DIY or Retail

[Ironman129]

So I've been doing a bit of research on new speakers and have come across some amazing DIY projects. I've been looking at Paradigm Signatures and PSB Synchroniy Ones and have set aside $4k as a budget for my fronts. While I've never built speakers before I have done quite a few DIY projects around the house and am intrigued about building my own speakers. As a first timer will I be able to make a decent set up that can match the SQ of higher end retail speakers? How do I go about deciding on a design and components (full range vs multiple driver, ribbon tweeter vs dome)?

Thanks for any info.

[Pano]

Welcome to the forum.

My answer to your question is "Yes". But as a first time builder you want to find a good project that is well known and liked and follow it. Your first build will be hard enough, don't try to design it yourself.
Start looking here and across the web for speaker projects that have a lot of successful builds. Define your speaker size, use and budget before you start. Have fun!

[planet10]

Welcome,

+1 on what Pano says. You might also start with a smaller project 1st.

dave

[Cal Weldon]

Nah, go big or go home. If someone has done the design work either as a set of plans or a ready to assemble kit, ask your wife what size speaker you're allowed and get something just a little bigger.

[Ironman129]

Well, if my initial budget was $4k for front speakers, what would be a good budget to start with? I am looking for floor standing speakers with the best sound possible. I've seen some things from Fostex and Audio Nirvana about full range drivers, and have read a couple of forum threads from Dennis Murphy who seems to like the RAAL ribbon tweeters. Do be honest, I don't even know what a good budget is to start with. If I say $1500 for a front pair of floor standing speakers, is that a good place to start? If this is my first pair of DIY does that mean I shouldn't expect good SQ? I know it will take time to build and I love working with my hands. Most of my projects are around the house, rebuilding a basement into and apartment, completely redoing the kitchen, turning the attic into a guest room etc... I understand that I should start with a more simple project, but will I be happy with resulting SQ? Also is there a good selection of plans that I could look at that are geared more for beginners? Again thanks for the welcome and advice!

[Saturnus]

Find something far less expensive for your first build. A $300-$500 pair of small two-way speakers or full-rangers with Fostex FE206E/FE166E in back loaded horns is an excellent place to start.

[6L6]

The most important thing you can do is use an existing design for your first project. You will not be able to do the engineering on a new design your first time out without spending a huge amount of money on tools, test equipment, software, multiple speaker drivers, and crossover equipment.

My suggestion is to look at these websites and choose a project that appeals to you.

DIY Loudspeaker Projects Troels Gravesen

Humble Homemade Hifi

Zaph|Audio

There are many designs for you to look at, you will find something that appeals to you strongly.

[kevinahcc20]

Also check out Linkwitz Lab - Loudspeaker Design...DIY Orion would be just within your budget and Pluto very comfortably under it.

[Ironman129]

The Orion's look amazing. Is that to bog of a project for my first DIY? I don't care as much for the Plutos but would be a better place to start?

[kevinahcc20]

Any speaker project will require the skills to cut plywood (or mdf or other sheet goods) to construct the structure of the speaker. The Orion structure is fairly straightforward except for the side panels, which are best rough cut with a jigsaw or bandsaw and routed to finished dimension using an mdf template and flush trim bit. Mounting the drivers is like any other speaker project. One of the most challenging parts of the Orion project is finding the precision film capacitors for the analog signal processing module...this is helped by the new PC boards that accomodate the lead spacing of the more available brands. I haven't built Pluto but the structure certainly seems more straightforward than Orion. If you are considering either join the ORION/PLUTO Users Group ; Index page and read up on either or both. The members are very supportive in providing advice and counsel!