A Passive Audio Amplifier for Your iPhone or iPad

Christopher Locke has taken a low tech approach to making amplifiers for your iPhone and iPad. Rather than build an electronic contraption out of electrical components and speakers that requires a power source, he 'repurposes' discarded brass musical instruments for the task - ingenuous, I must say. Valves and levers are removed and a fancy metal cradle is attached to the reed port in a manner that positions the mobile device's speaker directly over the instrument's air intake. Videos are provided demonstrating the significant amplification afforded by the arrangement. It's hard to tell whether the full audio range is amplified sufficiently or if only those frequencies within the normal playing range are affected. Regardless, these functional sculptures would make a great conversation piece or even a gift for a musician friend.

Posted February 2013