Budget amp to increase volume from 2014 MBA to headphones.

[63W]

Looking for a budget (under $100) amp to increase volume from 2014 MBA to headphones. Internal amp on my 2014 MBA is too weak, so im looking for a 3rd party solution to boost the volume.
There are some options on Amazon, but im not familiar with brands of the amps. So I was hoping one of you can give me a better direction or guidance, which one I should buy.
Something simple, to increase volume by 10dba.

Thanks in advance.
Cheers.

 

[coolajami]

Increase volume by 10dBA. means no really much, as we don't know the max dBA volume you're achieving ATM and we have no clue what type of headphones you're using.

what is the sensitivity and the impedance of your headphones and what is the max dBA you want to achieve?

 

[BrianBaughn]

I got a Mackie HM-4 a couple of years back to boost my Beyerdynamic DT880 Pro, 250 ohm headphones. Been working fine.

 

[mk313]

I don’t know if this is what you are looking for, but I bought something called a boostaroo several years ago. It was pretty cheap *under $50 for sure, but I don’t recall the exact price I paid). It had an audio jack on the end of it that I plugged into the audio port on my iPod/iphone/mac & then inputs on the other end that I plugged my headset into. It boosted the sound considerably.

Again, I’m not sure if it’s what you’re looking for, but from your description, it sounds like to could solve the problem, and it was pretty inexpensive.

 

[justashooter]

I have used a software boost program called Boom 2 on my 2012 MacBook Pro for a couple of years works great. Boosts the sound and has equalizer settings, etc.

 

[cdcastillo]

If the problem are the high impedance on your headphones from your MBA, try Dragonfly or FiiO. I think dragonfly escapes from what you intend to spend.

I've used products from FiiO before, and there are several in your price range: example 1, example 2.

 

[Erehy Dobon]

Take a look at the Dayton DTA30HP:

Home

Dayton Audio DTA30HP 30W Class D Mini Amplifier with Headphone OutputThe highly efficient audio amplification of the Dayton Audio DTA30HP provides an amazing soundstage and presence combined with enhanced clarity and sound quality; all at an amazingly low price. The DTA30HP features a TPA3116D2...

www.parts-express.com

which is about $46 (including shipping) right now. It fulfills your usage case and budget.

I have one of their discontinued DTA-100a Class T amps (purchased eight years ago) which has since been replaced with a similar Bluetooth-equipped model with more power at the same $100 price point:

Shopping

 

[63W]

Thank you everyone for the replies. I will take a look at all the options you have provided.

Currently im using Sony MDR-ZX100 headphones. I know....not the greatest headphones but, i'm looking for something better.
I mainly listen to heavy metal. If you have a suggestion for a budget over the ear headphones, don't hesitate to chime in. $150-$200 price range.

Thanks again.
Cheers.

 

[gnasher729]

Looking for a budget (under $100) amp to increase volume from 2014 MBA to headphones. Internal amp on my 2014 MBA is too weak, so im looking for a 3rd party solution to boost the volume.
There are some options on Amazon, but im not familiar with brands of the amps. So I was hoping one of you can give me a better direction or guidance, which one I should buy.
Something simple, to increase volume by 10dba.

Thanks in advance.
Cheers.

Instead of getting an amp, you might look at the Grado SR60 open headphones. They are quite cheap and the best headphones you can buy _if your output is not strong_. Or you could look at any Bluetooth headphones, where the volume is independent of the device providing the sound.

 

[coolajami]

Thank you everyone for the replies. I will take a look at all the options you have provided.

Currently im using Sony MDR-ZX100 headphones. I know....not the greatest headphones but, i'm looking for something better.
I mainly listen to heavy metal. If you have a suggestion for a budget over the ear headphones, don't hesitate to chime in. $150-$200 price range.

Thanks again.
Cheers.

The impedance of your headphones is very close to the one of the MacBook output. most of the Amps listed above would do the trick for you. If you like to improve overall quality and loudness I will suggest look for a DAC/headphone Amplifier that is portable with very low impedance output and possible higher output voltage.
Fiio has a few good models that are fairly cheap and portable, if you like to keep the price low (K3, Q1), the dragonfly is also good.
If you're looking for a desktop setup, the choices are limitless.

 

[63W]

Instead of getting an amp, you might look at the Grado SR60 open headphones. They are quite cheap and the best headphones you can buy _if your output is not strong_. Or you could look at any Bluetooth headphones, where the volume is independent of the device providing the sound.

In the past, I have tried Bose QuiteComfort 35. Great headphones, great sound quality, but they don't get loud enough.
I also tried Sony 1000mx3, which is also not loud enough and the bass can get distorted.

Ive used SkullCandy over-the-ear wireless headphones in the past for a short period of time but, they clam down on your head like vise grips. The last time I used them was 4 years ago, perhaps their newer line fits better. Best Buy has the newest Skull Candy headphones, so ill give them a try and if I don't like them I can return them.

Cheers.