Hyperbolic Spoon iPhone Amplifier/Stand

The speaker on my smartphone is underwhelming; as is yours. I find myself cupping my hand around the base of the phone to provides a slight volume boost in situations with ambient noise. I wondered if it was possible to accomplish a volume boost with a spoon head acting as an amplification dish. The remainder of the spoon is bent into shape to act as a stand for the phone. The overall effect is a slight gain in volume (≈ 5dB in the video below); this is not an actual amplification but a deflection (and the spoon does not actually conform to a hyperbolic shape). No additional energy is needed to provide the sound boost, therefore it can be considered as "passive". There are several similar instructables out there, from the hand-cupping technique http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-amplify-your-iPhone-speakerswith-your-ha/, some snazzy paper based variants http://www.instructables.com/id/iPad2-Speaker-Buddy/?ALLSTEPS and http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-any-iPhone-LOUDER-for-FREE-Megaphone-for-any/ and even some very elegant looking rigs http://www.instructables.com/id/Passive-amplifier-for-iPhone/.

Step 1: Step 2: Item List

All you need for this instructable is a spoon and some tools to bend it with. I started with a large soup spoon, thinking that I would want the larger surface area and length. The results was not great, due in part to the weight of the head, making the whole rig rather unstable. The best result was obtained from a cheap dessert spoon. This was easier to deform and not as top-heavy.

"Locking sheet metal tools" provide more control. Otherwise use what you have at hand. If you live in the Matrix, then use your mind.  

Comments

[The1PublicEnemy]

good idea i usually use my hand when im holding it to get the same effect. incorporating it into a stand is a great idea!

[Renard_Bleu]

Thanks!

[EricHi]

Great use of an old spoon!

[EnergyHandyman]

Reminds me of this:

http://www.instructables.com/id/iPad2-Speaker-Buddy/?ALLSTEPS

[Renard_Bleu]

Nice design, and more stylish than pulling out the mangled spoon in public. I hadn't realized there were so many other passive amplification design on instructables till i published and noticed five similar projects in the "Related" section on the side. There is even a guy describing the hand-cup technique (convergent evolution?). I'll add a few links tonight. There must be a good reason why they point the speaker towards where you cant see the screen...

[Renard_Bleu]

Thanks. Coolio appreciates his props too!

[audreyobscura]

Gangster's Paradise....great choice. AND awesome project.