The Plasma Speaker

Are you tired of those old black speakers that only just make sounds? Maybe sound reactive lights are just not enough to impress you? How about a Plasma Speaker?

A plasma speaker is a device that generates an high voltage electrical arc that makes purple light and music! Without any speakers or any moving parts! Sounds too good to be true? Well, you're wrong, the high voltage arc really does 'sing' by vibrating in the air. (Of course, you will need to give the device musical audio for it to work.) And just leave this instructable if you still don't believe me...

And this is something I always wanted to build - I have been dreaming to build one for about 6 months, until Kiteman has greatly boosted my encouragement to build one. (Thanks Kiteman!)

The video of my plasma speaker - early prototype.

Step 1 The dangers you must know...

A plasma speaker is no toy...

Health Hazard
Unlike the ordinary speakers, the plasma speaker are dangerous high voltage device, do NOT attempt to build this device unless you know what you are doing... And do NOT even attempt to build one if you have heart problems or weak heart or wearing a pacemaker, because one little shock from this thing can put you out...
I am not responsible for any injuries or deaths caused by this device.

Why should you know all of this? it is because you can ONLY live once, and no more...
If you don't think that you shouldn't build one, just watch movies of it working instead, much better than risking your life to build and operate one.
If you think you are okay to build one without killing your self, then move on to the next step.

Hazard to Electronics
Since the plasma speaker generates high voltages, there is a chance there will be high voltage spikes on the low voltage side of the device, which can get onto the audio line and damage (or destroy) the player. They are some safety features to prevent the spikes damaging the player, but they can fail... So I am not responsible if your player gets damaged, and use cheap players like CD players, if you're rich, you can use expensive players if you want. :-)

Comments

[firebird2000]

So from what I understand as to how this works is that the high frequency (inaudible) allowes the voltage to be driven accross the coils on the transformer at a much more efficient rate, thus allowing the lower (audible) frequencies to be transfered at the much more efficient rate, am i right? Also I have a question, is there a way to modify a normal self-powered computer speaker so that it produces these high frequencies? This is for my science fair which is on electro -magnets.

[GASSYPOOTS]

saftey box maybe?

[widownt]

Okay, so i've got an plasma globe and i wanna use this for a plasma speaker, i know it can produce the sparks but i;ve got a problem, what should I change to get sound out of this? Please help, help is appreciated a lot!

[teslacoilguitaramp,helpmeplz]

i created a profiole to ask you, or anyone, will this work with a Tesla coil, all i want to do is make a tesla coil guitar amp and this would be a major step for me getting there. and the more people help me the sooner i may be able to make a page on how to do that. so please help me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Betelgeus3]

A tesla coil works much differently than the device here. Not to mention running on much MUCH higher frequencies. If you could do it, it would be highly unlikely that the sound quality would be any good, and if you got anything wrong, it could short back into the guitar.

However, a higher voltage version of this device is not impossible, so you could try that (within reason. you're not going to get a considerable volume out of anything you can run off 120v wall source.).

[madshaman]

Maybe someone mentioned this elsewhere, but it's probably a good idea to optically couple your input (like with a really long fiber optic cable) if you're dealing with high frequency at even marginally high voltages. High frequency AC can see a fully conductive path even across insulators in some cases.

[geek10102]

could i use a IRF510A

[-max-]

i would get something better, but it will work.

[Alex1M6]

No, it is too weak for this.

[-max-]

what are the specs on it?

[makrohard]

One more successful project. Turning the 22k poti to max instantly kills the mosfet. I can't run the circuit longer than a minute without overheating the mosfet.

[Dutch_Razor]

Looks like a very nice idea,the sound is good too!

Wouldn't it be much easier to drive the MOSFET with a micro controller though? You'd pretty much only need 2 components (aside from the flyback stuff).

[jrr9042]

I don't know if anyone is still concerned by the burning out MOSFET problem, but you might just try using a silicon controlled rectifier. They allow for much higher currents and have a much higher break-down voltage than the IRF540 that is suggested here.

[jasonrh44]

has anyone tried to incorporate a tesla coil vs a flyback w this circuit and if you have, i am very interested in how to "beef up" the circuit to accommodate for a louder plasma speaker w the use of the coil. i have done some research into this and have been looking for a way to utilize some tc4421's i have laying around, along w some materials i have from building a coil last spring.....(any ideas?)

