Most devices that play music already include a built-in headphone amplifier, whether it is a Smartphone, a tablet, or a computer. So, why do you need an external headphone amplifier? An external headphone amplifier has much more space with more power, which allows for better sound and in some headphone amplifiers, more power to drive headphones.
If you’re looking for the best headphone amp under $100 then there are hundreds of options available in the market and selecting one of them is not a simple task. So, we had tried to help you in choosing the best headphone amp from the rest.
Most important things to consider while buying a headphone amplifier:
(Things to see before buying a headphone amplifier)
- Budget
- Build Quality
- Portability
- DAC
- Impedance
So, here are the top 10 headphone amps under $100 that you can choose according to your needs and that fulfills your budget.
Top 10 Headphone Amplifiers Under $100:
1. FiiO E10K USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier (Best in all amplifier)
Price:- $64.99
Ratings:-
FiiO is one of the reputed company that manufacturers that manufactures some of the best headphone amplifiers on a very comparable price with an impressive audio performance working with a good headphone. This amplifier is made up of aluminum which makes it strong and durable in the long run. It has a 3.5mm headphone jack in the front with an on/off bass switch and a volume knob. On the backside, you will find a coaxial out port, a line out port with the high and low gain switch and a USB power port.
So under $100, FiiO E10K is the best headphone amplifier.
Pros
- In-built DAC.
- Value for money.
- Made up of Aluminium which makes it strong and durable.
- It comes with a variety of connection options like front 3.5mm headphone jack and rear-panel line output.
- It can be connected to a laptop or PC using its micro USB connection.
Cons
- The bass and high/low gain switches are made from plastic; it can be made up of metals.
- USB cable is too short.
Technical Overview:-
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
|
Product Dimensions |
3.1 x 0.8 x 1.9 inches |
|
Batteries |
1 Lithium Polymer batteries required. |
|
Brand |
FiiO |
|
Colour |
Black, Titanium, K3 Black |
2. Monoprice 111567 Headphone Amplifier (Second best amplifier under 100$)
Price:- $92.88
Ratings:-
The Monoprice 111567 is just a well-built headphone amplifier that comes with RCA line outputs which allow you to send the output to a stereo amplifier or powered speakers. It produces a frequency response between 10Hz-20kHz and Impedance at 60 Ohms. The high current output allows it to drive headphones with a wide range of impedances from 16 ohms to 600 ohms. It has a professional level Texas Instruments Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) that produces better sound quality and it is perfectly compatible with PC and Audiophile headphones.
Pros
- DAC
- RCA line output
- Compatible with PC and Audiophile headphones
- Impedance: 60 Ohms
- Frequency response range: 10Hz-20kHz
Cons
- Design is boring
- Not compatible with phone
- Design is boring
Technical Overview:-
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
|
Product Dimensions |
8.5 x 6.5 x 2.5 inches |
|
Brand |
Monoprice |
|
Item model number |
111567 |
|
Item Weight |
1.65 pounds |
3. FX Audio DAC-X6 24BIT/192 Optical/Coaxial/USB Digital Audio Amplifier (Another Great amplifier)
Price:- $64.99
Ratings:-
This FX Audio DAC-X6 is a recently launched headphone amplifier that is best under 100 USD range. It is very solidly building high-quality material that can last longer. In the front panel, the FX Audio DAC-X6 features a power switch and a three-stage switch. Which you can select fiber, coaxial or USB cable and a 6.3 mm headphone connector. Also a volume knob. On the back panel, you have the USB input, optical input, a coaxial input, two RSC inputs, and power input. It has many input options but the fact that the DAC is not USB powered.
If you are looking best headphone amplifier for listening to better sound quality than this is best for you under 100 USD.
Pros
- It comes with a12V 1A power adapter
- Having headphone amplifier chipsets: OP275+TPA6120
- Having DAC chipset: CS8416,CS4398,OPA213
- Desktop category
- Diverse input ports
Cons
- Slight fizz in the sound at a higher volume
Technical Overview:-
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
|
Product Dimensions |
5.8 x 3.8 x 1.3 inches |
|
Brand |
FX Audio |
|
Item weight |
1.55 pounds |
|
Colour |
Black, BK Black, Silver |
4. Nobsound NS-08E Amplifier (Best awesome looking amplifier)
Price:- $50
Ratings:-
Last in our headphone amplifier list is from Nobsound. The NS-08E Hi-Fi tube headphone amp comes with a 6J3 vacuum & valve tube which produces warmer tube sound. Its upgraded circuit ensures lower background noise and produces more powerful bass and more brilliant treble. Its shell is smaller in size and can be used as a stereo preamplifier for other amplifiers and active speakers. It produces a frequency response between 20Hz-30kHz and Impedance varies from 24 Ohms to 600 Ohms. Also, it is perfectly compatible with all devices and produces better sound quality.
