Forum Topic

Oontz Bluetooth Speaker repair

Recently my 'Oontz Angle 3XL ULTRA' bluetooth speaker took a dive into my kitchen sink!Now it's all gone dead and I hope it's just the 'motherboard' that needs replacing.Having searched for a repair shop to no success, can anyone here share the details of 'someone who can' repair such a beast?I'd rather not just chuck the speaker away, not only because it was a very thoughtful Christmas gift but because it really does do the job with a great sound and flexibility.Answers and/or replies in a post or DM, please.Many thanks

Martin Weaver ● 1976d25 Comments

I think your speaker is/was made by a firm called Cambridge Soundworks. Perhaps you could research them and see if they have a support page and can point you in the right direction for repairers.

Jeffrey Cope ● 1976d

Dear Jeffery, Thanks for the suggestion.Yes it is, in the USA.  The 'support' page is not much help sadly.I think that they expect us to throw it away and buy a new one.Still looking...........Martin

Martin Weaver ● 1976d

Martin, the website ifixit.com often has useful information about repairing things. They have a guide to replacing parts in a Cambridge SoundWorks device similar to yours:-https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Cambridge_SoundWorks_OontZ_Angle_PlusThis maybe of help in taking it apart at least. If you have only recently soaked this device I would leave it to dry out thoroughly before even switching it on. If the speaker cones were saturated they might dry out and work again but there is a guide to changing them if necessary.

Michael David Rowe ● 1976d

More and more companies who make this sort of stuff no longer offer any sort of repair service, instead they often give a 2 year warranty and if the  device malfunctions within that period it is replaced foc, while out of warranty the customer is offered a discount on a new one. It's incredibly wasteful to my mind but I guess they have done the sums. iFixit is a great resource if you like to have a go yourself. Given the likely alternative it's certainly worth a try!

Bruce Hammal ● 1976d

Dunking into a sink would invalidate any warranty. Dry it out, and don’t turn it on before it’s fully dry. If it’s been wrecked by the sink experience, buy a new unit for £80. They’re not aquatic.

Russell Pearson ● 1976d

Many thanks Michael, Bruce and Russell.  The speaker is out of warranty anyway,  the model I have isn't made anymore so I have bought a new one but I like this one.  I've looked at iFix and I was hoping to find someone on here who has the tools - more expense - and maybe more experience/skills than I have do the repair.I hear that there is a place in Ealing for people to undertake their own repairs with some guidance so I'll research that - unless someone here knows more......?

Martin Weaver ● 1975d

With all the talk of recycling I was hoping that someone, somewhere would know of someone with the experience & skills to repair my speaker.  I'm happy to pay so that I don't wreck what could well be a saveable device.Any practical suggestions?

Martin Weaver ● 1968d

https://therestartproject.org/about/Repair Cafes also exist or did exist to repair things.  Brentford Recycling Action Group (BRAG) have I believe held at least one in the past and so have Hillingdon Friends of the Earth.I think that Ealing Repair Cafe is mostly clothing repair help but you could contact them to see if they have any ideas re your speaker.The pandemic has of course closed a lot of things down and some are just reopening.  Of course there has been and still is a lot of call for computers and tablets for those who don't have any - in particular children for schoolwork.  In Chiswick Cllr Ron Mushiso ran collections with Richmond Rugby Club.Have you tried Fuselodge in Acton Lane?  and there is also someone I believe at Barley Mow Workspace who was mentioned on the CW4.com website who mends amps.Did you say that you had looked on the internet for one of the Fix It type videos?  I've always used e-spares as my go-to for electrical spares eg filters for upright kettles.  I wish that the shops that sell all these kettles would also provide easy access to these.I think my son bought a set of smaller screwdrivers when he was dismantling and putting together computers and changing the screen on his tablet.The Restart Project is looking for people to host Restart Parties - perhaps you would be interested?  North London Waste Authority seems quite active at present but ours the West London Waste Authority not so.  I haven't checked out our other other surrounding ones.Hope this helps.

Philippa Bond ● 1968d

I too was thinking about Fuselodge.  If you do decide to call them I would be interested to know their response because I have a tech job that needs doing and they are in my neck of the woods.

