Proof of speaker mod effectiveness. DO IT!

[psylichon]

So as some of you may know, I got a new iPhone under warranty yesterday (due to a bad camera sensor... perhaps you saw my funky pics). So I decided to lay to rest any questions whether or not poking holes in the speaker actually does anything to affect the volume.

So here's what I did: I set up a microphone right against the iphone speaker (actually touching it to eliminate any setup inconsistencies) and recorded the first few bars of one of my favorite tunes. Then I did the hole-pokey thing and did it again, exact same setup, same gain on the mic pre, still touching the speaker, and recorded the difference.

http://www.everythingicafe.com/forum/attachments/iphone/2581d1204920866-proof-of-speaker-mod-effectiveness-do-it-speakerproof.jpg

You can see from the pic that the difference is obvious. And the actual numbers prove it. With the setup I used, the unmodded iPhone speaker peaked at -8 dBfs while the modded one peaked at -3.4 dBfs. That's a 4.6 dB increase. Now for those who don't understand decibel measurement, it's exponential so that 1 dB difference you would barely notice. But 3 dB is quite a noticeable bump and 6dB is, technically, twice as loud!

So yes, this mod is worth doing. No one's punctured their speakers yet to my knowledge, and no one has been denied service by Apple because of it (hey, at least I wasn't!)

If you need more proof, check out the MP3 (http://www.youshare.com/view.php?file=SpeakerProof.mp3).

Do it!

[aggieman]

nice! I'm still not poking holes in my speakers. I have mine on vibrate most of the time anyways!

[iphonemedic600]

Same here!!

[Griffinaz]

Thank you for showing this. I have noticed a great increase in the volume on my phone after doing this.

[Buffy]

Come on boys, I'm the coward of the forum too afraid to JB, even I did this. Try it, it really works well!

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

Come on boys, I'm the coward of the forum too afraid to JB, even I did this. Try it, it really works well!

Buffy, you really need to jailbreak your iPhone. The new ways to jailbreak are very painless and quick (like a good death) and there's a wealth of good third party software out there.

[doron]

nice! I'm still not poking holes in my speakers.

LOL...but you gotta hand to the man...he put some accurate proof together for us...the question is..will you do it...do it-do it...

[doron]

So as some of you may know, I got a new iPhone under warranty yesterday (due to a bad camera sensor... perhaps you saw my funky pics). So I decided to lay to rest any questions whether or not poking holes in the speaker actually does anything to affect the volume.

So here's what I did: I set up a microphone right against the iphone speaker (actually touching it to eliminate any setup inconsistencies) and recorded the first few bars of one of my favorite tunes. Then I did the hole-pokey thing and did it again, exact same setup, same gain on the mic pre, still touching the speaker, and recorded the difference.

http://www.everythingicafe.com/forum/attachments/iphone/2581d1204920866-proof-of-speaker-mod-effectiveness-do-it-speakerproof.jpg

You can see from the pic that the difference is obvious. And the actual numbers prove it. With the setup I used, the unmodded iPhone speaker peaked at -8 dBfs while the modded one peaked at -3.4 dBfs. That's a 4.6 dB increase. Now for those who don't understand decibel measurement, it's exponential so that 1 dB difference you would barely notice. But 3 dB is quite a noticeable bump and 6dB is, technically, twice as loud!

So yes, this mod is worth doing. No one's punctured their speakers yet to my knowledge, and no one has been denied service by Apple because of it (hey, at least I wasn't!)

If you need more proof, check out the MP3 (http://www.youshare.com/view.php?file=SpeakerProof.mp3).

Do it!


word...now that's what i'm talkn about...this man just aint talkn the talk...he posted some proof up here...official naughmeen! and if the pic aint enough my man put the mp3 up here for yall kats...and then if that aint enough he might put a video up on this joint..word...good lkn

one other question...got any specs on the speaker itself, like a pic ...where the speaker itself is positioned in the phone?

[psylichon]

..and then if that aint enough he might put a video up on this joint..word...good lkn

hehe, thanks. No video (though I thought about it).

Someone posted a picture of the inside of the iPhone that showed how much room you have before you hit the speaker, but I can't locate it now.

[doron]

hehe, thanks. No video (though I thought about it).

Someone posted a picture of the inside of the iPhone that showed how much room you have before you hit the speaker, but I can't locate it now.

AH MAN I NEED THAT ..let me know when locate it on instant

[OJsakila]

AH MAN I NEED THAT ..let me know when locate it on instant


1/2" from the grill. If you poke 1/8", you're good all day.

[paa79594]

I'm a little torn on the speaker poking. On my old 8 gig, I did it and was pretty pleased with the speakerphone part, but the iPod sounded distorted. Now when I hang out with my friend who has my old iPhone and he plays his iPod, it makes me feel better that I never did it on my new one.

[doron]

1/2" from the grill. If you poke 1/8", you're good all day.


good lk on the info i'll keep that in mind...know of any pics on this

[psylichon]

I'm a little torn on the speaker poking. On my old 8 gig, I did it and was pretty pleased with the speakerphone part, but the iPod sounded distorted. Now when I hang out with my friend who has my old iPhone and he plays his iPod, it makes me feel better that I never did it on my new one.


Well, the mere physics of the thing conclude that if you crank the volume all the way on a loud track.... it's gonna distort! Personally, I feel the phone distorted much sooner before the mod than it does now. It's much clearer overall.

Unless I'm using headphones, I always keep the iPod EQ on bass reducer mode. I can crank it much louder when playing through the speakers that way, and it even sounds better in my car (Just as an aside...I think the Aux input on my car's system has a limiter or something on it, and reducing the bass at the source and making it up with the car's EQ sounds much more open.... )

[Buffy]

Buffy, you really need to jailbreak your iPhone. The new ways to jailbreak are very painless and quick (like a good death) and there's a wealth of good third party software out there.

I know - I'm going to take the leap soon. I want to read up a bit on what to do once I jailbreak - this is a deep rooted fear. :wink:

[psylichon]

I know - I'm going to take the leap soon. I want to read up a bit on what to do once I jailbreak - this is a deep rooted fear. :wink:

JOIN... US... JOIN... US... :2cool:

Heh, it's just fun to say that.

[Cloverfield]

I am very tempted to jailbreak and do this speaker mod. I really don't want it to sound distorted like a poster above said. Also is there a video recorder mod on jailbreak yet?

[OJsakila]

Dude! The only thing that will make it sound distorted is the act of recording/making a ringtone at too high a level. Poking holes in the grill have NOTHING to do with distorted sound. Poke the holes, for crying out loud....

[Cloverfield]

Okay, I did it.

[wrhutch]

good lk on the info i'll keep that in mind...know of any pics on this

I couldn't find the original picture that I posted but look at this one (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.ifixit.com/Parts/images/stream/images_large/26-21.jpg&imgrefurl=http://iphonegap.com/2007/06/30/first-look-for-apple-iphones-inside/&h=576&w=864&sz=140&hl=en&start=126&um=1&tbnid=b9lsdYQ8uGc-9M:&tbnh=97&tbnw=145&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dinside%2Bthe%2Biphone%26start%3D105%2 6ndsp%3D21%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN). The speaker is on the right in this picture. There is a protective film just inside of the speaker grill that has been removed from this picture.

Edited: It's picture #3 on the page.

[TonyTHT]

Sorry guys, I don't get it ?

You've proved that by perforating a barrier to the sound, that sound now appears to be louder ?!?

I assume the barrier is some kind of dust cover ? I don't really want dust in my expensive device, and anyway, surely the best way to listen to it (i.e. in stereo) is to use earphones ?

T

[OJsakila]

Sorry guys, I don't get it ?

You've proved that by perforating a barrier to the sound, that sound now appears to be louder ?!?

I assume the barrier is some kind of dust cover ? I don't really want dust in my expensive device

T


That makes a ton of sense considering you've got a floor drain for an ear phone plug on the top of your iphone.

But whatever you say...

[Flyingstar]

nice! I'm still not poking holes in my speakers. I have mine on vibrate most of the time anyways!
Actually you are not poking holes in the speaker. Only the plastic dust cover....

[TonyTHT]

That makes a ton of sense considering you've got a floor drain for an ear phone plug on the top of your iphone.

But whatever you say...

So why is there a dustcover on the speaker then ? To prevent you from hearing all of that glorious mono sound ? Because the designers and engineers at Apple don't know as much as you guys ?:wink:

Surely its there for a reason ?

T

[OJsakila]

So why is there a dustcover on the speaker then ? To prevent you from hearing all of that glorious mono sound ? Because the designers and engineers at Apple don't know as much as you guys ?:wink:

Surely its there for a reason ?

T


LOL..... No I think people want to hear their ringtones louder...not their music..

[Flyingstar]

it's called "Playing it safe" Most manufactures do just that. We, however, like to live on the wild side! Go ahead and poke those holes! Life is short, Go for the gusto! (smile)

[psylichon]

To me, it feels like a pretty rubbery membrane. I think it would still be a pretty effective dust preventer even with a dozen or so pinholes in it.

