Looking for ideas for euc speakers

[Cloud]

Tha ks @Rehab1. I am now thinking along the lines of a pair of flat panel speakers powered by usb post ( may need ti get an additional usb power bank which in turn will be charged from the wheels usb port) the speakers will have a separate sound wire connection, which maybe i can connect to the headphone jack of a separate cheap bloetooth speaker. A bit tedious but may turn out the be the preferred option. Found a bunch of small flat panel usb powered speakers but not sure how powerful they are, trying ti find out,

[Cloud]

Ok, new plan popped has into my head - need help from electrical gurus to verify

1. I have found out that kingsong uses 4- 5w speakers. So if i get a true 20W system, i should be fine.

2. I will start by buying this 20w bluetooth speaker and see if it works for me. http://www.ebay.com/itm/282140019788?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

If not...

3. I will have to build my own system. I will split the output power from one of the 67v batteries, step it down with a converter to 12v ( to be placed inside the wheel), connect a 12v -30W bluetooth amplifier module card inside the wheel, then connect two speakers for a combined 30w to the bluetooth amplifier.  The speakers will be located either inside the wheel ( if i find room) or outside. It would also be great to include a switch on the line as i dont want all of this to be constantly under voltage. Also if im gonna do all this, it would make sense to provide an additional 12 v output which coukd be used to connect lights, other add on equipment

here are the tentative parts:

3a. Xt60 battery Y splitter  http://www.ebay.com/itm/122047211107?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT ( between euc battery and the voltage converter)

3b. I am missing connector between Xt60 and the weird connector on the voltage converter input, not sure whats it called

3c  missing a switch somewhere between the battery and voltage converter input

3d. Voltage converter  http://www.ebay.com/itm/291852706297?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT  the converter has a weird connector with the input and output together. Not sure how to best go about this

3e. Missing connector from voltage converter output to bluetooth amplifier module. May also need a splitter if i want to have a separate 12v output port

3f. Bluetooth amplifier module (30w)  http://www.ebay.com/itm/331655181509?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

3g  2 - speakers 30W http://www.ebay.com/itm/311550410638?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

What do you guys think! Am i out of my mind?

[Hunka Hunka Burning Love]

Dude , wake up.  Slap slap.  You're out of your mind.  Get back into it.  

Either you're having delusions of being @esaj or one of the other great electronics gurus / self-proclaimed non-experts who are in self-denial and who oddly resemble the experts they say they aren't or you're just going to run into space problems trying to cram all that into that KingSong shell somewhere.  Unless, are you getting a KS18?   Plenty o room in there for stashing stuff.

I would say spend some extra coin and get a nice HK BT speaker like our man @Rehab1 has, or maybe invest in that Vava speaker (or the waterproof one) and spend some time figuring out how to mount it up.  Now, far be it for me to rain on any one's parade or grand designs and not saying that you can't do it, but I've been there I've done that I've crashed and burned (run on sentence I know) so I'm just saying you may be headed down a dark and murky pathway.  These wheels have so little room inside to begin with do you really want to Frankenwheel it up more?  

The other side of my brain says ...

 Do it Do it Do it Do it Do it...

[Cloud]

Well, i guess.   In terms of the space inside the wheel , i was thinking of msuper 3 which has room on one of the sides at bottom. Ks18 doesnt need an upgrade as it has 4 speakers already. Yes you are probably right, i may be biting off more than i can easily chew. I think i can do it but this will take me time and i may get discouraged along the way...id buy that soeaker that rehab has but its a bit pricey to buy just for an experiment. I dont think its loud enough. All right, i will start with that 20w $50 speaker i found and see if that works.

[Hunka Hunka Burning Love]

Maybe borrow from this idea:

http://www.yankodesign.com/2013/01/15/ghetto-blaster-backpack/

And put together a backpack custom speaker system.  That way you can use nicer speakers, make it loud, and it can be separately powered and easily portable.  Having a backpack speaker system would give you much more room to work with.

http://www.beatbringer.com/

Or why not just get a set of cans like the Koss Porta-Pros with lifetime warranty?  Do you really want to share your tunes with others?

[Cloud]

@HunkaHunkaBurningLove sorry but this wont work. Having a separate sound system is a completely different animal. This is just pretentious and a bit tasteless. If the speakers are embedded in the wheel, they are already there as part of the miracle machine. If i am carrying a backback with speakers i am making a clumsy effort to be cool, just like everyone else. 

[Hunka Hunka Burning Love]

You're riding around balanced on one wheel wearing an Ironman helmet with electroluminescent light beams on it.  I'd say we're already at the cool mark and perhaps veering into the awesome zone.  Add in portable hi fi music, and I don't think anyone cares if it is coming from the wheel or a backpack.  They likely will be staring at the wheel.  But to each their own of course.  Ahem I only know you too well right?  

The best you're going to do with the space constraints is likely getting so so sound and possibly end up Frankenwheeling your ride up.  There just isn't that much room down there.  Whereas with a backpack you got loads of space plus you can carry other essential items and get potentially a lot better sound quality.  Okay pretend you're Ironman, and I'm Rhodey or Jarvis the voice of reason.   Your sidekick wouldn't steer you wrong would he? 

Anyways no effort is needed to be cool when you're riding on one wheel... Anything on top of that is just gravy baby.

[Cloud]

1 hour ago, HunkaHunkaBurningLove said:

You're riding around balanced on one wheel wearing an Ironman helmet with electroluminescent light beams on it.  I'd say we're already at the cool mark and perhaps veering into the awesome zone.  Add in portable hi fi music, and I don't think anyone cares if it is coming from the wheel or a backpack.  They likely will be staring at the wheel.  But to each their own of course.  Ahem I only know you too well right?  

The best you're going to do with the space constraints is likely getting so so sound and possibly end up Frankenwheeling your ride up.  There just isn't that much room down there.  Whereas with a backpack you got loads of space plus you can carry other essential items and get potentially a lot better sound quality.  Okay pretend you're Ironman, and I'm Rhodey or Jarvis the voice of reason.   Your sidekick wouldn't steer you wrong would he? 

Anyways no effort is needed to be cool when you're riding on one wheel... Anything on top of that is just gravy baby.

Ok. Ill think about it  but still that back pack is huge  sometimes i dont feel like carying stuff with me  i need to reflect on this...trying to fix both my ks14s right now. Received parts from kingsong, but one of the pedal pillars has no holes for the bolts, they forgot to make the holes and the threads  been messing woth it for 4 hours now...finally getting somewhere. Will need another 4-5 hrs to put the rest of the two wheels together...gooe to roll again tomorrow

[Hunka Hunka Burning Love]

Okay maybe sleep on it, and tell me in the morning.

 

[esaj]

12 hours ago, Cloud said:

3. I will have to build my own system. I will split the output power from one of the 67v batteries, step it down with a converter to 12v ( to be placed inside the wheel), connect a 12v -30W bluetooth amplifier module card inside the wheel, then connect two speakers for a combined 30w to the bluetooth amplifier.  The speakers will be located either inside the wheel ( if i find room) or outside. It would also be great to include a switch on the line as i dont want all of this to be constantly under voltage. Also if im gonna do all this, it would make sense to provide an additional 12 v output which coukd be used to connect lights, other add on equipment

Place the switch before the voltage converter, otherwise the converter will suck power at all times, even when there's no actual load connected to it (so-called quiescent current).

 

Quote

here are the tentative parts:

3a. Xt60 battery Y splitter  http://www.ebay.com/itm/122047211107?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT ( between euc battery and the voltage converter)

3b. I am missing connector between Xt60 and the weird connector on the voltage converter input, not sure whats it called

3c  missing a switch somewhere between the battery and voltage converter input

3d. Voltage converter  http://www.ebay.com/itm/291852706297?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT  the converter has a weird connector with the input and output together. Not sure how to best go about this

I have one similar (36...72V to 12V) converter too which has same looking connector, but don't know what's it called. Just cut it off, the black-wire (which should be ground, but do check first ) will be shared between the input-voltage and output voltage (common ground). You can split it into something like XT60 for input voltage, and some other connector for the output, just connect the negative-sides ("minus") of both connectors to the black wire.

 

Quote

3e. Missing connector from voltage converter output to bluetooth amplifier module. May also need a splitter if i want to have a separate 12v output port

3f. Bluetooth amplifier module (30w)  http://www.ebay.com/itm/331655181509?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

3g  2 - speakers 30W http://www.ebay.com/itm/311550410638?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Do note that the BT-amplifier seems to output 15 + 15W (15W per channel, stereo), so you could go with lower power speakers too (although, AFAIK, it shouldn't matter much even if the speaker maximum wattage is above the output power? But I don't know for sure...), or maybe using both channels to drive a single speaker. Find yourself an "audiophile", those guys know what to do

[Czestnut]

I had this one for a while in the shower and stuck it to my wheel.  It's fine for shower, but not loud enough for riding in crowds or traffic.

[cvsnowboarder]

The Cambridge Soundworks Oontz 3 speaker is what I use via the included carabiner on the carrying case that they sell separately for the speaker. It works awesome and loud on my Ninebot one E+

[Hunka Hunka Burning Love]

@Cloud do you have any photos of the existing speakers on the KS14 and the area where they are mounted?  I didn't realize it had speakers built-in.  What are the existing speakers like?  Is there any clearance inside the shell to maybe just swap out some more powerful speakers?

[Cloud]

2 hours ago, HunkaHunkaBurningLove said:

@Cloud do you have any photos of the existing speakers on the KS14 and the area where they are mounted?  I didn't realize it had speakers built-in.  What are the existing speakers like?  Is there any clearance inside the shell to maybe just swap out some more powerful speakers?

Speakers are not visible from the outside.  I woukd have to split the casing ipen ti take the pic and that is pretty involved. They are small about an inch and a half to 2 inches 5w speakers.   But i dont have an issue with them. They are very loud. I am looking for a speaker solution for another non kingsong wheel i am going to buy which will have no speakers built in.

i am coming closer snd closer to the ideal solution. I dont want o use anythkng expensive as i will ruin it as soon as the wheel rolls over. Also its no enough to get s large powerful speaker, you need to have a strong signal to the speaker also. And / or you need to power the speaker somehow. Whike i am looking to power it with 5 v, usb port cannot provide the power needed (20w). I have ordered a power bank which has a coupke of output ports. If need be i can buy another one and will connect to the several speakers im going to use. The power bank can also double up as a flashlght ( will see if strong enough)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/222168499319?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=521009694134&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 One of the options i am considering at this time ( and i am waiting for the parts to arrive)  is to use a small bluetooth receiver / converter which will plug inti a small splitter via 3.5mm audio cable. Out of the splitter i can run the audio signal using 3.5mm cabkes to several regular usb speakers ( ive bought a coupke, waiting to arrive) .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/311509601649?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

. http://www.ebay.com/itm/131913757648?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/302046289978?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/361330211875?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

another option is ti get small bluetooth speaker and either daisychain them ( if i can find powerful enough small ones) or to plug the line in audio and use them as regular soeakers as in option 1. 

Option 3 is to use a bluetooth/ amplifier usb powered module and a 2-4   5w speakers. But mounting them might not be easy.

so far all the speakers ive tried turned out to be less piwerful than advertised. I was expecially disappointed with this bluetooth speaker which said 10W but is quiter than my 3W one. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/361566720440?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

If you look up most bluetooth speakers on the net they will say they have from 500mah to 4000mah batteries and some say can provide 20w and play for like 8 hours. But how is that possible?? Of course there is never peak 29w audio output and when there is it is not constant, but still pretty obvious the putput power is seriously overstated

 

 

[Battling]

14 hours ago, Cloud said:

 One of the options i am considering at this time ( and i am waiting for the parts to arrive)  is to use a small bluetooth receiver / converter which will plug inti a small splitter via 3.5mm audio cable. Out of the splitter i can run the audio signal using 3.5mm cabkes to several regular usb speakers ( ive bought a coupke, waiting to arrive) .

For me, that's the best option.

I made mine with this components :

A2dp BT adapter :
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/USB-Wireless-Bluetooth-3-5mm-Music-Audio-Car-Handsfree-Receiver-Adapter/32351450356.html
... this one will also work :
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-XS3868-Bluetooth-Stereo-Audio-Module-OVC3860-Chip-Supports-A2DP-AVRCP/32325404046.html

Audio amplifier :
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/PAM8403-Audio-Module-DC-5V-Mini-Class-D-digital-amplifier-board-LCD-Top-Sale/32578750136.html
I also tested this one but, with my 3W speakers, I have noticed no difference, except for the supply voltage  (12V vs 5V) :
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/1set-TDA7297-amplifier-board-spare-parts-dc-12v-grade-2-0-dual-audio-encoding-15w-electronic/32511967000.html

Mini speakers :
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/10pcs-lot-Acoustic-Speaker-4-ohm-3W-40MM-Speaker-36MM-External-Magnetic-Black-hat-PU/1727205223.html

For about 6€, you have a complete BT audio system with a not bad sound quality (without any filter).

Another solution is to replace the BT receiver by a DFPlayer if you don't want to use a smartphone : when you switch on the system, the playlist will start :
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Mini-MP3-Player-Module-with-Simplified-Output-Speaker-for-Arduino-UNO/32557067284.html

[Cloud]

@Battling yes this is what i was thinking of in one of the option. Thank you for the pictures.

however if i was ok with 6W speaker output, this would have been a much simpler task. Those 5v powered bluetooth receivers/ amplifiers usually provide no more than 3W per channel. ( understandably, as the usb port has a limited power rating).  In my case, the task is more complicated since i want to have at least 20 W of output power.

i could split the sudio signal to 2 or 3 amplifiers in Parallel though and power them off of the power banks. I am virtually doing that by connecting to the regular speakers which should already have an amplifier inside.

if i was doing 6W, there woukd actually be an even simpler solution. I coukd find 1 6W -10W bluetooth speaker and it woukd be small enough for the wheel.

[Cloud]

Ok guys, i just took one for the team. Ive been researching speakers for several evenings now and have come up with many different candidates.

I just place an order for 8 different speakers. When they arrive and i will test them and do a review on them to recommend which is the best for the euc.

 

[nute]

Not to put a downer on things (or to have a go at you Cloud) but I'm one of those people who when i go to the beach i want to listen to the sound of the ocean, not someone else's taste in music. I would have thought the last thing we as ECU users want to do is risk annoying someone/anyone, who then moans about what we do. If by rolling along with music blasting out you cause someone to complain about you as a nosey nuisance it affects peoples view of all ECU users, even tho it may be your taste in music they hate not the fact that you are on a wheel.

If you want to listen to music whilst rolling along get some headphones? This brings it own dangers if you are near a road as you then can't hear the traffic but with loud music you wouldn't anyway i guess. 

[Cloud]

2 hours ago, nute said:

Not to put a downer on things (or to have a go at you Cloud) but I'm one of those people who when i go to the beach i want to listen to the sound of the ocean, not someone else's taste in music. I would have thought the last thing we as ECU users want to do is risk annoying someone/anyone, who then moans about what we do. If by rolling along with music blasting out you cause someone to complain about you as a nosey nuisance it affects peoples view of all ECU users, even tho it may be your taste in music they hate not the fact that you are on a wheel.

If you want to listen to music whilst rolling along get some headphones? This brings it own dangers if you are near a road as you then can't hear the traffic but with loud music you wouldn't anyway i guess. 

Nute, I understand your concern but there are big differences.

First, the beach is not the street. I understand your analogy, but a beach is a quiet place where one wants the serenity and the quiet rustling of the waves to be his only company. The street is more lively with car noise, people noise etc. try relaxing on a new york street, wont work

Second, when i ride with speakers on, the music is heard by each person for a few seconds only unti i pass them. It is not a co tinuous disturbance. So it cannot be perceived as such. 

Third, a lot depends on the volume. Just because i want to jave 20W availabke, doesnt mean that the music is going to continuosly blast out of my speakers into someone's ear. Music coming out of the cars can be much more piwerful and disturbing. Volume makes a huge difference is perception. The loudest i ever have the music is at a level to be heard about 100ft away from me but at that distance it is very quiet and hardly discernable

fourth, like you said, the style of music also matters. I vary it per the neighborhood, surrounding, and in general dont listen to offensive music or music thats too heavy

5th, a lot of people are enoying it. I like to think that a few distrubed peoples are offset by a few that were enriched  So i am glad i am bringing balance into the world

Sixth, i am increasing the safety of the pedestrians, as i am alerting them to my presense. Unaware oedestrian is the worst thing that can happen as he can make sudden moves into your travel path

The headphone wont work - this is too dangerous. If you are listening to music thru headphones you cant hear the sounds around you, possible to get in a accident, be run over or knock someone down

[nute]

Fair enough 

I I know if I had speakers and music as I rode here it would piss people off but I agree NY is very different. I'm surprised you can ride anywhere there without getting run over. Do you ride on the streets or keep to the parks?

[Jonathan Tolhurst]

I saw this device on Kickstarter - not sure about its performance or how practical it would really be but could be an interesting compromise between speakers and headphones:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1892029779/necksound-smart-wireless-necklace-wearable-music-d/description

[Cloud]

5 hours ago, nute said:

Fair enough 

I I know if I had speakers and music as I rode here it would piss people off but I agree NY is very different. I'm surprised you can ride anywhere there without getting run over. Do you ride on the streets or keep to the parks?

I ride everywhere  my secret is simple - run them over first before they run over you  preemptive attack:) 

[Sten Qubrich]

I was using Klipsch bookshelf speakers for a year and quite happy with the performance. If the price is decisive and the budget is not too big my recommendation to look here: https://www.audioreputation.com/best-cheap-bluetooth-speakers-under-50/,and maybe find some interesting for you.

 

[LanghamP]

Great topic.

I have several of the cheaper Amazon Bluetooth speakers, ranging from $20 to $40, from 10 to 20 watts; they are all one directional.

My favorite, and surprisingly the smallest, is the Soundcore 2.

As for sound pollution; I rarely have a ride where I don't have to stick my fingers in my ears due to a passing diesel truck, ambulance, or motorcycle; an itty bitty Bluetooth speaker doesn't come close to the loudness of ambiant street noise, plus it's directional pointed upward anyway.