help with an idea

[anisotropy]

I've had an idea for a project that I've been kicking around in my head for some time and was hoping that I could get some input from the collective minds here...

I have an ipod and have always wanted a dock for it, where you can plug it in and have the output go to speakers like a radio or something similar. Here's a link to something I'm talking about in case I'm not totally clear

www.amazon.com/Altec-Lansing-inMotion-Portable-Speakers/dp/B001AO1SRE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1258509291&sr=8-3

My problem is...they're all ugly!! I got to thinking about building something out of wood...maybe to make it look like an old time radio with the analog dials and the whole nine yards...and I have a few questions about this

1) I've looked around and found a few pictures of old radios that I'd like to copy...I wish I could find my grandparents old radio that's somewhere in my parent's house but nobody can locate. Are there any considerations as far as design goes? I want the ipod to somehow not detract from the overall look of the design...find a way to enclose it somehow perhaps.

2) Speakers...should I build my own? How difficult is it? Am I better off getting speakers from something like a computer or HT speakers and cannibalizing them? I'm relatively handy with wires and a soldering iron.

I'd appreciate any feedback you guys can give. I'm itching to get started on this...when I finalize my design, I'll post a sketchup drawing for more comments...

[admin]

My only idea to keep the new tech from detracting from the old look would be like a retro looking radio front, maybe a clock kit installed so it'll look neat (Klockit has some great clock stuff that could be easily installed and will look retro). Then, you'd have a 'secret' compartment in the back that you could open and there is where the Ipod is. That way, it'll look as old as you'd like it, and could have a face out of an old radio bought at a yard sale, but in the back out of site is all the tech stuff.

I've seen a few old time radios that are pretty robust, maybe 20" wide, you could gut the radio and fit two BIG speakers, the cords for them, and the Ipod inside with nobody noticing.

If I recall correctly, and it may be expensive, but there was a radio I saw with a turntable on top that was functional, and an AM-FM radio with a CD player, retro styled (think 1940s-1950s) and there's gotta be room inside for an Ipod. Crosley? That might have been the brand name. Google; www.google.com/#hl=en&source=hp&q=record+player+AM-FM+new+retro+styled&aq=o&aqi=&oq=&fp=69e7518a3ef13e9e

Other than that, I'm dry for ideas. I definately would think more along the lines of a hidden compartment with the Ipod out of site. You migth be able to mount it in the back panel so you could make adjustments (pick a different song, etc, I've never held an Ipod, so I haven't a clue) so that you could just turn the radio around and push the buttons then turn the 'show' side back towards the room.

[Joe Lyddon]

Here is a small picture... but, it might work...
www.yesterdayusa.com/streams.htm

... right at the top!

With these new speakers, I'm not sure about the enclosure specifications & requirements, if any, to get the most from them.

If they're simple boxes, I'd think you could makem yourself... I've seen MDF being used for them.

Don't forget, you always want to have good ventilation for the elctronics...

[TDHofstetter]

To build really GOOD-sounding speaker enclosures... drop by Radio Shack (at the mall) and pick up their little book "Building Speaker Enclosures". Honestly, that little book walks you through all the math of designing & building speaker enclosures that sound GOOD & don't overly color the sound you wring from 'em.

Then... the aesthetics of the "radio" and of the speaker enclosures (or the one central box-with-speakers if you build it like a console) are entirely up to you. An iPod doesn't generate very much heat to get rid of, but if you shoot for amplified speakers it's possible you may need to ventilate the amplifier(s) a little.

[anisotropy]

TJ: I'm leaning towards some sort of hidden door where I can put the ipod in, and still have the display out so you can control it in some way. I'm not necessarily looking to hide all of the technological stuff...I'd honestly like to get some sort of cool fusion of old and new here and looking for the best way to do it.

Joe: I saw that picture and it looks nearly identical to my grandparent's old one. I'm basing my designs off of something like that...I think it will look slick if I can pull it off.

Tim: Thanks for the info, I'll be sure to head there and do it. I'm not looking for the absolute best in the audio, but I don't want a really cheap tinny sound either...something in the middle will be just fine for me. But being an engineer, I can't help but love tinkering around with this kind of stuff

[jim]

I did an "Image" search for" 1930's radios" and found a LOT of images. Perhaps you could find one there you like.

[CajunRider]

If I were you, I'd build a classical shell that'll hide the really modern stuff. I'd build it with fake non working knobs and rely on my remote control to do the actual control. Often you'll only have to have a small opening for the infrared.

[anisotropy]

caj, that's basically what my plan is. I think I've found a good design that I like that I think would look classic, but still sharp. I've found a copy of the book Tim talked about and haven't decided about building my own speakers vs. cannibalizing something else, but I'm more worried about the woodworking part first and then the electronics later.

I'm going this week to look at and pick up the woods I think will look good and will keep the board up to date with my progress