Maker Jamie Matthews has discovered a low-cost answer for true wi-fi stereo audio, by pulling aside low cost Bluetooth headphones and turning them into swish 3D-printed audio adapters — for below $10.
“For some time now I have been on the lookout for some Bluetooth adapters that I may use for multi-room/wi-fi stereo all through my house,” Matthews explains. “Sadly methods just like the Sonos are very costly, plus I wish to use the audio system I have already got and love. So I went on a seek for an alternate.”
What do you do with a bunch of junk Bluetooth earbuds? Flip them into TWS multi-room audio adapters, in fact. (📷: Jamie Matthews)
Dismissing off-the-shelf transportable audio system, Matthews turned to ultra-low-cost “I12” in-ear true wi-fi stereo earbuds — buying numerous 10 units, full with charging instances, for $0.50 a pair as spares-or-repair. “These are inclined to cease working due to the charging case design,” Matthews explains. “This causes the buds not cost any extra, and results in a load of those being thrown away… good for us tinkerers although!”
Matthews wasn’t on the lookout for earbuds, although, and so set about adapting the gadgets for multi-room audio use. Stripping them aside and eradicating the core circuitry, Matthews designed a 3D-printed housing which takes the {hardware} from every earbud and both an authentic or optionally expanded-capacity battery and converts it to supply an analog 3.5mm-jack audio output.
The completed adapters embrace larger-capacity batteries and a brand new charging dock to maintain them topped up. (📷: Jamie Matthews)
The adapters, prepared for connection to Matthews’ present powered audio system, nestle in a 3D-printed dock when not in use — cleverly making use of pogo-pin connectors salvaged from the unique charging case and a cut-down USB cable to mechanically cost every adapter when docked.
Matthews has printed a full information, with 3D print recordsdata, on Instructables, saying the adapters can obtain multi-speaker audio with a ten meter (round 33′) vary when linked to a Bluetooth 5.2 gadget.
