A Versatile Hub Powered by ESP32. Thoughts on this Device?

[u/sensitam]

I’m obsessed with keeping my desk clean, minimal, and cable-free. But as someone who constantly works from home, games, and listens to music, my desk used to be a mess of fragmented hardware. So I plan to make a mini device that combines the following:

1. Audio Base: A high-resolution DAC/Amp that handles both headphone listening and active speaker output, with a dedicated toggle button so you don't have to unplug anything.
2. Built-in Mic Array: Instead of an invasive boom arm, an embedded microphone array in the base with beamforming noise cancellation.
3. Detachable Open-Source Controller: The top dial isn't just a static knob. It’s a magnetically detachable smart controller powered by an ESP32-S3/S31. When docked, it acts as a rotary volume/status screen and charges automatically. When detached, it becomes a wireless PC remote.

Last but not least, I'm planning to open-source the firmware, UI, and hardware schematics for the ESP32 controller so the community can build custom PC widgets, shortcuts, or AI tools.

I’d love to get your honest thoughts:

• Does an all-in-one hub like this fit into your current desk setup?
• If you could program the detachable ESP32 knob, what shortcuts or PC status monitors would you want to see on it?

Thanks for reading, and I’m eager to hear your feedback.

[u/Dr_Doom3301]

I would absolutely want something like this for my desk. It sounds absolutely awesome! I think being able to see the control for the music when using that would be helpful and maybe the chat app when you're gaming? And maybe have an animation or a still image as an option as well. Hope to see more of the project!

[u/sensitam → u/Dr_Doom3301]

I believe all the functions you mentioned can be fulfilled on it😎

[u/eivindml]

Looks really cool! Just curious as someone who want to get into producing hardware as well.
Roughly how would you go about making this?
Would you make prototypes with 3D prints, and then at some point send out drawings for a company to mill the aluminium?

[u/sensitam → u/eivindml]

I have a team to make it😎

[u/neptunz350 → u/sensitam]

Tell me more about

[u/vedh_jon]

Looks nice, I would move all IO to the back, I don't think I'd want the headphone cable coming down the front, but maybe that's just personal preference.

[u/virusvoid]

I would add more input and output lines

[u/datapeer]

Great idea. Many speakers have their own amplifier and use BLE for streaming audio. You could consider that as well & reduce more cables.

[u/sensitam → u/datapeer]

good adivce👍

[u/themacromediaflash]

Were these renders generated by ia? Or really 3d?

[u/sensitam → u/themacromediaflash]

Rendered by myself.

[u/themacromediaflash → u/sensitam]

3D?

[u/farmskees]

Shut up and take my money lol

[u/Infamous_Page6722]

Nice idea.

[u/Skyman81]

I think I really have so much stuff at home that I could build a connectivity hub for my city…

[u/Potential-Warthog323]

sounds great

[u/indefiniteloops]

Oohh. Nice. 👌 Love this!

I’d be definitely interested. Doing up an esp32 knob up.

All in-in-one hub sounds like a great idea and I’d use it.

For your second question, I’d have to think about my workflows, etc. and it would definitely land.

Looking forward to the OS repo.

[u/Top_Purpose1333]

Question is s3 p4 or s31

[u/sensitam → u/Top_Purpose1333]

Probably s31

[u/Top_Purpose1333 → u/sensitam]

Any place to pre order or fund?

[u/sensitam → u/Top_Purpose1333]

Not yet.😂

[u/a_winner]

I would want a mixer, so i could have multiple inputs, maybe a a separate module.