Super Easy to Make Portable Speakers for Mp3/ipod

by mattyuke

57K3026

Intro: Super Easy to Make Portable Speakers for Mp3/ipod

I didn't want to fork out loads of money on portable speakers.
So I didn't
And made some.
These are powered by a battery.
They are incredibly easy to make I'm 14 I did it!
As ever I am not responsible if it doesn't work or goes wrong.
Try it at your own risk.

This is easy because the speakers already have and amplifier and controls built in. They are very loud and very clear.
These cost me about £2 (50p for the speakers and £1.50 for the battery) I had a spare connector lying around.

What you need

Some computer speakers powered by the main. ( I found mine at a car boot sale for 50p!!!!!!!!!!!)
Electrical insulation tape or you could solder
A 9volt battery
A 9volt battery connector.
What ever casing/box you want to put it in.

STEP 1: Getting Started

Remove all the casing from around the computer speakers Do not cut any cables.
Find the pack that converts the voltage from mains (240) to 12 or whatever the circuit runs at.
cut the cable running between the pack and the circuit board.

STEP 2: Adding the Battery Connector

Where the cables came off the converter simply connect them onto the battery connector. Positive to Positive and Negative to Negative. You could solder but I just wrapped them around and then put he tape over the top.

The yellow wire with the black tape on is not in use

STEP 3: How Easy Was That

Add the battery on turn it on and plug in your mp3 player.

And create whatever case you want for it.
Mine is yet to have a case because I'm not sure if I want to connect all 4 speakers. Because then it wouldn't be too portable.

Easy.

Any queries get in touch I will try to assist.

Any suggestion get in touch

Good luck

With 2 tweeters and 2 woofers it can be very loud!! : )

27 Comments

Anand Kachale 8 years ago

hey i have a speaker but it does not have any amplifier circuit to control it. Can i take it from a 4.1 home theater sub-woofer??

Anand Kachale 8 years ago

hey i have a speaker but it does not have any amplifier circuit to control it. Can i take it from a 4.1 home theater sub-woofer??

Aron Rc RC 8 years ago

!!!!!!!It is a awsome speaker dude!!!!!!!!

MUSIC650 12 years ago

hi i have a 50 watt speakers and the input is 120v and output 9v hope you can help!
thanks

hsarode1 12 years ago

Hey i need your assistance can i measure the output voltage bu just taking a multimeter and putting the cords at the place where the speaker is connected will i get the correct voltage

mattyuke 12 years ago

(Sorry I was a bit Slow)
I wouldn't think so because the voltage will fluctuate as that is what makes the speakers vibrate at different frequencies, and you wouldn't get a clear reading.
Why do you want to measure the output voltage of the audio output?

Matt

blizard.wizard 14 years ago

I was wondering if I could use a 9v battery on the speakers im using, The transformer reads, "120V:6V~0.2A" do i have too hook up a 6V battery or will the 9V work fine?

Mirc_El 13 years ago

I'm sure this is kind of old. But for you if you still need this, and for others: don't rely on what is written on the transformer!
Find the biggest capacitor on the board (that's the main filter) and measure the voltage there while it's running. The voltage is different from the transformer output (usually higher) because the alternative current is converted to DC. Don't short any contacts on the board while doing it! That should be the operating voltage. You should solder the battery contacts to that capacitor. Be aware of the polarity! Usually the capacitor has a black stripe (a minus) on the negative side. The transformer on my speakers said 9V output (in reality it gave 10 volts, but under no load). The main filter capacitor voltage was 14V! Though, it should be around 12V under load. (chinese speakers with too small components for it's output).

mattyuke 13 years ago

Cheers that was a really useful comment. Even thought i'm not sure it does it any harm to run under power i'll make sure I try that next time.

Thanks

mattyuke 14 years ago

The Transformer on the amp I used was 12v but I used a 9v battery it works fine under powered but I'm not sure what would happen if it was over powered. You could always use 4xAA batteries. Are you living in America?? If you are then the voltage from a plug socket will be different from mine as I live in Britain. Maybe that is why it transforms it to a lower voltage. You could either: Use 4xAA batteries Try the 9v ( it may not work and may damage the circuit) But I can't see why it shouldn't work Buy a 6v regulator and connect it to the circuit Get a 6v rechargable battery. Hope this helps. Please write again if it works Thanks Matt

paintsniper 14 years ago

hey im 13 and hell into electronics downt the bottom on the comments how u sujested how to add more speakers i would watch out with your polarity wen conecting the 4th speaker if there double pol ur ok if not u could have a "SHOKING PROBLEM ON UR HANDS" p.s iv made robots, flashing lights battle bots, ipod speakers gun silencers lrd chasers and heaps more and remember that if u solder to a printed circuit board u can disterb the doubled side thus recking the solderside from conection altho ur doing ok goodluck dont kill urself

skywalker619 13 years ago

hey if u hav made all that y dun u post it on instructables!!

lawrenzium 14 years ago

i need help... when i change the power source, the sound is awful...

mattyuke 14 years ago

If you could send some photos I could help but at the moment i don't really know. I had a problem but that was because the battery was run down so maybe try and change the battery Is the battery full Is it shorting on anything Is the jack to the mp3 clean Thanks Matt

lawrenzium 14 years ago

the battery is full, the sound is great when the volume is at maximum, but when I try to lower the volume, I can't understand the sound... there should be no problem in the speaker because it is new... pls help me...

mattyuke 14 years ago

Does the noise only appear when changing the volume? Can you hear any music at all?

lawrenzium 14 years ago

yup there's always music but when I always try to lower the volume the sound awful... but when the volume is at maximum the sound is good.

mattyuke 14 years ago

If you could add some photos that would be veery helpful. Did you buy the stuff new? If it is old it could be that the surfaces on the volume switch may have marks on them. Its strange because usualy when you turn up the volume the sound becomes more destorted not the other way round. It could be that the speaker is under powered when turned down but i've never had any problems with that. I think it is probably the switch that controls the volume. If the sound is up on the speakers turn it down on your mp3 that may make the loudness how you want it. Hope that helps
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