iPod How does the iPod's clicking sound work without a speaker?

[iPode]

I am confused about how it works.

 

[Slartibart]

Many iPods have a speaker - which model are you referring to?

 

[philden]

I am confused about how it works.

The clickwheel ipods that can produce a click but not play music through a speaker have a very small piezoelectric speaker. Some models, I think, have an alarm option as well as the clicks.

 

[iPode]

Many iPods have a speaker - which model are you referring to?

I am referring to the iPod Classic model.

 

[Traverse]

I am referring to the iPod Classic model.

They actually do have a very small specialized speaker solely for making that sound and/or alarm (I think). Without a speaker they couldn't make any noise, but it's tuned to the very niche needs of the iPod's OS and not for playback of audio files.

 

[jenelemond]

Well, It has a piezoelectric speaker, which produces the click you hear.
Every time you do something on your iPod (click a button, scroll the Click Wheel, etc.), your iPod makes a “click” sound. This is basically audio feedback so you know “things are happening” when you press something. As well-designed as this is, it does tend to drive some people mad!😉

 

[smohsin]

The clicking sound that the iPod makes is actually just a vibration of the metal backplate. The backplate is connected to the click wheel, and when you press down on the click wheel, it causes the backplate to vibrate. This vibration is then amplified by the metal casing and turned into sound.

 

[arw]

The main clicking sound when pressing buttons is purely mechanical but in addition, the internal (piezoelectric) speaker supports it by adding a “click“.
When scrolling (and alarm), it’s the speaker alone.
This artificially generated clicking can be turned off in settings (at least on my Classics).

 

[ptfuzi]

I remember my ipod touch 1st also having a piezo in the rear cover, for click and alarms

 

[ipodgenie34]

I am confused about how it works

The Classic lineup of iPods has a small piezoelectric speaker inside that makes those noises. In this image I am showing the iPod Classic 4th generation Monochrome, where you can see is a small piezo "buzzer" that makes those clicking noises. The way it works is it is 2 pieces of small material acting as a small speaker. The thing is not powerful enough to output actual sound from music, rather just certain frequencies hardcoded into the iPod's firmware.