DIY Speaker Kits, a good idea?


Looking at the high quality of drive units in DIY loudspeaker kits like from Madisound, GR Research, SEAS, etc., it easily looks like a sonic bargain.

However, the typical audiophile mantra is to demo for yourself to find what subjectively “resonates” with you.  Can’t do this with a kit.  But a kit could be a sonic jackpot for one on a tight budget.  Also seems fun to build.

What’s your opinion?

kennyc

Showing 2 responses by kennyc

Apologies for the late reply, just moved after 35yrs so I’m underwater with boxes of stuff.  My garage is packed with boxes 4 high with a narrow path, and many more within the home.

@devinplombier : Consider Linkwitz

I’ve demoed Linkwitz several times.  The first it sounded meh, but lately they sounded really good.  I suspect the drivers were different.  Their top drivers cost 20k, significantly more than I’d like to spend on a kit.

@decooney: If you have never designed or built anything like this before, and have very high expectations on how it turns out - its worth spending up a little more [first time] buying a proven kit with the right drivers and crossovers, with cabinet plans, or explore cabinets you can purchase through the product designer if desired.  

Yep, this is were I’m at.  The the transducers of upper end kits seem sonically promising 

Panel speakers from scratch: I read that Stereophile Herb REICHERT visited Nelson Pass who had a homemade panel speakers that Herb loved.  So I wrote down the individual transducers to maybe construct a pair of my own.  In my layman’s mind it seems that it’s simple to mount the transducers, wire the terminals,  then wire to a crossover (am I missing something). Problem is, besides knowing that they split the signal to run the separate transducers, I have no clue on how to choose and use a crossover.  Additional crossover guidance/info/education would be appreciated.

Although woodworking seems fun and enjoyable, I have no experience and only simple cutting tools. So if I do a kit, I’ll use a premade box.

@pindac : The Panzerholz proved to be extremely attractive in use.

I struggled to find online sources for panzerholz or similar.  Do you know of a source?

@devinplombier : https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/the-1000-budget-build-begins.430013/

Thanks for the link

 

I'll be darned if a pair of 2017 vintage LFT-8b's weren't for sale in my hometown, just 45 minutes

It’s a sign

I'm digging the LFTs, a lot

Congratulations