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Watch the video below to see how to assemble the circuit and install it inside a cigar box. This is a great project to give your own signature touch. The choice of speaker size and shape, grille material, and enclosure are entirely up to you. And since no two will be the same, be sure to send us pictures of your custom MonoBox.
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24 thoughts on “Let’s Rock! with Weekend Projects and the MonoBox Powered Speaker”
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Love the gif. So much.
I’ve made several recycled portable battery powered amps in cigar boxes using the boards from discarded computer speakers but I’ve never made one ‘from scratch’. Thanks for the post and keep the audio stuff coming. I need a circuit to use as a preamp to power an old spring reverb unit I cannibalized from a broken PA mixer. This may fit the bill.
I’m glad you found the MonoBox project Chuck – I knew you would! There’s no volume control here but that’s what makes this circuit so extensible – lots of options for the user to mod the design to fit their needs. Keep me posted!
I’ve got question: I’ve found a speaker driver that I want to use in this project, but it’s only 4 ohms. Do I need to change the amplifier circuit in anyway? Will there be a major issue from using a 4 ohm driver instead of something that’s 6-12 ohms?
Well, I recently received a great 19 inch Digital TV, but the sound coming out of the in-built speaker was the worst I had ever heard. Mono box saved the day! Bought $12 parts and used a speaker salvaged from the old CRT recently deceased, along with a wall wart from a ancient modem, plugged into the earphone jack on the TV and wala, brilliant sound. Simple,cheap and a screeeeching saver for my ears. I left enough room on the board for a dual monobox design so the mono will be stereo. After all, there were two speakers and a stereo ear jack :)
[…] the article Let’s Rock! With Weekend Projects and the Monobox Powered Speaker, Wally Sorich […]
I made a monobox, but whenever I play that music even somewhat loud, the sound quality quickly decreases. If I turn it down a little it sounds good for a few seconds but then loses quality again. Help!
If you used a 9v battery it is probably drained. I would suggest changing the battery and putting a power switch into your Monobox or removing the battery while its not in use.
I always unplug the 9V. I’ve been told that I probably fried my op-amp, but I replaced it and it didn’t work any better. It’s definitely not the 9V, and it seems like it may not be the op-amp either
[…] detailed plan for building your own solar observatory. And there’s a build to make your own MonoBox, a retro cool (and inexpensive) speaker that amplifies the output of your music player with […]
[…] a detailed plan for building your own solar observatory. And there’s a build to make your own MonoBox, a retro cool (and inexpensive) speaker that amplifies the output of your music player with […]
Two questions – does matter if you use the LM 368 or 368N and do you have to use 1/8 watt resistors or can you substitute 1/4 watt?