New DIY guy

Hello everyone, my name is Joe and I'm a DIY kind of guy. I've been browsing through the site for a while and recently decided to join. I'm very new to the HT thing but I'm not entirely new to DIY audio, I'll give you a little background.


I've got a passion for music of all kinds, several years ago I took that passion for music and started to build a car audio system. Like most people in their early 20's (I'm 26 now) I didn't have the money for a great home audio system, and I spent A LOT more time in my car than at home. Over the years I have learned a ton, my system is a fully active 2-way front stage with a nice IB sub stage. Having an active crossover capable head unit I have been able to research and audition a lot of drivers that I wouldn't normally be able to in a typical mobile setting. My current set up consists of Image Dynamics 6.5's and BG neo 3 tweeters up front and some IDQ 10's in the back.


Enough about that. I'm trying to apply my DIY spirit to my new home theater project. I've got a PS3 as my main source paired with a Denon 1610 receiver. It's time to build some decent speakers but this is where my car audio experience ceases to benefit me. I have a good understanding of the basics, I can read graphs, I understand voltage and wattage and impedance. I can build enclosures and I'm confident enough with an EQ but that's about where it ends. I don't have a full understanding of TS parameters, I can build a crossover but I wouldn't know how to design one. I can build simple sealed enclosures and basic vented ones, but I wouldn't be able to design anything more complicated.


These things are important for DIY home audio. I love the work, the building, the project aspect and I want to apply those principles to my new home theater set up. I want to build a great, budget friendly 5.1 set of speakers. This will be used for moves, but it still have to shine in stereo mode. Building the sub is easy, I will have no problem finding a good woofer and plate amp and building the appropriate enclosure for my situation. The difficult part will be building the front stage, L C R.


Given my limited knowledge but capable skills, a kit seems like the best solution. I have been contemplating the infamous Tritrix kit for a while now, but haven't pulled the trigger. It offers a great value, perfectly within my budget and the amount of work involved seems perfect for me to not get in over my head. The trouble I'm having with this is silly center channel. In mobile audio center channels don't exist in most situations, unless you have in car dvd. Since this is going to be a combination stereo/surround sound system I understand that the center channel is very important. With that being said I'm not sure which route to take. Regardless, the center channel will be toppled, I've read that this isn't good in most cases, but it's the most practical solution for my situation.


I'd like some suggestions as I get started. The first question I have is, if I but the Tritrix set for my fronts and build the TL enclosures would it be a step forward or backward to add a Tritrix center TOPPLED and SEALED? I don't know how differently the enclosure types will respond and this may cause some nasty inconsistencies when i turn on a movie in 5.1.


If this idea won't work, what are some recommendations for a good DIY 3 speaker kit? Considering the budget of a Tritrix front stage I'm open to suggestions. Would it be better to ditch the center channel if I can't match it properly, or is the importance of a perfectly matched center blown out of proportion?


Sorry for the long thread, it won't hurt my feelings if it goes unanswered.


Thanks,

Joe