Zaph|Audio SR71 VS. dynaudio 52SE?

[eno]

Is the sound quality comparable to, say, Dynaudio 52SE? The latter can be found at 700-800 range used and the Sr-71 kit sales for 630 at madisound. How are these Seas drivers compared with Dynaudio? I'd like to start DIY and have some fun. I'd also hope the time I spend is worth it. i.e., my DIY is better sound for less money. How do you think?

[eno]

As i understand is a true DIYer does not take the cost as an issue. I think my real question is how these Seas drivers compare with the Dynaudio drivers used by Audiance 62?

[Digitalscrap]

High sound quality/cost-of-materials ratio is a side effect of DIY efforts...and I think you will be disappointed if you make it your primary objective. The beauty of DIY is how you can achieve what YOU enjoy, without commercial/production constraints. So if you are spending your time in the enjoyable pursuit of your sound, you win big....but if you are spending your time to get a cheap but good-sounding speaker, well, you might be left on the wrong end of the value equation. Every DIY project I've done has, upon final accounting, cost more than my initial estimates (so easy to buy tools, finish, tweaks, etc).

How much is your time worth per hour? Using your figures, if you like both speakers, there's only a $200 difference. Even if you don't have to buy tools or any additional materials, 20 hours isn't much to spend on a project! (and I think many of us would value our time >> $10/hour).

...I do not respond this way to be discouraging to DIY, but because it is difficult for one person to value another's DIY effort (especially online). If you do it primarily for fun, well, get started on the SR71's!

[Charles Darwin]

Hhmm… my entire speaker system (drivers, boxes, active xovers and four stereo amps) cost less to build than two of the subs I copied cost in the shops.

[6L6]

You will never regret a foray into DIY such as the SR71. It's a well-regarded, well documented project using some of the best drivers that are available today. You can't really go wrong with a full kit, everything you need is in one box, it has grills and the cabinet finish is beautiful.

Madisound only sells full kits that are excellent performers. Over the years I have had many, all of which were very, very nice speakers, and a few that I have truly regretted getting rid of...

That said, the Dynaudio is also a very nice product.

But you will never get the satisfaction of knowing that you built it...

[McCormack]

""High sound quality/cost-of-materials ratio is a side effect of DIY efforts...and I think you will be disappointed if you make it your primary objective.""

That's a big 10-4. I originally got into DIY to save money, but by the time I'm done spending the time and money tweaking my DIY gear to get it to sound the way I want it to, it would be much more cost effective to just go out and purchase commercially available products.

[chrisodeasey]

Digitalscrap, and McCormack are absolutely right, though I am new to posting, I have been reading for years, I got hooked from entering Lynn Olson's Nutshellhifi.com six years and many many many thousands of dollars ago. "Thanks Lynn". But if you enjoy being constructive and are willing to put forth the time and have patients through the process. You will find a rewarding hobby, If these attributes don't particular fit you. Buy ready to use . Good luck

[6L6]

Originally Posted by McCormack

I originally got into DIY to save money, but by the time I'm done spending the time and money tweaking my DIY gear to get it to sound the way I want it to, it would be much more cost effective to just go out and purchase commercially available products.

My experience has been the opposite. Although;

Yes, most projects do usually end up costing more than originally planned. (Not, however, Kits.) ((Usually)) ((( )))

The price/performance ratio of a well-documented project is usually incredible. Although you could go buy a speaker new for the $630 that the SR71s cost, the fact is that it doesn't have $630 worth of stuff in it - in fact, the old 4:1 ratio of cost vs. retail is still quite accurate. In other words, if the SR71 were to be in an audio store, it would be in the $2400 range. Not $630.

Where things get really expensive is when you try do do your first project from scratch or with just a basic schematic... Because you are out on your own with no safety net, things can just plain not work or work poorly. I have been there and done that! (more than I care to admit...) If you count that into costs of DIY, it does make the total bill go up. However, it is never a complete loss, as you do learn a bunch along the way, regardless if the project is a compete success. But that's not really applicable to you (the original poster) at this time.

So my humble suggestion is to build a well-known project. In all likelihood it will easily and quickly succeed, and be nothing short of wonderful.

A Madisound kit is a perfect place to start.

Welcome to the journey!

[speakrsrfun]

OK I'm going to answer with this, what amplification are you using and what kind out output are you looking at achieving? Dynaudio drivers I have quite a bit of experience with as before I got into fullrange I was an avid Dynaudio fan, one drawback to Dyns, sensitivity, like a 2 way with 84dB after x-over, the seas system is as I understand it at least 2-3 dB more sensitive. Dyns are hard to kill, 3" voice coils tend to help with linearity and distortion is minimal, but they don't sing with less than a few hundred watts available. JMHO. The seas kit will be a much better place to start, I believe you'll be much happier with something a little more friendly in all respects.

[6L6]

The Dynaudios he is talking about are 86db 2.83v/1m

Dynaudio - Authentic Fidelity

Which really isn't that much more than 84... but still in the right direction.