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iPod audio mix into headset line

 
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Tim Olson



Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 2872

PostPosted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 7:35 pm    Post subject: iPod audio mix into headset line Reply with quote

I thought I'd ask for a bit of help on this mini-project I
am going to try to tackle.

My goal is to be able to take my standard Bose X headsets,
and splice in at jack point in the rear seats, so that I
can mix an ipod audio signal into the headset audio. Sounds
pretty simple, but...

With the impedance mismatch between the ipod (I think 32 or
36 ohms) and the headset (what is it, 300?) you would get only
quiet audio. I checked by plugging the headset with an
adapter directly into the ipod and it just was too quiet.

I did a little digging into simple mixer circuits with
10K resistors only, to combine the audio, and I'm guessing
that would work, if the ipod was just amp'd up a bit.

One thing I am NOT concerned with, is auto-muting of
music, or anything like that. This is for rear-seat
only, for the kids. I want them to each be able
to plug in their ipod into an armrest jack, and hear
their own individual music in the headset. Right now,
they can plug into the intercom's input #2, and get the
SAME music, but I want them to have the option to
get DIFFERENT music than the other. I do want it to be
Stereo, too.

So what I really am thinking I need to come up with is a
simple amp/mixer circuit that would perhaps impedance
match, or perhaps just amplify the ipod audio and then
mix it in.

To make it even more fun, once I get far enough that
I know this works, I'm going to plug a bluetooth
audio interface into that jack, and that way they can
just pair their ipod touch with the bluetooth module
and go wire-free.

So does anyone have any good advice on the circuit to
accomplish this? FWIW, I'd be looking at the BluLink
thing, but I really don't want something big, and
expensive, banging around on the headset cord, getting
in the way...and since it's an experimental, I can
simply build it right into the arm rest.

--
Tim Olson - RV-10 N104CD
do not archive


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PostPosted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 8:02 pm    Post subject: iPod audio mix into headset line Reply with quote

Hi Tim
it is to bad you didn't go with Lightspeed. They allow a IPod directly into the controler or by bluetooth I think. I plug my ipod nano directly into mine and it works great.

Jim

James Robinson
Glasair lll N79R
Spanish Fork UT U77
From: Tim Olson <Tim(at)myrv10.com>
To: aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com
Sent: Mon, November 29, 2010 8:28:58 PM
Subject: iPod audio mix into headset line

--> AeroElectric-List message posted by: Tim Olson <Tim(at)myrv10.com (Tim(at)myrv10.com)>

I thought I'd ask for a bit of help on this mini-project I
am going to try to tackle.

My goal is to be able to take my standard Bose X headsets,
and splice in at jack point in the rear seats, so that I
can mix an ipod audio signal into the headset audio. Sounds
pretty simple, but...

With the impedance mismatch between the ipod (I think 32 or
36 ohms) and the headset (what is it, 300?) you would get only
quiet audio. I checked by plugging the headset with an
adapter directly into the ipod and it just was too quiet.

I did a little digging into simple mixer circuits with
10K resistors only, to combine the audio, and I'm guessing
that would work, if the ipod was just amp'd up a bit.

One thing I am NOT concerned with, is auto-muting of
music, or anything like that. This is for rear-seat
only, for the kids. I want them to each be able
to plug in their ipod into an armrest jack, and hear
their own individual music in the headset. Right now,
they can plug into the intercom's input #2, and get the
SAME music, but I want them to have the option to
get DIFFERENT music than the other. I do want it to be
Stereo, too.

So what I really am thinking I need to come up with is a
simple amp/mixer circuit that would perhaps impedance
match, or perhaps just amplify the ipod audio and then
mix it in.

To make it even more fun, once I get far enough that
I know this works, I'm going to plug a bluetooth
audio interface into that jack, and that way they can
just pair their ipod touch with the bluetooth module
and go wire-free.

So does anyone have any good advice on the circuit to
accomplish this? FWIW, I'd be
[quote][b]


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Tim Olson



Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 2872

PostPosted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 8:44 pm    Post subject: iPod audio mix into headset line Reply with quote

Actually, that's the sad thing. I have 5 Bose X's, and ordered
two Bose A20's to get the music input (wired only). Then I
decided that even though I know I love the Bose best, I better
re-visit Lightspeed Zulu's. These are for the kids, BTW, so
small heads for sure. Even myself, I wear them at their smallest
setting, since I'm a pea-brained guy.

Anyway, we had the kids try the Zulu's on. They were too big.
But, then I heard about the thicker head pad, and got
one on the way. I ordered a Zulu, and got it last week.
This weekend I got out for a test flight. That's where my
plans all fell apart. Up to that point, I was happy to just
buy 2 pairs of Zulu's for the kids, and be done with it.