Alastair Banton ● 1968d

You might be lucky but getting the unit repaired for less than it cost will be tricky. Most hifi repair places I know of charge £45-£55 for inspection, then £30-£40 per hour for the work, plus parts, carriage, insurance etc.

Russell Pearson ● 1968d

You have to find the right sort of place and people Russell.ifixit.co.uk has lots of bits and piecesLots of us used to wire plugs and change belts on vacuum cleaners and are interested in how things work and think there should be a right to repair instead of things having a built in obsolescence. With a mobile phone you can now take pictures as you go so you can remember how things were put together. 

Philippa Bond ● 1967d

Did you know that Maplins - that emporium of delights - still exists - but only online?  I used to get kits for the kids to put together so they could make their own solar powered fan and things like that from them.

Philippa Bond ● 1966d

Here’s how you fix a motherboard - issue seems to be that they don’t sell them separately https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Oontz+Angle+3+ULTRA+Motherboard+Replacement/131506“ This guide shows how to replace the motherboard on the Oontz Angle 3 Ultra in the case of water damage or other types of damage. The device would likely not work or have a strange behavior. Follow this guide to replace the motherboard and get the Oontz Angle 3 Ultra working again.”

Russell Pearson ● 1966d

Many thanks Philippa - lots of useful things here.Also, Alastair & Russell, points noted.I used to use Maplins many years ago, especially when they had their shop in Hammersmith (& one in Kingston I seem to remember).I'll have a look at Brentford Recycling Action Group (BRAG) & Fuselodge.  Fingers crossed.However, I may just have to take a breath and have a go myself!Thanks again for all the suggestions.Martin

Martin Weaver ● 1961d

This has clearly become a mission for you Martin, good luck!

Carl Wynne ● 1961d

Dear Martin, A thought.There is a service justanswer.co.uk which might help.  Years ago it got the answer for me, something to do with a phone.  And it didn't cost much at all. I managed to extricate myself from any unwanted subscription.Justanswer.co.uk says will find expert answers on anything / everything.  It has very high reviews on Trustpilot.  Good luck.

Rae Lewis ● 1961d

Dear MartinFurther to my recommendation of justanswer.co.uk, I can't remember the details but think I did have to go to a bit of trouble to extricate myself from a subscription, which was tiresome.  But they did find the answer that I needed.

Rae Lewis ● 1961d

I had a rotten experience with justanswer.  I asked about a specific electronics cable for a named Yamaha device and after a while I got an answer and so ordered the part.  Only it didn’t fit. Luckily it was via Amazon so I easily returned it and got a refund, but I never managed to get my joining fee back from justanswer though I did succeed in cancelling my membership.  Eventually I found a genuine source of Yamaha spares and got what I needed.

Alastair Banton ● 1961d

The ifixit site shows how it’s done. I’ve repaired bits of old hifi in the past, but it looks very tricky. Taking it apart will be one thing, but finding out what’s been damaged, replacing, and putting it all back together will be another.

Russell Pearson ● 1961d

Fuselodge are fairly pragmatic, I've lost track of the treasured possessions and total junk I've taken in and asked 'what can you do'. They'll usually give you an idea of whether they can fix it in a way thats viable.Teenagers ramped up a spectacular number of items in need of repair or repurchasing and as I'm as tight as the proverbial buying a new one was not on my horizon. Worry not kids were billed for their self induced problems.Also they didn't say a word when I took in a hedge trimmer I'd just trimmed through the cable - twice. Ahem....

Tessa Russell ● 1961d

Many thanks to everyone who has made suggestions - all very welcome and very helpful.Now I need the time to work through them all!Will report back when exhausted them all......

Martin Weaver ● 1941d

Hope it goes well, still think you’d be better off buying a new waterproof one, or used off of Fleabay! Martin Logan do some nice ones…

Russell Pearson ● 1941d

AIUI the OP has already bought a new one but prefers the old one.

Philippa Bond ● 1941d

There's a MAN'S SHED (club?) operating in a redundant Chapel in the middle of the Isleworth Cemetery behind West Middlesex Hospital.Maybe of no use in this case...but just to let you know!

Jim Lawes ● 1941d

I wonder if BRAG have a link to that?

Philippa Bond ● 1939d