Building speakers (in the future)

Nemesis
Nemesis Posts: 70
edited February 2005 in Speakers
My best friend, the one who basically built my system, has convinced me that buying new speakers isn't the best way to go. We would build speakers, assuming he can teach me. It would allow me to learn how to put this stuff together and ultimately make me a more knowlegeable HT enthusiast. Long term that just seems better as I would spend similar money, even if somewaht more; I'd get more bang for the buck. Plus teh idea of custom speakers keyed for my unique room is too tempting.

I was wondering if anyone could suggest good components or websites. He has a speaker store we'd fo to, but it couldn't hurt to have an idea what to look for going into there.
"Nothing in this world is accomplished without passion."
-me
"Your buying what with your money? The money you should be saving"
-mom, on first learning of my purchase of a Harman Kardon AVR 235
"Jeter is playing golf right now. This is better."
-Manny Rameriz's poster for the World Champion Red Sox victory parade
Post edited by Nemesis on
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Comments

  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited February 2005
    Madisound!! www.madisound.com

    They can get many drivers for you that are in high-end speakers, and they also do custom crossover work for your exact combination of speakers.

    Get their catalog, its like a telephone book in thickness.
    Never Forget
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  • tryrrthg
    tryrrthg Posts: 1,896
    edited February 2005
    Originally posted by Nemesis
    My best friend, the one who basically built my system, has convinced me that buying new speakers isn't the best way to go.
    Buy USED speakers! A much better value.

    www.audiogon.com is your friend!

    Building speakers is cool but takes a LOT of knowledge (and skill) to get it right. Start by building a sub, they aren't as complicated as building crossovers, etc.
    Sony KDL-40V2500 HDTV, Rotel RSX-1067 Receiver, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray, Slim Devices Squeezebox, Polk RTi6, CSi3 & R15, DIY sub with Atlas 15
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited February 2005
    www.partsexpress.com

    They have awesome support and have a great DIY forum.
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • gatemplin
    gatemplin Posts: 1,595
    edited February 2005
    Speaker building is a great hobby but it is NOT cheaper at all. Sure maybe the first project if you buy a kit is cheaper but it is a snowball effect. It's very addictive. I suggest you at least read some DIY books too.

    I'll give you another site
    www.adireaudio.com

    Also GR research kits are very popular and check out the DIY section at home theater forum. Almost every kit has been posted there.

    Good luck.
    Graham
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  • EricH
    EricH Posts: 140
    edited February 2005
    I agree with Graham's point on the potential for DIY snowball effect, but I just built 3 of the Adire Kit 281's and am floored by what I got for the price. I couldn't beat this sound quality for the price, not even used. Being slightly proficient with woodworking is a definite plus, but not totally necessary. Building crossovers from a kit is easy, just do a little practice soldering first.

    There are a lot of helpful sites to gather all the info you need. Here are a few:

    www.diyaudio.com

    http://hometheatertalk.com/httalk/index.php

    http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=22

    And Graham is right, it IS addictive!
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  • cubdog
    cubdog Posts: 835
    edited February 2005
    Relating to this, I've been told most speaker cabinets even from cheap speakers are pretty decent. Can existing cabinets be utilized for DIY speaker projects saving time and construction costs. Or, will this dramatically reduce sound quality?

    cubdog
    Shuguang Classic S8MK
    Emotiva XDA-2
    Bel Canto M300 mono blocks
    Bel Canto DAC 1.5
    Squeezebox Touch
    Sony SS-M7
    A/D/S L710
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  • EricH
    EricH Posts: 140
    edited February 2005
    The kit crossover designs are based on specific speaker dimensions and internal cabinet volume. I think trying to use an old speaker cabinet would be setting you up for problems. You could, however, always try it first, then build the proper cabinet afterward if needed.
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  • EricH
    EricH Posts: 140
    edited February 2005
    And no, not all speaker cabinets have good build quality. Stick with at least 3/4" or better mdf/wood.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,775
    edited February 2005
    I find FR drivers are incredibly hard to mess up, stick them in about any enclosure, and stick some Polyfill in em and they will sound half way decent if not awesome...

    MTM, TM - crossovers, all that gets real complicated...

    Its fun though!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Nemesis
    Nemesis Posts: 70
    edited February 2005
    He is more than slightly proficent in building these stupid things.

    And hey, the snowball effect has already happened with my HT. First a HTiB, then my HK receiver, then front speakers,...:o
    "Nothing in this world is accomplished without passion."
    -me
    "Your buying what with your money? The money you should be saving"
    -mom, on first learning of my purchase of a Harman Kardon AVR 235
    "Jeter is playing golf right now. This is better."
    -Manny Rameriz's poster for the World Champion Red Sox victory parade
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  • Mjr7531
    Mjr7531 Posts: 856
    edited February 2005
    Originally posted by EricH
    And no, not all speaker cabinets have good build quality. Stick with at least 3/4" or better mdf/wood.

    If the enclosure is gonna be relatively big, I'm making a 5" x 8 7/8" x 6.5" enclosure with 1/2 MDF, why? It would be overkill to use any more than that, you could use bigger, but then you'd be making the enclosure bigger, and sometimes size does matter ;)
    Everything in moderation.
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  • gatemplin
    gatemplin Posts: 1,595
    edited February 2005
    Originally posted by Mjr7531
    If the enclosure is gonna be relatively big, I'm making a 5" x 8 7/8" x 6.5" enclosure with 1/2 MDF, why? It would be overkill to use any more than that, you could use bigger, but then you'd be making the enclosure bigger, and sometimes size does matter ;)
    Everything in moderation.

    That's what's good about DIY. You can do whatever you want. I try to do everything extreme myself, but that's me. If 3/4" will do, make it 1.5", if 4th order is enough, make it 8th order. You can build anything you want to, the way you want to.
    Graham
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,775
    edited February 2005
    My enclosure for my mini line array, sub, and mini sats are freakin inert...

    Tons of screws, nails, glue, brace, thick enclosure... vibrates little to none, more so none...

    I love it!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Nemesis
    Nemesis Posts: 70
    edited February 2005
    Open season. Yeah!

    I'm going to have to print this thread for future reference...:)
    "Nothing in this world is accomplished without passion."
    -me
    "Your buying what with your money? The money you should be saving"
    -mom, on first learning of my purchase of a Harman Kardon AVR 235
    "Jeter is playing golf right now. This is better."
    -Manny Rameriz's poster for the World Champion Red Sox victory parade
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter