music is so quiet with auxillary input!

[CTScott]

Limiting the max headphone volume can significantly increase battery life in a portable device. It's a design trick that a lot of manufacturers use.

An inline headphone amp is far better sound quality wise than an FM transmitter.

[NJBob]

An inline headphone amp is far better sound quality wise than an FM transmitter.

Cool, where do we get such a thing?

[MadMax]

Originally Posted by NJBob

Cool, where do we get such a thing?

It was mentioned earlier...

Originally Posted by CTScott

A lot of people complain about the Zune even driving headphones. You could try an inline headphone amplifier, like the "Boostaroo".

http://www.boostaroo.com/

I was just wondering if anyone had firsthand experience with this product or something similiar...but I am close to pulling the trigger on getting one myself. They offer free Priority Mail within the US, but charging an extra $5 for "smooth black" is a bit of a ripoff...

Cheers! M2

[CTScott]

I made and used a homemade one for a Rio player that I used to have. I haven't actually used the Boostaro, but it is most likely based on the same stereo amplifier IC that I used in mine.

[SpaceShot]

On my Sansa Fuse 4G there is a setting in the sound options for `loud' and `normal'.

For me the sound is loud enough with the volume turned up while on normal. In general the FM stereo is loudest then AM then CD and finally the MP3 through the aux input. The MP3 can be as loud as the CD or AM if I switch its setting to `loud' while I am in the car.

The only catch to that is that forgetting to put the setting back can make podcasts through the headphones sound distorted. (tunes are fine on either setting)

You might find the Zune has a similar setting, but its buried a couple of menus down. Or try it with any `power saving' or battery saving option turned off.

[NJBob]

On my Sansa Fuse 4G there is a setting in the sound options for `loud' and `normal'.

I have to go look. I didn't know I had that option.

[MadMax]

OK, I decided to give the Boosteroo Revolution a shot (I couldn't find any option to turn up the music any louder on m Zune). I went ahead and paid the extra $5 for the smooth black one (white would look dumb in my black Yaris), and they offer free priority shipping (2-3 days); so I should have it early next week. I hope it is as good as they say it is, they do have a 90-day, no-questions asked, return policy of the full product purchase price so I felt it was safe to try.

Stand by for a full report...

Cheers! M2

[NJBob]

OK, I checked my "Fuze" and saw that it was already set to Loud. As I said if I leave the player at max volume and turn the radio up over 35 it's ok with the windows up. I'm gonna look into an amp and see what's out there....and see what Mad Max gets, too.

[MadMax]

Bob

There is a list of independent reviews on the Boostaroo web site that have been very positive (but you wouldn't expect them to post the negative ones now, would you?); but I also Google'd it and everything I found pretty much said the same thing...

Overall, I am very pleased with this product. It claims to "expand and image the compressed audio of MP3s into vibrant, high definition three channel surround sound" and I would say for sure that it does this. Along with providing more punch on the low end and crisper highs, the sound from the player is more CD like than any of the above combinations without the boost. The audio quality of the output, especially on high end headsets, is extremely good. (Source)

On all audio tracks, there was noticeable improvement in the detail and clarity of midrange sounds. The processing may offend audio purists, but I thoroughly enjoyed the wider stereo image and surround effect, especially on tracks like Pink Floyd's "Money." (Source)

PROS
Good audio quality
Small and convenient
Good battery life

CONS
No way to disable audio "enhancement"
A bit pricey (Note: this review was from when the price was considerably higher!)
Battery cover difficult to remove
No way to charge or power from AC or USB
(Source)

So the Boostaroo Revolution is just what the doctor ordered (pun intended). While I don't know what they mean by "imaged surround sound" -- I never really heard that -- there is no question that the device improves the sound quality of my iPods quite a bit, adding not only volume, but also presence and clarity. Music of all types sounds richer, fuller, crisper, and, of course, louder through the Revolution.

The Boosteroo Revolution may not be the most convenient device to dangle off of your iPod, but there's no denying it improves sound quality and level immensely. So, if you're dissatisfied with your iPod's sound quality or volume, and you don't mind a bit of awkwardness, you're going to love Boosteroo Revolution. (Source)

Cheers! M2

[NJBob]

MadMax: I'll look forward to reading about your gadget when you get it. I've read a bit on FM transmitter/boosters and heard a lot of complaints of static and keeping one channel dedicated...etc. The Boosteroo sounds like the best plan.

