Fixing your cable problems forever.

Rats. There was some good info on that thread. 

Let me ask a couple of questions about cable making:

Do you start with raw, exposed copper or is there always some insulation on it to begin with?

I've soldered connectors for a different type of cable so I've got experience there.

So if it is a matter of adding connectors, additional insulation, shrink wrap, etc I could do that.

Again the question of cost. Is it possible to do it for less than what you'd otherwise pay for?

So, I watched some videos about cable making. Most of it looks very simple. A lot of it just looks like typical copper speaker wire dressed up a bit. Anyway, that’s something I think I could do if I was so inclined.

Have also done a little research on DIY speaker making. Some of the kits I saw were quite expensive even without cabinet material. Others like Parts Express have fairly inexpensive kits.

But I still haven’t seen what I’d be interested in: pre-made crossovers matched to drivers plus hardware like posts and stuff along with cabinet plans. That’s all. I’ll keep looking. I’m sure that even if there isn’t a kit like that I could go to DIY forums and get recommendations for matched parts. The hardest part for me would be knowing which crossover for which drivers.

I think I would be most interested in making a small 3 way tower.

I agree. That’s why I get into this sort of thing. Some have heard me mention the cabin that I have....which is where these home-made speakers would go. I built it too. From a log cabin kit. Did everything but the foundation. Had help with electricity. Did all the plumbing myself.

From what I’ve researched this should not be a difficult project at all even if I build the crossovers myself. The woodwork is fairly simple. The challenge there would to be make a cabinet that looks really fine. I’m not inclined to go that route per se. In other words, I won’t be making deep lustrous piano black cabinet with multiple curves etc. Chances are the front will be a nice piece of wood with a basic satin finish. The sides will likely be hardwood faced plywood and likely be painted a dark color.

I’ve got more research to do. Even if I use cheap-ish drivers and crossovers I do want them to be properly matched.

So I keep going back and forth in my head about making a set of speakers.

What stops me is two things:

1. I just don't see the exact kit for me in terms of price and configuration. I do not want cabinet components.

2. I get the feeling that if I spend $300 to make a set of small towers that a $200 used set of small towers will look and sound better.

Still, every time I come to the conclusion that this makes no sense my mind keeps going back to putting a set together. So now I'm thinking about putting my own components together based on some of the kits out there.

My single biggest question is the crossover. I know there is a lot or art and science in crossover design and selection. I'm just looking for a ballpark frequency cutoff for a small two-way tower with a 1" tweeter and 6-7" woofer. Is there such a number?

Some of the speaker kits are designed by professionals. Meticulously in fact. And this is often reflected in the price of the kit. But as mentioned above, making your own speakers and cables is not just a way of acquiring gear. Some people, like myself, enjoy building stuff. The work is part of the pleasure. The reward is a well done project.

But I completely understand it isn't for everyone. And even as a project guy I'm putting the idea of building my own speakers and cables on hold until some other projects get completed and when I have more money for higher level speaker components.