Best XLR Headphone Amplifiers of 2025

Harvey Wall Avatar
Harvey Wall
Last Updated: 1 Feb 2025

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XLR headphone amplifiers are high-quality audio devices designed to enhance the sound quality of headphones. These amplifiers utilise XLR connectors to provide a balanced audio signal, resulting in improved clarity and reduced noise. XLR headphone amplifiers are popular among audiophiles, sound engineers, and musicians who demand the highest level of sound quality from their headphones. They come in various sizes and styles to suit different needs and preferences, and many models offer additional features such as EQ controls, gain adjustments, and multiple inputs. If you're looking to elevate your headphone listening experience, XLR headphone amplifiers are definitely worth considering.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

SMSL HO200 Balanced Headphone Amplifier & Preamp Cover #TOP 1
SMSL HO200 Balanced Headphone Amplifier & Preamp
ftb score rating icon 9.9
HIFIMAN EF499 Desktop DAC and Amplifier Cover #TOP 2
HIFIMAN EF499 Desktop DAC and Amplifier
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Sabaj A20d Hi-Res DAC Headphone Amplifier Cover #TOP 3
Sabaj A20d Hi-Res DAC Headphone Amplifier
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 XLR Headphone Amplifiers

#TOP 1

SMSL HO200 Balanced Headphone Amplifier & Preamp

HO200
SMSL HO200 Balanced Headphone Amplifier & Preamp Cover
SMSL HO200 Fully Balanced Headphone Amp & Preamp, 6000mW*6000mW 4*PLFC Headphone Amps, XLR/RCA to 4.4mm/6.35mm/4-Pin Balanced Headphone Amplifier, XLR/RCA Pre Output Preamplifier with 3 Gains Control

The SMSL HO200 Amplifier is a fully balanced headphone amplifier designed to deliver exceptional sound quality. With its high output power of up to 6000mW, you can enjoy rich audio even at low volumes. The distinct design features retro-style toggle switches for easy control of gain and input selection. You will appreciate the three gain settings, including a low gain option for in-ear monitors (IEMs), allowing you to customise your listening experience to suit your preferences perfectly.

What We Like
High output power
Distinct retro design
Three gain settings
Balanced and unbalanced connections
#TOP 2

HIFIMAN EF499 Desktop DAC and Amplifier

EF499
Black
Adjustable
HIFIMAN EF499 Desktop DAC and Amplifier Cover
HIFIMAN EF499 Desktop Balanced Headphone DAC& Amplifier with R2R Architecture, XLR/RCA/6.35mm Output for Home Audio DAC, with Support for Streaming Media

The HIFIMAN EF499 DAC offers multiple ways for you to enjoy your music. You can directly play files from a connected NAS drive, stream from your favourite apps, or use it in traditional DAC and headphone amplifier mode. Its R2R architecture delivers a naturally warm and full-range sound, providing an audio experience close to HIFIMAN's reference models. With a balanced output of 4.35 W, it ensures powerful and clear sound for your headphones, enhancing your listening pleasure.

What We Like
Multiple streaming options available
Warm, high-quality sound
Powerful balanced output
Vertical design doubles as a stand
User-friendly front panel controls
#TOP 3

Sabaj A20d Hi-Res DAC Headphone Amplifier

A20d
Sabaj A20d Hi-Res DAC Headphone Amplifier Cover
Sabaj A20d 2022 Version ES9038PRO Hi-Res Balanced Audio DAC XLR to 4.0 Vrms Headphone Amplifier XMOS XU216 Support LDAC apt-x HD DSD512 MQA USB/Optical/Coaxial/Bluetooth

The Sabaj A20d DAC offers exceptional sound quality with its flagship ES9038PRO chip, ensuring you experience high-resolution audio at its finest. As a complete MQA decoder, it allows you to enjoy MQA music files fully, delivering the artist's studio-quality sound. With high-spec Bluetooth capabilities, you can enjoy low-latency and stable audio transmission, making it perfect for wireless listening. Its full interface supports DSD transmission, providing versatility for various audio setups, all while keeping your wiring neat and interference-free.

