Speaker kits

breal74
breal74 Posts: 324
edited November 2013 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
I have been wanting to build some 2 or 2.5 way speakers for about a year now. I am wondering if any of you have built any of the kits available from maddisound, or any other site with good results? My top end for drivers and crossover parts is in the $1500 range.
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  • lanchile
    lanchile Posts: 560
    edited November 2013
    I did build a few speaker kits from Parts express(under $600) and I was very happy with results. The one I was very surprised with their sound and price was the Dayton BR-!. Do not get fooled by their low price, they cost under $200 But they sound like $500 speakers!!! You do not need to spend that much money to get a good set of speakers. I think the DIY way is the right choice!
    Make it simple...Make it better!
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,592
    edited November 2013
    PM Face. He's built some RIDICULOUSLY cool speakers from kits before IIRC...
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,877
    edited November 2013
    The Madisound kits, by and large, have excellent reputations - as do some of the PE kits. I really don't think you can go wrong with either vendor - they're both very dedicated to the hobbyist/DIYer.

    Speaking of Madisound kits :-) my wife got me a pair of these for my birthday last week - these should be fun with single-ended 2A3 power...
    http://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/2-way-speaker-kits/fostex-p1000e-diy-kanspea-4-full-range-speaker-kit-pair/
    (with the venerable FE-103En, which traces its roots back to the Radio Shack/Foster (Fostex) FE-103 of the 1960s)

    fostex-p1000.jpg
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  • decal
    decal Posts: 3,205
    edited November 2013
    lanchile wrote: »
    I did build a few speaker kits from Parts express(under $600) and I was very happy with results. The one I was very surprised with their sound and price was the Dayton BR-!. Do not get fooled by their low price, they cost under $200 But they sound like $500 speakers!!! You do not need to spend that much money to get a good set of speakers. I think the DIY way is the right choice!

    What does a $500.00 speaker sound like?
    question.jpg
    If you can't hear a difference, don't waste your money.
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  • WLDock
    WLDock Posts: 3,073
    edited November 2013
    I've been wanting to build a kit for years given that I'm the hands on type and come from a DIY car audio background. To actually build something IMO would put the "H" in the hobby of audio. I plan to build the Mini Statements and Center hopefully next year? Will see... They use a TMWW topology and have an open back midrange that adds spaciousness and a ribbon tweeter. The driver, crossover, parts cost is about $650-$766 from Parts Express or Meniscus Audio: http://meniscusaudio.com/mini-statements-pair-p-1342.html
    Still need to add the cost for wire and wood.

    There are tons of builds out there for these and the larger "Statements." Also, there is a ton of feedback....I read that one guy like them more than his Magnepans.

    http://speakerdesignworks.com/MiniStatements.html

    My mental battle right now is I want to get them to look like this:

    attachment.php4?attachmentid=19655&stc=1
    The guy in South Africa that built these did an amazing job and had some amazing wood to work with. He used basic tools and skill. No CNC was used to make these!
    http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/multi-way/194569-trompie-s-statement-family-mains-center-mini-statements.html
    http://www.avsforum.com/t/1354647/trompie-s-curved-statement-family-building-thread

    I have skills but not sure its that good!.... But I plan to take my time and find out. This is a hobby right? LOL!

    Check out some of their other designs: http://speakerdesignworks.com/index.html They have some very well received 2 way and 2.5 way designs listed.
    2.2 Office Setup | LG 29UB55 21:9 UltraWide | HP Probook 630 G8 | Dell Latitude | Cabasse Stream Amp 100 | Boston Acoustics VS 240 | AUDIORAX Desk Stands | Mirage Omni S8 sub1 | Mirage Omni S8 Sub2
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  • lanchile
    lanchile Posts: 560
    edited November 2013
    decal wrote: »
    What does a $500.00 speaker sound like?
    question.jpg
    Buy "ANY" new pair under $500 speakers today and see if you like the sound. and "if" you DO like the sound....The Dayton BR-1 are for you!!!

    PS: I replaced the "stocked" resistors for Mills and a few other upgrades.(around $60 extra)
    Make it simple...Make it better!
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  • breal74
    breal74 Posts: 324
    edited November 2013
    Thanks for all the feedback. WLDock, those mini statements look nice, and are way under my budget. Like you, I am very hands on when it comes to most things and I figured that I could spend $1500 on speakers someone else built, or spend that on a project that I hope would out perform most manufactured speakers in that price range. Plus, I need a project for the rainy season. Thanks again guys.
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  • breal74
    breal74 Posts: 324
    edited November 2013
    "Speaking of Madisound kits :-) my wife got me a pair of these for my birthday last week - these should be fun with single-ended 2A3 power..."

    Those look like a fun build. Have fun and let us know how they turn out.
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