iPod Speaker
01/01/09 12:32 Filed in: Audio
I took a pair of speakers, and put them in two of the original iPods where the scroll wheels normally were.
Update: http://voidingwarranties.com/index_files/2009-1-5--iPod-Speaker-Update.html
I was looking through a bunch of old stuff when I came across my original iPod. I had long ago scavenged it for parts, so I came up with another use for it. Although I already had the iPod speaker “shell”, I wanted to make two speakers so that it could be stereo sound. My iPod speaker shell was barely recognizable with too many scratches to count, so I ordered two front panels and two back panels.
The total cost ended up around 100 USD for everything. It was mostly the shipping prices that made it so expensive. If I had spent some more time finding cheaper prices, or finding the parts locally, the cost would have been about 60 USD.
The speaker size that is needed is 2.25 inches. I couldn’t find any online, so I went to a local electronic surplus store and had them order two for me. Unfortunately, when I test fitted the speakers into the iPod, they were just a little too deep, so I dremeled the back just a little.
The first thing I did was install a switch. I used a DPDT (double pole, double throw) switch because it was the only thing I had on hand, but a SPST (single pole, single throw) switch would be better because it would be smaller. To make my switch fit into the hold switch on the iPod, I had to cut it down a little bit. To mount it onto the iPod, I used some small plastic scraps that I then glued to the metal of the switch, and the plastic of the iPod.
The second thing I did was to glue the audio jack into place. I used a mono jack to save space. Using a stereo jack would have been better so that I could have hooked up a different channel to each speaker. If you use a mono jack, you will need to make a custom audio splitter that splits the two audio channels. If you just used a standard audio splitter, you would only get the left or right channel, but not both. To mount the audio jack to the iPod, I used a small piece of credit card plastic that was white on one side.
Next, I glued in a potentiometer into the firewire port. I used this 10k ohm potentiometer from RadioShack. I soldered it to a small PCB that I used as a mount in order to glue it into the iPod. I used two small strips of white credit card plastic above and below the potentiometer to make it blend in. Then, a 10μF capacitor is hot glued into place and soldered to one of the pins of the potentiometer (use your multimeter to check which pins to use).
To amplify the audio signal, I used the battery powered amp found in the Altoids Tin Speaker Instructable.
In order to fit the speaker and the amp, some of the screw holes and plastic tabs need to be cut / dremeled away. To power the amp, I used a AA battery. It didn’t fit with a store bought battery holder, so I made my own. First, I took the springs from two AA battery holders and test fitted them into the iPod. Then, with the battery still in place, I hot glued the springs into place. After I took the battery out, I reinforced the springs with a little bit more hot glue.
Now, simply solder everything together, and put the back panel on. Make sure you put a couple pieces of electrical tape over the back of the amp to prevent shorts.
Now enjoy your one of a kind speaker!
Leave a comment below if you have any questions.
See all of the pictures in the gallery.
I was looking through a bunch of old stuff when I came across my original iPod. I had long ago scavenged it for parts, so I came up with another use for it. Although I already had the iPod speaker “shell”, I wanted to make two speakers so that it could be stereo sound. My iPod speaker shell was barely recognizable with too many scratches to count, so I ordered two front panels and two back panels.
The total cost ended up around 100 USD for everything. It was mostly the shipping prices that made it so expensive. If I had spent some more time finding cheaper prices, or finding the parts locally, the cost would have been about 60 USD.
The speaker size that is needed is 2.25 inches. I couldn’t find any online, so I went to a local electronic surplus store and had them order two for me. Unfortunately, when I test fitted the speakers into the iPod, they were just a little too deep, so I dremeled the back just a little.
The first thing I did was install a switch. I used a DPDT (double pole, double throw) switch because it was the only thing I had on hand, but a SPST (single pole, single throw) switch would be better because it would be smaller. To make my switch fit into the hold switch on the iPod, I had to cut it down a little bit. To mount it onto the iPod, I used some small plastic scraps that I then glued to the metal of the switch, and the plastic of the iPod.
The second thing I did was to glue the audio jack into place. I used a mono jack to save space. Using a stereo jack would have been better so that I could have hooked up a different channel to each speaker. If you use a mono jack, you will need to make a custom audio splitter that splits the two audio channels. If you just used a standard audio splitter, you would only get the left or right channel, but not both. To mount the audio jack to the iPod, I used a small piece of credit card plastic that was white on one side.
Next, I glued in a potentiometer into the firewire port. I used this 10k ohm potentiometer from RadioShack. I soldered it to a small PCB that I used as a mount in order to glue it into the iPod. I used two small strips of white credit card plastic above and below the potentiometer to make it blend in. Then, a 10μF capacitor is hot glued into place and soldered to one of the pins of the potentiometer (use your multimeter to check which pins to use).
To amplify the audio signal, I used the battery powered amp found in the Altoids Tin Speaker Instructable.
In order to fit the speaker and the amp, some of the screw holes and plastic tabs need to be cut / dremeled away. To power the amp, I used a AA battery. It didn’t fit with a store bought battery holder, so I made my own. First, I took the springs from two AA battery holders and test fitted them into the iPod. Then, with the battery still in place, I hot glued the springs into place. After I took the battery out, I reinforced the springs with a little bit more hot glue.
Now, simply solder everything together, and put the back panel on. Make sure you put a couple pieces of electrical tape over the back of the amp to prevent shorts.
Now enjoy your one of a kind speaker!
Leave a comment below if you have any questions.
See all of the pictures in the gallery.