31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Adds power to your audio player, November 9, 2005
This review is from: Boostaroo R234 Revolution® Headphone Amplifier & Sound Enhancer, (Electronics)
Before I plugged in to my iPod, I had the iPod volume at about 75%. With Revolution, the volume is at 30% leaving me with plenty of room to make it louder if needed. Also, due to the volume being lower, the Revolution extends the battery life of the audio device.
Revolution looks like a white rectangle box with nothing but a couple of holes for the jacks and two AAAA batteries (that's not a typo). The package also includes two patch cords: one is three and the other is six inches long. When the jack is plugged in, the LED power indicator light comes on so you know it's in use. It's designed for use with high-end (60 ohm+) headphones. Anything less than that can't handle the Revolution's power.
The technology provides the listener with a surround sound feel, like being in a quality concert hall. The device weighs six ounces and comes in white, black, silver, and black/silver.
To use it, simply plug your headphones into the top of the Revolution. Then take one of the Revolution jacks and plug it into the side of the Revolution with the other end plugged into the audio player. If another person wants to connect, then plug the headphones into the other open jack.
Users who have attempted to share audio find using a splitter sacrifices the sound and quality. Revolution doesn't have this problem as each listener can hear as well as they would if they weren't sharing. Travelers can stop straining to hear portable devices in an airplane, gym, or other noisy setting. The device also adds power to cheaper headphones, but remember the headphones need to be able to handle 60 ohm+.
Its battery door feels fragile - like it could break while I was putting the door back on. But it is unlikely it could be stronger as the purpose of this product is to be as small and lightweight as possible. AAAA batteries are expensive, so this is an added expense. However, every Revolution comes with two batteries to get you started.
Its use is not limited to audio players. It works with DVD players, Windows Mobile devices, PalmOS devices, notebooks, laptops, and satellite radio. The batteries are supposed to last for approximately 24 hours of constant use. The device comes with a 12-month warranty on parts and services.
4 stars on quality
3.5 stars on expense -- if you don't have the required headphones, you have to shell out more.
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22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Super Flaw Exploiter, September 13, 2006
This review is from: Boostaroo R234 Revolution® Headphone Amplifier & Sound Enhancer, (Electronics)
I'm new in the world of headphone amplifiers, but not to headphones. I purchased this amp as an upgrade from my Boostaroo Portable headphone amp, with which I was very pleased. It excited the audio and I got to really explore some songs that were previously muddy.
However, after three days of using the Revolution, I went back to using the lower-end version. The Revolution seems like it took my sound a step back. It exploited all the digital flaws in my MP3s, overdrove certain levels in my lossless audio files, and added a significant amount of hiss to my headphones (btw, I use a pair of Shure E4c's, which I love) and made the desktop speakers I ran though it sound like they were vomiting. No amount of tweaking the EQ would help, nor would adjusting audio levels. I must say, I was pretty bummed that it didn't sound better because it has a very nice form factor. On my way home, I was imagining different ways that I could attatch it to the strap of my bag when I walk to work so that it could double as a cord manager.
I must concede though, that there were two or three tracks out of the hundreds I listened to that sounded pretty good, but those few experiences didn't outweigh those that they ruined.
If you want a cheap headphone amplifier, go with the cheaper Boostaroo, or do as I'm going to do and get a higher quality headphone amp.
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16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
notable hiss and headache, September 16, 2006
This review is from: Boostaroo R234 Revolution® Headphone Amplifier & Sound Enhancer, (Electronics)
As a former reviewer has written, the hiss in this amp is noticible right away, which in itself renders it useless. There is also the added dimension of a not so comfortable headahce, which apparently resuts from a frequency emmited, or just general electricity. My player works fine without the amp, that's how I know.
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