UPDATED 28 August 2008
As I was relaxing on the sofa last night, I became aware of the general silence in the room. For the ordinary guy this might not mean anything, but when you are sharing the room with a 10 month old who’s just started walking, silence is usually a fair indication of a misdemeanor being committed. In this case, the little darling had pulled the cover of the front of my iPod HiFi and was busy prodding the middle of the speaker cone. Result: one deformed speaker cone, and one angry daddy.
So, I figured I would just dismantle the iPod HiFi and push the middle of the cone back out from behind. In fact, if I had thought about it for any amount of time I would have realised this is not possible as the center of the cone connects directly to the magnet, preventing any rear access. This is pretty much the case with all speakers, but I wasn’t focusing properly, and having decided to open the damn thing and got my toolbox out, then it was coming apart and that’s that.
As it turns out, opening up an iPod HiFi is not a simple task. I spent ages looking at it from every angle trying to figure out where the screws are. I eventually decided they must be under the rubber foot on the base of the unit, but after prising part of it off (it’s glued on), and seeing no screws I gave up on that notion. It took some extensive Googling, but I eventually found a Swedish website with a couple of photos that pointed me in the right direction.
So, here are my instructions. If you are suffering the depressed centre speaker malady like myself, please don’t go to the trouble of dismantling your iPod HiFi – it won’t get you anywhere.
Instructions to dismantle or open an iPod HiFi
WARNING: The plastic box of the iPod HiFi is soft and easily damaged. Dismantling your iPod HiFi using these instructions WILL leave marks on the white plastic. You have been warned, and I am not responsible if you cock it up.
- You will need a couple of thin edged flat tip screwdrivers – the wider the end, the better. It may work better with a strong and thin putty knife.
- Take the fabric cover off the front of the iPod HiFi.
- Take a look at the black front – you will see that it doesn’t sit perfectly flush with the white box. In fact this is just a veneer that is glued to the front of the iPod HiFi. It’s a piece of metal about 2mm thick and it hides all the screws and fixings.
- The join line is just beyond where the black edge meets the white box. It may be possible to prise this cover off from the edges around the speaker cones, but I was too scared of damaging a speaker to try this.
- You need to work your screwdriver or knife between the white outer box and the black speaker workings. Again, this WILL leave marks on the box – the plastic is soft – it would be a good idea to work on the bottom edge of the unit. The fabric cover will hide the marks.
- Once you have worked the screwdriver in a couple of milimetres, you need to lever case out a bit. Whilst you are doing this, you should be able to see the join line where the veneer is stuck on. Slide your screwdriver back towards this line and start prising it up.
- Use a second screwdriver or knife to widen the gap. Work along the edge a few inches until you can start pulling with your fingers. The metal will bend a little, but the glue is strong enough to stick back down afterwards. Still, it would be sensible to bend it as little as possible. You may need adhesive anyway.
- Once you have completely prised off the veneer, you will be presented with a number of screws which hold the iPod HiFi together.
- Fix / play / experiment at your leisure.
- If you pull the main works out, you will invariably pull the cables for touch controls and LED away from their connectors. This is because the cables are impossibly short, and you may spend significant amounts of time trying to re-connect these. The simple way to do it is to take out the centre speaker, and reassemble the box. You can now put your hand through the aperture and plug the cables back in. It’s easy to then plug the centre speaker back in and screw it back in.
- When the time comes to close it back up, you just stick the veneer back on and apply firm pressure all over the surface to ensure it’s stuck properly – it probably won’t stick properly, depending on how much you bent it, so you may need additional adhesive. I suspect this part was always designed to be throw-away.
Kudos to Apple for designing such a good looking and great sounding speaker unit. However, they have singularly failed to accommodate their customers or provide any kind of lasting support for the iPod HiFi. It has been discontinued, and there are very few spares or service options available. You can get new battery covers, fabric fronts, or clip-in iPod mounts, but that’s it. If your speakers die, you’ve had it.