[MadMax]

Well, it arrived today (which was quick, as it was only shipped on Friday; and 2-3 day shipping was free! ) and I was able to hook it up for a quick look-see to see how it worked.

For one, it sure does its job in boosting the volume! Whereas I would have to turn up the Zune to max volume and the car stereo to max to get decent sound when driving at 60 MPH with the windows down. Now I can get the same volume with the Zune at half volume. I have no qualms in believing that this will sufficiently pump up the volume to be loud enough at any speed or under any conditions.

But there are some downsides to the Boostaroo, most of which I had read about in some of the reviews. For one, there is some slight hissing at higher volumes. Secondly, in the Yaris the Boostaroo appears to boost the low end bass more than the high end treble. As such, I had to decrease the bass to below zero to keep my dental fillings in place.

Also, the battery compartment lid is hard to get off, and I am afraid it will break down the road if I am not careful. Lastly, as stated, there is no on/off switch, so if the input jack is plugged into, the device is operating and the batteries are wearing down.

But those are no big issues for me, I was simply looking for something to increase the volume of music in my Yaris when driving with the windows down on the highway. Having the volume on my MP3 player at max and the car stereo also at max was unacceptable to me...I like being able to better control the volume, and to have a little "extra" if I need it.

Secondly, I needed something to increase the volume when I am mowing the yard or riding the motorcycle, and the Boostaroo does the trick. It can blast music at ear-damaging levels (so be careful!). I had a Walkman that did this in college, and I loved being able to crank it up real high. Now that I am losing my hearing, it is even more important!

The bottom line is that for $30 the Boostaroo is exactly what I was looking for. A permanent amp would obviously do the job, but it would be a lot more expensive and complex to install. This little device is simple to use. It is also practical for other uses, which is gravy for me.

So my recommendation is out of five for all of its capabilities and the one for the Boostaroo's couple of small "issues" (e.g. lack of an on/off switch)

But if you are like me and want a little more volume with your MP3 player in your Yaris, the Boostaroo is the quick, easy and relatively inexpensive solution.

Cheers! M2

[NJBob]

Sounds good, man.....especially the price. What kind of battery does it take?

[MadMax]

AAAA (yes 4 x A). I ordered extras, but Boostaroo claims they are easily found at drug stores (yet to be seen, I haven't gone looking yet) or on eBay...

Cheers! M2

[NJBob]

I saw a ton of them online at local stores (Bestbuys, Staples etc...). Sounds like that's the gadget for me. Thanks for the info.

[WolfWings]

Originally Posted by MadMax

AAAA (yes 4 x A). I ordered extras, but Boostaroo claims they are easily found at drug stores (yet to be seen, I haven't gone looking yet) or on eBay...

Cheers! M2

Easy and cheap way to get AAAA batteries: Cut open a 9V battery. It's a six-pack of AAAA's, sometimes even labelled ones by the same company!

[MadMax]

If I may add an addendum, I think another downside to the Boostaroo is that it highlights the limitations of the stock speakers. An upgrade may be a good idea when pumping this much power through the stereo, I know there has been several thread on this so that will be the next thing I look into...

And thanks for the info on the batteries, I was kinda concerned that they may be hard to find but it sounds like that's not the case. And I had heard about cutting open a 9 volt, I just thought it was an urban legend, as there are similar ones about doing the same with other batteries to get a bunch of smaller ones, and I thought they were all proved to be BS...

Cheers! M2

[MadMax]

UPDATE

Well, I've kinda confirmed that the Boostaroo far exceeds the capabilities of the speakers. I tried it on the highway today and it really got distorted at higher volumes. I just think the amp can push out more volume than the speakers can handle, so now I am looking for a DIY on replacing the speakers for some better ones...

And a lot of that distortion comes from the bass. I turned it down to negative numbers and it still lost clarity. It worked a lot better listening to my Zune via headphones, where it does add more volume to the stereo it isn't the solution I had hoped until I see what new speakers can do...

Cheers! M2

[Lively]

Originally Posted by CTScott

A lot of people complain about the Zune even driving headphones. You could try an inline headphone amplifier, like the "Boostaroo".

http://www.boostaroo.com/

Just got one,works great . Best Buy or Radio Shack $25.00