Possible to build speakers that are => Paradigm Studio 100's for less than $1000?

[GTHill]

The subject says it all! I have never built speakers, but I am a competent woodworker.

I currently own a set of Paradigm Studio 100's. I now want to build a set of my own speakers, and if I can do it after selling the 100's then I would be in good shape with my wife.

I would prefer to work off of a set of known good plans since I'm not smart enough (yet?) to design my own.

Thank you very much for your advice.

Gene

[ShinOBIWAN]

I've never heard the Paradigm Studio 100's so can't really suggest something that would sound similar in DIY land. However there's a number of highly respected designs that you could look into.

I'm guessing you'll be wanting a fair old whack of bass since the Studio 100's come able equipped here:



Personally with a $1000 budget I'd go for the most quality and worry about quantity later on. This would mean a 2 way but without knowing your room size and listening habits that might be a bad choice.

Any if you look over these sites, I'm sure you'll find something that sounds interesting:

http://www.zaphaudio.com/
http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/Diy_Lou...r_Projects.htm
http://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/

If you are looking for lots of bass but good quality bass at that then you could just squeeze in a pair of these Dayton RS 3-way for $1000:

http://htguide.com/forum/showpost.ph...&postcount=537

[marchel]

I thing you can do it with for a little more than $1000-

This design HERE should go a little louder than the studio 100, with more sensitivity.

[GTHill]

Thank you for the reply.

A two way speaker, does that mean only two driven elements or just two a mid and a tweeter?

I have a decent powered sub (Paradigm Servo 15) that provides more bass than my room (and wife) can tolerate.

My listening area is 15' x 18', but the left side of the room opens up into the kitchen and dining room.

I listen to a 50/50 mix of music and movies. I like it loud, but I do not like to sacrifice quality at any listening level.

I once heard a set of Wilson Audio Alexandria's in a store in Colorado. That is what I want, but for $1000. Kidding...

I can increase my budget over $1000 if necessary. I would like to stay within what I could sell my 100's for (guessing $1800). This budget is just for speakers, crossovers and whatever else I'll need. I already have a decent stock of wood etc.

Thanks again for the help!

Gene

[zlazar]

nice speakers. I found guy who build some kind of this on : http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/article/1815/

[wigginjs]

Build Zaph's ZD5 and cross to your sub at like, 80Hz. You won't even break $1000 and I bet it will sound incredible.

[GTHill]

So how much (excluding cabinets) would it cost to build these?

http://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/Humble_Statement.html

I'm guessing a lot, but they sure seem to be really nice!

Gene

[Hezz]

Originally posted by GTHill
The subject says it all! I have never built speakers, but I am a competent woodworker.

I currently own a set of Paradigm Studio 100's. I now want to build a set of my own speakers, and if I can do it after selling the 100's then I would be in good shape with my wife.

I would prefer to work off of a set of known good plans since I'm not smart enough (yet?) to design my own.

Thank you very much for your advice.

Gene

GT
For around 1000 bucks you can kill the Paradigm 100's. In fact, if you are willing to go with something other than a wood enclosure you can probably make something as good as Wilson Watt/Puppy's and even voice it to your liking and listening room?

To keep cost low go with a standard 2 or 3 way with cost effective drivers from Vifa, Seas, Peerless or other brand like these that offer high performance/cost ratio.

The method for great sound is:

1) Carefully selected drivers; 2) good enclosure design; 3) enclosure built to higher than standard high-end quality ie, thicker walls, better bracing, more driver separation, larger cabinets for drivers, etc, 4) and a very carefully designed crossover with good parts quality.

You can built cabinet out of epoxy resin, sand and lead shot and woven fiberglass like Rockport does to make a cabinet that is better than all others but it is work intensive and somewhat more expensive than MDF and plywood.

[Hezz]

Originally posted by GTHill
So how much (excluding cabinets) would it cost to build these?

http://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/Humble_Statement.html

I'm guessing a lot, but they sure seem to be really nice!

Gene

More than 1000 bucks. Those are very expensive Accuton drivers. Probably 1500-2000 just for the drivers not including crossovers, and other materials. Also, these kinds of exotic drivers require more filter design knowledge since they have really bad sounding resonances out of the intended listening band that have to be dealt with.

For a first time project stick to paper and polycone woofers and mid/bass drivers and silk or linen dome tweeters. They are more forgiving

[GTHill]

Originally posted by Hezz




You can built cabinet out of epoxy resin, sand and lead shot and woven fiberglass like Rockport does to make a cabinet that is better than all others but it is work intensive and somewhat more expensive than MDF and plywood.

Could you direct me to some resources for cabinet design of this type? Since I already have decent speakers I'm not in a hurry so learning a new construction technique would be lots of fun. It would also give me some time to save up for some really good drivers and crossovers.

Thank you very much for your help!

Gene