I've always had a soft spot for audio gear, especially during my school days. Though I really enjoy it, I can only consider myself an average enthusiast at best. Terms like HIFI often make me chuckle. For example, last October, I attended a HIFIMAN high-end product audition event. Recently, while scrolling through Weibo, I came across a promotion for Beyerdynamic A20's audition contest. No one seemed interested, even though the two "yellow Vs" that were once highly recommended had participated without hesitation. Since I happened to come across this opportunity, I decided to give it a try.
The trial period lasted until February and required a shipping fee of 30 yuan. Maybe because the audition window was short and few people joined, but if you're interested, it's definitely worth checking out.
In my eyes, Beyerdynamic is a well-known brand, often referred to as "white teeth" by many. Although I’ve heard of it for years, this was my first time actually getting hands-on with their products. The A20 is based on Beyerdynamic’s reference-class headphone amplifier, the A1. It features a discrete output stage that delivers strong driving power, making it capable of handling high-impedance headphones with dynamic, open, and accurate sound.
This product isn't widely available on e-commerce platforms and is priced at 3,888 yuan.
**Specifications:**
- Size: 164 x 212 x 55 mm
- Frequency Range: 10 Hz – 100 kHz (-1 dB)
- THD: 0.01% at 170 mW / 250 Ω
- Max Output Power: 170 mW / 250 Ω
- No Load SNR: >100 dB
- Channel Separation: >80 dB at 1 kHz / 250 Ω
- Headphone Output: 2-way parallel mode stereo output (6.35mm / 1/4")
- Analog Input: 1 pair RCA
- Analog Output: 1 pair RCA
- Net Weight (without packaging): 1,640 g
The trial package was surprisingly simple—just a storage box and a power cord. The device itself is minimalistic, with a brushed metal finish on all four sides. The front has a touch-type power switch, a pair of 6.3mm output jacks in the center, and a volume knob on the right. The frequency range is 10Hz–100kHz (-1dB), and the maximum output is 170mW/250Ω.
The volume knob is made of metal and has little damping, while the 6.3mm output ports are slightly raised. On the back, there are RCA input and output ports, along with a power jack. The power adapter is built-in, supporting 110V–240V, with a maximum power of 10W. Made in Germany, it shows the craftsmanship behind the product.
However, the top is made of plastic, and the gaps between the edges aren’t uniform. At the bottom, there’s an unpolished metal plate, which doesn’t quite match the quality expectations I have from German-made products. The only nice touch is that the screws are hidden inside the four corners, giving the device a clean look.
The power cable is thick, and there’s a random RCA-to-3.5mm cable included, which I bought separately from Green Alliance. When the power is plugged in, the indicator light is red, and it turns green when the power button is pressed.
For the audition, I originally planned to go to a local studio with my colleagues to borrow equipment. But due to time constraints, I ended up using my own phone to listen. My setup? Just a smartphone. I used the 1MORE three-driver headset, wondering if its performance would be fully realized. Plus, this pair of headphones comes with a 6.3mm connector, so I just connected it directly.
I played some familiar tracks—Jay Chou’s “In the Name of the Father,†Meav’s “One I Love,†Yan Xuemin’s “Drum Poetry,†and Eagles’ “Hotel California.†Using the Nubian Z11 MAX as the source, the sound was transparent, but other changes weren’t significant. Last year, I thought that using a regular phone wouldn’t affect the headset’s performance, but now I realize I was being too optimistic. The 1MORE three-driver headset doesn’t need much more than what a phone can provide.
The amp I tried at the HIFIMAN audition was much higher-end, so it wasn’t comparable to this casual test. I won’t comment on it here. My colleagues also took part, and later she went to the studio for her own audition. She helped me set up the gear.
I also got to try two Beyerdynamic headphones, the T1 and the DT 1990 PRO. Online rumors say that the A20 and T1 are a perfect match, so I was really curious about how they’d sound together. My colleague will share her experience soon, and if you’re interested, you can check out her article from the Nanning Audio Show: [link].
Overall, I found the build quality of the Beyerdynamic A20 to be underwhelming. I’ve seen similar issues with Harman Kardon and HIFIMAN products before—poor craftsmanship and rough details. Even though the metal panel looks good, other aspects feel rushed. The plastic power button feels cheap, and the top joints have uneven gaps. The untreated metal base is even more disappointing. I can’t imagine why this is called an "exquisite" product.
The A20 is a relatively simple amp, with basic interface options—no balanced or coaxial/fiber inputs. While it has two 6.3mm outputs, it might not deliver optimal power. On Taobao, it’s priced at 3,880 yuan, while JD.com offers it for over 3,200. Some international retailers like Prime Asia have it for around 2,378 yuan, which is a better deal. If you’re considering buying, it might be worth waiting for a sale.
I’ve always been curious—do I really need an amp if I already have a lossless player? After doing some research, I learned that amps are mainly for pushing high-impedance or low-sensitivity headphones, which regular players struggle with. In my opinion, if you just listen to pop music, an amp is unnecessary. It’s just a waste of money.
I’m not very experienced with amps, but compared to the HIFIMAN EF100, which costs over a thousand yuan, the A20 seems expensive. Is it a matter of brand positioning or actual value? I’m not sure. You might want to check reviews from other users, like the two "yellow Vs."
Life is tough, but we still need to find joy in small things.
**Pros:** Simple design, good visual effect with the metal panel.
**Cons:** Poor craftsmanship, limited interface options.
I didn’t blow anything, just shared my honest thoughts. Looking forward to your feedback!
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