Frequently Asked Questions about the Boostaroo®.


If you have a question that you don't see listed here, please feel free to contact us, and we'll get your answer to you as quickly as possible. Scan the list of questions and click on any question to go directly to the answer. Or, scroll down the questions list and read all the answers as you go down the page.

• How much gain from the Original Boostaroo can I expect with my portable audio player or device?
  
• How does the Boostaroo help produce better sound?
  
• Are there any other reasons the Original Boostaroo helps produce better sound?
  
• How can I get even more gain with the Boostaroo?
  
• Is it true that Boostaroos prolong battery life?
  
• Is there any difference in the output when more than one set of headphones are plugged in the Boostaroo?
  
• The Boostaroos don't have a volume control. Why?
  
• My life is active; how can I carry the Boostaroo around?
  
• Can I use a Boostaroo with my computer?
  
• I don't get much increase from my high-end audiophile headphones with the original Boostaroo. How come?
  
• Any other great products on the way?
  
• What is the strangest place the Boostaroo is used?
  
• What else can I use my Boostaroo for, other than my CD player?
  
• What's the best way of putting in the batteries and how do I know which way they fit?
  
• What is a AAAA Battery?
  
• What is the difference between the Original Boostaroo and the Boostaroo Revolution?
  
• How does the Boostaroo Revolution produce surround sound to regular headphones?
  
• Can you recommend a good set headphones for the Original Boostaroo, or Boostaroo Revolution?
  
• What is a headphone amplifier?
• I'm having trouble opening the battery door on the Boostaroo Revolution. How can I easily get it open?

   

  How much gain from the Original Boostaroo can I expect with my portable audio player or device?
  You'll get a 4 dB gain with one set of earphones, and a 12 dB gain when two are listening.

  

  How does the Boostaroo help produce better sound?
  Distortion occurs when you increase the volume on your audio player. The higher the volume level, the greater the distortion. By using the Boostaroo, you can leave the volume at a lower level thereby reducing distortion and increasing the battery life of your player.

  

  Are there any other reasons the Original Boostaroo helps produce better sound?
  Yes, because its amplification assumes some electrical signaling; and, due to the boost of greater output, it will drive the mechanics of your headphones much better. Essentially the Boostaroo makes less expensive headphones sound much better as well as the improving the performance of more expensive headphones.

  

  How can I get even more gain with the Boostaroo?
  Simple. Plug two of the units together, and you've just doubled your output!

  

  Is it true that Boostaroos prolong battery life?
  It's a fact. Let's consider how a typical CD player works. In a CD player, at least 70 percent or more of the battery power goes to running the turntable, optic reader, and the memory chip. When you have a battery loss, the power is not taken away from the mechanisms that run the unit; the power is subtracted from headphones. When you lose the full power to your headphones, you have to crank up the volume to make up for that loss, and then audio quality becomes distorted. However, turning up the volume on your player also drains the batteries faster. It's a vicious cycle. The Boostaroo and Boostaroo Revolution lets you leave the volume low on your player, and it also gives you the added gain you need. So, you almost double the battery life of your player by using a Boostaroo. Green Tip: When your batteries are failing in your player, don't throw them away. Take them out and put them in the Original Boostaroo. There is plenty of life in them to run the Boostaroo. That's just another way you can save money AND recycle with the Boostaroo.

  

  Is there any difference in the output when more than one set of headphones are plugged in the Boostaroo?
  No. There is uniform output based on 3 separate units each with our amplifier - it's like having 3 mini amplifiers in one package. The Boostaroo Revolution works the same, but only has 2 outputs.

  

  The Boostaroos don't have a volume control. Why?
  They don't need an extra control. The volume is controlled by the primary playback unit. When you have a second listener, you can use our in-line volume control headphones.. The person who wants to listen at the highest level should set the volume control on the personal audio device, and the second person or second and third listeners can simply turn down the volume of their headsets.

  

  My life is active; how can I carry the Boostaroo around?
  Just pick up some Velcro self-adhesive strips from a fabric store or a general merchandise store. Place one half on your personal audio device, the other on the Boostaroo, and mate them. Just be sure not to block any of the functions of the CD or cassette player.

  

  Can I use a Boostaroo with my computer?
  Absolutely! It's very simple to amplify the output of your computer's sound. You just plug the Boostaroo into the audio output jack -usually identified with an icon of a speaker -on the back of your computer or laptop. Then plug your headphones and/or your speakers into Boostaroo. You can control the volume with a task bar/control panel. Our Boostaroo with a 3-foot cord makes it easier, too. Boostaroo will enhance MP3 audio output. If you listen to a lot of audio, you'll appreciate the gain it gives.
  Warning: Do not use the Boostaroo to amplify a powered sub-woofer. Doing so will cause a white-noise hum, as well as potentially damage the Boostaroo or sub-woofer.

