Introduction: Homemade Speaker Electronics
Ever wanted to build your own cheap, nevertheless valuable and good sounding Speakers.This Instructable is going to give you a simple overview of the electronic basics for a Boombox. The setup can be integrated into a wide variety of cases, that can be individually customized. You can apply it for petty much anything you can imagine: wood cases, ammo cans, cardboard boxes, furniture,...
The electronics are about 60$ in total and can be completed in a few hours.
Features:
- 3.5mm AUX Input
- FM Radio
- SD/MMC Input
- USB Input
- USB Phone Charging
- Equalizer
- Remote Control
Step 1: Everything You Need
Most of the materials for this project can be purchased online or your local electronics dealership. For my own project I have purchased these goods, which I can absolutely recommend to you.
- A pair of speakers Pyle PL53BL 5.25-Inch 200-Watt
- An Amplifier Lepai Lp-A68
- AC 12V Power Adapter Kastar AC 12V
- Speaker wires (usually come along with the speakers)
- 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable
- A Computer Power Supply, a broken one is fine, due to the fact, that you only require the cord and the socket
- 3.5mm to RCA
- 3.5mm Stereo Panel Mount
Step 2: AMP Power Supply
I wanted to incorporate my speakers into a nice case, that's why I tossed away the cord, the amplifier got shipped with, and made a new one, that can be plugged out. This gives you the advantage to plug everything out and stow it inside the box. Of course you can also skip this step and use the original one.
The new cord can be finished in a few easy steps.
- Disassemble the PC power supply
All you need is the Power Socket and the PC Power Cord
- Cut the wires from the socket
- Cut the wire from your 12V power adapter
- Solder up the socket and the cord
The new cord is the new power source for the Amplifier.
The green wire is the grounding, If you integrate your speakers into a metal case, or anything else, that is conducting, or where you can come in contact with any live parts, you have to make a connection to the outside of your case, to provide a safe derivation.
The AMP is the only thing that requires charging in this setup.
Step 3: Connect Everything
Now you just plug in the new power cord into the AMP, connect the speaker wires with the Speakers and the AMP.
Step 4: 3.5mm Aux Input
To get a nice Audio Input for your case, you just need to cut the 3.5mm to RCA cord. It will expose two smaller isolated wires and two bare, thin, copper wires. You twist the bare wires together and solder them up with the middle contact of your mount. The other two wires are soldered up with the right and the left contact of the mount.
Last but not least you just connect the RCA ports.
Step 5: Your Turn
The electronics are completely finished now and it is up to you to integrate them into a nice case. I built a nice wooden case for mine however you can also integrate them for instance in some furniture, like a desk or wardrobe.
The creative part is now completely up to you.
34 Comments
6 years ago
A very nice looking build, one of the best..! I'm about to build something similar. My amplifier looks like your, but from a different brand (Cina anyway...). The difference is, I have a seperate module with radio, bluetooth and SD card reader hooked up. Also, no PC power supply, but a battery and solar charger.
7 years ago
how does it sound like?
7 years ago
What were the dimensions of each piece of wood for your enclosure? I'm making a Bluetooth version and I really want to recreate your enclosure.
7 years ago on Step 5
Very nice indeed! I think I'm gonna try and make one ^^ . Personnally I would just make a series of holes on the back to help keep the temperature down, and maybe a cut a small band of wood on the top for the the antenna. Otherwise very good work! :-)
7 years ago on Introduction
Complete novice, but I've ordered all of the parts and the last of them arrived today! Wooo Hoooo.
My plan is to use an acoustic guitar as the case. If all goes well it will be agift for my 12 y.o. son. 1/2 day off work tomorrow, and I can't wait to hook into this project.
Watch this space for my planned success ( but possible failure). Personally I think this instructable is so good that even I can mess it up. Fingers crossed.
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
I did it. Here's my finished project. The picture isn't great, but there it is.
I ended up having to do alot of adjusting to make it all fit, but it all works. I think my son is going to love it.
7 years ago
Fantastic instructable, im building one as we speak.
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
Did you finish your project. I would love to see someone else's finished project. It would give me a bit more confidence that I could also do this.
7 years ago on Introduction
beautiful enclosure!
7 years ago on Introduction
That's one good looking speaker you've made here!
I've made one recently as well. It's way smaller, powered by USB/battery and has bluetooth and really just a small part in a bigger project. :)
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
Wow, that one look really classy :) Could you please post an instructable about it, I would love to learn details of this project :)
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
Thanks. :) I haven't really documented it enough to make a decent instructable, but will look through what I have and maybe throw together an imgur gallery or something explaining the key parts of it if you want.
The electronics are based on this instructable by ASCAS, I just added a voltage booster for the battery, since the amp and BT runs on 5V.
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
How did you put that fabric? If you have some picture, upload them
I am really interested
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
I uploaded a quick set of pictures with some explanations on my blog. Take a look and let me know if something's not clear.
Also, a quick note to the author of this 'ible - Albert, sorry if this turned out like I hijacked your instructable or something, I was simply a little overexcited by the fact that I just recently made my first speaker ever and it worked as intended. I love what you did here both technology and look wise and learned a thing or two along the way. :)
7 years ago on Introduction
I love seeing these home made boomboxes especially well so eloquently designed. Love how you designed the lid to box, it's all so seemless and looks to be a nice system for around the house.
If you ever want to make it more portable it looks like you've got plenty of room for a battery. I use a 12v 9ah chromebattery in my medium and small builds. My small build is an identical setup to yours and I can get an easy 30+ hours out of it.
Reply 7 years ago
Yeah I have thaught about an additional battery, to give me the option to switch between the two power supplies.
I am planning on building a smaller and lighter bluetooth speaker, where I am incorporating a battery as power source as well.
Reply 7 years ago
How loud can this radio get?
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
Are you Al from Home Improvement?
7 years ago on Introduction
I am using a Raspberry Pi running lightshow Pi and the same amplifier that you have here to synchronize lights to music for the holidays. This project is a perfect way to combine the Rapsberry pi, the relays, the electrical sockets and the speakers all in one integrated unit. Thank you.
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
I'd love to see an instructable for your setup.