A DIY MP3 Boom Box

Youve doubtless seen the iPod Hi-Fi, Apples supposed boom box, by now, and youve probably also realized that its nothing of the sort. Its a tabletop audio system, less likely to venture outdoors than a New York City house cat.

Why would Apple want to make a boom box anyway? Youll recall that in their heyday boom boxes were widely reviled, seen as an assault on the senses and a way of imposing ones musical tastes on others who likely did not share them.

Sometimes you want your music to fill a room, though, or to make it portable and listen to it in situations where earbuds just wont do.

With that in mind, I developed the iBoom Lo-Fi, a portable music player thats more boom box than hi-fi. I found an old boom box, gutted its cassette player, and adapted it to hold an iPod instead.

The result is a portable music player with a stealthy secret—its high-tech payload isnt obvious unless you spy the iPod inside the cassette compartment. I designed it so that the cassette transport buttons now control the iPod. That way, you dont have to reveal your cargo to start playing or to forward to the next song.

Unlike the iPod Hi-Fi (which leaves your iPod exposed to the elements), the iBoom Lo-Fi completely encloses and protects the iPod, so you can take it to the beach, on a picnic, or just to the kitchen while you paint the trim. You too can build an iBoom; it takes a minimum of tools and a bit of ingenuity.

I budgeted $50 for this project. It came in at $46. —Putting It All Together >

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