# Does anyone make amplifiers for MP3 players **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 24, 2014, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-make-amplifiers-for-mp3-players/699466 "2014-09-24T21:27:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-make-amplifiers-for-mp3-players/699466/1 "2014-09-24T21:27:58Z")
I have a 3.5mm jack in my car stereo that I can use to hook my phone up to to play MP3s. I like the feature however the volume is shitty, I have to turn the phone up as high as possible and even then sometimes I have trouble hearing it on the car’s stereo system. I don’t know if this is a problem with my stereo, the cable, or just a feature of these products. I rode with someone else who had a 3.5 jack for MP3 players and the same thing happened with their car, you have to turn the volume up extremely high. So I am wondering if there is an amplifier I can use. Something where I plus the amplifier into the phone, then the cable from the radio into the amplifier so I don’t have to turn the volume up to 100%. It isn’t a huge deal, but occasionally I will forget to turn the volume back down when I get to my destination and then use the earbuds with volume up too high. I recall a product like this when I was younger and it was maybe $10, but now that ear damage is becoming a bigger concern maybe they stopped making it. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-make-amplifiers-for-mp3-players/699466/2 "2014-09-24T21:35:58Z")
JBL makes some really nice ones in different price points. $!50 > **[Amazon.com: JBL On Tour Portable Speaker System ( Black ) : Electronics](https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Portable-Speaker-System-Black/dp/B000BQ57BU)** > > From the Manufacturer The JBL On Tour is a compact, lightweight, high performance portable sound system. Connected to your iPod, MP3 player, laptop or other music source, the JBL On Tour will provide hours of clean, powerful sound. JBL On... $91 > **[Amazon.com: JBL Flip Portable Stereo Speaker with Wireless Bluetooth Connection...](https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Flip-Bluetooth-Connection-Black/dp/B009AXVM6E)** > > The JBL Flip with Bluetooth capability is an ideal wireless stereo system for smartphones and tablets. With two 40-millimeter (1-5/8") drivers and a built-in bass port, it delivers full-range JBL sound with exceptional bass -all in a portable... $41 > **[Amazon.com: JBL Micro Wireless Ultra-Portable Speaker, Black : Electronics](https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Micro-Wireless-Ultra-Portable-Speaker/dp/B009AYLDSU)** > > Enjoy great sound where ever you go with the ultra-portable JBL Micro Wireless speakerView largerDon’t let the compact size fool you: hearing is believing.The JBL Micro Wireless is the first ultra-portable speaker featuring a Li-ion rechargeable... I have the $41 JBL Micro Wireless Ultra-Portable Speaker with Built-In Bass Port. Battery operated and very portable. This one even has the cable attached that plugs into mp3 players and phones. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-make-amplifiers-for-mp3-players/699466/3 "2014-09-24T21:42:51Z")
Correction: I have this very similar one without the Blue Tooth > **[Amazon.com: JBL Micro II Ultra-Portable Multimedia Speaker (Black) - Wired :...](https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Micro-II-Ultra-Portable-Black/dp/B0096T7TQE)** > > Product Description The second-generation JBL Micro II is the first ultra-portable speaker that has a Li-ion (lithium-ion) rechargeable battery and a built-in bass port. With a 1-5/8-inch (40mm) driver and an acoustic volume of 100cc, the... But, since the other model is on sale it’s really a better buy. Why pay $39 without Blue Tooth when for $41 you can get the same thing with it. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-make-amplifiers-for-mp3-players/699466/4 "2014-09-24T22:37:11Z")
I think he’s looking for an actual amplifier, not an external speaker. [This](http://www.amazon.com/E6-Fujiyama-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B005HJWWW8/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1411598282&sr=1-1&keywords=portable+amplifier) seems to get good reviews (I have no personal experience with such a device). ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-make-amplifiers-for-mp3-players/699466/5 "2014-09-24T22:55:09Z")
Yeah, I need an amplifier not a speaker. I need something that will amplify the sound signal coming from my phone and going into my car’s stereo system via a 3.5mm cable. I was using the wrong search term, I guess ‘headphone amplifier’ is better as it is turning up more ideas. Asimovian has a good one, and there is this one too which I could use a cigarette lighter to power. > **[Amazon.com: PYLE-PRO 4-Channel Portable Stereo Headphone Amplifier-Professional...](https://www.amazon.com/Pyle-Pro-PHA40-4-Channel-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B003M8NVFS)** > > Compact Control Unit, Stereo Headphone Output Level Adjustment, Independent Channel Rotary Volume Controls, 4 14'' Stereo Headphone TRS Output Connector Jacks, 14'' TRS Source Input Connector Jack, Power On LED Indicator, Power Supply Included, DC... ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-make-amplifiers-for-mp3-players/699466/6 "2014-09-24T23:18:07Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > [Amazon.com: Pyle 4-Channel Portable Stereo Headphone Amplifier - Professional Multi Channel Mini Earphone Splitter Amp w/ 4 ¼” Balanced TRS Headphones Output Jack and 1/4" TRS Audio Input For Sound Mixer : Electronics](http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-Pro-PHA40-4-Channel-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B003M8NVFS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411599174&sr=8-1&keywords=headphone+amplifier) Looks like you’d need adaptors since the input and outputs are 1/4" jacks. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-make-amplifiers-for-mp3-players/699466/7 "2014-09-25T00:52:33Z")
I thought the OP wanted a nice battery operated amplified speaker. Sorry for the confusion. I plug my Creative Labs mp3 player into my car radio jack. I have to set my players volume at about 60%. Anymore and it overloads the radio connection and distorts. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-make-amplifiers-for-mp3-players/699466/8 "2014-09-25T01:23:10Z")
On some stereos, you can adjust the aux-in gain/volume through the menus.