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What building my own speakers has taught me...

Hi Everyone,

After 8 years or so I have finally finished my "reference" speaker system.  I say eight years because what started as a small, high end 2-way has morphed into a 3-way active system.  Really happy with the results for myself... but I wanted to step back a little and reflect on the audio industry right now. 

First, I’m not here to convince you to DIY your next pair unless you NEED to build something.  And I’m not here to rail against the high price of gear, which does have some merit.   Mostly what I think about is how difficult it really is to make a business selling audio gear, and that I’m actually SHOCKED at how many companies attempt to do so, and even more when they thrive. 

Pricing out all the components in my speakers I come to a total parts cost.  Lets say it’s $1,000.  It could be $10, the actual amount doesn’t matter, but pretend it’s $1k. If I try to imagine "How would I take this product to market?"  I simply can’t get to a selling price under 15 to 20 times manufacturing cost. 

At the same time, the cost of the average "reference" speaker over the last 20 years has really skyrocketed, while the audio enthusiast market has dwindled.   Then along came HDMI whose ridiculous licensing and technical requirements seems to at least have been partially responsible for Meridian and Theta Digital dwindling from the market. 

I can’t imagine how hard it is for anyone besides say Sony or Harman or Samsung to be in the market for audio gear.  Increased costs, high competition, dwindling consumers.....  are we in a bubble or does every generation think "this is it, this is the end of high end audio?" 

erik_squires
pindac's avatar
pindac
3,903 posts
 

To avoid a Commercial Designed and Marketed route for buying a speaker and taking the route where the individual is to have a influence on the design selected and methodology for the build. Also  has a furthering of the interesting side of this as the method.

In a Commercial Design, a Part to be used in a Xover as seen in the Link can easily become a 5 x the cost part, if ever selected for the model.

The Part when part of a DIY Route BOM is not going to have any additional cost unless one has chosen to pay for the Xover to be assembled.

Part's like the ones in the Link assist with attaining the highest levels of Sound Quality. I have been directed to these parts, as being highly recommended by individuals I know who are involved in having Speakers produced for them which have adopted these components.

https://www.hificollective.co.uk/components/mresist-mreu30.html

grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,696 posts
 

Nice job on the build! It must be even more enjoyable listening knowing they are your build and design. 

erik_squires OP
17,543 posts
 

@grannyring  - Thank you!! I’ve come a long way.  When I was in my late teens my dream was to afford a megalithic "reference" speaker system.  An Apogee or Infinity RS... all very expensive, all very large... then at some point I realized I was enjoying my hobby a lot more by making things than buying them.  The excitement wasn’t unboxing speakers but unboxing parts!! 

So, yes, I do enjoy knowing I built what I listen to, that I really like the end results but also that I had a lot of fun putting it together. 

deep_333
2,436 posts
 

Define "REFERENCE" speaker

erik_squires OP
17,543 posts
 

@deep_333  - I decline.  Infer it from the context or not. :)  

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