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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesA maker converted a 1968 Grundig Musikgerät RF116 into a networked speaker by disconnecting its original electronics, retaining its speakers, and adding ESP32-based audio and controls. The project creator says a LouderESP32 running ESPHome plays audio through Music Assistant, while a separate ESP32-S3 devkit operates the radio’s controls. This is a report of one build, not a verified build guide.
How the converted Grundig works
In a Reddit post dated September 19, 2026, the project creator, writing as SramAtlov, said the radio’s original electronics were powered down and disconnected. The new audio setup uses a LouderESP32 running ESPHome and Music Assistant, with sound coming through the Grundig’s original speakers. The creator’s description does not establish the exact circuit, wiring, or firmware settings.
The creator said the LouderESP32’s solder pads were too small for their comfort, so they left that board untouched and added a separate ESP32-S3 devkit to handle the controls. The key bank connects through a PCF8574, while the knobs connect to the ESP32-S3. The exact devkit model and pin mapping were not specified.
What the original controls do now
The creator reassigned the radio’s physical controls rather than replacing them with a new interface:
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- 2.4GHz Dual Mode WiFi + Bluetooth Development Board
- Support LWIP protocol, Freertos
- SupportThree Modes: AP, STA, and AP+STA
- Ultra-Low power consumption, Compatible with Arduino IDE
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- Four front keys select playlists; the AUS key stops playback.
- Three rotary controls adjust volume, choose an equalizer setting, and select the current track.
- Pressing keys can trigger sampled bandswitch sounds.
The creator also reports placing WS2812B pixels in the original lamp housings. They light when the system is awake, preserving an illuminated-dial effect.
What ESPHome documentation establishes—and what it does not
ESPHome’s I²S Audio Component documentation says the component works with ESP32-based chips. Its I²S Audio Speaker documentation describes speaker configurations using an external DAC and warns that audio and voice components can consume significant RAM and CPU resources.
Rank #2
- Dual-Core Performance Up to 240 MHz: Run sensor processing, wireless communication, automation logic and connected-device tasks on a 32-bit dual-core ESP32 platform designed for responsive embedded and IoT projects
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- USB-C Programming with CP2102: Connect through USB-C for power, sketch uploads and serial monitoring, while GPIO, UART, SPI and I2C interfaces support sensors, displays, motor drivers and other modules (USB-C cable not included)
- Over-the-Air Update Support: Configure OTA functionality through a compatible ESP-32 software framework to update deployed firmware over Wi-Fi without reconnecting the board by USB for every revision
That documentation provides general platform context; it does not confirm the RF116 project’s precise board revision, audio circuit, wiring, or configuration. Loud-ESP documentation describes a family of ESP32 audio development boards and Home Assistant/ESPHome integration, but does not establish that every similarly named board is the variant used in this radio. It should not be treated as the build’s parts list.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to know before attempting a similar conversion
The project is evidence that one creator repurposed a vintage radio’s enclosure, speakers, and physical controls around an ESP32-based setup. It is not enough information to reproduce the build reliably: the exact ESP32-S3 devkit, pin assignments, audio hardware details, and firmware configuration are not stated.
Rank #3
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If you are planning a comparable project, treat a generic ESP32-S3 development board only as a starting point for investigating the control side—not as a confirmed match for the creator’s board. Verify the board’s pinout and the requirements of your chosen ESPHome audio configuration before wiring components. ESPHome’s resource warning is relevant when planning, but the documentation does not supply tested settings for this particular radio.
The contemporaneous XDA Developers report published September 20, 2026 also describes the conversion and attributes it to the creator’s Reddit post. The detailed control and lighting choices above are the creator’s account, rather than independent measurements or a teardown.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 2.4GHz Dual Mode WiFi + Bluetooth Development Board
- Ultra-Low power consumption, works perfectly with the Arduino IDE
- Support LWIP protocol, Freertos
- SupportThree Modes: AP, STA, and AP+STA
- ESP32 is a safe, reliable, and scalable to a variety of applications
Rank #4
- 2.4GHz Dual Mode WiFi + Bluetooth Development Board
- Support LWIP protocol, Freertos;ESP32 is a safe, reliable, and scalable to a variety of applications
- SupportThree Modes: AP, STA, and AP+STA
- Ultra-Low power consumption, Compatible with Arduino IDE
- 1PCS 30Pin ESP32 Development Board 2.4GHz WiFi Dual Cores Microcontroller Integrated with Antenna RF Low Noise Amplifiers Filters
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