Quote:
Hi,

I have not heard a DIY speaker yet. But when I was browsing DIY forums, there are a lot of comments that these DIY builds are comparable to branded speakers which has 2X, 3X, 4x the cost. I saw one 800 dollars worth DIY speaker that claims to sound as good as 4K - 8K branded speaker. Any opinions on this? I am just curious with these DIY speakers.

Very often with a good design comparison is impossible, since construction is free, there is no overhead, and as such, one can afford to use drivers that a manufacturer would be hard pressed to use for a speaker that costs 10 times as much.

This is indeed true. Building the box yourself is the surest way to save big bucks on speakers. However, stick to known designs of kits and kit type designs. Don't get all fancy on your first time out, unless you have a background in mechanics, or experience in complex woodwork or cabinet work.

Knowing how to cut can be as important as knowing where to cut, for example -and it takes experience to know what that means.

Quote:
This is indeed true. Building the box yourself is the surest way to save big bucks on speakers. However, stick to known designs of kits and kit type designs. Don't get all fancy on your first time out, unless you have a background in mechanics, or experience in complex woodwork or cabinet work.

Knowing how to cut can be as important as knowing where to cut, for example -and it takes experience to know what that means.

If you don't know woodwork, don't do it yourself, I think is a good idea.

I have a Bissemeyer fence on a contractor's saw, etc. But if you don't have such a setup, don't try it.

(I presume you DO have such a setup, btw, I'm meaning generally, here.)

And, if you're not an acoustics expert, filter designer, and have access to some good modelling tools, don't do your own design, either.

Im about to find out...being totally enamored of my AudioKinesis Jazz Modules, I have just ordered the Geddes Abbey Kit. (my Jazz Modules are based on these)

http://www.gedlee.com/abbey.htm

Quote:
Im about to find out...being totally enamored of my AudioKinesis Jazz Modules, I have just ordered the Geddes Abbey Kit. (my Jazz Modules are based on these)

http://www.gedlee.com/abbey.htm

You MIGHT want to pick up Floyd's book on audio, speakers, and testing, and read it first.

Dunno the particular speaker, but the book may have some effect on your choices.

Here is a complete kit for a speaker that when finished could rival speakers which cost thousands a pair.
For $200 a pair they are one of the best deals in DIY available.
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-702
http://www.parts-express.com/projectshowcase/tritrix/index.cfm

Check out this link for Madisound. They have kits and some interesting designs.

http://www.madisound.com/kits/index.php

Quote:
i read from the forum that the 900 dollar "statements" DIY can beat a 4k to 8k speakers. if this is possible, i just can't imagine how these makers of audiophile speakers are making money.

Nobody thinks they have an ugly baby. In a similar turn of events most people love the sound of any DIY piece of audio gear that they build.

Quote:

Quote:
Im about to find out...being totally enamored of my AudioKinesis Jazz Modules, I have just ordered the Geddes Abbey Kit. (my Jazz Modules are based on these)

http://www.gedlee.com/abbey.htm

You MIGHT want to pick up Floyd's book on audio, speakers, and testing, and read it first.

Dunno the particular speaker, but the book may have some effect on your choices.

Hey, JJ.. I have it. I dont understand a lot of it, but I do know at least that Earl's designs are very unconventional.

http://gedlee.com/downloads/Horn%20Theory%20reply.pdf

http://www.gedlee.com/downloads/directivity.pdf

http://www.gedlee.com/downloads/Philosophy.pdf

(please get his book, "AUDIO TRANSDUCERS"

http://www.gedlee.com/Audio_trans.htm

Quote:
Check out this link for Madisound. They have kits and some interesting designs.

http://www.madisound.com/kits/index.php

Parts Express is also good in this respect. Less high-end style and more scientific, generally, although they do sell 150$ outlets, you should see the reviews.

Hello villamonte

I strongly agree with the notion that almost everyone can get the most for their bucks by going with DIY speakers.

I have built 5 pairs myself, the first one best forgotten.
The finish so bad I eventually ended up gluing felt (non-woven cloth) on the speaker.

But doing so I found out it dampened reflections - which made me return to that material later.

My second project was a pair of Voigt horns (technically isn't a true horn but a labyrinth case.

Link to a page with a somehwt different design than what I built http://www.valutronic.se/vh1e.html

Noting the design of the speaker racks used in rock concerts I built a pair based on a design by H.H. Klinger - also called Klinger horn since I mostly play rock anyhow.
The mid range speakers also got a shorter horn of their own on top, partly made from plywood I bent to make the parabolic expansion curve needed.
When finished I found they could reproduce classical music in a pleasant way as well.

The last pair I built was a 120 liter ported box with Gamma LA-1232 Bass, Scanspeak midrange and several Gamma MVD-13 ribbon tweeter horns. These were fitted first with Gammas own filter but later replaced with a succession of filters of my own design.

When they gotten some dents here and there I remembered the use of felt and added that to all sides of the speakers. They have received many comments for their unusual look, but - it does remove standing wave and reflections from walls! So there is some sense to my madness. =)
And they are as of writing once again under yet another revision - having become a life long tweak project.

Now I will not recommend a horn as one early project as I happened to end up with.
I did get them built in the end, but only after I had expanded my vocabulary in ways better not quoted on this forum.

So yes, first time I recommend a more regular speaker.
And I am certain you be fine just by going with the old saying of 'measure twice cut once' with precut pieces all you need is a powerdrill/screwdriver, with only that just about anyone should be able to build their own speakers.
When they are finished you will have one last thing to do, sometimes overlooked, to tune the speaker by adding / removing internal dampening material and shortening and increasing the length of the bass port tube.
Lastly, the crossover filters that follow with any kit I am aware of are inferior to what your speaker is potentially able to deliver. Replacing to better quality components of the same values for the capacitors can be a first step.

But having them completely replaced with a better design is often the best. With the speaker selected you should know the crossover frequencies, yet if not its possible to google the information, and from there you have the choice of either order the components and assemble yourself - or have some one build a superior design.

Now if you feel a kit is he best way to start, you still will have the fun of tuning it as mentioned above for your listening preferences.

Now before I fill an entire page of the forum with my deranged warbling I end my post by saying:

Your DIY speaker project can be lot of fun and a grand satisfaction of accomplishment at a budget price.