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DIY boomboxes

samsnite - 2010-06-02 09:53

Ok so here is some pics of my past projects:







2008 i think this was. Pioneer CD/RDS, JVC 6x9", 7Ah lead-acid battery, 230V to 12V transformer built in.

samsnite - 2010-06-02 10:02

Oh yea, and covered (is that the correct word?) with cream and black vinyl. Used the socket from an old computer power supply for the mains connection. Handles and corners are from Thomann. I really like the all hiding aerial.

samsnite - 2010-06-02 11:21

2009: Built this one for my father in laws 60th birthday.







Used two old Pioneer speakers for this. Screwed them together, used the lower one for the woofers and top one for the tweeters, radio (Sony CD/MP3, 12Ah battery and switch. It was a really tight fit... eww

samsnite - 2010-06-02 11:35

So, last but not least...







The Carpower SUB-20 boomer:
Pioneer CD/RDS
Alpine 6,5" 2-way
Monacor 8" 2x125W woofer
20Ah battery
and a lot of noise... Big Grin

Oh, and i charge the batteries with a cheap "intelligent" car battery charger through the 12V socket (like backwards...)

davebush - 2010-06-02 13:43

i dont know what to say only W Red Face W

lav.loo - 2010-06-02 13:58

cool stuff SAMSNITE Nod Yes i bet they would blow any 80,s box to bits Nod Yes Wink

samsnite - 2010-06-03 08:11

Thanks guys, glad you like em!

lav loo, i think its not fair to compare 80´s boxes to these. 80´s boxes look way cooler! And these have newer technology...

lav.loo - 2010-06-03 08:39

yes i know i was just kind of saying i bet they boom Nod Yes

hardmen - 2010-08-07 18:45

I'm thinking of DIY boombox, but based on a system with support for video (BY 7 or nine inch LCD display) and music via USB.

I shall take the following model:







Soon, a litle draw (ugly) for the idea.

Later!!

samsnite - 2010-08-09 11:20

I have looked for a flush mount 12V USB/SD MP3 player with low level out, but i have had no luck...

retro - 2010-08-10 17:42

Those are really cool Samsnite, I've always been a fan of DIY audio whether boomboxes or loudspeakers. I would like to see someone make a shell out of fiberglass.

samsnite - 2010-08-12 12:14

thanks retro! Yes it would be cool to make a case out of plastic/fiberglass to reduce weight and size. My next project might be more oldskool looking stuff... Big Grin I really would want that integrated mp3 player (SD/USB). Have to investigate...

hardmen - 2010-08-12 15:20

My project will start for something like this:



I need to buy LCD 9 "and a used tape deck Aiko TD3000:



From Aiko System 3000:

retro - 2010-08-12 15:32

Now that's going to be awesome! I've never used SketchUp, looks like a cool app.

samsnite - 2010-08-14 02:24

Cool stuff! Now that is what im talking about!

isolator42 - 2010-08-16 02:46

Samsnite, those DIY boomer builds look great, thanks for sharing.

hardmen, that project is going to look fantastic.
It looks like the on-board amp will be enough: 68W RMS!
Features-wise, you'll have DVD/MP3 CD, 9" screen (cool!), USB in, aux in, as well as good old tape & AM FM tuner.
Nice Smile

Will you be going for a black or a sliver finish?
Also, any ideas what speakers you'll use?

hardmen - 2010-08-16 19:27

Isolator.

Honestly, I still have not decided on the mix of colors that will handle the project, but think of a mix of brushed aluminum with black, let's see!

This is a new idea which can finish the project.



Still have not bought the speakers, I have 04 here 6 inches, but do not think it will be good for the size of the project requires.

retro - 2010-08-17 05:09

The bevels and tweeter placement looks much better.

isolator42 - 2010-08-27 01:14

Tnx for the info Smile

This is going to be a gd one, best of luck!

mellymelsr - 2010-08-29 23:05

I like the design. With the amount of extra space you have near the tweeter you could easily add a small midrange speaker for true 3-way sound. I can't wait to see the finished product. Good stuff...

hardmen - 2010-08-31 19:29

My wedding next October, is preventing me from making some purchases (speakers and LCD display 9 inches), but the project as far as my time allows me, going forward.

