Introduction: Awsome Speaker Tube From Old Computer Speakers
So I recently got a big pile of hardware junk from a friend of mine and found a particularly ugly pair of speakers in it.
They were from the era when computer accessories had to be white and dull. After fixing some broken wires I found out it had some pretty tough hardware in it for its category and a pleasant sound too. Since I wanted a small set of speaker for my laptop a long time ago I decided to turn these old boxes into something usable.
So, what you will need:
- old computer speakers with built in amplifier
- cardboard
- glue (lots of)
- old T-shirt
- some wires
- some nuts and bolts
- tape
- soldering iron
- knife
- dumbbells ^^
They were from the era when computer accessories had to be white and dull. After fixing some broken wires I found out it had some pretty tough hardware in it for its category and a pleasant sound too. Since I wanted a small set of speaker for my laptop a long time ago I decided to turn these old boxes into something usable.
So, what you will need:
- old computer speakers with built in amplifier
- cardboard
- glue (lots of)
- old T-shirt
- some wires
- some nuts and bolts
- tape
- soldering iron
- knife
- dumbbells ^^
Step 1: Create the Tube
Of course if you can find a cardboard/pvc tube that suits your needs you can use that, but it's much easier to fit everything inside if you make your own.
Note: use thin, one layered cardboard, as others look ugly when bent
Making tube is quite easy. You basically glue 3-4 layers together and let it dry for a couple of hours. When it's done wrap it up on something round, glue again and wait till it's dry again.
I used my dumbbells as weight when gluing the layers, and I also wrapped the cardboard around it to create the tube.
When done this thing should be almost as hard as plywood.
Then you can add the final layer: the textile covering, aka cut up the T-shirt and wrap the tube in it nicely.
Step 2: Wiring
Depending on the layout of the amplifier board you might need to rewire some stuff... or everything.
I designed mine so that the boards length matches the inner diameter of the tube, so I didn't have to move the potentiometers.
I designed mine so that the boards length matches the inner diameter of the tube, so I didn't have to move the potentiometers.
Step 3: Done
Cut two cardboard rings for the speakers on the two ends and glue/screw everything in place.
Results:
+ it has much better sound than it had when it was in those bulky plastic boxes
+ looks nice
+ fits behind my laptop
- will probably get hot after extended use
- the cloth/cardboard covering cuts off some of the higher frequencies => don't care listen to Brooklyn Bounce ^^
Note: since lots of parts are tucked inside (including a voltage transformer), so it would have been a good idea to create some shielding for the board (a small box covered in tinfoil or something), don't forget this and yours won't have this 50hz hum....
Results:
+ it has much better sound than it had when it was in those bulky plastic boxes
+ looks nice
+ fits behind my laptop
- will probably get hot after extended use
- the cloth/cardboard covering cuts off some of the higher frequencies => don't care listen to Brooklyn Bounce ^^
Note: since lots of parts are tucked inside (including a voltage transformer), so it would have been a good idea to create some shielding for the board (a small box covered in tinfoil or something), don't forget this and yours won't have this 50hz hum....