Melee Audio Setup For CRT

Why use an audio setup?#

I use the sounds of the game to react and play my best. Previously, I'd turn the tv really loud and try to ignore the audience behind me. Or I'd wear earplugs, but those would mute the game as much as the crowd. 

Now I use an audio setup (headphones, essentially) which drowns out the crowd and keeps game audio in my ears. I'm able to hear in game things like my opponent's footsteps as they dash, fox/falco side b's, wavedashes, jumps, and attacks.

Some players listen to unrelated music as they play. I need the game sound to play at my best.

Parts List#

1. TacGuru SHOTMUFFS A – Passive Ear Protection Earmuffs
   1. these earmuffs are lightweight and fold up pretty small. They fit my big head and don't squish my ears. They are easily comfortable enough to wear for the duration of a melee set.
2. Neoteck Portable 3.5mm Headphone Amplifier Two-Stage Gain Switch, 16-300 Ohm, Aluminum Matte Surface : Electronics
   1. Ensure you have your earbuds plugged into the headphone output port (likewise for aux in).
   2. At very low volumes, one ear is a bit louder than the other. This is a non-issue for me so far.
3. ienza 6-Ft Headphone Jack to RCA Adapter Cord, 2 RCA Piggyback to 3.5mm TRS Audio Splitter : Electronics
4. Panasonic ErgoFit Wired Earbuds
   1. You can probably use any earbuds that fit your ears well, I choose these ones.

Diagram (Labeled by part numbers above)#

Explanation#

1. I piggyback on the crt rca audio and plug it into the amp.
2. I plug my earbuds into the amp.
3. I put the earbuds on under the earmuffs.
4. I adjust the volume as necessary with the amp.

Potential alternatives#

Instead of using earmuffs + earbuds you could plug in noise-cancelling headphones into the amp. But I find the noise isolation in the earmuffs + buds to be really good. And I don't have to worry about charging either of them (I do have to keep the amp charged).