Pros
- Compatible with PC and Android/iOS phone
- 6J3 Vacuum & Valve tube
- Frequency response range: 20 Hz-30 kHz
- Impedance: (24-600) Ohms
Cons
- Short Power Cable
- No DAC
- Large Wall Wart
Technical Overview:-
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
|
Product Dimensions |
5.8 x 4.6 x 3.3 inches |
|
Item model number |
769700919653 |
|
Brand |
Nobsound |
|
Item weight |
12.6 ounces |
5. Bravo Audio V2 Tube Multi-Hybrid Headphone Amplifier (Alternative for forth)
Price:- $75.49
Ratings:-
Tube amplifiers have been one of the favorites of many people due to its small size and durability. It comes in an open design with two transparent acrylic plates on top and bottom. The top plate consists of three cutouts, one for the tube and the other one for the large capacitor that sticks out on top. On the front, it has a 3.5mm minijack input port, a volume knob, and a 6.3mm headphone jack port. It also has the RCA inputs on the side. The backside has an on/off toggle switch and a connection power port for the wall-wart.
Looking at its price and size this is the best open tube amplifier under $100.
Pros
- Lightweight and tiny powerhouse.
- It includes high-quality Shuguang 12AU7 tube
- The controls are gain with the Japanese ALPS potentiometer.
- Inexpensive Tube amplifier.
Cons
- It does get hotter.
- Heat sinks out due to its open design makes it risky.
- The volume knob is too sensitive.
Technical Overview:-
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
|
Product Dimensions |
1.7 x 3.1 x 3.1 inches |
|
Brand |
Bravo Audio |
|
Item weight |
1.1 pounds |
|
Item model number |
V2 |
6. AudioQuest DragonFly Black v1.5 Plug-in USB DAC (Best usb amplifier)
Price:- $99
Ratings:-
It is the best amplifier for headphones from AudioQuest. Looking at its features it comes with two variant The Red comes with a double output of 2.1 volts, while the Black is designed with an output of 1.2 volts. It comes with a portable design that just fits in your pockets. Looking at its built quality the housing is made up of metals with a soft rubbery texture finished.
So if you are looking for a cost-effective, portable and durable amplifier under $100 then this will be the best option for you.
Pros
- Compact Design
- Easily portable.
- Lower power consumption.
- It offers tremendously enhanced sound.
- With a small adapter, it can be paired with any phone.
- The transparency, immediacy, richness, tone everything associated with your music improves in detail with the versatile DAC.
- It can play everything from MP3 to 24-bit/96kHz high-resolution files
Cons
- DSD support is not included.
- The audio is quackery.
- It has a distortion issue.
Technical Overview:-
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
|
Product Dimensions |
2.4 x 0.8 x 1.2 inches |
|
Brand |
AudioQuest |
|
Item weight |
2.4 ounces |
|
Colour |
Black, Red, Blue |
7. FiiO Q1 Portable USB DAC Amplifier (Best value for money amplifier)
Price:- $79.99
Ratings:-
This FiiO Q1 Portable USB DAC amplifier is a recently launched headphone amplifier that is best under 100 USD range. It has a hip flask like design and it comes with a bass boost switch, volume knob centered in the middle and partly covered and a 3.5mm headphone jack port. On the back panel, the amplifier has a 3.5mm input port and a micro USB port for charging the amplifier. It also comes with a 1400mAh Li-Po battery that gives power to the amplifier for up to 30 hours.
If you are looking best headphone amplifier for listening to better sound quality than this is best for you under 100 USD.
Pros
- Portable
- FiiO has output power greater than 190 Mw
- Impedance 16-1500 ohms
- Long battery life(1400 mAh)
- Good sound quality
- Playtime maximum of 30 hours
Cons
- The heap flask shape is a real pain when accretion with Smartphone
Technical Overview:-
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
|
Product Dimensions |
3.8 x 2.2 x 0.5 inches |
|
Item model number |
FIO_Q1_BLK |
|
Brand |
FiiO |
|
Batteries |
1 Lithium Polymer batteries required. |
8. Behringer Microamp HA400 Ultra-Compact 4-Channel Stereo Headphone Amplifier (Best low budget amplifier)
Price:- $20.49
Ratings:-
This Behringer Micro amp HA400 is a recently launched headphone amplifier that is best under 100 USD range. For a home studio starter and if you are into the recording you can use this amplifier headphone to check out your music using different settings with different headphones. It is solidly built with high-quality material. The amplifier chassis is made up of metal with a powder-coated paint and knobs on the amplifier are also high quality. It comes with four audio ports, and all are 6.3.
