[alphauby]

I just started exploring DIY speaker systems and got really interested.


How do you compare DIY speakers (In terms of Sound & Value) as compared to the Stock Speakers from the good brands ?


Like how would you compare the Impresario from Parts Express , HiVi Speakers from DIYprojects compare to speakers from the speaker company, the B&W 684 and Paradigm Studio Series ?


I am trying to build up a 7.1 setup for my 17' X 30' Carpeted Room with Brick Walls and Concrete Ceiling. I have the Denon 1908 and would like to start building the system with the fronts, center and sub. What is the best possible DIY for such a setup ? I am obviously not willing to spend as much as the paradigm or the B&W. I am not worried about the casing as I have good arrangements, just looking for excellent drivers and accessories (at a lower cost of course) to compete with Axiom, SVS, Elemental Design, B&W etc ....


My major usage is movies and am very sensitive about my center. I like "CRISP" vocals that I could hear distinctly without fusing it with the bass.


Any help, guidance and experiences would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks,

Osman

 

[Jay1]

There's a bunch of highly regarded speaker projects over here that have matching centers. I would avoid Dayton Classic based designs (Impressario) if your after extremely clear vocals.


You will easily get performance on par with higher end commercial offerings from most of these DIY speakers.

 

[tvrgeek]

Quality brands usually have quality drivers. The units you speak of are about mid-range in the DIY arena. The crossover is where the magic happens. I might recommend you start with established designs. There are many. Also look for evaluations of drivers on sites like Zaph and Linkwitz. Measurements of their quality are not easy for DIY.


I would stay away from metal for your first speakers. They take a lot more crossover work. Pick a design with more forgiving drivers first time out. Bad news is, quality starts about $40 per driver.

 

[LTD02]

lol, i'd say quality starts around $300 per driver. ;-)

 

[synthesis08]

The Recession Buster kit from Madisound will easily match or surpass the BW 6xx series bookshelf, imo.

 

[alphauby]



Quote:
Originally Posted by synthesis08 /forum/post/16888461


The Recession Buster kit from Madisound will easily match or surpass the BW 6xx series bookshelf, imo.

I like the setup and it is hell cheap too (They are on Sale). If this is at par with BW 6XX series, I am going for them but I am more inclined toward floor standing. Any Great Recommendations for floor standing and center ?

 

[penngray]



Quote:
Originally Posted by synthesis08 /forum/post/16888461


The Recession Buster kit from Madisound will easily match or surpass the BW 6xx series bookshelf, imo.

If you add the custom crossover modification found on Htguide.com then I would say the RB kits are better but the original crossovers are not perfect. I love the RBs for surrounds but some great measurements have been done to show the RBs do have some minor issues.

 

[penngray]



Quote:
Originally Posted by alphauby /forum/post/16889588


I like the setup and it is hell cheap too (They are on Sale). If this is at par with BW 6XX series, I am going for them but I am more inclined toward floor standing. Any Great Recommendations for floor standing and center ?

DIY?


several very popular builds out there!


The Statements seem to have the best reputation you can find everything about them on htguide.com forums.


Zaphaudio.com has many builds too, maybe the ZRT3.5 (I think thats it)


These are proven designs, you just need to follow they instructions!

 

[tvrgeek]



Quote:
Originally Posted by LTD02 /forum/post/16888160


lol, i'd say quality starts around $300 per driver. ;-)

In reference to beginners. Actually there are some jewels out there. About $80 for a Seas tweeter, several 6 1/2 in the 120 to 200 range, Peerless HDS etc. Big woofers, yea, no doubt. My point was if you care about the end product, a $20 tweeter and $30 woofer will never be hi-fi. Excellent to learn with. Build some garage speakers to learn how to plan, model, build, tune, repeat.


The basic caution is although you don't always get what you pay for, if you don't pay for it, you won't get it!

 

[synthesis08]



Quote:
Originally Posted by penngray /forum/post/16889763


If you add the custom crossover modification found on Htguide.com then I would say the RB kits are better but the original crossovers are not perfect. I love the RBs for surrounds but some great measurements have been done to show the RBs do have some minor issues.

I haven't seen the modified xover/measurement. There may be some discrepancies in measurement due to different equipment/method. Anyway, as it is the sound is clean and clear. It's quite good... until you compare it with Scanspeak.

 

[alphauby]



Quote:
Originally Posted by penngray /forum/post/16889769


DIY?


several very popular builds out there!


The Statements seem to have the best reputation you can find everything about them on htguide.com forums.


Zaphaudio.com has many builds too, maybe the ZRT3.5 (I think thats it)


These are proven designs, you just need to follow they instructions!

The Statements seem to be cool, but they seem to be out of my budget at $800. The Zaph Speakers also seem to be excellent. As my first "REAL" speakers, I would like to buy a kit, that I can just assemble easily and fix into a cabinet. Though I am an Engineer, but I would like to keep things a little simple for the first time. I also want to get great sound and am willing to pay for it but I have a limit as well. I need to get along on my fronts and a center and then later assemble a sub for my 7.1


Where can I buy an easy kit for the Zaph Speakers ?


So far I am in love with the Recession Buster Kit, I am trying to look for floor standing speakers as It is hard for me to place a book shelf speaker in my living room.


Also, Practically what is the difference between an MTM and TMM ?

 

[Jay1]

Madisound sells a few Zaph kits , there's also a parts express project showcase for the ZDT3.5 that lets you add everything needed to your cart.

 

[exojam]

Below is a floor standing design. You would just need to either build or have someone build you the cabinets.


