How to Wire Your Garden Gnome Speakers

Introduction

Wiring speakers into your garden gnomes is a fun way to add some whimsy and music to your outdoor space. With a little DIY knowledge, you can install mini speakers into your gnomes to play music or audio from your phone or other devices.

The key steps to wiring garden gnome speakers are:

• Selecting the right mini speakers
• Hollowing out your gnome
• Installing the speakers and wiring
• Connecting your audio source

Properly wiring the speakers allows you to enjoy music or audio outdoors without damaging your gnomes. This guide will walk through the full process step-by-step so you can easily add this magical feature to your yard or garden.

Selecting Mini Speakers

The first step is choosing small speakers that will fit inside your gnome.

Important factors to consider include:

• Size - The speakers need to be small enough to fit in your gnome's open space. Look for speakers less than 3 inches wide.

• Sound quality - While mini, the speakers should still produce decent sound for an outdoor area. Look for ones marketed as mini bookshelf or desktop speakers.

• Power source - Speakers may be battery-powered or wired. Battery-powered gives more placement flexibility. Wired speakers will produce louder, higher quality sound.

• Weatherproofing - Since the speakers will be outdoors, ensure they have waterproof coating or covering to withstand the elements.

• Input options - Speakers with Bluetooth or auxiliary input give more connection options for your audio source.

I recommend USB-powered desktop speakers as they are compact, provide good sound, and easily hook up to phones, computers or MP3 players.

Hollow Out Your Gnome

Once you've selected speakers that will fit, the next step is hollowing out space inside your garden gnome.

Be sure to:

• Work on a soft, protected surface to avoid damaging your gnome.

• Use a small drill and Dremel tool to carefully hollow out an opening in the back and/or base of your gnome.

• Make the hole just big enough to fit your speakers snugly inside.

• Hollow out some extra space if needed for wiring to connect the speakers.

• Save the material you removed to cover the hole later.

• Test fit the speakers in the opening to ensure they fit before moving to the next steps.

Go slowly and be gentle when hollowing out the gnome to avoid cracking or breaking it. The opening should be centered if drilling through the back or off to one side if drilling through the base.

Installing the Speakers and Wiring

With the speakers tested in the gnome, it's time to securely install them and add the wiring.

To install speakers:

• Place the speakers inside the gnome's hollow opening you created.

• Use hot glue to adhere the speakers in place inside the gnome. Secure any wiring as well.

• Seal any gaps around the speakers with glue so no sound escapes. Let dry completely.

For the wiring:

• Run speaker wire from each speaker keeping wires hidden within gnome.

• Have wires exit at the base if they will connect to an external device.

• For wireless Bluetooth speakers, no wiring is needed.

• For battery-powered speakers, install batteries and place compartment in base.

• Use heat shrink tubing to protect any exposed speaker wire connections.

Installing speakers and wiring fully inside the gnome keeps everything hidden and protected. Only small speaker holes on the exterior should be visible.

Connecting Your Audio Source

The last step is connecting your phone, MP3 player or other device to play audio through your gnome speakers.

For wired speakers:

• Connect device's audio output to the wires extending from the speakers.

• An auxiliary cable can connect a phone or MP3 player's headphone port to the speaker wires.

For wireless Bluetooth speakers:

• Power on the Bluetooth speakers.

• On your phone or tablet, go to Bluetooth settings to pair with the speakers.

• Once connected, any audio played will output through the gnome.

Other options for audio sources:

• Hide an MP3 player with speakers set to auto-play when powered on.

• Install outdoor speakers connected to your home stereo to play music.

• Use a small microcontroller like Arduino to trigger audio clips.

The audio options are endless! Just ensure your device is able to withstand the outdoor environment. Then enjoy your gnome's magical music in your garden.

Conclusion

Adding speakers to garden gnomes is an easy and whimsical way to play music outside. By hollowing out space, installing mini speakers and wiring, then connecting an audio source, you can give your gnome its own musical voice. Pay close attention when creating the hollow opening so as not to damage your gnome. Be creative with adding wired or wireless speakers, and powering them with standard or unique audio sources. Soon your garden gnome will be singing along as you work or relax outdoors!