The problem is, when I compared the Zulu's to my Bose X's,
which are supposed to be inferior to the A20's, I was very
very disappointed. The Zulu's were AWESOME for music
via bluetooth. I was thrilled with that. But, on the
ground I noticed one thing...the audio is higher
pitched more "tinny" on the Zulu's. Then, the real
disturbing thing...the in-flight test. On ground taxi,
the cabin noise was much louder, both the low rumble,
and the higher pitched rattles. In climbout, the Zulu's
were far noisier...in all respects. So much so that the
audio music took more volume just to hear it well. (that
said, the bluetooth volume can be made nice and loud)
But, they were very loud. In cruse...same thing. The
zulu's just didn't hold a candle to my Bose X's. I was
super upset, because I was hoping that the Zulu's would
dig me out of having to do all this work. If Bose would
have only come out with A2DP streaming music input in
the A20's I'd buy it in a heartbeat, but man, what a
stupid mistake they made by not doing it...a dedicated
guy with 5 pairs who'd gladly buy 2 more, and they don't
actually make a product that can compete in features?

The fit and clamping pressure is great with the Zulu's,
and I can get a bit better noise reduction if I hold
the earcups tightly on my head, but even if I ordered
their thicker earpads, that's not really a solution...even
with them held tight, they still weren't as quiet. In
fact, my wife thought the difference was so stark she
told me "OH, did you forget to power them on?!?!", and
sadly, I hadn't forgotten.

So yeah, the Zulu's would be a great solution, but having
actually ran them head-to-head, I can't sacrifice that
much on noise reduction and be happy. Even passive
noise reduction wasn't really much different than the X's.
I got the impression that when you read magazine reviews
on these headsets that it's either VERY VERY VERY perfect
fit oriented, or that the reviewers don't want to lose
advertising revenue, because I really didn't find them
to be nearly as equal as all the reviews would indicate.
I may call them tomorrow to see if there is anything that
can be tweaked to fix it. Had they fit like Bose,
and sounded like Bose, I'd have bought another pair
in a heartbeat and I wouldn't be asking for this circuit.
Tim Olson - RV-10 N104CD
do not archive
On 11/29/2010 9:58 PM, James Robinson wrote:
Quote:
Hi Tim
it is to bad you didn't go with Lightspeed. They allow a IPod directly
into the controler or by bluetooth I think. I plug my ipod nano directly
into mine and it works great.

Jim
James Robinson
Glasair lll N79R
Spanish Fork UT U77
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*From:* Tim Olson <Tim(at)myrv10.com>
*To:* aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com
*Sent:* Mon, November 29, 2010 8:28:58 PM
*Subject:* iPod audio mix into headset line


<mailto:Tim(at)myrv10.com>>

I thought I'd ask for a bit of help on this mini-project I
am going to try to tackle.

My goal is to be able to take my standard Bose X headsets,
and splice in at jack point in the rear seats, so that I
can mix an ipod audio signal into the headset audio. Sounds
pretty simple, but...

With the impedance mismatch between the ipod (I think 32 or
36 ohms) and the headset (what is it, 300?) you would get only
quiet audio. I checked by plugging the headset with an
adapter directly into the ipod and it just was too quiet.

I did a little digging into simple mixer circuits with
10K resistors only, to combine the audio, and I'm guessing
that would work, if the ipod was just amp'd up a bit.

One thing I am NOT concerned with, is auto-muting of
music, or anything like that. This is for rear-seat
only, for the kids. I want them to each be able
to plug in their ipod into an armrest jack, and hear
their own individual music in the headset. Right now,
they can plug into the intercom's input #2, and get the
SAME music, but I want them to have the option to
get DIFFERENT music than the other. I do want it to be
Stereo, too.

So what I really am thinking I need to come up with is a
simple amp/mixer circuit that would perhaps impedance
match, or perhaps just amplify the ipod audio and then
mix it in.

To make it even more fun, once I get far enough that
I know this works, I'm going to plug a bluetooth
audio interface into that jack, and that way they can
just pair their ipod touch with the bluetooth module
and go wire-free.

So does anyone have any good advice on the circuit to
accomplish this? FWIW, I'd be

*

*


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PostPosted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 9:21 pm    Post subject: iPod audio mix into headset line Reply with quote

So does that all net out to, "they aren't as good as the Bose (x)?

