DIY Boombox build help

[TheOatmealKing]

Hey,
I want to design and build a boombox, but have no clue how to go about doing the wiring etc.
I will be designing it on my computer on Autodesk Inventor, and building it myself, both of which I have skills in.
I want to build the whole body and buttons out of wood, and keep the outside woodgrain.
I'd like to put in 6 2" drivers, 1 on each end, 2 on the front, and 2 on top for environment purposes.
I'm planning on running it on a power tool battery, probably this Makita USA - Accessory Details - Lithium Ion
Also, I will be plugging in an android phone and would like to be able to control the song selection through the buttons on the outside.
It will have no radio, cassette or CD function, just the phone capability.

Questions:
Will the speaker configuration in a relatively small body work well and is wood a good choice to make it out of?
Also, will 6 2" drivers work well, or should I change up the driver sizes for better sound?
What would I need to do to run the linked battery into the speakers in terms of wiring, resistors, amps? etc.
Finally, how could I set the phone up so that I can control it through the buttons on the outside?

Any help, suggestions, links would be much appreciated, as my knowledge does not extend much outside the design and woodworking aspects of this build.

Thanks!

 

[lsiberian]

Slow down before you build a disaster this is an engineering project that requires lots of learning before you even get to the design phase.

You will need learn about amps, pre-amps, speaker building, phone docks, and portable power. I personally know only about amps and speakers building the other areas you will need to do major research.

Speakers are driven by amplifiers, amplifiers come in all shapes and sizes. For a project this size you are probably looking for a chip amp. I suggest you google and learn as much about them as you can before you select the module. Speakers must be tuned to a properly sized box to have good sound. You will probably want a bigger driver than 2" to get better base response. what to get there all depends on budget. Keep it monopolar and go for quality not quantity on the drivers.

If you are like to me and love to learn, research, fail and repeat until you get it right then this could be fun. However if you expect to finish this in a week with no snags you'd be better off not doing this. I will say I personally want to take on a boombox or ipod dock someday.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Dear OP - you are not alone - http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/diy-corner-tips-techniques/88776-oh-boy.html

Do read it carefully and keep in mind that people like lsiberian,TLSGuy and Swerd are one of best audio engineering minds we have around on this forum.

 

[TheOatmealKing]

Thanks for the advice, I think I should elaborate a bit though.
I'm not particularly looking for very high quality sound, I'm more focused on something that will get the job done.
Would it be possible to gut a couple old radios for their speakers, and drop them in a new box with new controls?
What would I be looking at to wire it as a phone dock? Also, how difficult do you think it would be to wire the new battery?
Do you have any useful/helpful links you could direct me to, so I have an idea of what I'm getting into?
I do expect this to take a while and it's definitely not a rush job for me.
It's a project for me to acquire new skills, as well as have beats wherever I want to jam with some buddies.

 

[lsiberian]

Thanks for the advice, I think I should elaborate a bit though.
I'm not particularly looking for very high quality sound, I'm more focused on something that will get the job done.
Would it be possible to gut a couple old radios for their speakers, and drop them in a new box with new controls?
What would I be looking at to wire it as a phone dock? Also, how difficult do you think it would be to wire the new battery?
Do you have any useful/helpful links you could direct me to, so I have an idea of what I'm getting into?
I do expect this to take a while and it's definitely not a rush job for me.
It's a project for me to acquire new skills, as well as have beats wherever I want to jam with some buddies.

With the amount of effort you are spending we can at least get a decent pair of speaker drivers.

For drivers the Dayton Audio RS-100 is a great choice. It is a full-ranger so you only need two for a stereo system.
Dayton Audio RS100-8 4" Reference Full-Range Driver | 295-352

The two speaker enclosures could be 5" x 5" x 4" assuming 3/4" plywood is used.

Now the amp portion almost certainly requires using a chip amp.

I recommend this one
2x100W @ 4 Ohm TK2050 Class-D Audio Amplifier Board Only | 320-334

I've used boards made by the company and had good success. Of course you can pick something else.
Another option is this one it even has the volume control already built in and a case.
Lepai LP-2020A+ Tripath Class-T Hi-Fi Audio Mini Amp w/o pow | 310-301

You can use a batter to power these devices because they are DC boards. I've not done a lot of research on that subject though.

 

[ARES24]

This is a more advanced project then you give it credit.

My suggestion;

build two simple, small bookshelf speakers. (example)
Buy a small amp. (i.e.) I think I might actually want one of these....
Rig a box to hold everything (and make it look like a boombox) I would try to make it so the speakers are detachable.

voila

I actually started this before you posted Isiberian

 

[TLS Guy]

It amazes me that people will go on a public forum and say, I want to build this, but I'm a dufus and have no clue how to do it. In fact I have trouble finding my way out of bed in the morning.

Actually this project is quite simple if he can build a decent box.

He could use this 2 channel amp. It has its own volume control. You could use a couple of speakers like this.

Now all you need is an appropriate connector to mount on the box to connect your phone.

You will need a battery and supplying between 7 and 15 volts DC. You will need some soldering skills.

You should be able to figure the rest out, otherwise, it's probably not profitable for you to find your way out of bed.

 

[TheOatmealKing]

It amazes me that people will go on a public forum and say, I want to build this, but I'm a dufus and have no clue how to do it.

Isn't that one of the most viable options though? How else are you supposed to get skills if you don't try? Sure, one could sort through multitudes of webpages, trying to figure their way around things, and after hours of research still not know what they're doing. Personally, I've looked through different sites and it was mostly jibber jabber to me, so rather than continue to waste my time, I decided to ask the people who know, for advice, or at least a point in the right direction. While I appreciate the informaion, there's no need to be condescending about it.

 

[ImcLoud]

Just put a car stereo in a box with a 12v battery and set of components with the cross over... done.. this one is fancy, has a light, a remote, voltmeter, and it will hold a few tools... Probably loud too..

I like this one...

 

[lsiberian]

Thanks for the advice, I think I should elaborate a bit though.
I'm not particularly looking for very high quality sound, I'm more focused on something that will get the job done.
Would it be possible to gut a couple old radios for their speakers, and drop them in a new box with new controls?
What would I be looking at to wire it as a phone dock? Also, how difficult do you think it would be to wire the new battery?
Do you have any useful/helpful links you could direct me to, so I have an idea of what I'm getting into?
I do expect this to take a while and it's definitely not a rush job for me.
It's a project for me to acquire new skills, as well as have beats wherever I want to jam with some buddies.

Well to me saying you have no clue and then asking for help and advice is a contradiction. A wise man seeks counsel. You have a lot of options here though I definitely lean toward the full range speakers with a chip amp approach.

 

[slipperybidness]

Just put a car stereo in a box with a 12v battery and set of components with the cross over... done.. this one is fancy, has a light, a remote, voltmeter, and it will hold a few tools... Probably loud too..

I like this one...

I think this is the best advice yet. I like the looks of it!

Most of the new stereos will allow for phone control if it is connected by USB. The box is built already and looks pretty slick. Heck, you could even use the pre-outs to add a sub