Pro-ject Head Box E headphone amplifier
Pro-ject has announced the Head Box E, a micro-sized headphone amplifier built to drive even the most demanding headphones. The Austrian-headquartered brand has a rich history when it comes to headphone amplifiers, and few companies get as much power and performance out of such compact footprints. With the Head Box E, Pro-ject has also worked wonders fitting a pocket-sized price into the design. Retailing at just £89.00, it’s a genuine hi-fi bargain according to distributor Henley Audio.
And even though it weighs just 390 grams, the Head Box E may also lay claim to being one of the most effective pound-for-pound hi-fi upgrades around. In today’s world of underpowered music sources – think phones and laptops – adding the Head Box E to a source + wired headphones setup can result in a real uplift in audio performance and overall enjoyment. With a power output of 665 milliwatts (0.665 watts) into 32 ohms, it has the muscle to drive wired headphones, including some more complicated loads, with authority. It can also integrate into traditional two-channel setups, including CD or vinyl-based hi-fi systems, where its dedicated amplification outperforms the headphone stages typically found in stereo amps.
Bucking the trend of integrated chip-based designs at this price point, the Head Box E features fully discrete electronics laid out on a carefully engineered circuit board. This approach gives Pro-ject’s designers greater control over the signal path, enabling more robust power handling, cleaner performance, and improved long-term reliability thanks to easier servicing and repair.
In use, the Head Box E is simple yet noticeably effective. A pair of RCA sockets on the rear panel handles inputs, while a bypass RCA loop output allows the unaltered signal to be passed on to another amplifier or audio device – ideal for integrating the Head Box E into a broader hi-fi system without losing connectivity or flexibility.
On the front panel, two headphone outputs – one 6.3mm and one 3.5mm – can be used simultaneously, making it perfect for shared listening. Measuring just 103 x 37 x 120 mm (W x H x D), the Head Box E features a solid metal housing and is available with a black body and a choice of silver or black front panel.
The Pro-ject Head Box E launches in July, priced at £89 / €119
Pro-ject Head Box E Specifications
Analogue inputs: 1 pair RCA/Cinch sockets (line-level)
Analogue loop outputs: 1 pair RCA/Cinch (bypass)
Crosstalk: 65dB
Dimensions (W x H x D): 103 x 37 x 120 mm
Finish: Solid metal housing with black body and choice of silver or black front panel
Frequency response: 20Hz – 80kHz (±0.2dB)
Gain: 11dB
Headphone impedance support: 8 – 600 Ohms
Headphone outputs: 1 x 6.3mm jack, 1 x 3.5mm jack (both usable simultaneously)
Output impedance (headphone): < 1 Ohm
Power output: 665 mW (into 32 ohms)
Power supply: 5V / 0.5A DC
Signal-to-noise ratio: -105 dBV
Standby power consumption: < 0.5W
THD +N: < 0.005%
Weight: 390 g (without power supply)