If you are looking best amplifier headphone for listening better sound quality than this is best for you under 100 USD.
Pros
- Portable
- Having Ultra-compact headphone amplifier system for studio and stage
- Having 4 independent stereo high-power amplifier sections
- Having the Highest audio quality with virtually all types of headphones even at maximum volume
- Phones Level control per channel
- Having DC 12 V adapter included
Cons
- Lack of power switch
- Not include any cables or audio plug adapters
Technical Overview:-
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
|
Product Dimensions |
4.1 x 2.2 x 1.8 inches |
|
Brand |
Behringer |
|
Item weight |
13.1 ounces |
|
Item model number |
HA400 |
9. NX2s Headphone Amplifier (Best portable amplifier)
Price:- $72.96
Ratings:-
The NX2s headphone amplifier is a very light weighted amp comes with high end ESS9028pro decoding chip and advanced XMOS XU208 for high sampling rate formats.
Its replaceable OP D10 has an OP amp socket so that DIY lovers can change the OP amp according to their needs. It is perfectly compatible with all devices and produces better sound quality than your computer’s built-in sound card or a regular DAC.
Also, it has automatic power On/Off format and the sampling rate indicator that indicates the audio format (PCM or DSD) and the sampling rate of the playing music.
Pros
- DAC
- Thinner than expected
- Compatible with PC, ISO and Android/iOS phone
- Battery: Up to 40 hours
- Frequency response range: 20-100kHz
Cons
- May produces low sound output than expected
Technical Overview:-
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
|
Product Dimensions |
3.6 x 2.3 x 0.4 inches |
|
Brand |
AIMPIRE |
|
Colour |
Black, Silver |
|
Item model number |
TOPPING NX2 |
BUYER’S GUIDE:
All the headphone amplifiers we try to suggest you here are dependent on the way you feel about the product and what type of product fit for you.
Budget:
It is the most important factor which will ultimately decide the buying of a headphone amp. Everybody has a purchasing power so before buying an amp; you should put a budget for buying it.
Build Quality:
The quality of the earphone plays an important role in providing the best experience and the design is something that always attracts you while choosing the earphone.
Portability:
A portable amp means it can easily fit into a laptop bag or your pockets.
DAC:
Most amplifiers also include an electronic component called a DAC (digital to analog converter). DAC is used to convert audio information into a low voltage signal.
Impedance:
Impedance refers to the resistance of an electrical signal (ohms), the higher the impedance, the more resistance a pair of headphones or speakers will give an electrical signal.
FAQ’s
Which is the best in all amplifier under 100$ in India?
FiiO E10K USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier is the best in all amplifier in 100$. Made up of Aluminium which makes it strong and durable. It comes with a variety of connection options like front 3.5mm headphone jack and rear-panel line output. It can be connected to a laptop or PC using its micro USB connection.
Which is the best headphone Amp for Home Theater under 100$ in the United States?
This Monoprice 111567 Headphone Amplifier is the best headphone Amp for home theater under 100$ in the United States. The Monoprice 111567 is just a well-built headphone amplifier that comes with RCA line outputs which allow you to send the output to a stereo amplifier or powered speakers.
Which is the best amplifier under 100$ in India?
Monoprice 111567 Headphone Amplifier is one of the best amplifier. The Monoprice 111567 is just a well-built headphone amplifier that comes with RCA line outputs which allow you to send the output to a stereo amplifier or powered speakers. It produces a frequency response between 10Hz-20kHz and Impedance at 60 Ohms. The high current output allows it to drive headphones with a wide range of impedances from 16 ohms to 600 ohms.
Which is the Best Headphone Amp for a car under 100$ in the United States?
This NX2s Headphone Amplifier Is the best Headphone Amp for a car under 100$ in the United States. This is a very light weighted amp that comes with a high end ESS9028pro decoding chip and advanced XMOS XU208 for high sampling rate formats.
Which is the best headphone Amp for the iPhone under 100$ in the United States?
The FiiO Q1 is the best headphone Amp for the iPhone under 100$ in the United States. It has a hip flask-like design and it comes with a bass boost switch, volume knob centered in the middle and partly covered and a 3.5mm headphone jack port.
Conclusion:
Before buying a headphone amplifier always set your budget, check build quality or material used, impedance, DAC and read reviews of users who had already used it.
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If you’re looking for a helmet that looks stylish and provides you safety at the same time then this is the best looking helmet under 3000.