on the opposite for easy connection to many computer systems. The package deal features a USB-A–to–USB-C adapter to be used with most Android telephones, and the Eagle can be suitable with Apple iOS units—although in that case you must purchase an adapter, which provides to the price.
This headphone amp is lacking some options that audiophiles could search for, reminiscent of balanced audio output and assist for the MQA audio format (extra on this beneath)—however we don’t assume these options are important at this worth. As well as, the Eagle lacks an inside battery and should get its energy out of your cell system, however our assessments confirmed that the battery drain just isn’t important.
Improve decide
This massive headphone amp is sort of thrice as highly effective as our high decide and runs on a built-in rechargeable battery, nevertheless it feels virtually like carrying an additional telephone with you.
In virtually each means, the iFi Hip-dac2 represents an enormous step up from the opposite transportable headphone amps featured right here. It affords virtually thrice as a lot energy because the EarMen Eagle does, and it has an inside rechargeable battery rated for about eight hours of run time, so it gained’t drain your telephone’s battery. The Hip-dac2 has each balanced and unbalanced audio outputs, and the balanced output has a bit extra energy, so it might produce barely higher sound. This iFi mannequin additionally helps MQA, a controversial know-how embraced by some audiophiles that guarantees to enhance efficiency once you’re streaming MQA-processed audio from Tidal.
The draw back of the Hip-dac2 is that it’s virtually as massive and heavy as a typical smartphone, so it in all probability is smart provided that you personal a really power-hungry set of headphones. The package deal features a USB-A cable for connection to most computer systems, in addition to a USB-C adapter for connection to Android units; it additionally works with Apple iOS units by way of the usage of an adapter.
Funds decide
The Hidizs S3 Professional is the dimensions of a stack of 5 nickels, but it has sufficient energy to drive most headphones. However the design feels a bit flimsy.
The Hidizs S3 Professional is barely noticeable in a pocket, however don’t choose it by its dimension. Though it affords solely 50% to 70% as a lot energy because the EarMen Eagle produces, that’s nonetheless lots to drive all however probably the most power-hungry audiophile headphones. The S3 Professional has a normal 3.5 mm headphone jack and an built-in cable tipped with a USB-C connector, and the package deal features a USB-C–to–USB-A adapter. It really works with Apple iOS units by means of a reasonable adapter. Just like the iFi Hip-dac2, the Hidizs S3 Professional helps the controversial MQA know-how that some audiophiles favor.
Our fundamental considerations in regards to the S3 Professional: The cable design appears fragile for a conveyable system, and just like the EarMen Eagle, this mannequin will get its energy out of your laptop or cell system, which drains your system’s battery extra rapidly (however not that rapidly, as our assessments confirmed).
