Good *Budget* DIY speaker kits
codycatalist
Posts: 2,662
I've recently been thinking about buying a DIY kit and building some bookshelf speakers. I took a quick peek at Madisound but it seems the price gap is pretty big for anything other than Coaxial single driver speaker kits.
Looking for something more along the lines of tweeter with mid/bass combo that isn't above $200. Preferably with cabinets or if someone can point me in the direction of where I can get pre fabricated cabinet pieces (Don't have power tools so will be doing most by hand).
Thanks!
Looking for something more along the lines of tweeter with mid/bass combo that isn't above $200. Preferably with cabinets or if someone can point me in the direction of where I can get pre fabricated cabinet pieces (Don't have power tools so will be doing most by hand).
Thanks!
Just a dude doing dude-ly things
"Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
" I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
"Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
"Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
"Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member
"Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
" I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
"Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
"Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
"Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member
Comments
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Awesome! Being at work doesn't give me a lot of time to search around. I've heard good things about Dayton Audio though. Might pick it up and switch the vinyl to veneer on the cabs.Just a dude doing dude-ly things
"Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
" I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
"Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
"Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
"Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member -
I might find a way to order it myself and get it up here to Canada eh, but for under $200 bones US it comes with everything, boards, crossover parts, drivers, cabinets, grilles, sealant, foam and chassis wire with connectors, other than getting it shipped in parts it's a complete pair of speakers.
Yeah it seems like a great deal! Like you said the reviews are pretty good, comparing them to $600-800 speakers.Just a dude doing dude-ly things
"Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
" I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
"Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
"Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
"Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member -
Look for articles in the Parts Express forums of mods done with the kit designs anlong with http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/
Lot's of good info
GL2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC
erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a -
Does anyone have experience with single full range driver DIYs? I'm wondering how they sound compared to a traditional tweeter - midrange set up.Just a dude doing dude-ly things
"Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
" I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
"Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
"Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
"Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member -
Follow this thread
http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/174170/playing-with-full-range-speakers#latest2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC
erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a -
txcoastal1 wrote: »Look for articles in the Parts Express forums of mods done with the kit designs anlong with http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/
Lot's of good info
GL
Great! I have an alone day at the house when I get off work (other half is going out with the ladies) so I will put some music on the SDAs and read for a couple hours. Thanks @txcoastal1 !Just a dude doing dude-ly things
"Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
" I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
"Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
"Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
"Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member -
txcoastal1 wrote: »
Following and will read up today. Thanks again!Just a dude doing dude-ly things
"Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
" I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
"Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
"Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
"Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member -
These are halcyon days for loudspeaker kits! There are almost literally too many to recount, at all price points, different sensitivities and (of course) sonic merit. The latter is pretty much a matter of individual taste, though.
Madisound and even good old Parts Express are excellent sources of kits lesser and greater.
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Yeah checked out Madisound this morning but it seemed like the prices went from $50 to $150 to $500 hahaha! Didn't check out parts express beyond the dayton audio link mentioned earlier.Just a dude doing dude-ly things
"Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
" I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
"Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
"Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
"Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member -
codycatalist wrote: »Does anyone have experience with single full range driver DIYs? I'm wondering how they sound compared to a traditional tweeter - midrange set up.
I have built & designed a fair number of SFRD speakers. They are not everyone's cuppa! If you want high SPLs, look elsewhere. If you want big bass, look elsewhere.
But...if you are looking for modest SPL with a very coherent sound this may be worth looking into. Many folks listen to SFRDs that are poorly done: cabinets unsuited to the driver; not corrected for baffle step loss; too small a driver for the application, etc.
Also note that the amp can be critical to the result! I have tried some amps that sounded pretty good on multi-way speakers, but sounded unlistenable on SFRDs. One SS amp produced horrible sibilance with Fostex FE206e drivers. With Fostex F120A drivers, the only SS amp that sounds decent is the Pass Amp Camp Amp; but it is heavenly with almost any tube amp. I don't understand why some combinations have synergy and others are a total fail. It's way more complicated than the damping factor that folks go on about.
For a first taste of SFRD, I can recommend the Fostex Kanspea kit with the optional FF85wk driver:
https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/2-way-speaker-kits/fostex-p800e-diy-kanspea-3-full-range-speaker-kit-pair/
I built similar speakers using the FF85k driver (now superseded by the FF85wk). On the low end, they will only reach to about 100 Hz. Most regard them as desk top speakers. But if you high pass them and add a sub, they will fill a typical size room to moderate SPLs. With the FF85k and my favorite amps (Yamaha CR-1000 and Sansui 4000 receivers from the 1970's) they don't seem to need any BSC or EQ. Haven't heard the FF85wk yet, but it is reputed to be even better than the old FF85k.
Good Luck!A day without music is like a day without food. -
Take a look at the kit offerings by Meniscus.Several excellent designs at different price points ,many by well regarded designers like Jeff Bagby. http://meniscusaudio.com/kits-c-133.html
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Jim Shearer wrote: »codycatalist wrote: »Does anyone have experience with single full range driver DIYs? I'm wondering how they sound compared to a traditional tweeter - midrange set up.
I have built & designed a fair number of SFRD speakers. They are not everyone's cuppa! If you want high SPLs, look elsewhere. If you want big bass, look elsewhere.
But...if you are looking for modest SPL with a very coherent sound this may be worth looking into. Many folks listen to SFRDs that are poorly done: cabinets unsuited to the driver; not corrected for baffle step loss; too small a driver for the application, etc.
Also note that the amp can be critical to the result! I have tried some amps that sounded pretty good on multi-way speakers, but sounded unlistenable on SFRDs. One SS amp produced horrible sibilance with Fostex FE206e drivers. With Fostex F120A drivers, the only SS amp that sounds decent is the Pass Amp Camp Amp; but it is heavenly with almost any tube amp. I don't understand why some combinations have synergy and others are a total fail. It's way more complicated than the damping factor that folks go on about.
For a first taste of SFRD, I can recommend the Fostex Kanspea kit with the optional FF85wk driver:
https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/2-way-speaker-kits/fostex-p800e-diy-kanspea-3-full-range-speaker-kit-pair/
I built similar speakers using the FF85k driver (now superseded by the FF85wk). On the low end, they will only reach to about 100 Hz. Most regard them as desk top speakers. But if you high pass them and add a sub, they will fill a typical size room to moderate SPLs. With the FF85k and my favorite amps (Yamaha CR-1000 and Sansui 4000 receivers from the 1970's) they don't seem to need any BSC or EQ. Haven't heard the FF85wk yet, but it is reputed to be even better than the old FF85k.
Good Luck!
Yeah SPL isn't what I am after just good replication of 100hz and up. I can always add a sub if I want to fill it out. As you stated and I have read it seems single full range drivers work best with tube amps and hardly with SS. I can't quite drop the coin for a tube pre or amplifier so I might stick with traditional tweet/mid combos.Just a dude doing dude-ly things
"Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
" I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
"Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
"Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
"Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member -
Here is another great place to checkout speakers:
diysoundgroup.com
They sell kits and you can even have the xover built for a small fee...."....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)
