I'm doing a little business planning, so I'm curious about how much people spend on their DIY audio projects.
How much did you spend on your latest audio-related DIY project?
Tom
How much did you spend on your latest audio-related DIY project?
Tom
About 1000 euros on my last project that actually resulted in something that I use regularly - mind you, most of my DIY projects are a lot cheaper than that. About 10 euros on the last project that was just experimental.
Maybe I should have specified that the project had to result in something useful. Not just a test setup.
I guess you should count as a $1k-2k USD then.
Tom
I guess you should count as a $1k-2k USD then.
Tom
My last project was a large one building a preamp that will see daily service in my speaker setup. I wouldn't say i went all out, but has to be at least $500 worth of parts.
My vote consists of;
Two TB W5-2143 drivers from ebay, $70. A specific can of paint, $30. Misc wood, paint roller $10. Should end up with a usable MLTL full range speaker set, with benefits - which I'll explain after I finish them in the TABAQ for Tangband thread.
I wonder what a poll would be like for the estimated fair technical labor savings (i.e. woodworking, metalworking, electronic construction, fit and finish detailing) by doing it DIY? I wouldnt want to pay someone else to do the work I'm putting into these things...
Two TB W5-2143 drivers from ebay, $70. A specific can of paint, $30. Misc wood, paint roller $10. Should end up with a usable MLTL full range speaker set, with benefits - which I'll explain after I finish them in the TABAQ for Tangband thread.
I wonder what a poll would be like for the estimated fair technical labor savings (i.e. woodworking, metalworking, electronic construction, fit and finish detailing) by doing it DIY? I wouldnt want to pay someone else to do the work I'm putting into these things...
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I'm also curious about how many projects folks start:
How many audio-related DIY projects did you start last year?
Tom
How many audio-related DIY projects did you start last year?
Tom
Does using parts from your stash count?
If not my last project cost $55-. If I count them do I use cost price or replacement cost??
4 * 200mm woofers/ 2 * 135mm midranges and 2 * 25mm low resonance tweeters and an asymmetrical XO for which I had to send $55- on a couple of iron cored inductors
If not my last project cost $55-. If I count them do I use cost price or replacement cost??
4 * 200mm woofers/ 2 * 135mm midranges and 2 * 25mm low resonance tweeters and an asymmetrical XO for which I had to send $55- on a couple of iron cored inductors
Sure. If you built your latest project entirely from parts from your stash, you spent $0.
I'm trying to tease out how much is spent on DIY Audio projects in a give year.
Tom
I'm trying to tease out how much is spent on DIY Audio projects in a give year.
Tom
Tom,
My last project was a speaker driver upgrade/retrofit that cost about $300 CAD.
Before that, a tube amp project that I have at least $750 CAD into.
Those are my two major projects since this time last year. A few other things but nothing major.
I have another amp build, and at least two separate speaker builds I hope to do this year. They'll cost a lot less, however, because I have most of the parts already. Realistically, I'll likely still end up spending a few hundred on various stuff.
My last project was a speaker driver upgrade/retrofit that cost about $300 CAD.
Before that, a tube amp project that I have at least $750 CAD into.
Those are my two major projects since this time last year. A few other things but nothing major.
I have another amp build, and at least two separate speaker builds I hope to do this year. They'll cost a lot less, however, because I have most of the parts already. Realistically, I'll likely still end up spending a few hundred on various stuff.
Over last 12 months audio spend was A$2514 but A$537 was commercial products. So A$1977 for DIY audio projects.
One thing I learned over the decades is most DIYers are very tight and try to screw resellers (I was one) as much as possible.
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I actually finish a small fraction of projects, each one usually hundreds of $. So, whilst I can pick a couple of projects which were around $500 (stereo amp) to $800 (mono speaker) I’ve likely spent a few thousand $ over the years to end up with these two working items.
I avoid taking shortcuts by buying kits or modules even if they would have saved time and money because that’s just not the reason I’m doing DIY. The main shortcuts I have taken are all about buying finished used commercial items off eBay (e.g. Marantz receiver, PMC speaker, turntable).
End result - my basement is full of stuff not doing much!
I avoid taking shortcuts by buying kits or modules even if they would have saved time and money because that’s just not the reason I’m doing DIY. The main shortcuts I have taken are all about buying finished used commercial items off eBay (e.g. Marantz receiver, PMC speaker, turntable).
End result - my basement is full of stuff not doing much!
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Hi Tom,
I started a new pair of 3-way speakers last spring. Cabinet materials and crossovers are somewhere between $600-$800 (USD). The drivers were in my stash, but I suppose the cost of equivalent ones today would probably be another $300-$400. (my vote above was for the 500-999 range).
However, other times, I can stay under $200 total for a smaller 2-way project.
I started a new pair of 3-way speakers last spring. Cabinet materials and crossovers are somewhere between $600-$800 (USD). The drivers were in my stash, but I suppose the cost of equivalent ones today would probably be another $300-$400. (my vote above was for the 500-999 range).
However, other times, I can stay under $200 total for a smaller 2-way project.
Last project was 3 channels of ICE power - 1x 200ASC & 2x 200AC, and custom Ghent Audio chassis. Altogether came close to $900Cdn, but it’s working like a charm driving the front row in my 7.1 rig. I also have two channels of older model of Hypex UCD180 powering subs, and prefer the ICE for the wider bandwidth of the front row.
Been very happy with Mod286 Kit from Tom in upstairs system, and have thought about maybe going for 4 channels of Mod186 for the remaining HT surrounds, ‘cause, like as long as they’re actually operating, a guy can’t have too many amps, right?
Been very happy with Mod286 Kit from Tom in upstairs system, and have thought about maybe going for 4 channels of Mod186 for the remaining HT surrounds, ‘cause, like as long as they’re actually operating, a guy can’t have too many amps, right?
Currently building a set of micro towers with four Mark Audio pulvia 7 HD drivers. Started because of a thread here and drivers were on sale. $160 for drivers $22 for sheet of 15mm BB. These drivers are deeper with wider magnets than the ones the plans were drawn for. Now I am scrambling to make them fit. Maybe another $40 to $60 before I am done. Still a cheap project due to no crossovers and low cost drivers, So $220 to $240 for the pair.
I have built a lot of speakers during this pandemic. Cheapest have been $50 in drivers plus $30 in wood. I have used up almost all of the drivers that have been slumbering in the basement due to the release of the Pass Diy 6 -24 biamp crossover that you can build for about $120. Now I need more amps so I was on your site making a list.
I have built a lot of speakers during this pandemic. Cheapest have been $50 in drivers plus $30 in wood. I have used up almost all of the drivers that have been slumbering in the basement due to the release of the Pass Diy 6 -24 biamp crossover that you can build for about $120. Now I need more amps so I was on your site making a list.
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