1. Home
  2. speakers
  3. 197838-115924

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
n80 OP
2,142 posts
 

I’m back to thinking about doing these speakers again.

I’ve been messing around on the band saw and I’m having decent luck re-sawing the oak into ’veneer’. It is a little less than 1/8th inch so not store bought thin but I think that glued to MDF front panels it will be fine. I may still build the sides and tops with hardwood. Or maybe 1/4" thick hardwood over MDF. 

The Tori tower components cost $600. I’ve got all the quarter sawn white oak I need. So the only things at stake are the $600 and my time. If they suck I’ll use them in my basement shop.

I’ve got a lot to work out in my head and I may get them nearly built before I buy the components so if I can’t pull off the woodwork I haven't wasted any money.

And the truth is, even if they sound average they will probably look better than the vinyl ash finish on the current towers that stand out like a sore thumb in the cabin.

I’m starting a cabinet project right now for the stereo components which also look bad in the rustic cabin. I’ll start on the speakers after that. I work slow so it will be a while.

nogaps
161 posts
 

..nothing ventured, nothing gained..go for it. 

Here's some good advice on finishing QSWO. I typically go with a Transtint Amber(yellow) dye first, then Vintage Maple, seal it in, then Georgian Cherry Gel statin to accent the pores, Arm-r-Seal finish, then wax. 

https://homesteadfinishingproducts.com/jeff-jewitts-mission-oak-finish/

corelli
1,167 posts
 

Instead of going through the tedious work of cutting 1/4" panels, why not use full 1/2 or 3/4" panels, routed over, and appled to the sides.  Fairly easy work, would look great.  See link:

https://www.sonusfaber.com/en/products/concertino

More to discover