What We Like
Exceptional sound quality
Complete MQA decoding
High-spec Bluetooth support
Supports DSD transmission
Neat wiring design
#TOP 4

Topping A30 Pro NFCA Headphone Amplifier

TOPPING
A30pro-01
Black
Topping A30 Pro NFCA Headphone Amplifier Cover
Topping A30 Pro NFCA Headphone Amplifier SE Balanced XLR Earphone Amps XLR 4.4mm 6.35mm Output 6000mW x 6000mW Balanced Headphone Amp for D30 Pro (Black)

The Topping A30 Pro is a high-quality headphone amplifier that ensures exceptional sound fidelity, restoring 99.99994% of the original audio. Its NFCA-based circuit is specifically designed for outstanding single-ended performance, providing you with an immersive listening experience. You'll appreciate the thoughtful design, which includes multiple output options, eliminating compatibility concerns with your headphones. Additionally, when using headphones with an impedance greater than 250 ohms, this amp operates in Class A mode, delivering superior audio quality and performance.

What We Like
Exceptional sound fidelity
Multiple output options
Class A operation for high impedance
Optimised single-ended performance
#TOP 5

S.M.S.L H400 Hi-Res Headphone Amplifier

H400-S
S.M.S.L H400 Hi-Res Headphone Amplifier Cover
S.M.S.L H400 Hi-Res Headphone Amplifier 1000mW x 2 Hi-Fi Audio Fully Balanced 3 Speed Gain Control Hi-End Preamp High Output Power 15W/16Ω 7.5W/32Ω 4.4mm/XLR/6.35mm (Black)

The S.M.S.L H400 Amplifier offers impressive high output power, delivering up to 15W at 16Ω and 7.5W at 32Ω, ensuring an optimal listening experience for your headphones. Its switchable gain settings allow you to easily adjust between low, medium, and high gain, tailored to your audio needs. With a fully symmetrical design and discrete components, you can enjoy ultra-high output while eliminating channel deviation. The remote control feature adds convenience, allowing you to manage settings from a distance with ease.

What We Like
High output power
Adjustable gain settings
Symmetrical design
Remote control functionality
#TOP 6

SMSL DO400 Flagship DAC with Bluetooth

DO400 Black
Black
SMSL DO400 Flagship DAC with Bluetooth Cover
SMSL DO400 ES9039MSPRO Flagship DAC, Bluetooth 5.1 DAC, USB/AES/Optical/Coaxial MQA DAC, IIS Input DA Converter, RCA/XLR Full Balanced DAC with 4.4mm/6.35mm/4-XLR 6000mW Headphone Output (Black)

The SMSL DO400 DAC delivers exceptional sound performance with its ES9039MSPRO DAC chip and XMOS XU-316 technology, ensuring dynamic range and low distortion for a studio-quality experience. You can unlock the full potential of your music with its MQA decoding feature, providing you with authentic sound playback from MQA files. This device offers versatile connectivity with multiple input options including USB, Bluetooth, and Optical, making it compatible with various devices. Additionally, its powerful amplification circuit allows you to enjoy clear audio across a broad range of headphones, enhancing your listening experience.

What We Like
Studio-grade sound quality
MQA decoding support
Multiple connectivity options
Strong headphone amplification
Sleek design with remote control
#TOP 7

AOSHIDA A90 Discrete Balanced Headphone Amplifier

A90 Discrete
AOSHIDA A90 Discrete Balanced Headphone Amplifier Cover
AOSHIDA Topping A90 Discrete Fully Discrete Balanced Headphone Amp Preamp, 9800mW*2 NFCA XLR/RCA to 3.5/4.4/6.35/4Pin XLR Headphone Amplifier, Extender Input XLR/RCA Preoutput Preamplifier (Black)

The AOSHIDA A90 Amplifier offers precise volume control through its R2R technology, ensuring a balanced and high-quality listening experience. Its wide compatibility allows you to connect various headphones, from sensitive in-ear monitors to larger over-ear models, making it versatile for all users. With multiple gain options, it can efficiently drive different headphone types without introducing unwanted noise. Additionally, the GND/LIFT switch effectively eliminates ground loop noise, providing a clean audio signal even when using multiple devices.

