I have the Cube (non-wireless version). There is power but no sound after several years of stellar performance. Does anyone know a fix?
Thanks!
Thanks!
How to get inside a TDK boombox!
- Thread starter blu_fuz
- Start date
Transistorized
Member (SA)
I bricked my pristine 2-speaker TDK trying to flash the firmware to fix the annoying auto-off issue. Bought a used but working one off of eBay that was in TERRIBLE shape. Tore it apart to get at the boards with the flash. It seems like there are two that have the potential for the board I need, so I'll move both.
Observations:
*) Prying off the faceplate is anxiety ridden. I was terrified I would crack it. And that was the junky unit!
*) The connectors, board, etc are heavily super glued/mastic'd. They did a decent job trying to vibration-proof the thing. Makes it a pain to disassemble though.
*) But there are also weird jumper wires that look hand soldered after the fact. Really out of place.
*) In retrospect, I should have just moved the trim pieces off of my unit to the junky one instead of messing around with the boards.
I'mm be trying to complete the project tonight or tomorrow night.
Observations:
*) Prying off the faceplate is anxiety ridden. I was terrified I would crack it. And that was the junky unit!
*) The connectors, board, etc are heavily super glued/mastic'd. They did a decent job trying to vibration-proof the thing. Makes it a pain to disassemble though.
*) But there are also weird jumper wires that look hand soldered after the fact. Really out of place.
*) In retrospect, I should have just moved the trim pieces off of my unit to the junky one instead of messing around with the boards.
I'mm be trying to complete the project tonight or tomorrow night.
caution
Member (SA)
TDK designed a contingency for that, you didn't have to tear it apart to un-brick it.
I had a flash update go bad, and had to go through this procedure, but it works.
https://vowe.net/archives/012911.html
I had a flash update go bad, and had to go through this procedure, but it works.
https://vowe.net/archives/012911.html
marcin
New Member
Unfortunately, it looks like I have the same problem with my TDK, do you still have a software update file somewhere? He is not on the manufacturer's website anymore ... I will be grateful for your help
Hi there, thanks for sharing the photo's.
My TDK Boombox 3 does not turn on. I just pulled of the Power 'button' and saw one of the wires is loose.
Any idea how to fix this? I do not have a lot of equipment...
I tried if it would turn on if I would just put the cable in the right position, but that is not the case... I think it is still not really connected then.
My TDK Boombox 3 does not turn on. I just pulled of the Power 'button' and saw one of the wires is loose.
Any idea how to fix this? I do not have a lot of equipment...
I tried if it would turn on if I would just put the cable in the right position, but that is not the case... I think it is still not really connected then.
dubout
Member (SA)
I had to fix a plug once. Pull the metal contact from the broken cable out of the plug. Try to find a fitting metal contact (search for 'crimp contact'). Pry and solder the cable to the metal contact and push it back into the plug.
Hi there blu_fuz. I have the same problem with mine, I need to replace the volume potentiometer, I have opened my TDK 2 speaker boombox right up. I'm really struggling to find the correct potentiometer online to replace the broken one? do you know any source or website I can find one? thanks so much your advice has been so useful, I really appreciate it!
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I was never able to find one. There are only a few options. You could try and buy a broken TDK and use the knob out of it for yours. The only other thing I could think of is a separate external on/off switch mounted somewhere else on the case and use a standard POT for the volume in place of the original.
hopey
Member (SA)
Review
www.wsj.com
Worth It?: A Modern-Day Boombox
Boomboxes trying to make a comeback - with a higher price tag and high-tech profile. WSJ's Willa Planks takes one boombox to the streets to see if they're still cool.
www.wsj.com
Reli
Boomus Fidelis
She says it lacks deep bass? She's either on drugs, or wasn't using good source material. I tested it against the 3-speaker, and it has better deep bass than the 3-speaker. I think it's because the 2-speaker has a bass port and the 3-speaker doesn't. They did a good job tuning that port to produce low bass. It's a great box for 90s/00s hiphop.Review
Worth It?: A Modern-Day Boombox
Boomboxes trying to make a comeback - with a higher price tag and high-tech profile. WSJ's Willa Planks takes one boombox to the streets to see if they're still cool.