And yeah, I'm not deejaying with my iPhone as my PA after this mod or anything... but it is really nice for ringtones/speakerphone/voicemail. And yes, there are times I will play music through it on vacation in a hotel room at night drinking a beer with the wife or whatever... it's plenty fine for those situations. And now those situations sound better, thanks to a couple pinholes.

It's not really something to debate, it's just something that's out there, and you'll have to decide for youself if it's worth it to you or not.

[CanSpec]

Same here...waiting for a pic. What do you use to puncture it...a pin? And how deep and how many holes? What side is the speaker on? thanx

[IphoneTony]

So why is there a dustcover on the speaker then ? To prevent you from hearing all of that glorious mono sound ? Because the designers and engineers at Apple don't know as much as you guys ?:wink:

Surely its there for a reason ?

T

you're GrrrrrrrEAT

[TonyTHT]

Maybe I'm just not ready to switch to the Dark Side where all you scary guys hang out...........:wink:

T

[cu0ngsayz]

Same here...waiting for a pic. What do you use to puncture it...a pin? And how deep and how many holes? What side is the speaker on? thanx

i was wondering the same

[cu0ngsayz]

ohh and i was comparing my 8g with my girls 16 the 16 doesnt have the cover for the speakers if things help... if you have the 16 you dont have to poke anything

[jgirt]

just made the leap and almost forgot that there is only one speaker, the one on the left side when looking at the screen. The other one is the microphone. So dont forget this if you too puncture the holes.

[Hondamaker]

So why is there a dustcover on the speaker then ? To prevent you from hearing all of that glorious mono sound ? Because the designers and engineers at Apple don't know as much as you guys ?:wink:

Surely its there for a reason ?

TTo hear the ringtones louder (duh) as well as to finally use the iPhone as a speakerphone. WTF

[TonyTHT]

To hear the ringtones louder (duh) as well as to finally use the iPhone as a speakerphone. WTF

Thanks for your useful contribution.
Apply for a job at Apple - they obviously need you.

(|)

[Hondamaker]

Thanks for your useful contribution.
Apply for a job at Apple - they obviously need you.

(|)Wow, you really are a moron! LOL

[TonyTHT]

Wow, you really are a moron! LOL

Why, because I have a different view to you ? And all you can come back with is an insult ? Way to go big fella ! Your 'genius' status is richly deserved !

(|)

[IphoneTony]

ding ding ding.....!!!!! ROUND 2 Start

[psylichon]

Nuh uh.... Not in my thread. Please take it elsewhere, gentlemen...

[Hondamaker]

Why, because I have a different view to you ? And all you can come back with is an insult ? Way to go big fella ! Your 'genius' status is richly deserved !

(|)
Hey, you started it with your smart-assed attitude. Enough. Back to the origianl post!

[doron]

I couldn't find the original picture that I posted but look at this one (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.ifixit.com/Parts/images/stream/images_large/26-21.jpg&imgrefurl=http://iphonegap.com/2007/06/30/first-look-for-apple-iphones-inside/&h=576&w=864&sz=140&hl=en&start=126&um=1&tbnid=b9lsdYQ8uGc-9M:&tbnh=97&tbnw=145&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dinside%2Bthe%2Biphone%26start%3D105%2 6ndsp%3D21%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN). The speaker is on the right in this picture. There is a protective film just inside of the speaker grill that has been removed from this picture.

Edited: It's picture #3 on the page.


thanks for the pic...still tryn to get the concept you was speakn on...but i guess i get the picture...:2cool:

[wrhutch]

thanks for the pic...still tryn to get the concept you was speakn on...but i guess i get the picture...:2cool:

The speaker isn't that close to the grill.

[cu0ngsayz]

so guys... can any one tell me what the tools are to get this done? thanks

[Buffy]

so guys... can any one tell me what the tools are to get this done? thanks

I just used a sewing needle. Any needle or pin that's thin enough to fit through the speaker holes at the bottom of the phone.

[Hondamaker]

so guys... can any one tell me what the tools are to get this done? thanks
I used a sewing needle, it's very narrow and can easily fit in the holes.

[connie]

I also used a sewing needle.

[CBRfanatic]

quick question, is there any reason to keep those volume booster patches or amp patches from installer if we poke the holes?

[psylichon]

If you like distorted audio. They don't seem to work that well for me

[CanSpec]

If you like distorted audio. They don't seem to work that well for me

is there a difference between the amp patch and the volume booster patch? I am wondering if u need the amp one if u have the booster? Wouldnt booster the the same as amp or are they seperate fictions? Thant for ur help!

[cu0ngsayz]

so i was trying the needle thing... but it seem as it it was a little hard... did yall use anything else to poke the holes? cause mine wont seem to make those holes..

