Scratch Build – In Progress Linux Speaker Box Version 2, 65% Done

Hey all first project log on here so go easy
been working on this one for a long time and it's still not finished.

Concept:
Pair of speakers 1 containing a computer the other an amp to power the speakers.

Purpose:
Music while i sleep, mldonkey for downloads, http/ftp server, nas, etc.

Hardware:
Basic Foxconn Mobo
1.6ghz Intel Dual-Core
3Gb DDR2-667
Mirrored 1.5tb HDD's

600VA UPS
2x Jaycar CX-2618 Crossover
2x Jaycar CW-2108 Woofer
2x Jaycar Tweeters
2x Random Car Mid Range Drivers

atm i have the first box together which houses the computer, ups and router.
the second box will house a chip amp and an extra battery for the ups.

some pictures (now resized )












Thoughts suggestions?
David

 

You might want to consider resizing them a tad, 800x600 is fine for the web. Looks good from what i waited to load.

 

music whilst you sleep!?

 

Good looking stuff, but a resize is definately in order on those pics please.

 

Nice one dude Sounds like an awesome plan, and I like to see you have made a lot of progress so far. What this needs is a bit of aesthetic TLC now, to make it as cool as possible.

I must say that I've never come across Jaycar products before, so I'll have a gander at their site. I have a similar project planned for when I have enough EMA money to blow, so I'll be paying close attention

MGT

 

@burnout21
well can't here it while i sleep i guess but i throw it on when i'm bout 2 go 2 bed or when i can't be bothered firing up the main rig just for abit of music.

@krikkit
thanks, pics resized now

@modgodtanvir
most of the progress happened in the space of 2 long days, unfortunately my wood working skills leave alot to be desired
which is wat is slowing me on building the second one.
not sure if just to paint it or wat yet.

jaycar have some pretty good stuff if you have a ABN look up electus distrubtion (same range as jaycar only cheaper)

 

Pics: Thanks! Much better.

As for the appearance, I think it'd look good with some of that textured vinyl they put on guitar amps.

 

Or go retro and get some wood lamiate and give it that late 70's look.

 

the 70's speaker look did cross my mind, want to keep it stealth as possible. (ppl really spin out when u open the back and theres a computer hehe)
next thing on the list is a sort of patch panel on the back for power, monitor, usb and sound. atm there is just extensions running out of the vent at the bottem.

 

What are you going to do about cooling? I see a few fans there, but I can't tell what direction they're pointing. If your fans are right next to each other, pointing in opposite directions (because you need both intake and exhaust) they'll need a barrier between them so the air can't short-circuit. Also, have you considered what the extra holes in the enclosure will do to the sound quality?

I like the idea, but I see it as immensely challenging to pull off well. I look forward to seeing how this turns out, so good luck!

 

the speaker encloser is divided from the computer part to save sound quality loses. (can be seen in the second last pic, screws in the middle line)
there is a slit at the bottem in the rear where the cables are running out i intend to cover this with a plate for cable patching as well as some what of a vent. there are 2 60mm fans extracting at the top.
atm the PSU does get pretty warm so i may have to look at some way of directing the air over the PSU abit better but all the other components run pretty cool (65nm 1.6ghz chip)

 

looks familiar

geez dark_avenger this looks amazingly similar 2 the 1 we built haha.
nah it was fun building this. lots of drinking, thats y the woodwork is a little rough. was in interesting task wiring it all tho.

something that dark_avenger didnt note is that it has music on it not just for sleeping, but for parties. thats y it has an inverter in it so it can run anywhere, lasts for HOURS running off a car battery.

good idea with the router tho when did u do that?

 

could not figure out how to load the wireless module into the linux kernel so just bought a AUS$69 router installed DD-WRT and ran it in client mode.

 

ah ok sounds sweet. yer linux confuses me lol

Phase 2 of the project, the amplifier XD (and 2nd speaker box)

hope its all workin sweet 4 ya

 

the project isen't dead!
just moving really slowly....

recently bought an amp for the project it's a stereo LM1875 set.
been testing it over the last few days and i think it should do the trick well, not bad for
AUS$25

now all i need to do is construct the the other speaker to put it in and wire it all up.....

really bad pics for those who are interested.

 

HDD + speaker = no data. Mind the magnets & vibrations

 

cant see the magnets in those speakers doing much more so the vibrations.

 

there is a fair distance between the speaker and the HDD, been running 24/7 for 18 months or more now with out issue.

next time i format it i will probley upgrade the HDD to mirrored 1tb drives

 

Have been testing the amp for the last few week and it looks like it will do the job nicely.
now all i have to do is build the box for it....

Also replaced the aging 120gb drive with a mirrored set of 1.5tb drives with a fresh install
of Gentoo 64Bit so now i have the linux SMP folding client running on there as well

Removed the dlink router i had in there as the performance running DD-WRT wireless client was not fast enough.
will look into setting up maybe a N series usb card when i figure out linux wireless.

will post pics of the extra HDD mount when i get home.