What building my own speakers has taught me...

I used to sell Hewlett Packard computer systems to the Navy. When a customer asked me what database to purchase, I said I hate the Oracle sales people and their company's tactics. I thought Ingram was a better database at a more reasonable price. But I suggested that they buy Oracle because I thought it would be around in the long run and Ingram would not. Databases need upgrades, service, etc. And getting off your database is as complicated as changing your operating system.

I just spent a lot of money on a pair of speakers made by Sonus Faber. When you buy speakers from a dealer, he takes 40% of the profit. Why pay for all of this overhead? 

First of all, if you're going to buy a new pair of Sonus Faber (or any other brand name speaker) it's going to have to come from a dealer, who takes a certain amount of responsibility for the speaker. 

But why the high retail price? Because when you purchase a decent speaker from a decent manufacturer, you are not just paying for the cost of supplies. Remember high-priced people have to put those speakers together. My speakers have wood cabinets in lute shape, and not just any fool off the street can do that kind of woodwork. 

I purchased the Olympica Nova 5 speakers. Prior to the Olympica Novas, Sonus Faber sold Olympicas. The Nova stands for all the work they put into redesigning their new line. That means when you buy from a manufacturer, you're also paying for their research-and-design team. Etc., etc.

I would not buy any audio gear from a guy who made it in his garage, no matter how good it sounded. If something went wrong in a month that guy might tell  me to take a hike. Or, "Oh, yes, I'll fix it. Just leave it here in the corner of my garage." Months go by, and you get the picture. 

My suggestion: if you want a deal, buy used. Off Audiogon or other used suppliers. You probably won't get warranty support, but at least you'll have a company to talk to if something goes wrong. And a place to buy parts if you need to fix something.

"And while it is stellar, it is not 3x more stellar than a number of high end domes.  So I’d probably give up on the $850 Mundorf, or even the smaller version which is ahem, only $450.  The equivalent Beymas are also about the same."

Do you realize that a set of "REAL" ESS AMTs sell for $560/pr and maybe a couple times a year (LIKE RIGHT NOW) they will list them for $250/pr, both with the mounting kits?  These factory sales go real fast and do not last!

I’ve modified mine adding wave guides and a rear reflector that completely changes the frequency response adding detail like you can't believe!

I would not buy any audio gear from a guy who made it in his garage, no matter how good it sounded. If something went wrong in a month that guy might tell  me to take a hike. Or, "Oh, yes, I’ll fix it. Just leave it here in the corner of my garage." Months go by, and you get the picture. 

My suggestion: if you want a deal, buy used. Off Audiogon or other used suppliers. You probably won’t get warranty support, but at least you’ll have a company to talk to if something goes wrong. And a place to buy parts if you need to fix something.

@audio-b-dog 

Respectfully, this is nonsense. 

High-end audio manufacturers go out of business all the time. What happens if "something goes wrong" then?

When they don’t go straight out of business, companies get bought out by new owners who want nothing to do with legacy products. What happens if "something goes wrong" then?

Even if none of the above happens to a company, their parts inventory isn’t inexhaustible. Many smallish speaker companies commission small runs of lightly customized drivers from reputable makers like Scanspeak. They’re based off regular Scanspeak models, but the off-the-shelf Scanspeak equivalent doesn’t fit and / or doesn’t sound right. 

Try to get replacement ProAc drivers from ProAc for 20-year old ProAc speakers. Either they’re long since out of stock, or it’ll be $750 a pop. Not that you’ll ever know though, because their inept, useless US distributor will not return your calls.

You, in fact, stand a much better chance getting DIY speakers fixed, because the builder surely used off-the-shelf drivers and parts, and those remain in the supply chain for decades.

Some DIY speakers are built by folks with decades of experience, six-figure workshops and raging OCD. Their end product rivals almost anything Sonos Faber ever made, minus the lute shape and Miami Vice high-gloss epoxy varnish.

Then again, some DIY speakers are just dumpster-ready junk that sounds like trash. Or, they may be anything in between.

If you and your ears can’t tell the difference, then you’re clearly better off buying brand-name speakers from a dealer at full retail.

But don’t dump on DIY speakers in a thread that was started by a DIY builder to share his pride in the speakers he built with his own hands.

@toddalin 

Appreciate the shout-out to ESS AMTs. Just two nitpicks: 

- Shipping is an additional $56 (to go only 2 states over)

- Their kits are for mounting tweeters on top of an enclosure. I can't find a mounting kit available that will let you integrate the AMT in a vertical baffle.

Definitely great tweeters.

There is a framework that adapts the Heil to a regular enclosure.  I’ve seen it, and this wasn’t it, though it will give you an idea.  It bolts to the two vertical bolts.  Obviously it can be done and with a 3D printer, without much difficulty.

Shipping is high because they are heavy.  But they would fit in a "If It Fits It Ships" box at about half of that.  You just need to convince them of that.