The photo below illustrates the size of the frame, light wood used for this.



Do not expect a step by step of this project, because my time is very short and when I start something in the little time I have (an average of two hours per night) I have to finish.

Bye!

hardmen - 2010-10-23 14:50

Photos of the project's progress.





All the wood used, it remains found in abandoned lands in the region.

I will do internal support for the woofers, fix the tissue damping and start working with the sandpaper.

See Later!

samsnite - 2010-10-24 12:29

Oooh! Thats one HEAVY unit! But will it be portable? What is the black player unit? A DVD player/amp?

hardmen - 2010-10-24 14:21

quote:
Originally posted by Samsnite:
Oooh! Thats one HEAVY unit! But will it be portable? What is the black player unit? A DVD player/amp?


Not portable and not too heavy.

Maybe I change the actual DVD player, for a Car CD player with USB in, and the vintage DC 12v power amplifier below:



Them, this project will be portable.

brian84corvette - 2010-11-14 22:02

I tried to make a portable one using a pair of trash picked house stereo cabnets / steeling out the 12" woofs / sealed mids / tweets / and internal crossovers - and even the ports.

I shall take better pix of it painted tomorrow.
its powered by a 2 channel car stereo amp - connected to a motorcycle size agm spill/leak proof battery all sealed up inside the unit.

I like the idea sketched up with diffrent levels on the face giving depth to the box.
I might have to try and coppy some of that idea for my box as it looks terribly plain atm.

as of now the box is painted black with truck bed liner to be durable and somewhat moisture proof. I take it with me to bmx ride functions with my flatland bmx buddies. it plays louder than we care to turn it up to - and lasts longer than 4 hours play on a full charge.

older pix

brian84corvette - 2010-11-14 22:04

im terribly sorry about the huge pix
Im using photobucket if anyone knows how to change the settings there to fit on the page please inform me

brian84corvette - 2010-11-15 14:02

here it is with the screws filled in and painted black with truck bed liner

other boxes on top for size refrence

samsnite - 2010-11-18 11:15

It is huge!

ao - 2010-11-18 12:43

Not as big as this one...

reli - 2010-11-18 17:30

You guys should find a way to add some big huge LED meters to them.

samsnite - 2010-11-21 10:33

ye i have thought of them led meters... i found one "jumbo" led-vumeter in an hobby electronics store with 30 leds. I would place the leds around the woofers hidden inside the grill trims lighting up the woofer cone. It would be one stupid fresh looking vu meter!!! And of course with an off switch... Big Grin

stereo

djyetix - 2010-11-22 12:42

quote:
Originally posted by agentorange:
Not as big as this one...



Oh, this is my Blaupunkt Masterblaster excited

I have to repair my DIY box cause the surrounds of all four woofers are rotten and the sealed lead acid battery is dead. I built thes unit aprox. 15 years ago.

you can google it: Blaupunkt Masterblaster Big Grin

http://www.google.de/search?hl...ster+Blaster&spell=1

davebush - 2010-11-22 13:55

what does that sucker sound like

retro - 2010-11-22 18:12

Can anyone post of a pic of that huge padded Sony DIY box one of our members made?

ao - 2010-11-23 00:49

You mean this bad boy?

retro - 2010-11-23 04:12

Brothablast! Thats It, thanks.

samsnite - 2010-11-28 12:20

LOL! That one is outrageous!

arakno1 - 2011-01-22 01:54

Really nice work everyone!
I found those pictures of a home made boombox,the guy is really serious and good worker,just have a look:














retro - 2011-01-22 17:15

That's awesome! not worthy Did he post any detailed information about this project?

brigadier.vytas - 2011-01-23 08:57

seen that last one on the net, but yeah, some more info would be very nice!
And Brian84, how's your project? Is it finished? I'd definately add a radio scale, lots of knobs and cassette door on it, even fake ones.

samsnite - 2011-01-24 09:29

WOW! Eek thats one sleek looking DIY project! Top notch finish! A bit strange design, fake mids/tweeters in upper corners and a real horn tweeter in the center! ???? Umm... well it looks very cool! And no built in program source (once again)?

arakno1 - 2011-01-24 10:32

Here is the original topic:
diy boombox
it' his third boombox project and he got lots of other mods...


