Hi All. A quick thank you for all the really high quality content on this forum!
Any, I’m at an age where I’m in a position to start building a modest but respectable system. At present we have a medium sized lounge with a wood floor where we watch TV. I’m a little embarrassed to admit it here, but the current speaker system is the Logitech Z623. I previously had the Logitech Z-2300 setup, which was tolerable, but the Z623 is a big step backward and the more I listen, the less I like it (I have a set of Alesis M1 Active 520 bookshelf speakers with my computer, which produce a much nicer sound).
I was looking at just swapping it out for one of the powered Edifier speakers (Like the Edifier R1280T). I looked at those and started creeping up the range in price. At a certain point I decided it might make more sense to start investing in something that wouldn’t need to be replaced for a while.
Looking through various options, I started reading up on the DIY options. I have some limited woodworking and electronics experience, but do have access to a community workshop with the necessary equipment (and hopefully some experience I can tap into). The idea of building something and transferring my labour into value and quality has a lot of appeal
Looking through the various options, I really like the concept behind Jeff Bagby’s Continuum speakers. The comments about clarity of vocals and overall quality really appeal. I see the kit is available at Meniscus Audio for around USD$400. I’m based in NZ, so it’s a further USD$135 for shipping. The wood and materials I can buy as I go, so I will pretend to myself that they don’t cost anything.
I was looking at powering the speakers with the S.M.S.L AD18 amplifier which I can get for about USD$150 including shipping. It appears to be a decent, if neutral amplifier.
So, overall I’m allowing around USD$700 toward upgrading the speaker/amplifier setup. The audio chain is my Rasberry Pi 3 box > HDMI out to the TV > digital audio line out to the AD18 amplifier. In the future I’d like to build a PC Multimedia box with a decent soundcard.
The most important thing for me is the clarity of sound. I will look to add a DIY subwoofer once this first step is completed.
Anyway, I have a few questions:
Any, I’m at an age where I’m in a position to start building a modest but respectable system. At present we have a medium sized lounge with a wood floor where we watch TV. I’m a little embarrassed to admit it here, but the current speaker system is the Logitech Z623. I previously had the Logitech Z-2300 setup, which was tolerable, but the Z623 is a big step backward and the more I listen, the less I like it (I have a set of Alesis M1 Active 520 bookshelf speakers with my computer, which produce a much nicer sound).
I was looking at just swapping it out for one of the powered Edifier speakers (Like the Edifier R1280T). I looked at those and started creeping up the range in price. At a certain point I decided it might make more sense to start investing in something that wouldn’t need to be replaced for a while.
Looking through various options, I started reading up on the DIY options. I have some limited woodworking and electronics experience, but do have access to a community workshop with the necessary equipment (and hopefully some experience I can tap into). The idea of building something and transferring my labour into value and quality has a lot of appeal
Looking through the various options, I really like the concept behind Jeff Bagby’s Continuum speakers. The comments about clarity of vocals and overall quality really appeal. I see the kit is available at Meniscus Audio for around USD$400. I’m based in NZ, so it’s a further USD$135 for shipping. The wood and materials I can buy as I go, so I will pretend to myself that they don’t cost anything.
I was looking at powering the speakers with the S.M.S.L AD18 amplifier which I can get for about USD$150 including shipping. It appears to be a decent, if neutral amplifier.
So, overall I’m allowing around USD$700 toward upgrading the speaker/amplifier setup. The audio chain is my Rasberry Pi 3 box > HDMI out to the TV > digital audio line out to the AD18 amplifier. In the future I’d like to build a PC Multimedia box with a decent soundcard.
The most important thing for me is the clarity of sound. I will look to add a DIY subwoofer once this first step is completed.
Anyway, I have a few questions:
- The Contiuum Kit has six capacitor options. From reading this forum, it seems there is a split on opinion as to how much difference this makes. I’m leaning towards the Clarity CSA as a midpoint. Is this an important point, or will the capacitors sound essentially the same?
- How important is the slightly recessed baffle to the Continuum design?
- Any thoughts on the way I’ve allocated the USD$700 on speaker vs amplifier?
The Continuum is a fine speaker in the LS5/3A tribute category. I have not heard them but have the AC130F1 and silk RS28F tweeter (vs the RS28A aluminum). They have nothing but very positive praise. They will not have any bass below 100Hz. Your choice of the SMSL amp is sound as it has built in DAC with a multitude of inputs including optical and bluetooth. I have an SMSL Sanskrit 10 DAC and SMSL Class D amp so know that they make great products.
