Creative SBS 370 – 2.1 Speaker Modifications
Received creative speakers stated problem both the satellite speakers Works intermittently when Vary Volume Control so that It is confirmed problem with the Volume Control. So I opened the external wired Volume Control Unit.
I didn’t find any dust or Physical damage hence Cleaned the 5 Pin potentiometer using IPA. But problem remain same. So decided to change the POT and see the result I am having 4 Pots in my stock I have replaced one but same problem.
For further diagnosis I have opened Woofer Unit (In this type of 2.1 speakers mostly amplifier circuit is located in woofer Unit).
Trying to remove the circuit from back side of the woofer unit but it was stuck somewhere inside.
So tried by removing Woofer to see what wrong inside is. I found Very Short length woofer Cable is connected to the Circuit therefore circuit is not coming out from backside.
So desoldered the cable from woofer and pulled Circuit out from the back side. You can see large size of Heatsink is attached with main amplifier IC.
Circuit Used MC4558CN operational amplifier: https://www.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/pdf/23296/STMICROELECTRONICS/MC4558CN.html
TDA8510J 26W Power Amplifier:
https://pdf1.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/view/19497/PHILIPS/TDA8510.html
For reconfirming doubt of bad volume control I have shorted two wires on volume control signal in & signal out on the PCB (Bypassing Volume control).
and connected the stereo pin in my mobile and played the song I got good loud sound without any disturbance concluded the problem with Volume control & I Removed remote Volume cables & connected external 10K Stereo Pot for final testing & it works Fine without problem.
I have tried replacing 5 pin volume control did not work. I thought because of old stock may be Pots are gone bad so I have purchased two new pots but none of them are worked tested all pots with multimeter all pots showing Ok condition.
Now problem is that remote unit does not having space, where I can put this big stereo pot and not finding place on the woofer box also well because woofer box is made of compressed cardboard if I make Hole by using drill it will damage the cardboard and also thickness of board is not permitting to do so.
I got an idea to install USB/FM/MP3/Bluetooth kit because it has wireless remote which solve my all problem in marginal price difference I have got this kit in price of two Volume controls. I have arranged this Kit from the market.
It works on 5VDC so decided to give him power from the board only & I found the point from where I can take power it is main filter capacitor where I am getting voltage through adapter of speaker.
Connected 7805 Regulator on mains Filter capacitor for 5V DC for operating Bluetooth kit.
Confirmed the working of the kit after applying voltages from 7805 regulator.
Now it is time for final fitting preparation. I have cut the one side of woofer box and as per my doubt about damaging cardboard. It was badly damaged while cutting with hacksaw blade but I have managed to fix it by applying some wood glue.
And kept the box overnight for curing it properly. Now time for preparation of modification on the amplifier PCB for adding this Kit. Connected external volume control wires from Bluetooth kit directly to the amplifier by removing old control wires.
I Putt Led in place of ON /Off switch for making direct connection by removing On/Off switch wires and putting this as a power indicator backside Near DC Jack of the Box.
R – Indicates right channel of Volume,
L- Indicates Left Channel of Volume and
G- Ground
Now after modification Speakers are ready with new additional options.
This article was prepared for you by Yogesh Panchal who works as a Computer Hardware Engineer in Mumbai India.
P.S- Do you know of any your friends who would benefit from this content that you are reading now? If so, forward this website to your friends or you can invite your friends to subscribe to my newsletter for free in this Link.
Note: You can check his previous repair articles in the link below:
https://jestineyong.com/protronics-portable-bluetooth-speakers-repaired/
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Waleed Rishmawi
February 27, 2021 at 2:06 pm
Very creative repair. Thanks for sharing
Yogesh Panchal
March 1, 2021 at 3:58 pm
Thanks! Waleed
Aakash
April 19, 2023 at 2:05 am
Need adaptor for creative sbs 370.
Can you pls suggest alternate adopter.
Fabian Adonis
January 27, 2024 at 4:58 am
duuh, any 12v adapter (such as any digital satelite TV decoder unit adapter/power supply for instance, also inside dvd player main power in circuit board pushes 12v out, or even computer power supply has 12v out...
Fabian Adonis
January 27, 2024 at 5:01 am
I myself used digital satellite TV power supply adapter. It powers Creative SBS 370 just fine...
Dean Iskandar
June 30, 2024 at 4:24 pm
I have this exact same model. How to power it with just DC power? Can I make direct connection to the board? I have tried powering it with 5vDC like you did but no sound. Please help. I have 12v battery and dc to dc step down converter.
Albert van Bemmelen
February 27, 2021 at 5:32 pm
You not only fixed the volume control by installing an USB/FM/MP3/Bluetooth kit but this way also added FM radio to the Creative 2.1 speaker amplifier! Which so to speak was very creative! Something that they also could use instead of their failing 5 pin stereo volume potmeters!
Yogesh Panchal
March 1, 2021 at 4:03 pm
Creative is one of Good Brand for sound clarity & audio products,but don't know why they are not improving their products enhancement. All creative speaker with cabled remote having same problem.
MANISH
May 1, 2022 at 9:16 pm
Thanks for sharing very interesting topic.I am using same speaker and was having issue in volume control.i bypassed it and connected all cable with wire of 3.5 mm jack cable. At low volume i am experincing disturbing sound.it has any solution?
Parasuraman S
February 27, 2021 at 11:33 pm
Vow! Great out of the box thinking solution! Hat's off! Many thanks for sharing!
Yogesh Panchal
March 1, 2021 at 4:08 pm
Sir,
I have enhanced my knowledge and out of the box thinking from all of you & reading everyone's experience here on the blog.
Lynn Blakely
February 28, 2021 at 11:34 am
Sir Yogesh: You have used you innovation capacity for a unique solution with added features. Excellent Job
Yogesh Panchal
March 1, 2021 at 4:10 pm
Lynn,
Thanks! for Encouraging.
Robert Samuel
February 28, 2021 at 5:22 pm
Really creative repair. Solve the problem and enchance the functions of the speakers. Congratulations.
Yogesh Panchal
March 1, 2021 at 4:11 pm
Robert Samuel
Thanks! for your Kind words.
nagesh
May 12, 2021 at 10:04 pm
i have creative sbs 2.1 370 speakers
how to connect the volume controller to cpu
Salim Sarwar
June 15, 2021 at 1:16 am
thanks Yogesh for sharing your knowledge may god bless you in your work
Praveen
August 14, 2021 at 3:03 pm
I lost my power supply what to do.can I use dc power box
Naren
February 24, 2022 at 4:33 pm
Good one I am also facing same issue but local TV mechanic changed the control unit now its working good.
Anjor
July 21, 2022 at 2:21 pm
Hi,
This is super. I have the same speaker. The adapter doesn't seem to be working any more. I can't even get the specs of the adapter to know which one to replace it with. Any suggestions?
Can you point me to the correct adapter. What is the size of the jack on the adapter?
Vishal jangid
September 11, 2022 at 5:34 pm
I want creative 2.1 sbs 370 volume controllee
Manohar
October 3, 2022 at 9:14 pm
I have a Creative SBS 370 – 2.1 speakers for my computer. Now I'm facing the problem, left speaker is not audible but it produces very low sound as earphones. Kindly give suggestions to fix it.
Thank you
Sis
December 5, 2023 at 4:45 pm
Can somebody please share the transistor numbers being used in the board. If possible with a photo. Thank you in advanced.
Vasu Rathour
January 4, 2024 at 7:52 pm
How to repair it's AC adaptor. If anyone knows please tell me.