What are headphone amplifiers and how do you use them?

In simple terms, a headphone amplifier, when connected to your music player or smartphone; amplifies or enhances sound such that music that is conveyed to your headphones is louder, the notes are clearer and the aural experience is much better than what you would get through just your headphones.

A staple of audiophiles world over; just like audio amplifiers used to drive sound to loudspeakers, these are designed to drive sound exclusively to the mini speakers in your headphones or earphones.

So basically, you can connect your amp to your music player/iPod/phone and then connect it to your headphones for sound clarity so awesome, you'll feel like you're listening to music being recorded in a studio.

Do your headphones need an amplifier?

Amplifiers can improve the quality of nearly all headphones and earphones and there are some headphones, like the Audeze LCD2 and LCD3; that cannot function without an amplifier. However, if you have headphones that are say, below Rs.1000, buying an amp might be a bit pointless as these headphones don't have enough power to drive sound through the amp.

What you should do is make sure is that all the components of your music system are of a similar quality. So, your music files, headphones and audio player should all be great so that the amplifier can well... amplify it for a insanely awesome music experience. It's also preferable to have a full-sized over-ear headphone for the same.

The impedance of the headphone also, to a certain extent, determine whether or not you should get a headphone amps. Headphones with high impedance require more voltage to get up to a solid listening level, so most of the time, they will benefit from an amp

If you're listening to music through your computer, a DAC; that are used with amps, will hugely improve your listening.

Essentially, what you need to take away from the above is that amps have been created to amplify sound from the headphones you already have. So, if you already have a good headphone, and want to get much better sound without investing a large amount of money into a higher-end model, get an amp. They'll be a great upgrade to your current model and if/when you decide to get a fancier headphone, they'll enhance them too.