When I first got into audio during high school, I was robbed for all I had, buying a set of speakers. It stung since money came hard to me as a kid. I then discovered a kit that I built in woodshop that turned out to be better than I ever imagined. Point here is, if you have the ability and want to get most out of your hard-earned dollar, the right kit will be unbeatable. Just imagine what a manufacturer has to spend in shipping and labor to design a speaker to a certain price point. Add to that the commission of a dealer and it all gets very expensive for the consumer.
Way back when I returned to buying a consumer product, I chose a $900/pr set of speakers along with a sub. I had to replace the tweeter in one cabinet because of a mistake that I made and found a $17 driver was used. That lowered my trust back making my own ever since. Absolutely no regrets about it either.