Learn how to build a custom DIY Bluetooth Speaker that can slide into an end table. A little over a year ago I built a solid walnut end table and always wanted to add a speaker to the front. We go through the entire process!
The main speaker is built from 3/4in MDF. This is cut from a sheet down to a strip on the table saw. It is then cut to width on the miter saw.
Each of the MDF strips are cut at a 45 degree angle.
All four sides of the box are cut on the table saw.
The box is glued together by first laying all the pieces upside down on a work surface.
I then added glue and folded the pieces together. The box was secured with tape and clamps while the wood glue dried.
The box body is spray painted black on all sides.
The front face of the speaker is made from 3/4 in walnut. This was a rough cut piece so I got it flat and square on the planer and jointer. The walnut front was then cut to size on the table.
This step could be skipped if you don’t have a CNC but I wanted to create a unique 3D design. I used Fusion 360 to mimic the effect of water rippling from the speaker's face.
Also since I didn’t have a large enough bit to cut out the speaker holes these were designed into the model as well.
The front face was cut in two different passes. The first was an adaptive facing operation using a 1/4 in uncut bit.
The second operation refined and smoothed the design using a ball noise bit.
So I won’t go into great detail here on the wiring on the electronics. I bought a speaker kit from Kirby at Kirby Meets Audio. I’m using his Fawn speaker plans and speaker kit. He provides great plans to put it all together.
But a quick overview….
The subwoofer is screwed into the speaker face.
These plans include a passive crossover design. The basic idea is that through inducers, resistors and capacitors you can split the audio signal for your different sized speakers.
The back is cut from a piece of MDF and painted black. I used a CNC to cut a hole large enough fro the speaker out ports.
The back electronics are screwed into place. They include a power port, 1/16 audio jack and power switch.
Holes were drilled for the rear components with their appropriate sized bits. I then used a Forstner bit to remove materials around those holes from the back so that the electronics could fit into place.
I didn’t have any spacer on hand so I secured the soundboard directly to the back of the speaker back. I plan to go back and insulate this later but for not it is seeming to work.
This step should have been done before I wired up the electronics. I was able to remove them enough so I could oil the front speaker’s surface. I used a few coats of Generals Arm-R-Seal.
Then for the speaker body, I used a several coats of shellac.
Wood glue was used to attach the front face to the speaker box. This was clamped into place so that it could dry.
The back panel is attached with countersunk screws. This allows me to open the speaker up if anything ever needs to be repaired or modified in the future.
I used some small spaces to adjust the reveal around the front face of the speaker. I plan to attach feet to the speaker in the future that can also be removed if the speaker is not insides the end table.
That's It!
And that's it! I've been using an Amazon Echo with the speaker it is working great!
