DIY Speaker Kits, a good idea?
Looking at the high quality of drive units in DIY loudspeaker kits like from Madisound, GR Research, SEAS, etc., it easily looks like a sonic bargain.
However, the typical audiophile mantra is to demo for yourself to find what subjectively “resonates” with you. Can’t do this with a kit. But a kit could be a sonic jackpot for one on a tight budget. Also seems fun to build.
What’s your opinion?
Think it all comes down to if you are a DIY kind of person or not. As said, you will get much higher quality parts, at much lower prices, so if you are bargain type of person. Yeah, you can make a $10k speaker for around $4k. Yes, the resale will be less, but it started out as less. Also when you DIY, you understand how it all work better, able to know what to upgrade, or change to get the sound you want. You can totally transform speakers with simple crossover changes. |
Consider Linkwitz
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I started down this road/hobby last year, initially with a Parts Express kit and now having just finished my own design based off a Soundblab YouTube tutorial. As @pindac @koestner point out, there are inherent learning curves and initial investments in tools, but it's not particularly difficult, especially if you get the cabinet flat packed. |
You can get ready made crossovers from Madison if that part bothers you. I did that 20 years ago when building a pair of Dick Olsher's Basszillas. The top was a large acrylic sheet I had made for open baffle, a Lowther DX4 midrange and Chinese ribbon tweeter. The bottom a big bass reflex box with a 16" driver, all damped and made out of very expensive Appleply sheets I put together with a plethora of wood screws, crossovers mounted on top. I was no woodworker, so that's not necessary. Used a circular saw to cut the wood sheets and it was airtight. They sounded wonderful, but years later I moved to a smaller place and had to get rid of it, although still have the Lowthers which I had reconed by Lowther America and never used again, should anyone want them. I probably spent around $4000 in materials, of which the Lowthers were about $2500 back than. I've actually never heard anything better, but the main point is when you build your own speakers, you develop an attachment to them you'd never have otherwise. You learn more about sound than you ever thought possible, so, if for no other reason, I'd say it was worth it. I think a kit would be fine. After all, you're not going to have to make the drivers, and maybe not the crossovers. A high sensitivity speaker is especially easy to build and/or play around with. It's definitely worth the trouble. I have a nice setup now after several moves. It sure cost more. But I REALLY miss those speakers (they're in my little pic up there). |
