If you have no skills are lazy or have no time then off the shelf is what you get. If you have skills an open mind and are craving something unique then DIY is the way to go. Kits are fine but it's not like going your own way. And those who say DIY can not look good are only interested in what the mass market gives them. Anything that's different is perceived as wrong they crave the boring imported rectangles and cubes. A toaster must look like a toaster.
To Buy or to DIY, here is my question
If I buy the speakers that appear closest to what I desire
they are $11k new and $8k used.
If I buy the raw speakers and build it
the speakers alone are $2.2k.
That is a 3 way system.
Still must add costs of XOs and cabs.
Assume the total custom build cost would be about $3k.
The $8k speakers used are Proac D40Rs.
The raw components would be from ScanSpeak and SB acoustics
and include 10" woofer, 4.5" Mid and a planar ribbon tweeter.
MadiSound provides XO advice.
Comments???