How to Amplify Sound Using Household Items
By Meaghan Ellis
Innovation and variation are two elements that keep our digital age on a rapid incline upward toward technological enhancements and advancement. This includes amplifying sound; though, in this case, the technology involves using common household items.
Step 1
Unplug your speakers to avoid damaging the installation cords, plug inlets and A/C power adapter.
Step 2
Apply the plastic wrapping paper to the outer region of the front of the speaker, once. Do not wrap the back of the speaker because this is where the plug inlets are. Use your butter knife to cut off excess plastic paper along the top and bottom of the speaker. The plastic will stick because it is adhesive.
Step 3
Tear a 10.125 x 4.25-inch envelop open along both sides. (This size envelop is considered a normal commercial envelop. Letters in the mail come enclosed in this size envelop.) Do not rip the bottom of the envelop. Once you have torn the sides, it should look like a regular 8 x 11-inch sheet of lineless paper.
Step 4
Apply the torn envelop to the top of the speaker over the plastic covered region. Lightly tape the envelop to the four corners of the speaker. Do not flatten the envelop in order to tape it. Leave space for air to seep in so the sound can escape and project. Repeat steps 1 through 4 for the other speaker.
Step 5
Insert the cords back into the speaker inlets and plug the A/C adapter back to the speakers and into a power outlet. When you turn the sound back on, you will notice that the sound will be fuller, which will be the major contributor to the speaker's amplification. The sound will travel slower but the projection will be much stronger.
Tips
- Use only a small amount of tape. Too much tape can trap the sound behind the paper. Leave space to allow the sound to be released and projected.
- Use blank sheets of college ruled paper, if you are using a larger speaker. This type of paper is much lighter in weight. You will need paper that weighs less because bigger speakers already project a bigger sound. You are trying to complement the sound to create a more amplified sound, therefore you will not need to overpower the initial sound.
Warnings
- Make sure you do not wrap the back of the speaker. This will ensure the safety of the outlet plugs. Leaving the plastic over this area could cause heating problems.
Writer Bio
Meaghan Ellis has been writing short stories, newspaper articles, Web content and product research reports for over 12 years. While double majoring in business management and marketing at Southern University, she runs a home-based graphic design and Web content business.