Home > Consumer Reviews > Rolls HA43 Stereo Headphone Amp

First of all, please note that they make two different versions of this thing. Make sure that you're getting the "Pro" version, which is not presently offered at Amazon.com, but are sold by some vendors at very similar prices. The difference is that the Pro version has both 1/4 and 1/8 (3.5mm) jacks for each channel, while the non-pro version only has 1/8 (3.5mm); and the Pro version has both 1/4 and RCA jacks for input, while the non-pro version has only 1/4 not RCA. But other than the connections, both units share the same electronics so should have the same performance.

This is a very well made unit, and can have variety of uses. I currently use it with an HDTV so that several people can watch TV wearing their headsets without disturbing others. The sound quality is top notch and the build quality is also excellent.

Another thing worth noting is that, because this is an external microphone amplifier, it behaves quite differently from the headphone jack built-in the TV (or other audio equipment). The microphone amplifier and the headphone(s) are essentially independent from the TV audio control. This has its inconvenience but also has its advantages. In the following, I'll list a few things that may either be a plus or minus depending on your habits and use.

(1) Using an external headphone amplifier like this does not mute the TV speakers automatically as using a built-in headphone jack usually would. I personally found this to be an advantage because this allows you to have the headphone plugged in all the time without the trouble and confusion of constantly plugging and unplugging the headphone. When you don't use the headphone, just put it down and watch your TV as you usually would. Sure the headphone would be working all the time, but headphones don't consume much power and don't really get worn by merely carrying a signal. Practically, if you're not wearing a headphone, you are not really using it. I have my headphone plugged in all the time and the only time I think about it is when I pick it up to use it. How convenient. If you have frequently used the headphone, you would admit that the biggest hassle is to find your headphone every time when you need it, plug it in to use it, and unplug it after you're done. Having got used to the external headphone amplifier, I would never go back to that business again.

(2) On most consumer electronics such as TVs, the volume control does not affect the line output, and thus does not affect the output volume to the external headphone amplifier. This again can either be a negative or positive depending on your use. You will need to manually adjust the volume of your headphones using the volume controls on this unit itself. But on the other hand, the fact that you can adjust the TV speaker volume independently (including completely turning it off by setting the volume to zero), could be a plus. For example, say you have a bunch of people watching TV while talking to each other making a noisy environment. You can plug in a sound insulating headphone into this unit to get a much better sound from the TV program without having to change the TV volume to affect others or to mute the TV itself. With a traditional built-in microphone jack, it's an either-or fight and you can't have both.

This headphone amp is small, good looking, and extremely well built. It feels and looks like it was made by the Swiss or Germans. Each of the four channels has its own volume control with outputs for 1/4" or 1/8" plugs. Inputs are 1/4" or RCA phono plugs. The sound is superb. I have it connected to my new HDTV.
I watch Classical, Opera, and Jazz DVD's. I'm glad I found this unit. You won't be disappointed.

I've used this little amp for about 4 years now with a set of Sennheiser HD280Pro's. I use this with my computer at work to let me switch between headphones and my desktop speakers and it helps boost normal PC audio to new levels. I can get rich bass and as well as very high treble. More than a few times I've heard parts of music that I've never heard while listening to it anywhere else.

Once I even had the bass so well tuned that it rattled the coffee I was drinking in my mouth. It's a great buy and works quite well at work for me.

I've had a number of people ask what is that and where can I get it? I'm glad Amazon has it now.

This is a great unit at an outstanding price. I use it to play audiobooks through a pillow speaker to fall asleep. Previously I was using a 200-watt stereo attached to a multi CD player. I dropped the stereo and played through this Headphone amp and saved a lot of electricity, heat, and noise (the 200-watt steereo had a fan). The price was great, the alternatives I saw were over a thousand dollars.

Get the Pro.

Amazing.Rolls HA43 Headphone Amplifier Stereo 1/4 Inch and Dual RCA Inputs, Slider Volume Controls