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
I decided to take a leap of faith . I am building a set of Madisound NADA speakers with Lee Taylor cabinets .I will know this weekend if they meet my expectations . Based on what I have read about them they should work well in my room .
Be sure you ask Lee for advice before you buy your crossover. He knows his stuff inside and out. 
I bought the Madisound Kit with the crossovers Lee did not advise against it .   
I built my first and second pair while in high school in 1978 and 1980 respectively. Although I stopped shortly after that there has hardly been a speaker that I haven't modified. Yes, it is great fun. 

Further, over the past 7 years or so I went to building turntables. If you think Speakers are fun, you should build a table or two. It is a gas, gas, gas!
Post removed 
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?
@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