Responsive Soundbars for Speakers

by Gautchh in Circuits > Audio

18438 Views, 118 Favorites, 0 Comments

Responsive Soundbars for Speakers

10sec_NOPC.gif
PXL_20230124_094940907.MP.jpg

Hi everyone,


On this Instructables, I will explain how I manage to add responsive soundbars to my Z200 Logitech speaker.

I think this project will work similarly on other types of speakers.

The main idea is to fix the sound bars in my direction, but also to power them permanently.

This project is non-destructive for the speakers, all can be disassembled invisibly. The soundbars are held to the speaker using magnets, so they can be easily removed for use elsewhere


Check the end result on my desk at the end of this Instructables.

Supplies

PXL_20230123_154229422.jpg

To make the custom soundbars for your speaker you need :

Required tools :

  • A soldering iron
  • A 3D printer
  • A glue gun
  • Some screwdriver
  • A cutter
  • A pair of pliers
  • A wire stripper

Optional tools :

  • A Dremel
  • A multimeter
  • A 3r hand
  • A vice

3D

PXL_20230120_154841001.jpg
PXL_20230120_154845494.jpg

To fix the two soundbars to the speakers, you will need :

  • 6x Mounting bracket
  • 3 per speaker
  • 1x Magnet guide
  • Makes it easy to position the magnets


You can find the STL files attached below.

Disassemble and Drill the Speaker

PXL_20230123_160522643.jpg
PXL_20230123_160448997.jpg
PXL_20230123_160416113.jpg
PXL_20230123_161627399.jpg
PXL_20230123_163508946.jpg

To power the two soundbars, it is necessary to have access to the 5V power supply from the speakers. Only the speaker with the volume button need to be disassembled.

  1. Unscrew the 8 screws
  2. Pull the volume button to remove it
  3. Unscrew with pliers the nut of the volume button
  4. Dislocate the two parts


Now you have to drill two holes to then pass the two power cables. (Check picture 5)

Prepare the Cables

PXL_20230123_170852381.jpg
PXL_20230123_164154206.jpg
PXL_20230123_164245650.jpg
PXL_20230123_164337403.jpg
PXL_20230123_165232311.MP.jpg
PXL_20230123_165653317.jpg

Using the two power cables sold with the soundbar, cut them at two different lengths :

  • One cable with the USB type C at the end of 30 cm
  • One cable with the USB type C at the end of the maximum length

Strip 3 cm of the cable sheath and 4 mm on each wire.

I have a 32-inch computer screen, so the maximum length is too short to go behind my entire screen. I extended the cable using the rest of the previous cable as well as heat shrink tubing. (Check pictures 4,5 & 6)

Solder the Cables

PXL_20230124_085142344.jpg
PXL_20230123_171640502.jpg
PXL_20230123_172754551.jpg
PXL_20230123_173054568.jpg
PXL_20230124_084508198.jpg
PXL_20230124_084519653.jpg

The end result should look like the picture 1, with a small cable and a large one.


Follow the steps below :

  1. Pass through the two holes the two cables
  2. Follow the same cable path as the picture 2
  3. Solder the 4 wires (Check picture 3)
  4. The two white on the two furthest welds (GND)
  5. The two red on the nearest weld (VCC 5V)
  6. With the glue gun, put glue on each hole, on the welds and to hold the cables (Check the pictures 5 & 6)
  7. Assemble the speaker

Mounting Bracket

PXL_20230124_085238589.jpg
PXL_20230123_154414013.jpg
PXL_20230123_155451829.jpg
PXL_20230123_155519595.jpg
PXL_20230123_155845791.jpg
PXL_20230123_160228185.jpg
PXL_20230124_090404081.jpg
PXL_20230124_090417565.MP.jpg
PXL_20230124_090644673.jpg

/!\ During this step, pay attention to the polarity of the magnets.

The end result should look like the picture 1, with 3 magnets on the soundbar and 3 magnets on the 3 mounting brackets.


Follow the steps below :

  1. Using the vice, put in force the magnet inside the mounting bracket (Check pictures 2 & 3)
  2. Cut 6 pieces of double-sided tape and glue each one on each mounting bracket (Check pictures 4 & 5)
  3. Using a cutter, cut the extra off the double-sided tape (Check picture 6)
  4. Put the magnet guide on the soundbar and put the 3 magnets (Check picture 7)
  5. Remove the magnet guide and add a little bit of superglue on each magnet (Check picture 8)
  6. Put back the magnet guide on the soundbar and put some pressure on each magnet
  7. Remove the magnet guide (Check picture 9)

Assemble the Mounting Bracket

PXL_20230124_085830775.jpg
PXL_20230124_085845412.MP.jpg
PXL_20230124_085854411.jpg
PXL_20230124_085914152.jpg
PXL_20230124_091332160.jpg
PXL_20230124_091343070.jpg

The last step is to assemble the 6 mounting brackets on the speakers.

The mounting brackets are made with a 20°angle to rotate the soundbar in the direction of the user.

When you stick all the mounting brackets, try to keep the same angle as the speaker.


Now it's time to connect the cables to each soundbar, and put back the speakers around your computer.

Final Result

Custom Barsounds for Z200 Speaker

Check the video attached to see the end result.

I am happy with the look it brings to my desk, the final aspect is amazing !!


Have a nice day !