Fair enough to discontinue a product, but to also eliminate all service options on a unit that is clearly very difficult to open without damaging it, is just poor. They could at least describe the dismantling process on their website so that third parties can offer service options.
I use Apple computers and have done for many years, and I always recommend that Windows users switch. I’m not one of those Apple devotees that think they can’t do any wrong though. They’re famous for this closed box – no support nonsense. It really is pathetic given how much you pay for their kit. Their laptops are getting harder and harder to service (try upgrading a hard disk on a Macbook Pro yourself), and this is the wrong direction to head in.
Anyway, I hope these instructions help somebody get their iPod HiFi working again.
Oh, and if you have a young son who has just dented the middle of your speaker cone, the solution lies in the humble household vacuum cleaner. Suck. Pop. Simple. It’s so frustrating that I now have little marks on my iPod HiFi yet I never even needed to open it. Just be careful that you don’t over suck and turn them inside out! You may need to fabricate a tube to fit precisely around the centre dome of the speaker cone to get the right amount of suction. You can easily cut toilet roll tubes and gaffa tape them into a suitable shape to fit both the speaker and your vacuum cleaner hose. Blu-tack makes an excellent air sealer.
mde has posted a link to photos of the procedure: http://www.flickr.com/photos/42224102@N06/sets/72157624734180975/detail/
Thanks for the instructions. Just spent a couple of hours trying to find my way into the speakers. I’ll have a go with your instrucitons. My problem is different from yours – I knocked the ipod while it was in the cradle and it no longer works. Bending the iPod in the craddle in the direction I knocked it does “reconnect” whatever is loose, so I am hoping I can get it apart and fix the loose connection.
Thanks for the de-strunctions. Very helpful got into the HiFI fine after following your steps.
Thanks again
hi there, my ipod hifi is not working. no power or anything. i’ve tried to reset it but still not working. and its out of warranty already. do anybody know where can i get the ipod hifi fix? or can it still be fix? or its hopeless? thanks.
David,
Thanks for the detailed explanation.
I have a question though.
Would it be possible to get a sort of paper overlay, indicationg where the srews are.
This way you can lay it on top of the black cover that is glued on top of the screws.
After that you can mark the area where the screws are, and take a drill to put a hole just above the screw. This way you can unscrew the whole lot and leave the black cover.
Maybe somebody will help me out here.
I’m planning on adding a charge circuit for the D-cell batteries and/or build in a 6V accu.
This way you can easily charge the batteries or accu when the mains are connected.
Thanks
David, thanks for the guide. An easier solution to “unpinch” speakers is to use your vacuum cleaner. Just turn on your vacuum and then push the tube gently against the speaker cone. Voila!
Hello David,
Thanks a lot for your tips.
I am really disappointed with our local Apple support service. I took my HiFi (it seems like a brand new) but they did not want to repair it becuase it has 14 months since I bought it in Best Buy).
I have similar problem as Howard did. Mi HiFi stopped to work without saying anything. There is not power supply from the outlet entrance (I haven’t try using batteries).
What I am thinking to do is open the unit using a spatula instead a screwdriver or knife and take out the power supply unit to review and repair it if possible.
Howard, did you figure out what was the problem with your HiFi ???
If any body has another tip to share please do it, I will appreciatte.
Alvaro,
Er, yes. That’s what I discovered, if you read my post to the end…
Hello,
I have bought an ipod touch 2nd generation and it doesn’t charge with apple hifi.
Can i modify the apple hifi to charge it?
Hi Sergi,
Modifizieren wirst Du das kaum können. Das Problem hängt damit zusammen, dass die alten iPodTouch über FireWire geladen wurden. Das hat der neue aber nicht mehr. Er muss über USB geladen werden. Und das macht Probleme.
Hier gibts die Lösung: http://www.cablejive.com
Ich hatte das gleiche Problem. Das Teil sieht zwar potthässlich aus und fügt sich so garnicht in den Hifi ein.
Aber mein neuer iPodTouch wird wieder geladen. Die Tage werde ich mal versuchen das Teil zu öffnen und den Stecker innen zu verstauen.
Die Lieferung war problemlos.
Gruss, Ronald
—
i was about to throw my damned hi fi in the bin and i suspect that the docking unit on the top is the thing that is faulty…before i prise this thing apart whats anyones advice…would it be to get hold of a universal docking station and plug it in rather than trying to dismantle this fine looking doorstop?
cheers
Fred,
You could buy the standard Apple dock for £30 and plug it into the line-in jack on the iPod hifi. The dock works with the Apple remote.
Cheers,
David
thank you so much for all of the helpful hints. not being the handiest guy in the world, i am quite reluctant to attempt the dismantling. i was using a cable to the audio in on the hi-fi and the iopd played beautifully. the remote worked for volume but not to change songs. also, no charging of the ipod battery. the use of the dock i am sure will solve my problems. will try tonite when i go home. thanks again.
First of all thanks for the guide, worked out perfectly.
second it’s quite easy to open using two putty knifes, thats without bending the faceplate and leaving no marks on the plastic.
Andy,
Did you get yours to work i have the same problem.
Also mine aux mini jack i buggy.
Very useful tips …I have what I suspected is a faulty connection between my iPod an the docking pin on the iPod hifi; the iPod will only connect and play music if your force it forward in the dock! I’m pleased I wasn’t the only one out there scratching my head how to get into the unit. After disassembling the unit there was no evidence of any loose connection and then the fun …a couple of frustratingly short cables which could only be reattached by removing the central speaker! So, for now, a matchstick wedged behind the iPod -between the iPod and the iPod mount – does the trick!
what is wrong with mine it will not charge my ipod and it’s driving me crazy…is it software???
Don’t reckon it will be software Gerard, as I don’t believe the iPod HiFi has it. Must be a duff connection somewhere, and that’s not going to be easy to fix.
Firstly thanks for doing this, god knows how you worked it out!
Mine has failed at the dock connector, which was always my suspicion. It all went quiet when I was demonstrating to my kids how fragile it was and how not to push on the ipod. Bugger!
Now the question is, where would I sent it to get it repaired? I’ve stripped a standard dock and the PCB is not transferable. I’m guessing that there’s a minute strand of conductor that needs a bit of solder from someone who has better eyes than me….
Post it or chuck it?
I’m having the same problem. My dock isn’t working anymore. It is able to charge my iPod but it isn’t playing any music. I have tried pushing my iPod front and back while docking but it isn’t working.
Anyone manage to fix this problem? Please share. Thanks.
Hey guys, I have the same problem as many of you. The dock was bumped with the iPod in place. I have been very frustrated for the last year not being able to use this very expensive device. Believe it or not, out of frustration and not having any recourse, I decided to just get into it. Instead of busting it open, I focused on the dock. Look at the surrounding metal on the dock. Notice the four slotted, slightly bent pieces of metal on the front and back. I imagine that these are for grounding the iPod. Bend them out with a small thin blade. I used a utility knife. Believe it or not, that’s it, I bent them out to get a better ground and it WORKS!! I’m not swearing to ANYTHING. But that’s what I did and It worked.
Good Luck all.
Justin
My ipod hifi has also just stopped working, i assume its also the dock, it doesnt play music or charge my ipod or phone anymore
going to try some of these suggestions tonight and see what i can come up with, also very disappointed in apples lack of back-up here
Yo, the metal connection thing on my I-deck has snapped! The speaker is fine though. So I can’t play my Ipod
Is there any resolutions? or is it time to bin it? cheers
Matt,
If the speaker still works, you could use the AUX port on the back. You’ll just need a stereo mini jack cable to plug into the headphone socket on the iPod. Or, you could get the standard iPod dock (http://www.apple.com/ipod/accessories/), sit it on top of the iPod HiFi and connect it with a mini stereo jack cable to the AUX port. The beauty of this is that it will still look good, the iPod is properly stood up, you can connect a usb cable to the back of the dock and plug it into the wall to charge it, and it will work with your Apple remote.
The dock is about £40 in the UK, and a cable will be about £5. The dock comes with a new Apple remote and a connector adapter for every type of iPod. Plus, if like me you move on to more advanced HiFi kit, you can still use the dock.
Hope that helps.
David
HELLO FRIEND HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY IPOD HI-FI, WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT: THE RIGHT SPEAKER IS failure… has a sound as weird..AND MAKE ME A SPECIES of distortion, BUT NOT BEING TAKEN NEAR OBJECTS… AND NOT TO DO, SOLD SEPARATELY speakers? THANKS MY FRIEND
Wanted to ask Edwin how he went about installed the battery charger!! Was thinking of doing that myself. Thanks!!
hola tengo un problema con mi ipod hifi (el parlante de apple)una de las bocinas (la que esta de lado derecho ) suena mal que puedo hacer , tienen repuesto ,cuanto cuesta ,el codigo del hifi es YM6210LST2W muchas gracias ….
hi i have a problem with my ipod hifi (the speaker of apple) one of the speakers (which is on the right side) sounds bad that I do have spare, how much it costs, the code is YM6210LST2W hifi thank you very much ….
Hi,
my iPod HiFi is dead.
After open it i can see that one transformer from the PowerSupply burned away.
Any idea where i can get a spare part? (in Germany??)
Thanks
…i could hug you!
My hi-fi is powerless; batteries, ac and aux connection nothing! I’m thinking my wife played it too loud an either blew a fuse or the speakers. Is there a fuse in this bad boy that I replace once I get it open?
I used a pocket knife’s small blade to lift the black front off just far enough to slip a putty knife between the black front and the main front behind. Then was able to do this again with another putty knife. The putty knives were able to brake the seal. I made no visible damage. However once the black front is off you have to take the main speaker away to look inside. Unfortunately the the wiring is what I call interrelated and so would be very difficult to modify. My 3.5 line in is faulty and I was hoping to wire in a 6.5 phono socket. Too difficult! So can do much with it but throw it away – pity!
(There may be a reset button on the front left hand or it may be a Led)
David..would appreciate it if you could at least provide us some step by step pictures on how to dismantle and fix the ipod hi fi. Or probably best if you could post up a video on youtube that would be great! I guess a lot pll has already tried checking on youtube but ends with disappointment.
Please we’re begging you. There’s a lot of iPod hi fi lovers who will eventually experience this problem.
Please.
Zainol,
I’m sorry I don’t really want to take mine apart again.
It’s really not that difficult. Remove the grill, then carefully prise off the black front – it’s glued on and will bend easily, so go slow. You’ll need some good adhesive to put it back together. Once the front plate is off, there are screws.
Regards,
David
I have managed to open it and i don’t see anything weird and all cables are intact. I have changed the cable’s fuse. For your case what was exactly did u fix? Im getting desperate here. Almost giving up.
Please reply
Zainol, you really need to read the post before commenting as it explains in detail why I opened my HiFi.
The instructions are on how to get the thing apart, not on how to fix a specific problem. I am not an iPod HiFi expert. I took mine apart once, and thought the explanation might help others.
Someone else may be able to help you, but you will need to actually tell us what your problem is…
Yes will go through all the 30+ comment posted. Basically my hi fi cannot be switched on. Turned on the switch and nothing happens. Fuse is not blown, speakers looks fine, cables all intact. I just don’t know where to go from here. I am no electrician.
Appreciate if anyone can help.
Btw i have made a video on how to open the hi fi and soon will post it up on youtube for other users’ reference.
Thanks Zainol. Send me the link when you’re done and I’ll embed the video on the page.
Mi, iPod Hi-FI also just stopped working one day. I have taken the whole thing apart, hoping to find an easy fix. But no.
