Inflatable Fullrange

pjanda1 · 15th July 2007, 08:17 PM

I stumbled across these for $5 and could resist trying them. It looks as if the company has expired. The whole kit contains two inflatable speakers, a chip amp the size of a computer mouse (2W downhill with the wind; it appears on the chips datasheet), a case to hold six AA batteries (cleverly velcros to the bottom of the amp), a wallwart, and a nylon bag. It brings to mind the Sonic Impact set that included folding cardboard speakers (which I have and use the same licensed NXT technology).

They sound terrible. I plugged them into my EMAC. With the volume cranked on the control panel and the amp they still can't produce much sound. They do move an amazing amount, though. They are painful to listen to. Claimed response is 50-20K hz. That may be true +/- 20db. The cardboard SI's crush them (as I assume the SI amp crushes this little amp.)

I couldn't photograph the workings well. A fairly regular (but incredibly cheap looking) voice coil/spider/tiny motor is glued to a square of corrugated plastic (white in the picture.) The whole thing shakes the inflated part. Evidentally these folks had plans to build a home audio version.

Though not particularly relevant to anything, I thought some of you might share my amusement. If anybody wants a set, drive up here. There are plenty more from where mine came.

pj

pjanda1 · 15th July 2007, 08:19 PM

Having problems -w- the pic. . .

BWRX · 16th July 2007, 02:21 AM

That is a novel idea indeed.

Anyone have any balloons with a large elastic opening? Or perhaps some lighter material like mylar? You could inflate (air, helium, hydrogen = boom) a balloon and seal it around the frame of a small driver to achieve something better I would imagine. You'd think that would be pretty omnidirectional, no?

I can see problems with gas leakage though...

OzMikeH · 16th July 2007, 04:10 AM

You get really good bass with hydrogen. once. 130dB/W/m should be easy. Mind the glass fragments on your lawn afterward.

Geoff H · 20th July 2007, 03:06 PM

It would be a full range. Transient would be good, again once. You need the right amount of oxygen though. Mix in some Condy's crystals and you could play purple rain, following the bang.

Scottmoose · 20th July 2007, 04:05 PM

Now range of speakers: R101 & Hindenburg anyone?

Ricky · 22nd July 2007, 08:47 AM

Hi all.

They seem to be particularly adept for 1 piece of music only. The 1812 Overture, but with a real cannon (????)

Ricky · 22nd July 2007, 09:00 AM

I actually know the guy who invented the cardboard NXT speaker although he would never publicly put his name to it, and I once asked him, after he said they are great for outdoor barbeques and the like, "how do you compensate for the falling treble response and is it in proportion to the amount of rain that is falling at the time when outside?". After receiving a couple of ery well educated profanities, I decided a tactical withdrawal was best.

15th July 2007, 08:17 PM	#1
pjanda1 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Nebraska Panhandle	Inflatable Fullrange I stumbled across these for $5 and could resist trying them. It looks as if the company has expired. The whole kit contains two inflatable speakers, a chip amp the size of a computer mouse (2W downhill with the wind; it appears on the chips datasheet), a case to hold six AA batteries (cleverly velcros to the bottom of the amp), a wallwart, and a nylon bag. It brings to mind the Sonic Impact set that included folding cardboard speakers (which I have and use the same licensed NXT technology). They sound terrible. I plugged them into my EMAC. With the volume cranked on the control panel and the amp they still can't produce much sound. They do move an amazing amount, though. They are painful to listen to. Claimed response is 50-20K hz. That may be true +/- 20db. The cardboard SI's crush them (as I assume the SI amp crushes this little amp.) I couldn't photograph the workings well. A fairly regular (but incredibly cheap looking) voice coil/spider/tiny motor is glued to a square of corrugated plastic (white in the picture.) The whole thing shakes the inflated part. Evidentally these folks had plans to build a home audio version. Though not particularly relevant to anything, I thought some of you might share my amusement. If anybody wants a set, drive up here. There are plenty more from where mine came. pj

16th July 2007, 02:21 AM	#3
BWRX diyAudio Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Pennsylvania	That is a novel idea indeed. Anyone have any balloons with a large elastic opening? Or perhaps some lighter material like mylar? You could inflate (air, helium, hydrogen = boom) a balloon and seal it around the frame of a small driver to achieve something better I would imagine. You'd think that would be pretty omnidirectional, no? I can see problems with gas leakage though... __________________ Brian

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
The inflatable travel speaker concept	davepenney	Multi-Way	21	9th May 2007 04:08 AM
Fullrange 100 hz and up	Nate_Taufer	Full Range	14	12th October 2005 03:15 AM
Fullrange for me?	bjackson	Full Range	13	31st August 2005 09:55 PM
fullrange	tomtt	Full Range	6	12th July 2005 02:11 AM
fullrange or 2.5 way??	AudioGeek	Full Range	2	18th August 2004 07:26 PM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

16th July 2007, 04:10 AM	#4
OzMikeH diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007	You get really good bass with hydrogen. once. 130dB/W/m should be easy. Mind the glass fragments on your lawn afterward.

20th July 2007, 03:06 PM	#5
Geoff H diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2006	It would be a full range. Transient would be good, again once. You need the right amount of oxygen though. Mix in some Condy's crystals and you could play purple rain, following the bang.

20th July 2007, 04:05 PM	#6
Scottmoose diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK	Now range of speakers: R101 & Hindenburg anyone?

22nd July 2007, 08:47 AM	#7
Ricky diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2005	Hi all. They seem to be particularly adept for 1 piece of music only. The 1812 Overture, but with a real cannon (????)

22nd July 2007, 09:00 AM	#8
Ricky diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2005	I actually know the guy who invented the cardboard NXT speaker although he would never publicly put his name to it, and I once asked him, after he said they are great for outdoor barbeques and the like, "how do you compensate for the falling treble response and is it in proportion to the amount of rain that is falling at the time when outside?". After receiving a couple of ery well educated profanities, I decided a tactical withdrawal was best.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)