Here is an other guy's homemade boombox i found,this is a mini boombox in fact:





Randy Mosher Says:
February 13th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Here’s the deal on this. I got inspired when I read a rumor that Krell was planning a boombox, which got me thinking, and right about that time, I stumbled across Tripath amps. So, the box is 1 cm fiberglas/carbon fibre/nomex honeycomb board. The frame is stainless steel, knobs aluminum, all custome fabricated by me. Uses a 41hz Amp 32 (2021b), 15wpc class D amp, 5 A 13.5v SMPS. 5 AH SLA + smart charger. USB 5v regulated power out the back. Will add a second amp for remote speakers. Drivers: CSS FR125S + Audax mylar tweeters. Adjustable feel with butyl rubber inserts. A power jack on the back comes right off the battery so I can plug in a solar cell to extend battery life. Runs about 10-15 hours at reasonable volume. Battery is swappable, so I can change it out for the second half of the camping trip. I have a simple passive adjustable bass-boost/low-pass circuit before the amp and some crossover-type coils and caps to tame some of the upper midrange “shoutiness” these small drivers can exhibit. It has three ports (with a purple LED centered in the middle one) and both drivers coexist in the same space, not internally separated. Most of the amp circuitry is built into a subchassis made out of modelmakers styrene/ABS which is easy to work and glues up well with super glue. I have about $500-600 (US) in it, I think. I had a friend at a trophy shop laser-mark the name plates for me. Overall size is (box only) 42cm w x 20 cm h x 23 cm d. Weight about 35 lbs/15 kg.

Yes, it sounds pretty good. Not super bassy, but clean, non-fatiguing and powerful sound. Those Tripath amps are awesome, and the CSS drivers aren’t bad, either! Always draws a crowd. Cheers.

retro - 2011-01-24 18:57

quote:
Originally posted by Samsnite:
WOW! Eek thats one sleek looking DIY project! Top notch finish! A bit strange design, fake mids/tweeters in upper corners and a real horn tweeter in the center! ???? Umm... well it looks very cool! And no built in program source (once again)?


I agree, add real tweeters and maybe a smaller android tablet in the center.

samsnite - 2011-01-26 10:32

The guy seems to be from Finland! YEEI! wave

This aint no low budget project i might add.... quite high tech production wise. And expensive parts, 100 euros for the batteries... Eek

From one thing to another, have you guys found a flush mountable mp3 player with line level outs? Yes i know there is car radio mp3 players but i need something smaller size and smoother operating and preferably with remote control.

hardmen - 2011-07-30 12:34

There are some Chinese models that can be used ... ... I bought one (dealextreme) and am waiting to arrive for testing, then testing for a similar model from more refined

This is the model that I use for testing:


And this model we intend to buy later:


I'm working on a new box almost ready...   ...pics later (I left my firts project because the DVD player it was effecting my dorm for after the wedding)

Cheers.

- 2011-07-30 16:37

Here is what we use when we dont wish to carry around a boombox, a;

Sonic Impact T-amp TA 2024 15wpc@4ohms


Full size picture below

http://i51.tinypic.com/10idwfs.jpg

we were looking at those chinese amps earlier this year

they Also have them via "printed circuit board only" - with no pretty little case with controls up to 50 Watts perchannel.

You have to build your own box to house the unit and Some came with

instruction's on just how to do that. 

We are still satisfied with 10-15 wpc using this above on 8 AA batteries

hardmen - 2011-08-10 09:32

Some pictures (for now).
Is almost done.

As usual, I always use parts of closets os peoples get rid.

The box:




The Xover:



In the center, I use a small PA mixer amplifier with SB and SD card inputs, MIC and Guitar too.
The paint job will be the same as the PA Speaker and the grills speakers too.

I will make a video of the system work for analysis (remember not done yet).

Cheers.

pioneer - 2011-08-10 16:03

Great job guy's ,i've been meaning to start a similar project it's a car box with 8 inch woofer's and horn tweeter's, with i think 500 watt's max input,just wondering if any of you have some suggestion's on how to turn this into a killer boombox?Car Box

jmez - 2011-12-26 21:06

This is my kind of topic!! I have some ideas, in my head & on paper.. hopefully I'll make them a reality in the next few months..