600 speaker upgrade?

[alfio]

i like my 600X so much that i am thinking about upgrading the speakers (finding similarly sized speakers with better sound quality)- has anyone looked into it?

alfio

[Robin Mutoid]

I recently and successfully 'upgraded' the speaker format on my 600X, not by replacing the speakers but by actually ADDING two more! The audio quality has improved significantly wih very little distortion even at higher volumes.

I used two standard right hand 600 speaker 'modules' cut down to size to flush-fit and glue into place in pre-prepared mounting holes next to each of the existing speakers (ie. 'inside' or towards the centr-line of the machine). By removing 1 or 2ml from the battery housing 'wall' there is just enough space to easily accomplish this.

I wired the additional pair of speakers in parallel with the originals to retain 8ohm resistance and 'grounded' them properly. The amplifier seems more than adequate. In fact half way through the job I wondered whether that 'empty space' in the RH module was originally destined for a third 'bass' speaker as in the 380Z's etc and therefore whether the 600 amplifier was in fact 'over-rated' for the final design specs of just two speakers only?


End result is two extra speakers that, unless one is a 'stickler' for absolute originality, both look good and also really do improve overall audio quality considerably, whilst retaining the aethetic qualities of the original (classic) IBM design parameters.

I can 'PM' you some pics of the process if you like.

Otherwise I reckon the Toshiba Satellite 2100 range always produced good sound and uses the same size speakers as the 600.. maybe worth trying a trial 'swap' if you understandably dont want to cut holes in your favourite 600X!!

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[Robin Mutoid]

Whoops.. Apologies.. glitch in my last post here NOT Toshiba Satellite 2100 but Toshiba Tecra 8000 range for similar speakers!

[Dark Savant0]

Can you post pictures to photobucket or something? This sounds like a very interesting process...

[Dark Savant0]

Robin has sent me the pictures which I will have up as soon as he sends me a guide to adding in the speakers. It was really a professional job, and very thoroughly done by the finishing pictures. Looks almost stock.

[alfio]

great, looking forward to it

i can't say that this is what i had in mind but if it works, i will definitely look into it

alfio

[Dark Savant0]

It will be up on my site by Wednesday (I have to format it properly and such).

[pkiff]

That sounds like a neat mod, Robin! And thanks in advance to Dark Savant0 for offering to host the pics.

Looking forward to checking it out.

Phil.

[Dark Savant0]

http://www.blog.savant.be/category/thinkpad/

You can see the posts there (pay no mind to the rest of my rants, I am just some teenager so a lot of it is emo ) as well as my guide for Ubuntu on these things. I'll see about getting more thinkpad info on that site for reference (you can PM me any info you need archiving as well).

I will post the pictures up tomorrow once I figure out where they go .

[Dark Savant0]

You can access the same guide and see any and all pictures Robin took. As I said, I am jealous. Now, if he could just add in an extra USB port and mod in a Thinklight...

[Robin Mutoid]

Just to say a big "Thanks" to 'Dark Savant0' for hosting and posting my 600X speaker upgrade project!

Maybe worth mentioning here that you can enlarge the Pics on his site a couple of times by clicking on them.. that way you can pick out details that may help you complete the job.

Good Luck & Happy (improved) Listening!

Robin.

PS. Not sure about the USB mod just yet!!