[Hondamaker]

so i was trying the needle thing... but it seem as it it was a little hard... did yall use anything else to poke the holes? cause mine wont seem to make those holes..

There are certain holes you won't be able to puncture, just try some till you get a few. It doesn't take much. A few holes will make your volume louder.

[doron]

The speaker isn't that close to the grill.

oh it isnt...how far back away from the grill is it...just tryn to imagine...

[iMerlin]

I used a thumb tac to poke each hole but never felt anything puncture. However, I did notice this really helps get some of the dust out of those holes. So my question is, how much force are you guys using? Do you actually feel something puncture?

[OJsakila]

the speaker is recessed 1/2" from the grill. Poke around 1/8" and youre good. This info is already in this very thread. As far as how hard to push, it is a slow, determined, confident poking of the holes. The three or four holes closest to the power jack cannot be breached. Certainly the majority of the holes can be. I used a sewing needle, myself.

[iMerlin]

the speaker is recessed 1/2" from the grill. Poke around 1/8" and youre good. This info is already in this very thread. As far as how hard to push, it is a slow, determined, confident poking of the holes. The three or four holes closest to the power jack cannot be breached. Certainly the majority of the holes can be. I used a sewing needle, myself.


Thanks OJ, you are a gentleman and a scholar.

[OJsakila]

it was my pleasure, Merlin the magic man.

[psylichon]

The three or four holes closest to the power jack cannot be breached. Certainly the majority of the holes can be. I used a sewing needle, myself.

Yes the needle must be small enough to go the entire way through the holes. But note that the 8 holes closest to the dock will not be penetrable. All others are with the proper angle. Poke on!

[doron]

the speaker is recessed 1/2" from the grill. Poke around 1/8" and youre good. This info is already in this very thread. As far as how hard to push, it is a slow, determined, confident poking of the holes. The three or four holes closest to the power jack cannot be breached. Certainly the majority of the holes can be. I used a sewing needle, myself.


which holes are specifically speakn on...thanks for the info...

[iMerlin]

I dont have a sewing needle here at work, but after poking each hole with my thumb tac, I swear I can already tell a difference. I was having a hard time hearing the open E on Guitarist, but now Im rocking out!! Thanks for the post psylichon.

[iMerlin]

it was my pleasure, Merlin the magic man.

I love being called the magic man. Much better than the muffler guy. However, I would also accept muff diver or any other variation of the word muff. Magic muffman!!

[doron]

well i'm poking, and poking...i didn't feel a break...am i suppose to? ...its like i poke until i get to stopping point...uh am i doing this right?

[jimmy_hat]

Im fairly brave about what I do to my gadgets mod-wise, but I think apple might have put the film in front of the speaker for a reason? Like to keep dust out? If I do this wont dust get all inside my phone and f@ck it up completely??

[CBRfanatic]

i did it yesterday, and immediately afterwards i noticed a considerable improvement, i dont know why i waited so long to do this.
just a little bit of advise, if you hold the speaker to a light source you will see that not all holes are "pokable". Just a few to the left side of the speaker. so dont force into any holes, mine went through no problem in 9 of the holes.

[Woofus]

One has to wonder if all of the holes were actually holes, how that would improve the volume.

I'm not feeling brave enough to take a dremmel tool to it, but I gots to wonder! :)

[akophone]

Just poked them holes and noticed significant volume increase. And yes, I don't need Pro Tools to compare pre and post poking! Thanx to psylichon!
And for those who are "scared" of doing this, you will never know how many dB you've been missing!
DO IT already! The best mod ever for sound. Period!

[psylichon]

well i'm poking, and poking...i didn't feel a break...am i suppose to? ...its like i poke until i get to stopping point...uh am i doing this right?

You're probably not poking far enough. If it's 1/8" or less, you're not going far enough. Think more 1/4".

Don't forget to angle down for the top holes and up for the bottom holes.

[psylichon]

ohh and i was comparing my 8g with my girls 16 the 16 doesnt have the cover for the speakers if things help... if you have the 16 you dont have to poke anything

I think this is worth noting again. If Apple has removed the "dust cover" in the newer models, they must have concluded that its benefits are not worth its detriment to the speaker volume. All the more reason to poke away on the "old model" if you ask me... Apple said it's cool... :2cool:

[psylichon]

I love being called the magic man. Much better than the muffler guy. However, I would also accept muff diver or any other variation of the word muff. Magic muffman!!

um... wait, what?

:gasp: ???

