Very low cost DIY “portable” Bluetooth jambox

[CPTX]

Learning a lot and having a great time.
This was the lowest cost build yet…and sounds amazing with bargain buyback drivers and a clearance small Bluetooth plate amp.

I’ll post more details later.

 

[staticV3]

Cool DIY project!

That being said, those duplicate drivers are likely hurting sound quality more than they're helping.

 

[CPTX]

I hear ya, the cabinet volume (16"X14"X14.75") was just about ideal for two.....and they were so cheap, I threw caution to the wind....but did offset them to minimize diffraction....and the cheap BT plate amp had left and right channel.

 

[Count Arthur]

I was thinking of making something similar, to plug either my phone, or a radio, into, when I'm messing about in the garage.

I currently stand the phone in a bucket to make it louder.

 

[CPTX]

Very enjoyable project....I have two more to finish for friends. The amp isn't very powerful, so I chose sensitive, low demand drivers.

 

[Timcognito]

I was thinking of making something similar, to plug either my phone, or a radio, into, when I'm messing about in the garage.

I currently stand the phone in a bucket to make it louder.

The 5 Best Budget And Cheap Bluetooth Speakers - Summer 2024: Reviews

The best budget Bluetooth speaker we've tested is the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3. With a portable design and great sound quality, this speaker is a stand-out choice for those shopping on a budget.

www.rtings.com

 

[CPTX]

If I was going to go the non DIY route, I'd consider this combination (and some speaker wire)

 

[Count Arthur]

I have an old pair of speakers and I was going to use one with a cheap mono amp, something like this:

I could probably fit it in the speaker enclosure to make a cheap powered speaker.

 

[Timcognito]

I have an old pair of speakers and I was going to use one with a cheap mono amp, something like this:

View attachment 380388

I could probably fit it in the speaker enclosure to make a cheap powered speaker.

Splurge and buy two for stereo

 

[Count Arthur]

Splurge and buy two for stereo

I don't see the point of stereo, unless your correctly positioned between the speakers. When you're moving about and just want background music, or you're listening to the news or podcasts, mono makes more sense.

 

[Timcognito]

I don't see the point of stereo, unless your correctly positioned between the speakers. When you're moving about and just want background music, or you're listening to the news or podcasts, mono makes more sense.

Maybe, but there is another free speaker sitting around. At £1.19 and the Holidays around the corner. I was kidding about spurge part, should have used an emoji

 

[Count Arthur]

Maybe, but there is another free speaker sitting around. At £1.19 and the Holidays around the corner. I was kidding about spurge part, should have used an emoji

I'm also sure that at £1.19 the sheer awesomeness and fidelity will totally rock my world.

 

[Timcognito]

I'm also sure that at £1.19 the sheer awesomeness and fidelity will totally rock my world.

This post has stimulated my thinking and I was planning a similar project with an old set of bookshelf speakers with variable crossover (knob on back), crappy drivers and beautiful walnut veneer. So not just the drivers will be replaced but now contemplating a small internal amp. Anyone with ideas on those amps, ideas would be welcome, < $50 per box. Thanks in advance.

Edit: Or one stereo amp in a master/satellite setup

 

[CPTX]

One option to consider is the Nobsound G2. It is a mono amp (most would use it as a sub amp).....but it has PBTL/FLAT full range frequency mode (in mono)
They are small and cheap..... could easily press fit one with silicone into the back of a speaker. This Nobsound G2 does not have blue tooth, so I purchased a separate $10 BT receiver/transmitter and connected it via RCA to the RCA input.....works great for a speaker I built.

They are $55 including the power supply on Amazon and lower cost from Aliworld...I see them as a cheaper, less powerful version of the Aiyima Ao7max monoblocks.

 

[Count Arthur]

One option to consider is the Nobsound G2. It is a mono amp (most would use it as a sub amp).....but it has PBTL/FLAT full range frequency mode (in mono)
They are small and cheap..... could easily press fit one with silicone into the back of a speaker. This Nobsound G2 does not have blue tooth, so I purchased a separate $10 BT receiver/transmitter and connected it via RCA to the RCA input.....works great for a speaker I built.

They are $55 including the power supply on Amazon and lower cost from Aliworld...I see them as a cheaper, less powerful version of the Aiyima Ao7max monoblocks.

View attachment 380412

If you connect a stereo source to it in full range mode, does it sum the left and right signal for a mono output?

 

[CPTX]

I used a preamp with a single coax full range non crossed sub out with mine and an Y adapter…to keep it in simple full range mono the whole way.

With a different amp or preamp, suppose another option would be to RCA Y adapter sum the left and right out from an RCA left and right out…then run it in a single coax for a stretch in summed mono…then RCA Y adapter again into the Nobsound G2 audio left and right in.

 

[EERecordist]

Learning a lot and having a great time.
This was the lowest cost build yet…and sounds amazing with bargain buyback drivers and a clearance small Bluetooth plate amp.

I’ll post more details later.

View attachment 380359

Keep at it!

A company makes similar with vintage suitcases. Hipster crowd. They do placements in music videos and with ad agencies. They have a bring your own suitcase DIY kit. Not audiophile, but fun.

Case of Bass

Made in Portland, Heard Everywhere

caseofbass.com

We also have some DIY bike-mobile DJ setups. They are lighted. You can dance on them, or you can put the spehttps://i0.wp.com/caseofbass.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Bass-Camp21.jpg?w=1080&ssl=1kers and DJ controller on them.

 

[deprogrammed]

Parts express has some kits. With and without cabinets.

Speaker Type

Build your own speaker or subwoofer! Whether you're an experienced hobbyist, customization pro, or DIY electronics fan, these kit bundles are a great buy.

www.parts-express.com

 

[CPTX]

Yes, looked at those, but Lowe’s had 8’x4’ sheets of 3/4” ply on clearance for $13….so I bought enough for five projects….and I can build them BIG.

 

[CPTX]

Version 2.0.
Fisherman Series.