  

  I don't get much increase from my high-end audiophile headphones with the original Boostaroo. How come?
  Well, high-end headphones are normally 32-ohm devices and the Original Boostaroo outputs an 8-ohm signal, we've found that you won't get as great an increase in volume, but it will run the mechanism in the headphones more efficiently, giving you a slightly cleaner sound. The Boostaroo Revolution provides an 60-ohm signal which will power audiophile headphones from 60-300 ohms.

  

  Any other great products on the way?
  Glad you asked! We have some new products in development for motorcyclists, some for use in the educational field, and some general audio devices including miniature audio amplifiers, improved headphones, and some compact surround-sound amplifiers.

  

  What is the strangest place the Boostaroo is used?
  Believe it or not, Boostaroo has been used by U-2 pilots who listen to books on tape while on long cruises. And we've also heard from some sport fishers who use 'em with their electronic fish finders to help them spot the big lunkers.

  

  What else can I use my Boostaroo for, other than my CD player?
  Other uses are portable DVD players, Mp3 players, and Satellite Radio devices. Boostaroo also enhances downloaded AVI's, video sound files, portable TVs, racing scanners such as used at NASCAR, motorcycle intercoms systems and the like. It's also used in a number of schools to triple the availability of sound in computer labs and music classes that use tape or CD Players.

  

  What's the best way of putting in the batteries and how do I know which way they fit?
  When you take the battery cover off, look in the bottom for the + and - markings, place one battery with the positive end in place, next take the negative end and place it into the opposite end. Now take the two ends and make a tent of them, then press down. Easy to check your work; if you place the batteries in the wrong direction there'll be no connection, and the Boostaroo won't work.

  

  What is a AAAA Battery?
  AAAA Batteries are new to the battery market, they are a little smaller than a AAA Battery, but still provide the same amount of power and battery life. These new batteries can be easily purchased at Staples, Office Max, Wal-Mart, Walgreen, and Rite Aid. Soon your local grocer or drug store will carry them.

  

  What is the difference between the Original Boostaroo and the Boostaroo Revolution?
  The Original Boostaroo is an amplifier with a 3-channel splitter built into it. The Boostaroo will double the sound output, with less than 1% harmonic distortion, of your portable media device through headphones up to 32 ohm's, or powered speakers. The 3-channel splitter will allow you to connect up to 3 sets of headphones, or speakers to the portable media device. The Boostaroo Revolution is a High Definition amplifier with a 2-channel splitter. The Revolution will quadruple your sound output, with less than 1% harmonic distortion, through headphones up to 300 ohm's, or powered speakers. The High Definition sound is achieved by our proprietary circuit that decodes digital audio signals and separates them. This allows you to hear your high, mid, and low signals much more clearly. The Boostaroo Revolution also will provide a simulated 3-channel surround sound.

  

  How does the Boostaroo Revolution produce surround sound to regular headphones?
  The Boostaroo Revolution's circuit sends the audio signal from your portable media player in 3-channels, instead of the standard 2-channels (Stereo). The added third channel creates a new field of sound, which will seem to come from all around you, rather than just your left and right. This effect is more apparent in higher grade headphones, and speakers.

  

  Can you recommend a good set headphones for the Original Boostaroo, or Boostaroo Revolution?
  There are a lot of different types of headphones out in the market. We recommend anything from Sony MDR-XD300's ($60), to BOSE Quiet Comfort II's ($300). Keep in mind when choosing that the Revolution is designed to power 60 ohm or greater headphones. So try not to choose anything under 32 ohms, otherwise the Revolution may overdrive them. One of our favorites are the Sony MDR-CD300's. They are well built 70 ohm headphones and only cost around $60 US. For a complete list of our recommendation Click Here.

  

  What is a headphone amplifier?
  A headphone amplifier, or headphone amp, is simply a miniaturized power amplifier specifically designed to drive the miniature speakers inside headphones. Because headphones are often used in portable applications, many headphone amps are conveniently battery-powered. Headphone amps can also be used in a workstation or desktop setting where they sometimes act as a switch between various sound sources or as a pre-amp for powered desktop speakers. Dedicated headphone amps may also include USB connections for use directly with a computer's USB audio-out and digital inputs (optical, co-axial) for compatibility with most digital-output audio sources. Other dedicated headphone amps may use AC/DC power adapters as well.

  

  I'm having trouble opening the battery door on the Boostaroo Revolution. How can I easily get it open?
  We recommend using a small flat head screw driver or keys to open the battery door. Insert the screw driver or keys between the case and the lip of the battery cover; apply light pressure toward the center and pull straight up. Battery cover will pop open. Please take caution when opening the battery doorwith a sharp object.

  

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