If you plan on getting an dedicated powered subwoofer, it will fill in the bass below 100Hz nicely.
If you don’t plan on getting a sub woofer and want bass below 100Hz, you might look into GR Research X-LS Encore speaker kit. I have those and can say that they have excellent vocal clarity and bass. The cabinets are a bit bigger but the 6.5in peerless woofer will have very nice bass and vocals. The cost is somewhat lower too.
It also comes with a heavy duty PCB for the crossover I think and the parts are all very high quality.
X-LS Encore kit
You will be faced with a cap upgrade option. I would take the stock caps and upgrade later if you feel the need. The differences are very subtle.
Some reviews can be found on YT, for example - a more recent one:
X-LS Encore Review! End Game DIY Hi-Fi!? - YouTube
Also, Danny Ritchie, the designer is a very helpful and responsive person. If you have any questions or problems, he will resolve to your satisfaction. I had a bad tweeter and he sent me a new one no questions.
If your price range for parts is $400, you may also consider my 10F/RS225 FAST speaker. It’s an 8in woofer so a bit bigger but in sealed 24L box will go down to 50Hz. It has nothing but unanimous praise from many builders. It has a critical driver needed only available from Parts Express - the RS225-8. Its $120/pair plus $55 shipping overseas. You can use any multitude of full range mid tweeters including the ScanSpeak 10F/8424 or 8414 or Visaton B80, or TG9FD, or TG9FD, RS100-8, Peerless 3.5in aluminum cone, etc as long as they are at least 84dB and 8ohms. The SS 10F and Visaton B80 have proven and tested crossover designed. Parts will be about $400 (No cabinet) with the Scan Speak and less with other drivers. It is one of the best sounding speakers I have heard. If you make the TL variant, 40in tall cabinet - it will go to 28Hz and you won’t need a subwoofer for any reason.
Hope that helps.
If you plan on getting an dedicated powered subwoofer, it will fill in the bass below 100Hz nicely.
If you don’t plan on getting a sub woofer and want bass below 100Hz, you might look into GR Research X-LS Encore speaker kit. I have those and can say that they have excellent vocal clarity and bass. The cabinets are a bit bigger but the 6.5in peerless woofer will have very nice bass and vocals. The cost is somewhat lower too.
It also comes with a heavy duty PCB for the crossover I think and the parts are all very high quality.
X-LS Encore kit
You will be faced with a cap upgrade option. I would take the stock caps and upgrade later if you feel the need. The differences are very subtle.
Some reviews can be found on YT, for example - a more recent one:
X-LS Encore Review! End Game DIY Hi-Fi!? - YouTube
Also, Danny Ritchie, the designer is a very helpful and responsive person. If you have any questions or problems, he will resolve to your satisfaction. I had a bad tweeter and he sent me a new one no questions.
If your price range for parts is $400, you may also consider my 10F/RS225 FAST speaker. It’s an 8in woofer so a bit bigger but in sealed 24L box will go down to 50Hz. It has nothing but unanimous praise from many builders. It has a critical driver needed only available from Parts Express - the RS225-8. Its $120/pair plus $55 shipping overseas. You can use any multitude of full range mid tweeters including the ScanSpeak 10F/8424 or 8414 or Visaton B80, or TG9FD, or TG9FD, RS100-8, Peerless 3.5in aluminum cone, etc as long as they are at least 84dB and 8ohms. The SS 10F and Visaton B80 have proven and tested crossover designed. Parts will be about $400 (No cabinet) with the Scan Speak and less with other drivers. It is one of the best sounding speakers I have heard. If you make the TL variant, 40in tall cabinet - it will go to 28Hz and you won’t need a subwoofer for any reason.
Hope that helps.
Last edited:
being an ex-pat Kiwi, I know there isn't much available over there... For best value for money, I would suggest you build an SB Acoustics kit, and buy the drivers from Loudspeaker Kit in Sydney. SB Acoustics
Is this too big for you?: Arya – Sbacoustics
Re caps, they are all essentially the same
Re: recessed drivers, it affects dispersion, so avoid if possible.
Is this too big for you?: Arya – Sbacoustics
Re caps, they are all essentially the same
Re: recessed drivers, it affects dispersion, so avoid if possible.