Tritrix (120.00 for everything but the cabinets):
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=300-700


From Curts website (designer of the speaker):
http://www.geocities.com/cc00541/Tritrix_pg_1.html


James

 

[alphaiii]



Quote:
Originally Posted by penngray /forum/post/16889763


If you add the custom crossover modification found on Htguide.com then I would say the RB kits are better but the original crossovers are not perfect. I love the RBs for surrounds but some great measurements have been done to show the RBs do have some minor issues.

Any idea whether the crossovers in the RB2 Kit suffer from the same issues as the original RB crossovers?

 

[kgveteran]

After hearing brands like Energy, B&W, Hale Audio, Focal, and selling them I feel the designs over at HT Guide trump them in sound quality and value.


I was looking at purchasing The Aerial Acoustic CC3's used for about $1,500 each. I needed three horizontal centers to match behind an AT SMX screen I was building.


I then went blind and built three RS WTMW centers from the HT Guide forum. The driver quality was just what i needed , but what would they sound like. I'm sure they wont be replaced any time soon. The XO was designed by Curt C and it sounds sweet. Clear, well balanced and incredibly smooth. All for $1,200.00 Total all three !!!!!!!!!, and i hired a cabinet maker due to my lack in wood working skill.

Go blind unless you can get someone to do a demo for you. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT ONE BIT.


Then I got bold and modified a proven design by Mark K for an on wall twoway using an RS28a and an RS225 eight inch woofer. These would be used for surround duty ( Four for a 7.1 system )

Then there's subwoofers.... DIY and better than any commercial sub I've heard.

Just read and ask questions, and read somemore...enjoy and I wish you good luck on your build !!!!

 

[vasyachkin]

commercial speakers are a better value if you can find one that suits your desires and it doesn't fall into "exotic" range.


for example Mackie HR824 suited my need for high quality desktop speakers. i wouldn't be able to match their value using DIY when you consider the cost of amplifers that they have built in. the reason HR824 has such a great value is because its a "mainstream" product used by virtually everybody.


now if i wanted 4-way active speakers i would be well into "exotic" on the commercial side. i'd be looking at $50,000+ and at this point DIY would be a better value.


you can't beat economies of scale when they apply ( as in the case of HR824 ). but in case of exotic speakers they don't, and diy CAN BE a better value.


but again thats only because you actually CAN build a 4-way active speaker at home very easily. on the other hand you cannot easily build a planar magnetic speaker at home. so while Magnepan commercial speaker may be an exotic it STILL represents good value.


so basically DIY is only a better value in maybe 20% of cases. just like building your own car may make sense if your objective is drag racing but doesn't make any sense if you simply need to drive to work. building speakers is so easy though that most people do it for no reason whatsoever except fun.

 

[kgveteran]



Quote:
Originally Posted by vasyachkin /forum/post/16891204


commercial speakers are a better value if you can find one that suits your desires and it doesn't fall into "exotic" range.


for example Mackie HR824 suited my need for high quality desktop speakers. i wouldn't be able to match their value using DIY when you consider the cost of amplifers that they have built in. the reason HR824 has such a great value is because its a "mainstream" product used by virtually everybody.


now if i wanted 4-way active speakers i would be well into "exotic" on the commercial side. i'd be looking at $50,000+ and at this point DIY would be a better value.


you can't beat economies of scale when they apply ( as in the case of HR824 ). but in case of exotic speakers they don't, and diy CAN BE a better value.


but again thats only because you actually CAN build a 4-way active speaker at home very easily. on the other hand you cannot easily build a planar magnetic speaker at home. so while Magnepan commercial speaker may be an exotic it STILL represents good value.


so basically DIY is only a better value in maybe 20% of cases. just like building your own car may make sense if your objective is drag racing but doesn't make any sense if you simply need to drive to work. building speakers is so easy though that most people do it for no reason whatsoever except fun.

I try so hard not to point out your invalid posts, but here we go again.....can I pay you to go back to that avnetDIY thing...I'll pay you really.....

 

[mjg100]



Quote:
Originally Posted by alphauby /forum/post/16886831


I just started exploring DIY speaker systems and got really interested.


How do you compare DIY speakers (In terms of Sound & Value) as compared to the Stock Speakers from the good brands ?


Like how would you compare the Impresario from Parts Express , HiVi Speakers from DIYprojects compare to speakers from the speaker company, the B&W 684 and Paradigm Studio Series ?


I am trying to build up a 7.1 setup for my 17' X 30' Carpeted Room with Brick Walls and Concrete Ceiling. I have the Denon 1908 and would like to start building the system with the fronts, center and sub. What is the best possible DIY for such a setup ? I am obviously not willing to spend as much as the paradigm or the B&W. I am not worried about the casing as I have good arrangements, just looking for excellent drivers and accessories (at a lower cost of course) to compete with Axiom, SVS, Elemental Design, B&W etc ....


My major usage is movies and am very sensitive about my center. I like "CRISP" vocals that I could hear distinctly without fusing it with the bass.


Any help, guidance and experiences would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks,

Osman

There is a third option. Commercial and DIY combined. I use a small commercial speaker as a mid/tweeter unit and added a DIY bass bin (active crossover) to make it a three way speaker. Since the bass bin is located with the mains I can have it go above 80Hz with out worrying about localization. Nice low cost approach because you can find deals on decent small speakers all the time.

 

[vasyachkin]



Quote:
Originally Posted by kgveteran /forum/post/16891632


I try so hard not to point out your invalid posts, but here we go again.....can I pay you to go back to that avnetDIY thing...I'll pay you really.....

you can pay me ...

 

[kgveteran]



Quote:
Originally Posted by vasyachkin /forum/post/16892319


you can pay me ...

I'll have my atty draw up the papers...almost like an Order of Protection in a criminal court. How much ?