Features
Features on things wordy, geeky, and webbyBoostaroo Revolution
Monday, November 7th, 2005 at 8:12 AM | 3 commentsThe Boostaroo Revolution from UpBeat Audio is a pocket-sized portable headphone amplifier and splitter that boosts sound. 
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 — 4A batteries). 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.
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. Revolution retails for $79.95.
Subscribe:
RSS or 
E-mail
Newsletter
Search and archives
-
Popular site tags
-
Categories
Other stops
Recommended
Sponsors
All Content © Copyright 2008 Meryl.net. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Privacy Policy | Thanks to Blue Flavor | Valid XHTML and CSS
3 comments
AAAA batteries cost about $4.00 a pair! That would make the Boostaroo a very expensive way to extend the battery life of the audio device
Good point, Rich. Every Revolution comes with batteries. It’s the least the company can do when you spend that kind of money. After that, it gets pricey like you said.
Don’t be silly, you need a Revolution in your pocket.
As we all know, wanting and needing something
Are two different things. Right now, on my budget,
I’m definitely into the need category for anything that
I buy.
So, do I need a Revolution?
Maybe, maybe not.
I can use it to save the battery on my iPod. How?
Because with Revolution, I can play the volume much,
Much lower on the iPod – which means my battery lasts
Longer between charges. And that’s handy. Plus, replacing
An iPod battery is mucho expensive, (like, over $100 and it means
I have to send it in to do that, so I’m iPodless for a couple of weeks.
Who needs that? So, anything I can do to put off that dreaded
day is a good thing.
Second, if I use it with my FM Transmitter in my car, I don’t get
The dreaded “static drift” because the added power helps it to lock
On to my station as I’m driving. Another good thing.
And, using it makes my music sound better than ever. Richer, fuller
Like I’m right on stage with the band. So, that’s a very good thing.
And when I go home I can use it with my docking station or
mini-computer speakers and get full stereo surrounds sound.
Now I can dig that.
Or, go to silent mode and just use it with my headphones. I get
Home theatre sound out of this little iPod and my Revolution.
A very good thing.
And later, when I feel like playing video games, I can use it to hook
Into my Xbox with my boyfriend and we don’t keep everyone awake
While we game, yet we can both share kick azz surround sound effects.
And I can use it on my PS2 or portable DVD player for a movie worth listening to
When I travel. It even has the power to drive my Noise Canceling Headphones.
My boyfriend Jake and I can use it on his motorcycle, as the two splitters allow
Us to share and the 4x power gives us what we need to hear over road noise.
Of course, if I add it as part of my disaster plan, (because I would definitely
Want music if I had to live for ten days with no electricity, heat, or water,)
then it just jumped into the “need category”. Since the Revolution is battery
Powered – all I have to do is pick up and extra batteries and I can listen to
My music and news while the rest of the world gets its act together.
Yep, no doubt about it. I need a Revolution in my pocket.
So does my boyfriend.
Post a comment (or leave a trackback)