Custom Lo-Fi Speaker
Custom Lo-Fi Speaker
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Summary
I built a lo-fi speaker system inside a classic landline telephone handset. I connected the original speaker driver to a small amplifier and power source, turning the phone into a compact external speaker that produces intentionally degraded audio for sampling and creative music use.
Goals
My goals were to create an authentic lo-fi sound using the handset’s natural limitations and to keep everything contained inside the original casing. I wanted the device to work with a standard audio input, stay durable during use, and keep the nostalgic look of the phone. The idea was to give the handset a new purpose without changing its character.
Challenges
One challenge was fitting the amplifier, wiring, and connectors into a handset designed for much simpler electronics. Space was tight, so careful routing and securing of components was necessary to avoid rattling or interference.
Another challenge was getting stable audio while keeping the lo-fi tone. The speaker was never meant for music, so I experimented with gain, impedance, and enclosure acoustics to avoid harsh distortion while preserving the vintage sound.
Details
Mechanical Work: Opening the Phone and Reworking the Inside
Mechanical Work: Opening the Phone and Reworking the Inside
The project started by opening the landline handset and removing all the extra wiring that was no longer needed. Once the inside was cleared out, I moved the original speaker to a new spot in the handset that gave it more room and helped it sit securely without rattling. I also made a small modification to the phone casing so the new wiring could pass through cleanly without getting pinched or interfering with the shell when it closed.
Rewiring: Adding a New Audio Input
Rewiring: Adding a New Audio Input
After repositioning the speaker, I rewired it so it could connect to an external audio source. I added a standard jack port and connected the speaker directly to it, turning the handset into a simple plug-in lo-fi speaker. The setup stayed minimal so the outside of the phone still looked original.
Sound: Natural Lo-Fi Character
Sound: Natural Lo-Fi Character
Because the phone uses its original speaker, the audio naturally comes out gritty, narrow, and vintage. The limited frequency range gives it that classic landline sound without needing any extra electronics or effects.
Internal Layout: Clean and Basic
Internal Layout: Clean and Basic
With the unnecessary wiring gone, the speaker moved, and the case slightly modified, the inside of the handset stayed clean and organized. The wiring has space to sit comfortably without strain, and everything stays hidden. When the phone is closed back up, it looks like a normal landline, but once you plug it in, it becomes a small, character-filled lo-fi speaker.
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