Agree, the 2 speaker has deeper bass than the 3 speaker.
I don't really use mine at all anymore because of the lack of BT function but they really sound nice on the shelf in an office with the computer headphone jack plugged into the RCA input on the TDKs.
My old videos filmed with a potato:
I don't really use mine at all anymore because of the lack of BT function but they really sound nice on the shelf in an office with the computer headphone jack plugged into the RCA input on the TDKs.
My old videos filmed with a potato:
Thanks so much for this writeup!
My wife handed me a project from her coworker - the boombox fell and the pot broke and I have to try and find a replacement and my first stop was figuring out how this was held together before attempting to open the case and damage it, so MANY THANKS for the great write up!
Has anyone pulled the pot from the carrier pcb and seen if there is any other identification on it or have the measurements? I'd hate to reinvent the wheel, and I didn't see the info in the thread unless I missed it.
Many thanks in advance!
My wife handed me a project from her coworker - the boombox fell and the pot broke and I have to try and find a replacement and my first stop was figuring out how this was held together before attempting to open the case and damage it, so MANY THANKS for the great write up!
Has anyone pulled the pot from the carrier pcb and seen if there is any other identification on it or have the measurements? I'd hate to reinvent the wheel, and I didn't see the info in the thread unless I missed it.
Many thanks in advance!
You are welcome! You might have to mad max an on/off switch and a potentiometer to get all of the functions to work properly. A few of the crew here searched and searched for replacement options with no luck.
caution
Member (SA)
So sorry I missed this when you posted it.
Here are some forever-links...
Last release firmware:
http://web.archive.org/web/20150911...ormance.com/PageFiles/1255/avr32fwupgrade.uc3
Blogger instructions for unbricking/firmware installation (in case the original link dies):
http://web.archive.org/web/20220406071151/https://vowe.net/archives/012911.html
TDK instructions for unbricking/firmware installation:
http://web.archive.org/web/20110812...ombox-Audio-System/3-Speaker-Boombox-Support/
Note: There is a newer set of instructions, but there is no archive of it. I have a newer copy however. The differences are:
At the top of page 3, it should say: "Be sure to select “FAT 32” as the file system when formatting your USB Flash drive and that you have selected the “Quick Format” check box. Click “Start” to initiate the reformatting command. NOTE: This clears any existing data from your flash drive. The Flash Drive must be blank prior to copy of most recent firmware for install to your Boom Box."
On page 4, new instruction inserted before step 9: "IMPORTANT: Remove all batteries from the unit if they are installed."
Page 5:
For step 13, TDK added the comment "Note: The display will go blank when OK is pressed. This is normal. IMPORTANT: Leave the unit undisturbed until the update is complete."
Step 14 has changed to "After the firmware has been upgraded, the message 'Upgrade success! Please disconnect
AC power.' will appear."
Two new instructions:
16. Unplug the AC cord and turn the volume control to the OFF position. Remove the USB flash
drive. Wait for 10 seconds before proceeding.
17. Connect the AC power and wait for 3 seconds. Turn the volume control to the ON position.
The device will now restart normally with all the displays illuminated.
On page 7, the 13-step procedure was removed from the later document, I'm not sure why.
The last page is missing notes for the last firmware upgrade, I can paste them if anyone needs them.
TDK boombox main page:
http://web.archive.org/web/20120918210708/http://www.tdkperformance.com/en-us/Home-Audio/Boomboxes/3-Speaker-Boombox-Audio-System
3-speaker boombox support page:
http://web.archive.org/web/20120920...oombox-Audio-System/3-Speaker-Boombox-Support
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