How to disassemble bluetooth speaker (N:CHE N1)

Picture 403 : are there screws underneath the feet?  Common way to hide screws.

Also, cheap parts tend to be plastic welded together as the manufacturer's intent is not to repair.

Hi John,

As I mentioned in my original post:
"I tried removing the 2 "feet" at the bottom of the unit, but there are no screws or anything hidden under them."

I don't see any screws anywhere.

Probably then it is not repairable.

That would be hard to believe.
But maybe not repairable without damaging it, somewhat.

It is probably welded at the seams, so you could try prying it apart there.

See if you can pry at the seams to reveal clips (which they may have used instead of plastic welding).

If you can replace the cover, try removing that to see if it can then be further disassembled

Thanks John.

I'll see if I get any less destructive answers before doing anything.

I suspect this speaker was never designed to be opened and repaired, thus why they are so cheap.  Typically, devices like this are snapped together with interlocking tabs somewhere at a seam. Too costly to physically glue it I would think. But to take the next step, you are going to need to be ready to toss it out should it break. When you get to that point, time to start prying and pulling.

As John mentioned the seam, I would see if it comes apart there by applying slight pressure and see if you get any separation. IF that seam separates even a little, get something like a guitar pick or small but wide screwdriver and work your way around the seam (if you can get it) and see if it will pop apart. Not that because they are not intended to be opened, opening it may snap off one or more of the clips holding it together, so it may not so easily go back together.

Looking at the pictures, I am also wondering if there is a small screws down the hole next to the USB plug that lets that part pull out?  I also wonder if that plastic panel with the power button and such can be pulled out giving access to the PC board and all (Might have to remove the power button first.)   I would also attempt to carefully remove the back of the speaker next, seeing if it can be snapped out along the edge.  If not, try the front the same way.

If all else fails, pry harder until something gives. Then toss it away and buy a new speaker. They are not that expensive any more.

I suspect some opportunity in pics 2 and 3 between the plastic and the fabric, with a knife of thin screwdriver. Probably needs hotglue or resin to ugly repair it back though.
But even then, you couldn't find the microUSB repair part and even then might have problems soldering on the tiny feet, if accessible enough at all.

Thanks Owen.
"Looking at the pictures, I am also wondering if there is a small screws down the hole next to the USB plug that lets that part pull out?"
I don't see any screws anywhere, as I mentioned to John.
Other points taken.

And thanks Kimputer.

Ok, being sarcastic just a bit , I think maybe this is your replacement part: https://amzn.to/2S9fK3I 
I mean, for $24, maybe not worth trying to fix it? And I am an EE, and I have tried to replace those tiny USB board mounted connectors, and they are not fun to replace.

Hi Owen,

Nice looking replacement part!  Not sure it will fit, but with enough pressure, I guess it might.  8)

Shipping to me in New Zealand might cost as much again, but there are cheap alternatives here too.  Just thought I'd have a look to see if there's an easy fix before doing looking at alternatives.

Thanks.

there are cheap alternatives here too    What is your attachment to this device?  Just replace it.

Hi John,
"there are cheap alternatives here too    What is your attachment to this device?  Just replace it."
I don't have much attachment apart from the fact that it was cheap and on sale when we bought it, and in the shop it gave better volume than a Sony alternative which cost about 3 times the price.
I usually try to fix things before I replace them.
But thanks for letting me just replace it.  Just send the money through.

Hi Owen.
I have no complaints about you being a smart ass.  It was good.  I was one too, in my response.
As I mentioned, "there are cheap alternatives here too", but thanks for the tips which may come in handy for this or something else.,

My pleasure, and yes, your answer back was excellent. Please send pictures when you make that new speaker fit!  :-)

I might not have to, Owen, if John comes up with the amount required for a replacement.

Why are you using finger nails rather than a spudger to try to pry it apart?

Hi Andy,

I don't have a spudger (though I could probably use something like a screw driver with cloth over it), and I was hoping that spreading the load over 6+ finger nails would be less damaging than over one point.

Meanwhile, despite what the shop previously told me, I found online that they do still have this model (though not in my local branch) so we can do a swap under warranty once they ship it to the local branch.

If the replacement unit gets a problem, I'll take the above suggestions into consideration, since the warranty will most likely be expired by then, and I'll have nothing to lose by damaging it while opening it.

Thanks to all of you.

By the way, old guitar picks, or an old credit card act as a good spudger as well.

OK, thanks again Owen.

Feel free to take the rest of the year off.

Thanks. I am!  :-)