Bill "with 4 of 'em now" Watson

Quote:
Had they fit like Bose,
and sounded like Bose, I'd have bought another pair
in a heartbeat and I wouldn't be asking for this circuit.
Tim Olson - RV-10 N104CD


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Tim Olson



Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 2872

PostPosted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 10:32 pm    Post subject: iPod audio mix into headset line Reply with quote

Sadly, yes, at least in my opinion. I'm sure that since
fit can be a factor, and so can type of engine, frequency
of noise, and that sort of thing, that opinions will vary.
To me, the price doesn't factor in at all...I'd rather
spend a couple hundred more for a better product.
I'm actually really ticked at Bose for not having A2DP
in their Bluetooth. It would be so stone simple for them
to add. There are really only 2 or 3 things that aren't
performance related, that I don't like about the Zulu's,
and they don't matter much. 1) They're not black. (I
want dark colors in the cockpit so I don't get reflections
on the window in my photos). 2) They're a bit, not a ton,
wider and larger than the Bose. (beats the heck out of the
old ugly-wide lightspeeds) 3) They're a made-in-china
product. (this one actually matters a little more to me...
these days I really want to see some US based jobs stay here)
Other than that, it's almost purely performance that makes
me want the Bose.

To nitpick the Bose, the X's (not the A20's) 1) clamp a
little tight compared to Zulu's, 2) have earcups that are
on the small side (although I can open them up by pulling
the seal out a bit when donning them), 3) don't have
that stinkin' A2DP bluetooth.

So today I guess, there simply is no perfect headset for me.

If I can get this audio mix + amp circuit hooked in with
my bluetooth adapter though, I'll be very satisfied in
the end. If Pilot Avionics only made a panel-mount Blulink
module instead of a dongle, I'd just buy that, too, but
at $300 for the Lemo version, I know I cab build something
in that will work for what I need.

Tim Olson - RV-10 N104CD
do not archive
On 11/29/2010 11:18 PM, Bill Watson wrote:
Quote:

<Mauledriver(at)nc.rr.com>

So does that all net out to, "they aren't as good as the Bose (x)?

Bill "with 4 of 'em now" Watson

> Had they fit like Bose,
> and sounded like Bose, I'd have bought another pair
> in a heartbeat and I wouldn't be asking for this circuit.
> Tim Olson - RV-10 N104CD
>


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PostPosted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 7:42 am    Post subject: iPod audio mix into headset line Reply with quote

Hi Tim
That is very interesting. I have been very happy with the Zulu's but I have not done a direct comparison with the Bose. The Glasair without upholstery is very noisy and the Zulu seem to work great, but I need to borrow someones Bose and do a direct comparison. Good luck in your quest.

Jim

James Robinson
Glasair lll N79R
Spanish Fork UT U77
From: Tim Olson <Tim(at)myrv10.com>
To: aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com
Sent: Mon, November 29, 2010 9:39:10 PM
Subject: Re: iPod audio mix into headset line

--> AeroElectric-List message posted by: Tim Olson <Tim(at)myrv10.com (Tim(at)myrv10.com)>

Actually, that's the sad thing. I have 5 Bose X's, and ordered
two Bose A20's to get the music input (wired only). Then I
decided that even though I know I love the Bose best, I better
re-visit Lightspeed Zulu's. These are for the kids, BTW, so
small heads for sure. Even myself, I wear them at their smallest
setting, since I'm a pea-brained guy.

Anyway, we had the kids try the Zulu's on. They were too big.
But, then I heard about the thicker head pad, and got
one on the way. I ordered a Zulu, and got it last week.
This weekend I got out for a test flight. That's where my
plans all fell apart. Up to that point, I was happy to just
buy 2 pairs of Zulu's for the kids, and be done with it.

The problem is, when I compared the Zulu's to my Bose X's,
which are supposed to be inferior to the A20's, I was very
very disappointed. The Zulu's were AWESOME for music
via bluetooth. I was thrilled with that. But, on the
ground I noticed one thing...the audio is higher
pitched more "tinny" on the Zulu's. Then, the real
disturbing thing...the in-flight test. On ground taxi,
the cabin noise was much louder, both the low rumble,
and the higher pitched rattles. In climbout, the Zulu's
were far noisier...in all respects. So much so that the
audio music took more volume just to hear it well. (that
said, the bluetooth volume can be made nice and loud)
But, they were very loud. In cruse...same thing. The
zulu's just didn't hold a candle to my Bose X's. I was
super upset, because I was hoping that the Zulu's would
dig me out of having to do all this work. If Bose would
have only come out with A2DP streaming music input in
the A20's I'd buy it in a heartbeat, but man, what a
stupid mistake they made by not doing it...a dedicated
guy with 5 pairs who'd gladly buy 2 more, and they don't
actually make a product that can compete in features?

