Headset with Built-in Amplifier?
#1
Original Poster




Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,966
Headset with Built-in Amplifier?
Sometimes on a noisy plane I will have trouble hearing a video with my normal headphones (I have a Bose and another brand.)
Are there any headphones out there with a built-in amplifier that will amplify the audio volume? I have a pair that I thought did that, but the volume control rocker was simply controlling the volume on my device (Nexus 6), not actually amplifying.
Are there any headphones out there with a built-in amplifier that will amplify the audio volume? I have a pair that I thought did that, but the volume control rocker was simply controlling the volume on my device (Nexus 6), not actually amplifying.
#3
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Exclusively OMNI/PR, for Reasons
Posts: 4,186
Sometimes on a noisy plane I will have trouble hearing a video with my normal headphones (I have a Bose and another brand.)
Are there any headphones out there with a built-in amplifier that will amplify the audio volume? I have a pair that I thought did that, but the volume control rocker was simply controlling the volume on my device (Nexus 6), not actually amplifying.
Are there any headphones out there with a built-in amplifier that will amplify the audio volume? I have a pair that I thought did that, but the volume control rocker was simply controlling the volume on my device (Nexus 6), not actually amplifying.
I've never been on a flight where my QC-2s haven't been up to the task.
#4


Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: K+K
Programs: *G
Posts: 5,088
what kind of headphones do you have?
bose makes in-ear headphones, and on-head headphones
the on-head type has ones that go on the ear (supraaural), and those that go around the ear (circumaural)
etc etc
the point being, if you want to hear your source better, its better to address the problem with solution like (active) noise-cancellation, or (passive) sound-isolation. [latter is my preferred choice]
simply making your headphones louder, is not really good for your listening health.
i think bose uses NC. if thats not effective for you, try sound isolation products.
further, amplifiers can, but dont necessarily raise the absolutely loudness level of your headphones. it just makes the sound better / less distorted at those louder volumes.
bose makes in-ear headphones, and on-head headphones
the on-head type has ones that go on the ear (supraaural), and those that go around the ear (circumaural)
etc etc
the point being, if you want to hear your source better, its better to address the problem with solution like (active) noise-cancellation, or (passive) sound-isolation. [latter is my preferred choice]
simply making your headphones louder, is not really good for your listening health.
i think bose uses NC. if thats not effective for you, try sound isolation products.
further, amplifiers can, but dont necessarily raise the absolutely loudness level of your headphones. it just makes the sound better / less distorted at those louder volumes.
#5
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 9,223
I look at the dB/mw specification. The ones with higher numbers seem to sound louder. But maybe that's too simplistic and you need to consider other specs too.
The software player that you are using can make a difference too. For example, the Amazon video player on my Kindle is much louder than some other players; even though all the players use the same Kindle hardware, they might limit volume by different amounts. I keep the Amazon video player as low as half to three quarter volume on the scale and it is plenty loud enough, while other players are not loud enough when maxed out.
The software player that you are using can make a difference too. For example, the Amazon video player on my Kindle is much louder than some other players; even though all the players use the same Kindle hardware, they might limit volume by different amounts. I keep the Amazon video player as low as half to three quarter volume on the scale and it is plenty loud enough, while other players are not loud enough when maxed out.
#6

Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,745
what kind of headphones do you have?
bose makes in-ear headphones, and on-head headphones
the on-head type has ones that go on the ear (supraaural), and those that go around the ear (circumaural)
etc etc
the point being, if you want to hear your source better, its better to address the problem with solution like (active) noise-cancellation, or (passive) sound-isolation. [latter is my preferred choice]
simply making your headphones louder, is not really good for your listening health.
i think bose uses NC. if thats not effective for you, try sound isolation products.
further, amplifiers can, but dont necessarily raise the absolutely loudness level of your headphones. it just makes the sound better / less distorted at those louder volumes.
bose makes in-ear headphones, and on-head headphones
the on-head type has ones that go on the ear (supraaural), and those that go around the ear (circumaural)
etc etc
the point being, if you want to hear your source better, its better to address the problem with solution like (active) noise-cancellation, or (passive) sound-isolation. [latter is my preferred choice]
simply making your headphones louder, is not really good for your listening health.
i think bose uses NC. if thats not effective for you, try sound isolation products.
further, amplifiers can, but dont necessarily raise the absolutely loudness level of your headphones. it just makes the sound better / less distorted at those louder volumes.
#7
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 113
deniah gives good advice. The safe solution to being subjected to loud noise for several hours is finding some way to reduce to the noise, not blast through it with something louder.
Although I will say I once found myself on a very loud aircraft with nothing but a pair of insubstantial headphones that didn't even cover my entire ears. I ended up wearing a pair of foam earplugs and then putting the dinky headphones over them. Cranked the volume all the way up on my iPod to try and hear the music through the earplugs, didn't sound very good!
Although I will say I once found myself on a very loud aircraft with nothing but a pair of insubstantial headphones that didn't even cover my entire ears. I ended up wearing a pair of foam earplugs and then putting the dinky headphones over them. Cranked the volume all the way up on my iPod to try and hear the music through the earplugs, didn't sound very good!
#8


Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Springfield,MO,USA
Programs: UA 1K MM, HH Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,637
I once had a Sony Viao notebook which had relatively low volume from the audio out. I bought a boostaroo which worked great as an extra amplifier. It was an older model but the current products are here:
http://boostaroo.com/store/Audio-Amplifiers
I have no business affiliation with them. Just a satisfied customer.
http://boostaroo.com/store/Audio-Amplifiers
I have no business affiliation with them. Just a satisfied customer.
#9


Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 474
For my LG V410 tablet which also has low headphone volume, I'm happy with my FiiO E6




