Amplifier FAQ
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The Bozavox BVX-01 and BVX-02 are acoustic instruments driven by physical mechanical force. They require raw electrical power to vibrate the internal components against your throat, allowing your vocal cavity to resonate and articulate sound. This guide will help you safely choose, connect, and configure an amplifier for your setup.
IMPORTANT: HEADPHONE OUTPUTS WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY
Do not plug your Bozavox directly into a headphone jack on your phone, laptop, or audio interface. Headphone outputs operate in microwatts. The BVX series requires 5 to 20 Watts of continuous power to physically vibrate the larynx effectively. Attempting to run a BVX from a headphone jack will result in little to no audible output. An external power amplifier is mandatory.
What Kind of Amplifier Can I Use?
Because the BVX series acts purely as a physical mechanical driver rather than a traditional high-fidelity speaker, the sonic quality or color of the audio fed into it does not matter. Your throat only cares about raw mechanical energy. You can utilize almost any amplifier that can drive an external speaker:
- Class D Mini-Amplifiers (Highly Recommended Budget Pick): Readily available and cheap on Amazon or eBay (brands like Fosi, SMSL, or Aiyima). They are tiny, highly efficient, and easily push the required 5–20W. They work exceptionally well with standard adapter plugs. Just make sure the power supply will provide sufficient power. (Power = Voltage x Current, e.g. 12V x 2A = 24 Watts.
- Thrift Store & Rummage Sale Option: Many old consumer receivers or integrated stereo amplifiers will work perfectly. Just look for one that has an external line-level input (labeled AUX, Tape, or CD, ect.) and does NOT have permanently built-in speakers. You will connect the BVX straight to the speaker output terminals on the back.
- Guitar Amplifiers: You can use a standalone guitar amplifier "head" (which has no built-in speaker) or a combo amp only if it allows you to completely disconnect the internal speaker. Plug the Bozavox directly into the amp's 1/4" external speaker output jack.
Disclaimer: Modifying or altering a guitar amp to bypass an internal speaker is done entirely at your own risk. We cannot be responsible for damaged equipment or amp alterations gone wrong.
- High-End Power Amplifier : Dedicated rack-mount studio reference or sound reinforcement amplifiers. While pristine audio fidelity or extremely high power is unnecessary for Bozavox use, these professional amps excel because they provide massive, reliable power and native 1/4" output jacks right on the chassis, requiring no custom adapter wiring.
Connection & Custom DIY Cable Layouts
The BVX hardware features a standard 1/4" Mono (TS) Male Plug. Since many consumer and Class D mini-amplifiers use bare wire terminals or banana jacks, you will need to get a proper connection from their outputs to the BVX jack.
Option A: Class D Amps with Banana Jacks
Purchase or wire a standard Dual Banana Plug to 1/4" TS Female Jack adapter. This is a secure option that avoids loose strands.
Amp Output: Red (+) ------> Banana Plug Red ---\
|---> Heavy-Duty 1/4" Female Jack <--- Plug in your BVX
Amp Output: Black (-) ------> Banana Plug Black ---/
Option B: Home Stereos with Spring Clips / Bare Wire Output
Buy a heavy-duty 1/4" speaker extension cable, cut off the male end, strip the insulation to reveal the two inner wires, and clamp them directly into the stereo's Channel A (Left) speaker terminals.
Stereo Terminal: Red (+) ---> Inner Positive Core Wire ---\
|---> 1/4" Female Jack End <--- Plug in your BVX
Stereo Terminal: Black (-) ---> Outer Shield / Ground Wire ---/
Impedance & Safe Dual-BVX Wiring
The Bozavox is resilient and designed to work with most consumer and professional setups. Real-world impedance matching is highly forgiving here, with only one specific exception when combining multiple units:
- Bozavox BVX-01 Specs: 8-Ohm impedance. (Discontinued, but available by special order).
- Bozavox BVX-02 Specs: 4-Ohm impedance.
The 2-Ohm Issue (Running Dual BVX-02s)
If you choose to run two BVX-02 units simultaneously to achieve a stronger overall voice output, do not wire them in parallel to the same amplifier terminal. Hooking two 4-Ohm devices up in parallel drops the total electrical load down to 2 Ohms. Some amps will overheat, distort, or trigger an immediate safety shutdown when exposed to a 2-Ohm load.
The Easy Fix: Simply wire your dual BVX-02 units in Series instead of parallel. Wiring two 4-Ohm devices in series creates a perfectly stable 8-Ohm load that any amplification system can run comfortably and safely all day long.