The fit and clamping pressure is great with the Zulu's,
and I can get a bit better noise reduction if I hold
the earcups tightly on my head, but even if I ordered
their thicker earpads, that's not really a solution...even
with them held tight, they still weren't as quiet. In
fact, my wife thought the difference was so stark she
told me "OH, did you forget to power them on?!?!", and
sadly, I hadn't forgotten.

So yeah, the Zulu's would be a great solution, but having
actually ran them head-to-head, I can't sacrifice that
much on noise reduction and be happy. Even passive
noise reduction wasn't really much different than the X's.
I got the impression that when you read magazine reviews
on these headsets that it's either VERY VERY VERY perfect
fit oriented, or that the reviewers don't want to lose
advertising revenue, because I really didn't find them
to be nearly as equal as all the reviews would indicate.
I may call them tomorrow to see if there is anything that
can be tweaked to fix it. Had they fit like Bose,
and sounded like Bose, I'd have bought another pair
in a heartbeat and I wouldn't be asking for this circuit.
Tim Olson - RV-10 N104CD
do not archive
On 11/29/2010 9:58 PM, James Robinson wrote:
[quote] Hi Tim
it is to bad you didn't go with Lightspeed. They allow a IPod directly
into the controler or by bluetooth I think. I plug my ipod nano directly
into mine and it works great.

Jim
James Robinson
Glasair lll N79R
Spanish Fork UT U77
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*From:* Tim Olson <Tim(at)myrv10.com (Tim(at)myrv10.com)>
*To:* aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com (aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com)
*Sent:* Mon, November 29, 2010 8:28:58 PM
*Subject:* iPod audio mix into headset line

--> AeroElectric-List message posted by: Tim Olson <Tim(at)myrv10.com (Tim(at)myrv10.com)
<mailto:Tim(at)myrv10.com (Tim(at)myrv10.com)>>

I thought I'd ask for a bit of help on this mini-project I
am going to try to tackle.

My goal is to be able to take my standard Bose X headsets,
and splice in at jack point in the rear seats, so that I
can mix an ipod audio signal into the headset audio. Sounds
pretty simple, but...

With the impedance mismatch between the ipod (I think 32 or
36 ohms) and the headset (what is it, 300?) you would get only
quiet audio. I checked by plugging the headset with an
adapter directly into the ipod and it just was too quiet.

I did a little digging into simple mixer circuits with
10K resistors only, to combine the audio, and I'm guessing
that would work, if the ipod was just amp'd up a bit.

One thing I am NOT concerned with, is auto-muting of
music, or anything like that. This is for rear-seat
only, for the kids. I want them to each be able
to plug in their ipod into an armrest jack, and hear
their own individual music in the headset. Right now,
they can plug into the intercom's input #2, and get the

Quote:
[b]


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FisherPaulA(at)johndeere.
Guest





PostPosted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 10:42 am    Post subject: iPod audio mix into headset line Reply with quote

Tim,
Is this what you are looking for? http://www.vx-aviation.com/page_2.html

I know you asked for a circuit, but I remember seeing these in the past. Never used one though...

- Paul

--


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Tim Olson



Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 2872

PostPosted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 11:18 am    Post subject: iPod audio mix into headset line Reply with quote

Thanks Paul,
I did run across that last night. Almost emailed for more
info. My first thought is, it's probably MORE than I
need. I don't need Cell input, and I can't tell from
some of the descriptions on other models if it can
mix Stereo to my Stereo intercom, or only mix stereo into
Mono. With all of the features it may be just a little
higher on price than I'm looking for, although if it
worked perfectly and was clear to me how it would work
for my installation, and be airplane powered, I'd probably
consider it.

Right now, with the lack of any D-I-Y circuits
that look ideal, I'm considering this
Boostaroo Revolution:
http://www.boostaroo.com/store_detail.php4?id=114
which I at least know I can just power via 12V, so
it would amp the iPod signal easily.
Then, I can do a simple resistor-only circuit to
mix the audio to the headset audio. I did order
a couple of isolator cords from Crutchfield too,
to prevent ground loops and make headset whine.
So, I'm at the point where I know I can do the
bare minimum for about $60, or do Bluetooth
with all that for about $140 per seat in the rear.
I need one of my Bluetooth things to come in so I
can verify if I need an amp first.
Tim Olson - RV-10 N104CD
do not archive
On 11/30/2010 12:37 PM, Fisher Paul A. wrote:
[quote]

Tim,
Is this what you are looking for? http://www.vx-aviation.com/page_2.html

I know you asked for a circuit, but I remember seeing these in the past. Never used one though...

- Paul

--


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