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?
Troels Graveson is a very very good place to start investigating options on a DIY Speaker. I know from experiencing a few models from these designs and can say the ones heard have had a profound effect on myself, I actually believe I have heard extremely high end design for a Cabinet Speaker. In a system very familiar to me that went through a few speaker changes over a few years, when the TG were introduced the systems End Sound was transformed in a way unimaginable. |
@duramax747 stated " We made some Panzerholz versions of this cabinet in which we pinned (doweled) which makes it much easier for enduser to keep square while they glue/clamp up. " Now you are in the area for Materials Selected where Kaiser Speakers are with producing Cabinet Construction. Please let more be known if you have seen differences in the quality of End Sound through adopting this material type. https://www.monoandstereo.com/interview-with-rainer-weber-of-kaiser-acoustics/ I myself am very tempted to use P'holz at some point as a Baffle for a Speaker Design. |
@duramax747 Thank You for your reply. Not the same as you have done, but along similar lines. There was a want to distinguish between Marine Quality Plwood 700Kg m/3 - MU 25 900Kg m/3 - P'holz 1400Kg m/3 All made quite differently in relation to compression of Veneers and adhesion method for Veneers. The comparison was for a same model DD TT Plinth. Identical TT's >Tonearm >Cartridge was used with the same audio system. The findings are a description very similar to your own. The Panzerholz proved to be extremely attractive in use. The End Sound being just how it should be when compared. Individuals who supplied TT's and Plinths all use Panzerholz Plinths today. The owner of the P'holz Plinth moved on from a 25mm Thick Board to one that is 32mn Thick. |
As said I have heard Troels Graveson Designs and am impressed with the experiences had. There is seeming to be the suggestion that Cabinets are to be produced by the DIY Builder. This is quite askew, most DIY Produced Speakers I have heard have the Cabinet produced by a Machine Shop. A CNC Machine is the perfect tool to produce the parts to be assembled. Some CNC Services will not tie one into using the board material. The the option is to assemble oneself or have a professional assembly, the Matching Service can possibly offer the assembly service. A Basic Cabinet but well braced is approx' $400 A Complex Cabinet, with chamferring on Baffle and Bracing is approx' $700—$900 Aesthetics are again quite an easy option. CheapO - Tart the Cabinets Up by ones own hand. Mid Range Expensive - Custom Paint Coating - 2 - 3 Coatings and Multi Coats of Laquer, or a not too rare wood Veneer. It Most Expensive - Rare Wood Veneer from a Cabinet Maker. Range of Cost will extend from $50 - $500 Drivers if acquired New and a Three Way Design will be close to $2K - $3K Xover if Passive can easily extend from $800 to $2.5K. A Speaker Design from TG costing approx' $4.5K - $6K using PC Triple C Wire within the Cabinet. When properly Broken In is going to need a Particular Speaker (not any Speaker) approaching $40K to show where it has shortcomings.
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