What We Like
Precise volume control
Wide headphone compatibility
Multiple gain options
Eliminates ground loop noise
#TOP 8

SMSL H300 Balanced HiFi Headphone Amplifier

H300
Black
SMSL H300 Balanced HiFi Headphone Amplifier Cover
SMSL H300 Full Balanced HiFi Headphone Amplifier, Preamplifier, 10000mW Headphone Amp, Hi-Res Audio Preamp, Home Audio Amplifier for 4.4mm/6.35mm/4-Pin XLR Headphones Headset IEM, HPA, Headamp

The SMSL H300 Amplifier delivers exceptional audio quality with its fully balanced design and ultra-low distortion circuits, ensuring clear and precise sound for your listening experience. With powerful amplification capabilities, you can enjoy up to 10W of power at 16 ohms, making it suitable for a wide variety of headphones. Its versatile connectivity options allow you to connect multiple audio sources effortlessly, while user-friendly features enhance your overall convenience during use. You can easily control the volume and operate the device with its intuitive design, perfect for any desktop setup.

What We Like
Exceptional audio quality
Powerful amplification
Versatile connectivity options
User-friendly design
#TOP 9

Bolanle P2 Portable Headphone Amplifier

Bolanle
White
One Size
Bolanle P2 Portable Headphone Amplifier Cover
Bolanle P2 Portable in Ear Monitor Amplifier, Headphone Amplifier with XLR and TRS Input 3.5mm Output, Stereo/Mono, Volume Controller,Personal Amplifier Solution for Keyboardists, Drummers, Guitar

The Bolanle P2 Amplifier offers impressive versatility with its Mono/Stereo switch, allowing you to adapt to various listening environments. It is designed for high impedance professional headphones, ensuring you experience sufficient volume even in noisy settings. The clever XLR and TRS input connection design features a locking function, providing stability during use. Additionally, the amplifier boasts a long battery life of up to 12 hours, giving you the freedom to perform without interruptions.

What We Like
Flexible Mono/Stereo switch
High volume for noisy environments
Secure locking input connections
Long battery life
#TOP 10

S.M.S.L SH-9 Balanced Headphone Amplifier

SH-9
S.M.S.L SH-9 Balanced Headphone Amplifier Cover
S.M.S.L SH-9 Headphone Amplifier THX AAA Technology RCA/XLR Input 6.35MM Balanced Headphone Amplifier

The S.M.S.L SH-9 Amplifier is equipped with THX AAA technology, delivering an impressive 6 watts into 16 Ohm headphones and 3 watts into 32 Ohm. This ensures you enjoy high-quality sound with minimal distortion, enhancing your listening experience. With a frequency response range from 0.1Hz to 500kHz, you can appreciate every detail in your music. Additionally, the amplifier features comprehensive protection, including safeguards against DC, over-voltage, over-current, short-circuit, and thermal issues, ensuring your device remains safe during use.

What We Like
High power output
Minimal distortion
Wide frequency response
Comprehensive protection features
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What amp should I get for headphones?

For a number of reasons the best way to find a pairing based on impedance is to pair a headphone that has at least 10 times the Ω value of the amplifier being used. For example, a 300ohm headphone would pair well with a 30ohm Amplifier.

2. Do I need a headphone amp for mixing?

You do not need a headphone amp for mixing but using a headphone amp brings extra clean headroom to any mixing situation. Headphone amps are a cheap and easy way to overhaul and enhance your current mixing setup. When mixing you will always benefit from using a headphone amp although one is not absolutely required.

3. Is it worth buying a headphone amp?

Most people won't notice a substantial difference and an amp won't be worth it for them unless their headphones need the extra power. If you are creating a setup with high-quality headphones and you are getting a headphone amplifier then you should also consider a DAC to further improve your sound.

4. Do tube headphone amps sound better?

Tube amps just sound different That said, a vacuum tube amplifier isn't definitely make your headphones sound better than if you had a solid-state amplifier — it's just a different sound.

Editor's Notes

During our xlr headphone amplifier research, we found 37 xlr headphone amplifier products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 3,423 customer reviews through our big data system to write the xlr headphone amplifiers list. We found that most customers choose xlr headphone amplifiers with an average price of £435.98.

The xlr headphone amplifiers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of xlr headphone amplifiers, including AOSHIDA, HiFiMAN, SABAJ, TOPPING, S.M.S.L. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 29 consumers with an average rating of 5.0.

Written by
Harvey Wall Avatar

Harvey Wall was born and raised in Norwich. He mastered the art of tool production and finished at the prestigious Norwich University. His area of interest include cutting tools, abrasive finishing and power tools. Harvey is always looking for ways to improve the finesse of industrial tools via his myriads of researches. He also shares some of his experiences on many platforms while writing on tool products.