I have worked my way down to the PCB in the grey box and now I’m thinking about exchanging the fuse (the only tip I have received). I have taken pictures as I went.
Let me know if you have any idea of what can be done?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/42224102@N06/sets/72157624734180975/detail/
Thank You!
mde – thank you. I have added your link to the post.
Guys, one common reason for this great piece of kit to stop working and always the first thing to try… The male connector that you sit your ipod onto doesn’t really have good back support and users tend to flick through the ipod menus whilst it is docked. This puts stress on the male connector and opens it up slightly and then the thing stops working. I recently bought a second unit off of ebay and it had the same fault. I simply used a small pair of pliers to gently squeeze the male connector along it’s entire length to close the pins up and immediately the unit worked again perfectly. Be careful though!
Hi david plz i need to change the power supply unit do u know where i can buy it from web and thx
No idea I’m afraid. As far as I know Apple don’t make them anymore. You might take the part out and take it to Maplin or something, but that’s a long shot.
Hey Guys,
Where exactly is the fuse? Can anyone point it out with a pic?
Tnx!
dear all,
thanks for the post. It is very helpful. I have same question with robby g as my ipod hifi suddenly refused to work. No light indication. I have tried to replace the ac cord but to no avail. I suspect it is a power supply problem.
To MDE, appreciate if you can point out where the fuse is.
thanks.
Hi David,
thanks for posting this.
I just bought a firewire-to-usb adapter for any iPod accessory,
http://www.cablejive.com/products/dockStubz.html
This works fine, except it’s a very shaky solution.
Before I dismantle my iPod HiFi I wonder if you had a look at the connector on the top:
Do you think it’s possible to put on the adapter on the inside of the iPod HiFi, having only the USB connector sticking out (where the firewire connector sticks out today).
regards
Finno
I am considering manufacturing a replacement docking PCB for the iPod HiFi. This would make it possible to repair those HiFi:s that has a loose dock connector and/or it would also make the iPod HiFi charge the newer iPhones and iPods. But I would like to know if there is a general interest for such a solution. The replacement PCB would be priced around US$ 59 I think, including the charge conversion circuitry. If you are interested, please click my name above to go to my site and send a comment in the contact us form.
right speaker blown out,
to front plate apart along with loosening speaker.
all i need is a replacement 3 inch speaker…
are there any parts anywhere in this world!?!?!?!
can I just use a regular 3 inch car speaker?
please let me know thanks.
Instead of sucking on the speaker… I just covered one of the bass ports and blew into the other. Works mutch better.
Nice idea!
My iPod HiFi had 3 speakers deformed, but I changed them (U$ 1,70 and five min for repair). Now, the box looks like brand new.
Hi David. I looking for replacement dock for ipod hi fi.May be you know where I can find it.Thank you!!!
You could get the Apple Universal Dock and connect it with a 3.5mm stereo jack cable to the aux input of the iPod HiFi.
Than you for good advise!!If I not find PCB for hi-fi i will make with Aplle Universal Dock. But may be you know where I can buy new PCB.Thans for any informations.
Like you, my toddler knocked my hi-fi off a table and hasn’t worked since though it is getting power and adapter seems unscathed. I reckon it is probably a wire popped loose. Digging into tool box over the weekend and I’ll let ya know how I fared. And, I’m totally with you re Apple chronic middle-finger to customer service.
Hi David.Where i can buy PCB dock for my HiFi?? part number -( Aplle 820-1794-a).Thanks.
Vlad, I have no idea. I don’t work for Apple, and I’m not an iPod HiFi expert. I just bought one and worked out how to open it. Google or eBay are your best bets, but this is an obsolete product so don’t get your hopes up.
This will work everytime! If you notice your speaker is working and responding (light blinking) when clicking your remote, but you’re not hearing anything, simply plug a stereo mini jack cable in the back (audio in) to your device and it “should” play!