2. speakers
  3. 131013-20253

Opinion - Every audiophile should build at least 1 pair of speakers

I think everyone who does this, even just once, would be forever changed and become an improved music listener as well as equipment hobbyist.

Whether you build a single driver speaker like the LM-1S or the 2-way desktop LM-1 (designs are free) or any other kit from


I think you would find yourself with very different biases and understanding of how parts interact, how drivers work, and how much a good pair of speakers should cost, and most likely you would have a different opinion about what a good speaker sounds like.

Would you build world reference speakers for $50 a pair? Not likely at all, but when I see audiophiles argue over thousands of dollars in speaker cables and interconnects, I think to myself, their opinions and biases about where to spend their time and money would be forever changed if they built but a single pair of speakers.

Also, of course, building speakers is fun as hell, and a great project to introduce kids to electronics. Especially girls, we need more girls who grow up to be speaker makers, amp designers and audiophiles!

Best,


Erik


erik_squires

Showing 19 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires OP
16,592 posts
 
@motokokusanagi

I'd love to build my own speakers but the big hurdles for me are woodworking and design software and measurement tools. These things run thousands from scratch, no?

Not anymore. :)

So, for cabinetry, you can buy kits which have that too.

If not, you could order cabinets from:

http://www.taylorspeakers.com/

A high-end 2 way cabinet runs around $900 - So depends on your build.

Still, say you spend $1,400 on parts, $900 on a cabinet, it's a steal compared to the $10k speaker you'd have to buy to get the same.

Kits and cabinets (at various levels) are available from Madisound, Meniscus and Parts Express (probably others).
Lastly, no, measurement software ranges from free (Room-EQ Wizard) to affordable  (OmniMic - $300 I think? ) and even the super pro gear is so much cheaper than in the old days.

Best of luck,
Erik

erik_squires OP
16,592 posts
 
Perfect. :) 
erik_squires OP
16,592 posts
 
Be sure you ask Lee for advice before you buy your crossover. He knows his stuff inside and out. 
erik_squires OP
16,592 posts
 
Hey Granny,

I encourage you and your son to check out the Parts Express forums:

http://techtalk.parts-express.com/

and their project gallery:

http://projectgallery.parts-express.com/

as well as the DIYAudio multiway form here:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/multi-way/
erik_squires OP
16,592 posts
 
Assembling a speaker kit is not "building" a speaker IMO.  Just like putting together an IKEA cabinet is not building furniture.  Hifi kits can be fun and give you a sense of accomplishment, but they are just scratching the surface for DIY.

I am really saddened by this type of attitude in an area I want to make fun and inviting for people regardless of their economic opportunity, tools or background.

I think it is much more important to be welcoming and share knowledge and passion.

Best,

E
erik_squires OP
16,592 posts
 
John,

Lots of kits only require a router jig and circle cutter. :)

Some flat-pack kits don't even require that. Also, look through some of the Great Plains links, they work with a great cabinet maker. I personally use Lee Taylor for my top end stuff.

Best,

E
erik_squires OP
16,592 posts
 
Twoch - Share your thought process behind that please.

I feel very much the opposite! :)

Best,

E


erik_squires OP
16,592 posts
 
There is a most excellent DIY speaker forum here:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/loudspeakers/

Best,

E
erik_squires OP
16,592 posts
 
For vintage horn/high efficiency fans, found these sites specializing in Altec Lansing reproductions:

https://vintagespeakerrevival.com/

https://greatplainsaudio.com/

Really nice looking stuff!

Best,

E
erik_squires OP
16,592 posts
 
I don't expect every audiophile to build top class speakers, even if purchased as a kit. But I do wish more audiophiles would build something themselves. If even 1% of audiophiles built their own speakers, our hobby and environment would be so much better.

Best,

E
erik_squires OP
16,592 posts
 

I now know it would take me a whole Heap of money and a long time looking to find the next best thing in the speaker market, new or used.

This brings up two major reasons to build yourself:

1 - Make exactly what you want
2 - Price performance is unmatched vs. commercial

The high end brands charge around 10x the driver cost. Some much more. a few less. My main speakers would be around $12k if I tried purchasing, and they may or may not sound like what I want them to sound, exactly. 
erik_squires OP
16,592 posts
 
Yep now for a step up go and build a nice pair of field coil single driver speakers, get yourself a 1 to 2 watt pair of mono blocks and be done with it all!  Might need to integrate a sub for the final piece!


Don't make me stop this thread early!
erik_squires OP
16,592 posts
 
By the way, my favorite place to talk about DIY and kit speakers is the Multi-way forum at DIY Audio.  Hope you'll join us and even become a sustaining member.

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/multi-way/

Best,

E
erik_squires OP
16,592 posts
 
Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has participated in this thread so far. I was sure I would get a bunch of professional naysayers jumping in here to kill it, so I am pleasantly surprised by all of the positive contributions.

Best,

E
erik_squires OP
16,592 posts
 
Kosst,

You don’t have to design them from scratch. Almost any kit is going to be a bargain by comparison. :) Huge price range too.

Whatever you do, building an amp or speaker is a big learning opportunity, whether you design it all yourself, or solder a pre-designed kit.

Best,

E
erik_squires OP
16,592 posts
 
And as bdp24 pointed out:

http://gr-research.com/
erik_squires OP
16,592 posts
 
I believe there has been some discussion on the Bifrost kits at DIY Audio, check out the mult-way forum there!

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/multi-way/


Erik
erik_squires OP
16,592 posts
 
It is absolutely worth building and listening to a single driver design!

I'm more conventional though, and go towards Focal/FaitalPro/Markaudio

They won't replace my 2-way designs though!

Erik
erik_squires OP
16,592 posts
 
Couple of other kit vendors:

More to discover