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DIY mid to low end speakers. Worth the price?

I have been doing woodworking for a few years. I start with a tree and go all the way to the end product. I'm not particularly talented at it but I can make basic shelves, bookcases and small tables.

I am also a passive audiophile. By that I mean I have my 3 systems, I like them and don't feel the need to upgrade. My main system is at least 30 years old.

Given those two interests it seems like it might be fun to build a pair of tower speakers. They would replace the Polk Audio Monitor 70s ($180 used) that I use in my lowest end system down at my cabin. They are driven by an NAD 316BEE integrated. They sound remarkably good together.

I am looking at the Tori Tower P2 kit from CSS. It is their most basic tower kit and is configured like my current Polks. I like the idea of the CSS kits because of the 3D printed board for circuits for simplicity and since I'm not into electronics.

All of this is to ask if the CSS hardware, which is $650, would be worth it from a sound quality standpoint assuming I do everything right. I do not know anything about speaker components. 

For perspective, if I have fun building them, and they look better than the Polks (which they should) and they sound better than the Polks then I will be satisfied. I mostly don't want to pay $650 for a pile of parts worth $100. Thanks for any input.

n80
parkergetdean
1,042 posts
 

CSS is a great option, good value, and you will be very happy with it.

Lots of praises in reviews as well.

sbrownnw
742 posts
 

I think it would be very hard to beat the bookshelf monitors I just got from Vera-Fi Audio.  Their B stock Vanguard Scout bookshelf arrived with no marks on them and they sound great for just over $200 shipped.  Might be worth a try...

awboat
53 posts
 

I have built 5 different DIY kits and have loved the whole process. Get a good soldering system. 

GO FOR IT.

I am really impressed with the quality of the PE Overnight Sensations. Little things, but they punch way beyond what you would expect. I also built the C-Note and use them for my computer system. 

My first built was Madisound's Recession Busters but the midbasses went bad in the years I waited to build them. I originally was going to use the drivers in my car. I then paid for new replacement ones that Madisound recommended. But they weren't the same and they didn't sound right. I made the cabinets and that was fun. 

I built the CSS Torri. I had trouble with damage during shipping, and it took 2 weeks to get them. Also the binding posts the shipped were wrong. But CSS was fantastic with fixing the problems. 

I also built the HiVi Swan 3 way. Good quality stuff but their sound was meh. I didn't do the tweak that was recommended on the internet as I was mislead that the crossover change had been taken care of by HiVi. Way too harsh for me. 

But despite all the issues I have had, I will be building more. 

A tower is intimidating though. All those clamps!!! And it is just me. Get a few hands to help. 

skeptikal's avatar
skeptikal
69 posts
 

I built the CSS 1TDX bookshelves and 2TDX center, with upgraded crossovers.  I can't speak for the Tori line, but the TDX line sounds very, very good, especially for the price.  There are plenty of Youtube reviews you can watch.

n80 OP
2,152 posts
 

Man you guys have given me a lot to think about!

A couple of thoughts:

Most of the appeal of this would be building the hardwood cabinets. I had already drawn up simple plans for Mission (Arts &Crafts) style cabinets which would go well in the log cabin. I have a lot of beautiful figured quarter sawn white oak boards that I milled a few years ago. But it seems very clear that solid hardwood cabinets are a bad idea. And to be honest, I have no desire to work with MDF, flat packs from a kit or veneers. That’s just not fun for me. 

Since I have no problem with the Polks I already have in terms of SQ  (they are ugly as heck though) and I don’t want to work in MDF, etc. I don’t really have a good reason to build a kit at this point.

But that’s why I posted the question and I really appreciate all the responses. It helped me clarify what I want to do.

I think what I will do instead is make a Mission style cabinet for the components (NAD integrated amp, Denon tuner and a CD player).

I’m not abandoning the idea of building speakers totally. We’re thinking about building an addition on the little cabin and if we do I’ll make the current spare bedroom into a smoking and drinking room and a pair of kit bookshelves would be just right in there.

 

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