[cu0ngsayz]

WOW i finally got it... its like most of the holes in the middle that you can poke.. i swear i was playing a song and right when i poked the first hole it was a BIG difference... just one hole made it sound louder.. imagine 10 :) thanks guys for helping a new iphone member out. ohh one more thing i found out that the best eq to go with the loud speaker is bass reducer.. everything else sounds kinda of raspy.. thanks again guys

PS. if there is anything else i can do to make this phone cool looking.. such as themes and so forth let me know with a pm or something.

[itsabouttime]

C'mon, switch to the dark side....we got beer over here!!!:wink:

[doron]

You're probably not poking far enough. If it's 1/8" or less, you're not going far enough. Think more 1/4".

Don't forget to angle down for the top holes and up for the bottom holes.


well i think i pulled it off...not that grand on measurements but i think i did it right...i'll just have to test it out ...i know the ipod is blastn...

[Buffy]

well i think i pulled it off...not that grand on measurements but i think i did it right...i'll just have to test it out ...i know the ipod is blastn...

Good for you! Ain't it great? :wink:

[doron]

Good for you! Ain't it great? :wink:

the ipod seems kinda loud...haven't tried it on a conversation tho'...we'll see what the quality of sound is like....

[fury]

I poked, and I felt something...but I can't really tell much of a difference, if any. Although, I have a Week 5 2008 iPhone, so it may be from the same manufacturing run as the 16 giggers...the screen is a tad brighter than my older two as well, making it easier to see the scanline-like flicker

[fury]

Oh... I was listening to a quiet file to begin with...

Just played a normally already loud podcast and holy crap...it's like twice as loud as it used to be...

[Bboy Trick]

It works but I have heard that it changes the pitch of the song with makes it not sound as clear.

[fury]

It only seems like the pitch is changed because the sound is louder. Listen to it at a quieter volume and you will find the pitch to be quite normal.

[cu0ngsayz]

It works but I have heard that it changes the pitch of the song with makes it not sound as clear.

just do it and listen to your songs on bass reducer. super clear to me...

[psylichon]

Pitch change??? Come on people, stop being silly and just poke the holes!

[TIME]

My one big complaint about my iPhone has been the volume on my phone calls. I came across the poke mod about a week ago and went ahead and poked my two launch 8 gigs. Here is what I experienced:

I used a straight pin. Different holes were poke-able on my two phones. I was able to poke probably 6 holes on each phone. I did get dust out of the unpokeable holes. There is a tangible feel of breaking through the barrier when you poke. Yes, I got a noticable volume bump after poking. It was enough of a difference to convince me of the benefit of poking.

[doron]

Pitch change??? Come on people, stop being silly and just poke the holes!



LOL...that's funny...just like the guy we found out today at work who has a limiter on his business phone system (our company provides on-hold messaging)...LOL...or better yet a plate reverb...LOL

[cu0ngsayz]

all i have to say is JUST DO IT!!!!! im new to iphone and i did it... its a BIG difference and if you like to listen to your songs low then keep how it is.. :)

[burniksapwet]

I finally did it. Question is I dont know if I did it right. I started poking till i reach a hard part. It was not that deep but i was wondering if i should stop there. The reason i ask is coz i cant seem to be sure if my volume did increase making me think that i never really poked any thing. Please help.

[psylichon]

I finally did it. Question is I dont know if I did it right. I started poking till i reach a hard part. It was not that deep but i was wondering if i should stop there. The reason i ask is coz i cant seem to be sure if my volume did increase making me think that i never really poked any thing. Please help.

You gotta quantify how far you went in somehow... 1/8"? 1/4"?

[CanSpec]

I finally did it. Question is I dont know if I did it right. I started poking till i reach a hard part. It was not that deep but i was wondering if i should stop there. The reason i ask is coz i cant seem to be sure if my volume did increase making me think that i never really poked any thing. Please help.

u should have heard/felt a "pop" :smile:

[burniksapwet]

i think i did hear a pop. What i did was i just went as far as i can (dont think it was more than 1/4 though) which let me to a hard part. Onve i got there i stopped and did it for the other holes and made sure that i didnt reach that hatd part. Is that as far as i should have went or shoud i try pusing it more? Cant really tell is what i did was right. Thanks guys.

[psylichon]

You're good to go. Don't expect to hear angels singing and club-style bass after the mod. You should notice that you'll hear your phone from farther away though.

[burniksapwet]

You're good to go. Don't expect to hear angels singing and club-style bass after the mod. You should notice that you'll hear your phone from farther away though.
Ok thanks. I did notice that it was a bit louder but was I wouldn’t say that it was a huge improvement like what people where saying. I just thought that it would be something where I could really tell the difference. I’m glad I still did it though, any improvement in sound is a very good thing.:smile: