DIY mid to low end speakers. Worth the price?

I have built several kits over the years but never built cabinets from scratch.  I would share the following thoughts:

--Typically with well designed speakers, your $600 investment ought to get you speakers that compete with finished speakers at several times that price. Often the quality of the drivers and crossover components is far higher.

--I would not worry about doing all the testing noted above.  A well designed system with cabinet plans has already done that for you.

--I have enjoyed woodworking for years, BUT I would think very carefully about using a fully hardwood cabinet.  I would wonder about stability issues, joint integrity over time. Not to worried about damaging the drivers however.  I would suggest you consider a hybrid approach.  What about a mdf flat back that you attach solid hardwood side panels?  Could look very sharp and would be solid as a rock.

Go for it and good luck!

I'm a life-long woodworker and have built the GRR Super V's, so I wouldn't want to discourage you from building a set.  CSS has a good rep and, from what I've heard, yields a well designed product.  

While you could use solid hardwood for the side of the cabinets (the width of all four box-surfaces will expand at the same rate)..it wouldn't be advisable to use solid wood for the front and back of the cabs as the expansion will tend to break your box side joints. Gluing up multiple strips of hardwood won't matter, they still expand like a one-board panel. 

As far as sound goes..you'd be better off with MDF as it'll be less resonant. 

All that said..I've recently seen a used pair of Vandersteen 2Ce speakers in excellent condition for sale at $800.  If I were to think of a $650 project (for the hardware..the veneered ply or MDF is $80-$100 a 4x8x3/4 sheet)..I'd pop for the Vandy's and build something else. Try a cabinet with louvered doors..that'll expand your horizon's..speaking from experience. 

Hi OP,

I hear your complaints about sticker shock, I have been suffering it a lot lately seeing humble speakers asking for $30k or more as reviewed at Stereophile. 

And I do think that dollar to dollar many kits offer much better value at fractions of equivalent retail. 

Still, doing this to save money is exactly the wrong way to approach DIY building.  If you want to have fun, and learn, and experiment it is exactly what you should do.  Another mistake I feel too many DIYers do is attempt a mega speaker for their first. Of course, who among us was not entranced by a giant Infinity or Wilson speaker, but for DIY and learning going with a high value (as opposed to high cost) kit is exactly the way to go.  Imagine if you like doing it you’ll build another 3 pairs in your life at least, each building on the other.  Don’t blow your budget on your first. 

Lastly, the best place to go for help and advice for DIY speakers is DIYaudio, not Audiogon.

Best,

Erik

I've built a couple of speakers kits from Meniscus Audio, which unfortunately is no longer in business.  As stated above, the price of drivers and crossovers will yield a result that is greater than the sum.  Instead of using MDF I used 3/4" Baltic birch.  For one pair, after carefully selecting the panels and which veneer to put on the outside, I stained it which looked nice.  The second pair I painted to a high gloss white.

There is something very rewarding about listening to speakers that you build yourself.

Right now the best sources for DIY kits are :

• Madisound
• Parts Express
• Solen.ca

Also, not for you but for others, Solen has an excellent wood shop available and can design cabinets from sketches. 

But again, head over to DIYaudio where you’ll get all sorts of help.