Headpod 4 High Output Four Channel Headphone Amplifier

Our laboratory is doing auditory research with subjects wearing headphones and needed an amplifier with very low distortion. Indeed, the Headpod 4 has the lowest distortion of ANY amplifier I could find (priced under $2,000).Besides using it with several models of Sennheiser headphones in a sound booth, the lab is also doing research with subjects inside an fMRI brain scanner (looking at brain activity while people hear various sounds). Inside the noisy MRI machine, special non-magnetic earphones are used that require a lot of power. The manufacturer recommended using a small audio power amplifier, but that would cause too much distortion. The Headpod 4 works perfectly; it delivers plenty of power with very low distortion!The overall quality is excellent. The power supply is better than average and comes with four different adaptor plugs for various international standards. Even the box is nice; printed on an inside flap is the Aphex mascot robot. Adorable!(Note: As of this date, the product description image is that of the discontinued model Headpod 454. I received and reviewed the actual Headpod 4, which curiously, also appears on Amazon as another listing:  Aphex HEADPOD 4 High Performance Headphone Amplifier . They are both the same item.)

No added noise. Just a great way to switch between headphones.

Excellent sound and build quality.

EXCELLENT PRODUCT THAT DOES EXACTLY WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO!

I've just had this for a few days. I needed a way to switch between 3-4 different listening devices without plugging and unplugging each one. This does the job really well. My setup is the following:Acer PC with the newest Sound Blaster Titanium XFI HD sound card connected to the Headpod 454 via a 3.5mm male to 3.5mm male stereo cable (TRS) with 6.3 mm adapter at the (HeadPod) source input (back of unit). There are also 2 balanced inputs that I will not be using. 3 of the 4 total outputs of the HeadPod (font of unit) have the following listening devices connected: - Shure SE 530 IEM with volume attenuator (included with the IEMs) and 6.3mm adapter. - Male to male TRS connection (with 6.3mm adapter) to an 24" Acer monitor's built-in speakers. - Sennnheiser HD800 headphones (no adapter needed).The volume attenuator for the Shure IEMs allow me to decrease a background noise that I hear when turning down the volume of the HeadPod output. I just had to carefully adjust the attenuator to get a good balance of sound quality and decreased noise. I believe the IEMs are too sensitive for the AMP. Nonetheless, I am happy with the results once I added in the attenuator.The HD800 full size headphones (@300ohms) do not have the noise problem. They sound just as if they were connected straight through to the sound card, which is what I want. Audiophile folk may have more to say about effects, but I am not that sensitive to changes (beyond the IEM situation).The monitor speakers sound fine considering their already weak attributes.Now whenever I need to listen to an online video and don't want to use headphones/IEMs I just turn up the speakers' corresponding volume knob on the HeadPod and turn the others down. Same deal if I want to do more critical music listening on my headphones/IEMs. I adjusted the Master Volume knob to accommodate the Shure SE530 and attenuator situation and so it remains in the same position.The HeadPod itself is very well built. It is an all metal enclosure with solid metal input sockets. There is a white LED light that is, along with the unit itself, always on. It doesn't bother me. In fact it looks kinda cool when I reach for a knob (at night) and my hand reflects back the white light, illuminating the surface of the unit with a nice, subtle white glow. Very satisfied with the unit so far. I would suggest trying out cheaper offerings at a local guitar store. You might get the same results. Their specs are lesser when compared with the HeadPod but I don't know if that will affect the average user's experience.

I bought this to supply multiple headphones when I record groups in my small studio. It sounds so good I use it for all my headphone listening! This was very much worth the price. I'm totally happy.

The Aphex HeadPod is awesome! I'm partially deaf on one ear, but when I listened to my ipod using the 454, everything was clear, crisp and beautiful!!!