Headphone amplifiers at DVinfo.net

Dave Largent · July 24th, 2005, 01:42 PM

Anyone have any ideas on small, portable
headphone volume amplifiers?

John C. Chu · July 24th, 2005, 04:05 PM

B&H has a whole bunch of headphone distribution amplifiers from what I've seen in the website...along with some battery powered ones.

Dave Largent · July 24th, 2005, 10:58 PM

Anyone ever tried the Boostaroo or Boostaroo
Revolution?

Hsien Yong · July 25th, 2005, 06:30 PM

I've used the Rolls PM50 and I think it's great value for money.
Runs on a single 9V battery
http://www.rolls.com/new/pm50sob.html

Marco Leavitt · July 25th, 2005, 08:00 PM

External audio meters are great for this. I have a SignVideo meter that has a way better (and more reliable) headphone output than the one on our old GL1. The Beachtek version hooks into the line output and has the added advantage of giving you a second headphone output (from the one on the camera). SoundDevices makes a crazy expensive and probably ear-splittingly loud headphone amplifier that gives you three outputs. I also have a cheapie Radio Shack doohickey that gives you three outputs (and a significant boost) that works well enough. Devices that run off of the headphone output on the camcorder are supposed to work best when the headphone level is set at about halfway and the Radio Shack product doesn't quite give you enough boost for that. The Sign Video amplifier is quite a bit better.

Dave Largent · July 26th, 2005, 10:37 AM

Marco, I didn't know that that it is best to set the
camera level at the midway point when using an
amp.
I believe the Radio Shack device is the same as
the Boosteroo.

Marco Leavitt · July 26th, 2005, 10:54 AM

At full volume many headphone outputs will distort on loud noises even though the recording is just fine. Keeping the camera headphone volume at one half to two thirds will minimize this.

July 24th, 2005, 01:42 PM	#1
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	Headphone amplifiers Anyone have any ideas on small, portable headphone volume amplifiers?

July 25th, 2005, 08:00 PM	#5
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	External audio meters are great for this. I have a SignVideo meter that has a way better (and more reliable) headphone output than the one on our old GL1. The Beachtek version hooks into the line output and has the added advantage of giving you a second headphone output (from the one on the camera). SoundDevices makes a crazy expensive and probably ear-splittingly loud headphone amplifier that gives you three outputs. I also have a cheapie Radio Shack doohickey that gives you three outputs (and a significant boost) that works well enough. Devices that run off of the headphone output on the camcorder are supposed to work best when the headphone level is set at about halfway and the Radio Shack product doesn't quite give you enough boost for that. The Sign Video amplifier is quite a bit better. Last edited by Marco Leavitt; July 25th, 2005 at 09:36 PM.

July 24th, 2005, 04:05 PM	#2
John C. Chu Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rego Park , NYC Posts: 665	B&H has a whole bunch of headphone distribution amplifiers from what I've seen in the website...along with some battery powered ones.

July 24th, 2005, 10:58 PM	#3
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	Anyone ever tried the Boostaroo or Boostaroo Revolution?

July 25th, 2005, 06:30 PM	#4
Hsien Yong Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 111	I've used the Rolls PM50 and I think it's great value for money. Runs on a single 9V battery http://www.rolls.com/new/pm50sob.html

July 26th, 2005, 10:37 AM	#6
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	Marco, I didn't know that that it is best to set the camera level at the midway point when using an amp. I believe the Radio Shack device is the same as the Boosteroo.

July 26th, 2005, 10:54 AM	#7
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	At full volume many headphone outputs will distort on loud noises even though the recording is just fine. Keeping the camera headphone volume at one half to two thirds will minimize this.