[adamdwaldrop]

What is the model number of this flyback you are using? thanks!

[THEORANGESNOWFROG]

I'll try to make earphones out of theses :-)

[savagefukeronsteroids]

nothings impossible??? so u could fly by flappin ur arms

[mrmerino]

Flap them 3,000 times a second maybe.

[Plasmana]

yes you can, but you need to flip your arms fast enough and correctly.

[pyroten]

i can :)

[Plasmana]

Proof?

[savagefukeronsteroids]

i wanna see this got a vid then i can say iv seen almost everything cos i still havnt seen a cat eat its own head lol

[iBurn]

Have you seen a man eat his own skull? No? Well then you haven't seen everything.

[waldosan]

this doesn't seem physically possible!

[Sagar Gondaliya]

i have. rofl

[waldosan]

you know that's exactly what he said.

[mrmerino]

You'll protect our electronics from being damaged from foreign objects? Thanks man!

[misykat99]

Thanks man!!

[mehdimax]

dear friends plz help me !
i have ordered a flyback but it doesn't arrive yet ! i have made the circuits but have no clue to test the circuit ..!???

how can i test it when flyback is not in it's place ???????????
waiting for your kind help :)

[p8ntball37]

rather then using high amperage/voltage, use something rather low (but not too low) and put a speaker rather than a flyback in place. Unless you made the speaker, dont worry about the turns.
ALSO
if this your first flyback project, try something smaller and easier. Not that you cant do it, but because if theres an issue then you will be able to diagnose it easier and definitely safer without giving yourself a good, high frequency, high voltage ZAP. My first project was a marx generator, but because i was inexperienced at the time, i had a problem and no idea what it was - so i gave up and put it aside. it wasnt until over a month later until i gave it a properly improper ground (my body - BIG MISTAKE) and got it working.
anyway, learn about modulation, how to modulate, and why transistors are so important.
then start off by getting a few NE555 timers. Learn how to adjust them to play high and low frequencies through a speaker, and then one day you can connect an audio out to pin 5 on that (hint hint) and make it play sound. then even further, you can put a transistor and a flyback on there and make another plasma speaker :)
email me at anytime: [e-mail]

[mehdimax]

dear Plasmana !
i want to make a circuit to modulate sound into square wave form..dose this circuit by cutting off the transformer works ??? pls help plasmana :)

[jvickie collett]

Hi can you tell me if this schematic has been updated or does it still fry mosfets in a few mins thanks great plans by the way .thanks

[jjuttup]

i believe this is actually called a "zeusaphone"

[orban]

Hey guy's, I need your help:
I've already build up the circuit and i've tested it with an old speaker, seams to work fine. But i've no idea what wire to use for the primary coal of the flyback. Most people here say, they have about 3-4 amps, so i think you have (12V) 3-4 ohm total resistant, I don't know how to get. On the other side on pictures your wire seems very thick so what to use? Thanks!

[justt]

nice job

[geo bruce]

Here is mine 

[qwerty987]

hey your duct tape is burning

[geo bruce]

yeah isn't it nice?

[hak khankhail]

hi there,nice work geo Bruce...keep it up
i also wish to make this plasma speaker..can you please guide me some
i mean i wanna know all about this step by step...kindly if you free to tell?

[rapidprototyping]

I enjoy listening to music from my mp3 over a pair of non powerd flat panel speakers these are Teac speakers by NXT they use a transducer to create vibrations across a flat panel thus creating sound. Thats different then the way cone vibrates to create sound in conventional speakers. The flat panels were developed by the RAF as a noise reduction scheme for aircraft cockpits. In other words if improplwerly used they can damage your hearing. but still i dont need batteries to listen to my Coby touchscreen MP3 player just a micro jack to RCA plug does it for me. conventional head phones put out very little sound
flat panels can put out alot more. noticed at least one cell phone adapting this technology. by the way they sold kit at one point to turn any piece glass into a speaker. by suction cupping the transducer top any glass you could vibrate its surface and make sound. if sound is same as nxt flatpanels be fine for cell
phone headsets mp3 players or old fashion cd players or radios