Marketplace Pick
Market Pick
PRODUCT FEATURES
The Boostaroo is a small audio amplifier/splitter that boosts your signal and allows up to 3 sets of headphones/earphones to jack in and listen. It runs on 2 AA batteries (another version is available that will run from any USB power source). It boosts your audio signal with less than 1% harmonic distortion (according to the product literature). This allows the output audio to be significantly louder than before - up to a 100% gain, again according to the product literature - and/or to split the signal among up to 3 listening devices. the source can be nearly any audio source that uses (or can be converted to) a mini-stereo jack (3.5mm) - MP3 players, PDAs, hand-held video games, laptop computers, etc. Similarly, you can hook up nearly output device like earphone/headphones, small speakers, small microphone or line inputs (like on a laptop). The Boostaroo is a nice way to solve the occasional need for a split signal or a boosted signal.
Figure 1: The Boostaroo in its blister pack.
Operation of the device is simple. Making sure it has batteries, you simply plug the 12 inch long cord attached to the device into your audio source. Plug your headphones (or other output device) into one of the 3 stereo mini jacks on the side of the device. Switch the Boostaroo on using the gray switch to the left of the audio jacks. That's it. Your signal is now officially amplified!
Figure 2: The Boostaroo in in use.
In my experience with the device, the audio was strong and clear. Let me put in my brief warning: listening to audio with the volume at too high a level can damage your hearing.. So please use devices like this with care!
SPECIFICATIONS
For those of you who like all the little details here goes:
- The device provides no more than a .03% harmonic distortion (@ 3VDC)
- The device is 4.5" by 1.5" by 1.1" and weighs 3 oz. (without batteries).
- The input impedance is around 500 ohms
- The output impedance is around 1 ohm
- Max power transfers occur with an 8 ohm load for example -
- Into 8 ohm headphones - approximately 40 mW per channel, 12 dB gain in sound per channel. Or 100% boost in volume.
- Into 16 ohm headphones (stereo mini jack), approximately 32.5 mW per channel, 12 dB gain in sound per channel.
- Into 25 ohm headphones: approximately 28.5 mW per channel, 11.1 dB gain in sound per channel.
- Into 32 ohm headphones: approximately 23.7 mW per channel, 10.9 dB gain in sound per channel.
- Into 64 ohm headphones: approximately 13.8 mW per channel, 10 dB gain in sound per channel.
WISH LIST
The Boostaroo is a nice little device for solving a need for a boosted signal. I'd would have liked to have had an option to plug it into a car lighter (12V) socket. You could achieve the same thing by purchasing the USB version of the device and using a USB/12V power converter, but that requires an additional purchase. It seems to me that you're likely to go through batteries fairly quickly if you're using it for something like splitting the DVD audio for the kids in the back seat. I didn't see any information about expected battery life, however (which will, of course, vary based on output volume, number of attached devices and anything else that would affect power draw). Perhaps they could release a version that offered the AC/USB powering option with a rechargeable battery so you could use it portably when needed. Also of note - they recommend the use of alkaline batteries, but indicate that you can also use nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries as well.
On another item, I was a little surprised that there isn't a volume control within the device itself. It can be startling when you first use the device and the sound comes out loudly. Because it does boost your volume, it can make the controls on your source seem a little more sensitive since a little volume increase there results in a much greater volume increase out of the device.
Lastly, there is no audio pass-thru. If the unit isn't powered, you can't get a signal through the device. I understand not providing a signal to all the audio ports, but perhaps the first one could also be a pass-thru. There are times you may want to hear an unaltered signal without having to disconnect everything, perhaps in case your batteries failed. To be honest, I don't know all the issues (electronically speaking) of doing this, but it would be nice.
PURCHASING
You can find all of the Boostaroo products at their website. The basic amplifier/splitter (with a 12 inch cord) is available for $29.99 here, the same version with a 3 foot cord is $32.99 and available here. The AC/USB powered version of the device is $39.99 and available here.
PROS
Excellent sound with little (or no) noticeable distortion
Small and convenient
CONS
- High price for what it is
- No version with AC/USB and rechargeable battery for use in all cases
- No unboosted audio pass-thru
OVERALL IMPRESSION
I liked the Boostaroo, but I thought it was priced a little bit on the high side for what you get. For nearly $30 I thought they should at least have included a set of batteries. I also think it there should be a version with a rechargeable battery that includes an AC adapter, car adapter, and a USB adapter. In general, the Boostaroo does what it does cleanly and simply and is a pretty good device overall. Therefore, I give this product the following ranking:
