2# b00m-b0x: From Idea to Object

February 28, 2025

The b00m-b0x project documents our transition from building a large, highly specific sound system to designing something smaller, more approachable, and more adaptable. While the original system was powerful and visually distinctive, it was also heavy, difficult to transport, and limited in how and where it could realistically be used. Over time, those constraints became impossible to ignore. The core question emerged naturally: what would a more compact, flexible alternative look like—one that could serve a wider range of users without sacrificing character, sound quality, or the spirit of hands-on experimentation? The result is b00m-b0x: a modular, portable speaker system designed to be functional, visually expressive, and open to modification. It is intentionally positioned somewhere between a finished consumer product and a piece of “bastling” culture—a device that invites curiosity, understanding, and future evolution.

Design Principles: One System, Many Contexts
From the earliest brainstorming phase, the goal was not to design multiple products, but a single speaker system capable of adapting to different scenarios. Indoor and outdoor use, Bluetooth and AUX connectivity, mains power and battery operation—each of these requirements shaped the overall architecture. Equally important was spatial flexibility. b00m-b0x is designed to work in mono, stereo, and even so-called “near stereo” configurations, where left and right channels are separated but remain physically close. This approach acknowledges real-world usage, where ideal speaker placement is often impractical. All of these considerations led to a central design pillar: modularity. Not modularity as a buzzword, but as a genuine functional advantage. Components can be rearranged, detached, replaced, or upgraded without undermining the system as a whole. This openness adds complexity to both design and manufacturing, but we see it as a constructive challenge—one that forces better decisions rather than compromises.

Construction: Rethinking the Speaker Box
As a starting point, we referenced the open-source Petit Orgue project by Visaton, adopting its general enclosure proportions and driver types. However, b00m-b0x quickly diverged from this baseline. While the bass drivers remain integrated into the main enclosure, the full-range drivers are separated into two cylindrical satellite units. These connect via detachable cables, significantly improving portability and configurability. In mono mode, the satellites can be seated directly on top of the bass enclosure in recessed mounts, where their cylindrical shape allows precise rotation toward the listener. This decision is grounded in basic acoustic principles. Low frequencies disperse omnidirectionally, while mid and high frequencies benefit greatly from direct orientation. The satellite design ensures clarity even when the system is placed low to the ground. Structurally, the enclosure departs from conventional box construction. Instead of flat panels joined at edges, the body is composed of vertically oriented segments clamped together with threaded rods. This approach simplifies disassembly, enables material experimentation, and preserves consistent internal volume—critical for predictable acoustic behavior.

Materials, Prototyping, and Visible Structure
Material selection was never just a technical matter. From the beginning, we wanted the internal structure of the device to remain visible. This transparency is both aesthetic and educational: users can see how the system works, and access it easily for repairs or modifications. Early experiments explored recycled PET plastic sheets made from flattened bottles. While conceptually aligned with our goals, the resulting material lacked both structural integrity and optical clarity. Subsequent research led us toward recycled plastic panels from local manufacturers, as well as commercially available recycled acrylics such as Green Cast. In practice, these plastics are combined with plywood in load-bearing or less visible areas, balancing transparency, strength, and visual coherence. This is not an attempt to create a perfectly “green” product—electronic components alone make that unrealistic. However, sustainability remains a conscious design parameter rather than an afterthought. All structural planning was done digitally. SketchUp was used for rapid spatial exploration and concept visualization, while FreeCAD provided the precision needed for CNC preparation. Given limited resources, careful digital preparation was essential to ensure that the first physical prototype could be built efficiently and with minimal waste.

Electronics: Flexible by Design At the heart of b00m-b0x is the Zoudio AIO438, a compact all-in-one module combining a four-channel Class-D amplifier, Bluetooth (with aptX), and a fully configurable DSP. This setup allows precise tuning of each driver via software, ensuring that the acoustic output matches both the enclosure and the specific speaker components. Power is handled through a dual system: either via mains power or through a battery pack built from high-current 18650 Li-ion cells. A USB-C Power Delivery controller manages voltage negotiation, making the system adaptable to a wide range of power sources. Sound reproduction is handled by six Visaton drivers: four full-range units housed in the satellite speakers, and two larger woofers dedicated to bass frequencies. Detachable, fabric-sheathed cables connect the satellites to the main unit, serving both durability and visual consistency. For transport and mono operation, the rear of the enclosure includes a simple cable-winding mechanism to keep everything tidy. The control interface is intentionally minimal: a single rotary knob with push functionality for power and volume, a 3.5 mm AUX input, and two status LEDs indicating power, battery state, and active input. Behind the transparent front panel, all core electronics—including batteries and amplifier—remain fully visible and accessible.

Assembly, Access, and What Comes Next
The entire system is designed for disassembly. Threaded rods run through the vertically stacked enclosure segments, secured with easily accessible nuts on both sides. Removing the front control panel grants immediate access to all critical electronics, making maintenance, repair, and modification straightforward. This first prototype is not intended as a final product, but as a foundation. Its modular, open construction supports ongoing experimentation—whether that means testing new materials, refining acoustic behavior, or expanding functionality. Looking ahead, we envision multiple variants of b00m-b0x, differentiated by materials, finishes, and feature sets. Planned additions include a small display for playback information, battery status, or even animated visuals featuring the project’s mascots, Mr. Stick and Mr. Stone. In this sense, b00m-b0x is less a finished object than a living system: a platform for iteration, learning, and redefining what a portable speaker can be—both for users and for us as designers.

#projects #b00m-b0x #speaker #build