Scratch Build – In Progress Project: iSpeakers v2 [25 January 2011]

iSpeakers v2

Hello guys, I'm new here. I've been visiting this forum for a long time since I remember G69T started his own Dark blade that was amazing project that I've ever seen. Don't blame me for my bad english I from Lithuania. Why this project isn't computer modding because i don't have pc anymore. Now i use Macbook pro



About the project:

I like to be outdoors and listen music also I like ride bike. So in total i need portable entertainment system to use in outdoors. So this project about loudly speakers system and music player in one box.


Some basic information:

2 x Li-poly 11.1V 10Ah 25C Batteries
2 x Visaton BG 20 (20 cm (8") full-range speaker with tweeter dome. High efficiency.)
1 x P.AUDIO PHT408 (HIGH FREQUENCY COMPRESSION DRIVER WITH 90°x 40° HORN) (I Wanted Visaton HTH 8.7 but my shop dont had it ;()
1 x Tripath based CLASS-T 2 channel 200W Audio Amplifier
1 x iPod Classic 5th gen Color 30GB with (Customised Rockbox firmware)
And all other hardware created my own


Visaton BG 20









P.AUDIO PHT408









Tripath CLASS-T Amp













iPod Classic
This ipod will do two functions:
1. By simple iPod and play music
2. Control iSpeakers input outputs volume and all other stuff




Some Kind Of Remote



Li-poly batteries
I have bought them last weak but haven't received it. It could be traveling for about month so now i use just simple 12V lead battery

Project Log Started:

I have already done some works but it have missing some building photos but i promise in future will take picture of every step Ok so let's start with input selector:

Input selector:
It has 7 different inputs and one output. Would by controlled by main mcu. Built on home made pcb.











Speakers selector:
I had some kind of wish to control speakers so i built it to switch speakers from amplifier to inside speakers or connectors of external speakers so it will be doing my hand job by switching wires Also built on home made pcb









Crossover:
I have built this for speakers to cut some frequencies for full ranges and horn. It based on original visaton schematic






Jobs to do:

1. Find and order some parts from catalogue
2. Build main mcu board
3. Order some pcb from BatchPCB
4. Solder preamp and mcu
5. Build power board where will be stepping down to 12V, 5V and 3.3V i think so
6. Build ipod dock connector pcb
7. Wire all system
8. Write Firmware for main mcu
9. Modify rockbox firmware to communicate with my main mcu
10. Start building box
11. Modify bike rear basket to hold iSpeakers

I Think it would be finished by September because this summer i will be travel a lot two times in italy, english summer camp and many times in speed track

 

How are you building the dock connector into this? This is something I've always wanted to do

 

I'm going to make pocket inside box with screen to outside and put where ipod and in the end where would be dock connector and ipod will slide in

 

Good speaker driver choices ;D Btw. you might want to consider feeding that amp with more than 11V.

 

I wrote that one battery pack is 11.1V and i have two of them so i wire it in series and get 22.2V

 

Good to hear! I admit that I mostly looked at the pictures only. Those Visaton's really deliver in portable use, I have the same

 

Yeah i really wanted to have visaton horn ;( my shop have order it but then they got reply that visaton don't manufacture it anymore and after month i got call that they have it then i have bought cheeper clone :S

 

Good morning everyone Today i have started making power board and like i said i will give you photo how it looks before making pcb



This is just components. Now i need to put them correctly and then make it from image to real board

 

What does the enclosure look like? I'm really toying with the idea of an iPod ghetto blaster but I need plans because I have absolutely no idea about how the enclosure will affect the sound (if at all) and how to knock it together. Too bad stuff like this isn't exactly 'mainstream'

 

Figuring from the parts chosen I'd say this will be a mono speaker in a sealed box roughly 20 liters. (inside volume) I recommend adding 1st order high pass filter around 70hz to the input. Without highpass those Visatons BG-20's can't handle much over 20W of power.

 

In evening or tomorrow i will have some pictures of the box

The box will be about 35 liters. I have already did filter that filters high for bg20 and also low for horn recommended by visaton this setup is working properly and loudly now just waiting for batteries

 

Hi again. This afternoon have done some autocading for first view of enclosure:













A Bit later will add some more work on power board

 

Good morning everyone Today have received some toys and done power pcb

Here is some yesterday workout:




















Then board was sunbathing i was rendering images of enclosure











My new toys for this speakers Bluetooth stereo receiver and USB audio card:

USB Audio Card






Bluetooth Stereo receiver








Now i doing some jobs with main mcu

 

Another update. Here is something like map of this project

 

Hello everyone happy summer Today received elfa order with some parts and have done some wiring and modifications to existing parts



Speaker wire and some capacitors


Banana plugs for battery charger


Power Wire


Powerwerx Anderson power poles connectors for li-poly batterys






They are modular like lego blocks




Today worklog:

Soldered speakers connectors on speaker cable





Changed crossover cables



Sleeved cables









What do you think about speaker cables also sleeved?

 

Hello, After long pause (i was in italy ). Have something to show you guys received my batteries:









Compared with MaxAmps 7.4V 6500mAh battery pack



And some other parts as always:





Tomorrow or at thursday i will upload complete setup of electronic part of this project.

 

Too cool.

Very nice work man.

I await your final results!

 

Hello peoples sorry for so long time gone but i'm back and have done so many things...

Here my positions for box because now i going to make box of MDF frame and fiberglass



And here 60% of setup...











See ya bit later...

 

wow looks good, you had any tests yet with the sound ?? make a vid of it :O i wanna hear them things

 

Maybe when box will be done because with carton box is not sounding very good But it cant oversound my grass trimmer and like 12 metres away good sound if in front of it