The following was posted (in a slightly different version) in the "PC Speakers" topic on Shop Talk by Street Tech regular Joel Westerberg. We thought it was kinda fun and should be shared with everyone. If you've painted, recased, taken a chainsaw to, or otherwise redecorated your computer components, come tell us about it in Shop Talk. - Gareth

I wanted my computer workspace to have a more tribal (or rather: eccentric) look, so I grabbed my woodcarving tools one day and got to work recasing the dull generic speakers that came with my computer.

I started out by chiseling a deep v-shaped cut around the four circles that I'd marked on each board. Then I lowered the "background" around the tiki god's face. The trick is to get a nice flat surface before starting on the detailed work. I used a U-shaped chisel to round off the edges, and a v-chisel to mark the diagonal background pattern and cut around the figures to add depth and contours.

BEFORE. NO TIKI.

I then opened the original speaker cases and took out their "innards." The golden rule here is to never cut a cable 'til you're assured that it's possible to re-solder the cables. One trick is to mark the cables with tape and label the cable pairs "Jeff", "Rick", "Tina", whatever, so you're clear on what goes where.

AFTER. TIKI. TIKI.

I feared that recasing the speakers would make them sound worse, but surprisingly, they sound better than ever! I kept the volume (as in cubic units, not as in loudness) fairly intact so they're no bigger than before. Maybe it's the masonite back that improved their sound? This project might be easier if you used pre-fabricated boxes, and then, only the front faces would need to be carved and attached. Remember to test your speakers before you seal them shut to make sure everything still works!

When I got my computer, there was no power adapter for the speakers. I tried some of the adapters I had at home, but none fit the bill. I almost gave up on my powered-speaker aspirations but I still hold out hope. Each of the two loudspeakers contain a small amplifier circuit board. Unable to use the amps, I put them in a coffee can (circuit boards and all--each wrapped in a plastic bag--still connected to the speakers and the CPU!). When I get the energy to do something about it, I'll make a casing for them as well.

- Joel Westerberg [4/24/98]