3D-Printable Modular MuPiBox Brings Back the Boombox with a Custom, Raspberry Pi-Powered Twist
Powered by a Raspberry Pi 2 Model B or higher, the MuPiBox comes with a smart 3D-printed housing — or you can design your own.
Eric Gerhardt and Olaf Split are trying to bring back the boombox with MuPiBox, a modular music player powered by a Raspberry Pi single-board computer (SBC) and a HiFiBerry MiniAmp.
"Erik and Olaf […] met in January 2022 in the Raspberry [Pi] Forum and have been working on the further development of the MuPiBox ever since," the pair write, in translation from the original German, of the project's origins. "Erik first developed the Sonos Box for kids, and then MuPiBox was designed on the basis of this further development. Olaf designed the MuPiBox together with Erik. Adjustments to the operating system, automatic installation, and the web interface were developed by Olaf."
The heart of the MuPiBox is, as the name implies, a Raspberry Pi single-board computer — anything from the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B upwards. To this, you add a color touchscreen display, a HifiBerry MiniAmp add-on, an OnOffShim for safe shutdown, and a set of speakers — plus an optional power bank, if you'd like to be able to use the gadget on the go.
The software runs atop DietPi Linux, offering support for playing back local files, internet radio streams, or connecting to Spotify — with control via the touchscreen display or remotely over a built-in web interface.
The biggest feature of the MuPiBox, though, is its modularity and scope for customization. A 3D-printable housing designed by Andreas Lippman, featuring a grab-handle and classic styling, is provided — but builders can choose to use a variety of housings, with community examples showcased on the site including a compact box with rope carry handle, a wooden enclosure, and even a converted compact metal briefcase.
Those interested in giving the MuPiBox a go themselves can find full instructions, and 3D-print files for the case, on the official website in German; an English translation is available by clicking the flag at the top-right of the site.