DIY vs Retail (1 Viewer)

[Nick L]

I am at the point where I am trying to weigh the benefits of DIY against buying retail. Does diy mean better sounding speakers for less money? Are they a better value than say used retail speakers? What I'm looking for here is a bookshelf speaker and center channel. I initially was going to buy some Kef Q series speakers. But noticed that I could get some B&W CDM 1NT's off of audiogon for around $800. So thats where I'm at. I am trying to see if I can find a better value than the 1NT's for less money. A friend of mine has pointed out some Selah Audio speakers the JH3's. He says they will sound outstanding, but I have nothing to go on besides what he thinks of them. I think I am just looking for a little reassuring, since I won't be able to hear the speakers before I own them. I'm rambling...I'll stop.

Here is a link the selah audio JH3's. Not much info on them though.

 

[Dan Wesnor]

Rick @ Selah is an experienced designer and I've never heard anything bad about his work. There is a lot more info on a web site that has not officially gone live yet. I'll send you a link.

 

[Dan Wesnor]

I forgot to add - there is a real cost advantage for DIY speakers. Once you break the $1000 level for commercial speakers, sales drop considerably, driving overhead/speaker up. A really hot speaker above $2k/pr may sell 10,000-15,000 pairs a year. Most speakers in that price range do not sell that many. The average speaker in the $2k/pr price range can be made for about $500 if you pay retail cost for components. For quantity buys at wholesale prices, build cost is maybe $250-$300.

For about $500, you can build a speaker that will beat anything under $2k. For $1000, you will get something that will rarely be matched commercially at any price.

It may sound arrogant, but I'd put my Ella against any commercial 2-way (and most 3-ways) on the market regardless of cost.

But for a non-builder, that B&W deal would be tempting.

 

[Dan Wesnor]

Good reading...

http://www.ellisaudio.com/whydiy.htm

http://www.ellisaudio.com/Whynotdiy.htm

 

[Nick L]

Thanks for the reply. Lots of very good reading there. I think my plan now is to buy something that will hold me over, so that I don't rush my way through a set of DIYers. I'd hate to screw the first pair up too bad.

Thanks again for the link, any others with lots of reading material on them would be appreciated also.

Nick L

 

[Martice]

Hi Dan and Nick. The Ellis Audio is a wonderful speaker so I hear (I haven't heard them yet) but I did get a chance to see the work of one of the authorized cabinet builders for Ellis Audio.

Here's a link to his web site:

Thomas Woodcraft


Also check out the GR Research AV1+'s as well. I do have those speakers and prefer the midrange and highs over my previous PSB Goldi's.


Enjoy

 

[TimForman]

The question you have to ask yourself is; "How much is my time worth?". If you enjoy spending your time building things then the answer is easy. Build your own stuff. You'll get a great bargain plus the pride of accomplishment is worth something too. If you would rather spend your time doing something else then go ahead and buy pre-made.