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Why do DIY products have less value ?

As many of you know, I do alot of DIY projects and am very happy with them. I have noticed that many folks seem to think that DIY stuff is not as good as store-bought stuff. It seems like they think that DIY is only for people who can't afford to buy something good. For example, when I tell people that I made my own cables, the first thing they suggest is that I buy some "good" cables. Or when I show them my DIY speakers, they say "Wow they're really good for DIY speakers. Imagine how good your system would sound with a pair of XYZ Mark 8 with petrified Jello cones and extruded pasta baskets!" What I'm saying is that there is this preconcieved notion that if it's DIY, it cannot be really good. This disturbs me. And if you try to sell a DIY item, forget it. You MIGHT get parts cost back, if you're lucky. They say "I'm not paying that much for something you cooked up in your garage. I can get the Mark 8 for only twice what you're asking." Performance is not the issue, only the idea that it did not come from a commercial maker so it just can't be as good or better as the Mark 8. All listening evaluations are always prejudiced with this view. Am I destined to be forever viewed as a tinkerer, or will anyone ever give DIY products the respect they deserve for their performance and not their origin?
twl
john_l
782 posts
 
As onhwy61 puts it, you are missing out on some very valuable value added items when you buy diy. High end equipment is a little finicky and having a manufacturer there to help is extremely valuable. Lack of support is why I stopped buying diy cars.

For me, Diy stuff is actually more expensive than factory made. My assumption when I buy something and build it myself is that is will essentially be worth nothing monetarily once I am done. It's a little like taking a vacation or paying for education.

Assume a $4000 preamp will have $1000 in parts. I spend $1000 on parts and build it myself. Provided it works, it's probably worth $200 on the used market. I've just spent $800. Fine if your attitude is that you are willing to spend $800 to experience building something yourself, or great if you keep the thing for 20 years or want something unique & flexible.

I like to trade equipment often, so I'm much better off buying that $4000 preamp for $1800, keeping it for a few months then reselling it for $1800 (well, ok MAYBE 1750).

For computers I'm the opposite. I build all my own for the flexibility, experience, fun and knowledge. (Twin Athlon 1800 Win2000AdvSrv clustered motherboards w/switchable 24inch 2048x1200 Sony, shared SCSI drive tower w/6 15,000 rpm U160 36 GB drives & 5 additional scsi's (for multi-os boot), two twin channel adaptec 39160's, 600 gb ide storage.) Spent 3-4K. Couldn't sell it. Don't want to. Perfect system for my needs.
sharri
90 posts
 
It's all marketing!!! And everyone buys into it!
Everything costs money. Onhwy61 listed a lot of things that are considerations with a purchase. They all cost. With DIY, you fix it yourself. Knowledge is everything.
Remember, most audio companies were started by someone turning a DIY product into a commercial venture.
Also, one cannot compare a DIY cost to a retail cost without multiplying by at least a factor of 10. That's just the cost of business. So, there's a very real difference between Value and Retail Cost, though most folks tend to equate them as equals when they are not.
davewavaolcom
193 posts
 
Yes I have the Jon Risch DIY sound panels and bass traps work wonders with my system and they total treatment cost about $100.00. :)

Jon Risch can be found on the tweakers asylum and has his website.
twl OP
3,251 posts
 
Davewavaolcom, I went to the Jon Risch website and saw the acoustic room treatments there. Pretty cool. I went right down to Lowe's and bought the materials for knock-offs of the Argent Room Lenses. The glue is setting on them right now. I made 6 of them. Since I already has some small pieces of MDF and glue laying around, my total cost for the 6 room lenses was $29.68. That's about $5 each. Hard to beat, since the real Argent Room Lenses cost about $2300 for 6. May not get to use them tonight, because the glue may not be hardened enough till tomorrow. Thanks for the tip!
davewavaolcom
193 posts
 
Twl

The room lenses in my (non dedicated sound rented apartment) room did not sound very good I corresponded back and forth with Jon Risch who is very nice and informative. The room lenses require an almost perfect sound room with a Q factor of 1x1.6. I use the quick and dirty bass traps and DIY panels. The quick and dirty bass traps and panels work very well and even an ape like me can make it without tools. Most of us have access to “Home Depot and Wal-Mart”.

There are many user reviews for his acoustic products vs. store bought products as well.

http://www.geocities.com/jonrisch/

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/tweaks/messages/13654.html

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/tweaks/messages/53667.html

Moniker Batman uses his all of his products all cables, power line filters and acoustic panels. His pictures and review of each panel is described on the inmate sections of the asylum. An ugly room but you can choose what materials and colors you want to.

http://cgi.audioasylum.com/systems/536.html

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/tweaks/messages/57095.html

Jon Risch does not sell anything. There are many DIY websites that build and JR DIY products (if you are not a DIY).

http://www.diycable.com

http://www.cs.princeton.edu/~arora/audio/DIY.html

http://www.venhaus1.com/index.html

Hope this helps
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