Ikea Bowl Speakers

Personal Project

June - July 2022

Overview

The goal of this project was to create high quality audio speakers (with simple materials) and to apply my skills in the engineering design process, CAD modeling, electrical components and various other design processes. The speakers themselves are held in two Ikea salad bowls that are insulated and all electrical components housed within the bowls themselves. By pre-planning the build process (obtaining all the parts, outlining the cutting and electrical steps), I was able to complete the project within 4, 2 hour sessions. I designed this building system to achieve the highest quality and most effective audio performance from the speakers.

The ultimate result of the project was two spherical shaped speakers with curved stands that produced excellent mid-range sound. With the addition of a bluetooth amplifier upgrade, I was able to achieve further audio performance and simpler user interaction with the speakers (bluetooth allowed for easier connection between user devices).

Implementation

Materials List:

  • 4 large Ikea salad bowls
  • 2 small Ikea salad bowls
  • 2 circular speakers & 2 speaker ports
  • Foam insulation
  • 4 wire ports & cable wiring
  • Bluetooth amplifier

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  • Each individual Ikea bowl bottom top edge was cut using horizontal bench saw (to create flat surface when gluing bowls together in later stage). Then each bowl bottom was drilled using a bench top drill press. A circular saw bit was used to make a clean circular hole that was used for the back speaker port and front speaker housing. A hand-held Dremel was then used to widen the diameter of the hole for the front speaker housing.

    Stage 1

  • Once each bowl was cut to fit the speakers and respective wiring. The bowls were carefully aligned and glued together on a pressure stand. The bowels were then sanded up to 220 grit sand paper and 4 coats of finish was applied.

    Stage 2

  • The final stage was soldering all internal wiring to speakers and respective ports. The speakers were then screwed into place and the amplifier was connected to both speakers.

    Stage 3

Design Concepts

Overall original CAD design was similar to project outcome.
Completed Tasks:
CAD Prototype design & Ikea bowl physical speakers (wood work and electrical components)
Original CAD design models using Fusion 360 (Right Side, Front, Left Side Viewpoints)

Right Side Perspective

Front Perspective

Left Side Perspective