For anyone interested in an elegant way of controlling a non-smart active speaker (without IR or external devices). The following project creates an ESPHome-based controller embedded inside the speaker, connected in-between the speaker’s controls and its board.
Features:
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Remote control and automation
- The speaker’s Power (sleep), Volume and Mute can be controlled via Home Assistant and used in automations.
- Built-in controls (IR, rotary, button) are still usable and update the values in Home Assistant.
- Some simple automations can run in the controller itself, eg a timer to turn the speaker off at night if it has been idle for too long.
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Full customization of built-in controls. For example:
- The LED brightness indicates the volume level.
- The LED turns off (instead of blinking) when the speaker is off.
- Long pressing the physical button sets the volume to a preset level.
- Smoother rotary control.
- The IR codes can be modified, eg to replace the original remote with an arbitrary one, use multiple remotes simultaneously, use unutilized buttons from the TV remote to control the speakers, etc.
- An IR command can be added to set the volume to a preset level.
- Or even add IR commands that trigger any Home Assistant automation.
Project page:
The same idea should be also applicable to other speaker brands/models.
