Behringer POWERPLAY HA8000 V2 8-Channel Headphone Amplifier

Behringer POWERPLAY HA8000 V2 8-Channel Headphone Amplifier

The Behringer POWERPLAY HA8000 V2 is an 8-channel headphone mixing and distribution amplifier in a single rack space, built for recording sessions, rehearsals and stage monitoring where several performers need powerful, controllable headphone feeds at once. Each of its eight channels is an independent stereo amplifier with its own level control and 8-segment LED output meter, able to drive headphone loads down to 8 ohms. Two stereo main inputs can be selected per channel, and every channel also has its own direct input, so the unit can run anything from one shared mix for eight listeners to eight genuinely different mixes — provided the mixer or interface feeding it can supply them. Front and rear headphone sockets per channel allow up to 16 headphones to be connected across the 8 mixes.

Key features

• 8 independent stereo headphone amplifier channels in 1U of rack space
• 2 stereo main inputs, selectable on every channel
• 8 direct inputs for up to 8 separate stereo mixes
• Level control and 8-segment LED output meter per channel
• Mono/stereo switch per channel for fold-down checks and single-ear feeds
• Front and rear 6.35 mm TRS headphone outputs per channel, 16 sockets in total

Routing: shared mixes and personal mixes

The two main inputs accept balanced stereo feeds on quarter-inch TRS sockets — typically the main mix on Main 1 and a click or backing mix on Main 2 — and each channel’s selector chooses which one that performer hears. When a singer wants more of themselves, or a drummer wants a personal balance, the channel’s direct input takes a dedicated stereo feed from an auxiliary send or interface output and replaces the main selection for that channel alone. Parallel main outputs pass the main inputs onward, so several HA8000 V2 units can be cascaded when a session outgrows eight channels. This routing is why the unit rewards a mixer with enough auxiliary sends: the headphone amplifier distributes and powers the mixes, and the upstream desk decides how different they can be.

Power, metering and sound quality

Each channel delivers up to +24 dBm into 100 ohms and +19 dBm into 8 ohms, which is enough level for high-impedance studio headphones and low-impedance in-ear monitors alike. Behringer quotes a frequency response of 10 Hz to 150 kHz within 3 dB, total harmonic distortion of 0.007 percent typical and a dynamic range of 103 dB, so the monitoring path stays out of the way of the performance. The per-channel 8-segment LED meter, scaled from -30 dB to clip, makes it easy to spot a channel running too hot from across the control room, and the main section has its own 5-segment input meter and independent level controls for the two main inputs. Input impedance is 20 kohm balanced on the main inputs and 15 kohm on the direct inputs, with a maximum input level of +16 dBu.

In the rack

The HA8000 V2 measures 44 x 483 x 149 mm, weighs 1.9 kg and runs from an autoranging 100 to 240 V switching power supply drawing 35 W, so it travels between studios and countries without voltage concerns. Rear sockets keep permanent cabling tidy while the front sockets serve the day’s headphones. Start every session with channel levels down, set the main input levels first, then bring each performer’s level up individually.

For project studios recording full bands, houses of worship running multiple monitor feeds, and rehearsal rooms tired of splitter cables, the HA8000 V2 is the standard, affordable way to give everyone a proper headphone mix.