AKG HP4E 4-Channel Headphone Amplifier

AKG HP4E 4-Channel Headphone Amplifier

The AKG HP4E is a compact half-rack headphone amplifier designed to distribute independent mixes to four musicians or engineers simultaneously. Its lightweight metal chassis and straightforward front panel layout make it equally at home in a crowded live monitor rack or tucked into a studio console setup. Built with AKG's reputation for reliability, this amp delivers clean, low-distortion amplification across four isolated channels without compromising signal integrity.

Design & Build

Housed in a sturdy metal chassis in half 1 RU rackmount format, the HP4E weighs just 760 g and runs from a standard 12V power supply, making it portable enough for mobile rigs yet robust enough for permanent installation. The compact footprint means it won't demand extra rack real estate while its professional construction ensures years of dependable operation in demanding environments.

Audio Performance

Each of the four channels features dual outputs—a 3.5 mm (1/8") socket and 6.3 mm (1/4") socket—so you can connect virtually any headphone type with independent level control per channel. The amplifier delivers up to 220 mW maximum output with distortion below 0.05% and a signal-to-noise ratio better than 85 dB-A, ensuring clean headphone mixes even at moderate-to-high listening levels across a 20–20000 Hz bandwidth.

Key Features

• Four independent headphone output channels with individual level control
• Dual outputs per channel: 3.5 mm (1/8") and 6.3 mm (1/4") sockets
• 6.3 mm (1/4") unbalanced input
• Input impedance: 100k Ohms
• Output impedance: 11 Ohms
• Maximum output level: 220 mW
• Distortion: <0.05%
• Signal-to-noise ratio: Better than 85 dB-A
• Audio frequency bandwidth: 20–20000 Hz
• Half 1 RU rackmount format
• Sturdy metal chassis construction
• 12V power supply included; net weight 760 g

The HP4E remains an essential tool for any setup requiring simultaneous headphone distribution—studios, live monitor systems, and teaching environments all benefit from its straightforward operation and solid engineering.