Make a Bespoke Bluetooth Speaker

When it comes to bluetooth speakers, there are hundreds of options ranging in price from around $12 to more than $1,000.

- By Bradley Ford

PopMech Project

But why buy when you can build one that not only blends in with your décor but also will impress your friends? With a little imagination, just about anything can become a Bluetooth speaker. Lunchbox? Broken ukulele? Jewelry box? Busted antique radio? An old Tonka truck? How about a desk, or a bookcase? The answer to all is yes.

The parts for this 50-watt Bluetooth speaker project aren't expensive, and the process isn't very difficult. If you have basic supplies like speaker wire and solder, it'll cost just under $100. Small circuit boards for Bluetooth receivers with built-in amplifiers are relatively easy to find. The biggest challenge people usually encounter is cutting holes for speakers and then making them look presentable. Our project utilizes sound exciters, or transducers, which vibrate, causing anything they are attached to become a speaker. Basically, they're the back part of a speaker without the cone. These eliminate the need to cut holes for speakers and free you up to use a variety of things that can project your music or podcasts.

For our project, we chose a 1970s-era, plastic Samsonite suitcase. The broad, flat sides will vibrate easily and project sound well. We've also made Bluetooth speakers from old cigar boxes, antique box cameras, and desktop shelves. Also, placing exciters on the bottom of a desktop or on the back of a shelving unit is a simple way to blend the speaker into your décor.

Below we've included a list of parts, but once you know what you'll turn into a speaker, search for the best components for your project. The steps will be basically the same, except for the location and method of securing the components.

INSTRUCTIONS