In
my multichannel multi-driver multi-way multi-amplifier stereo project, I have been sticking, and I am sticking, to "still-amazingly-wonderful" YAMAHA NS-1000's cabinet and drivers, but now
all of the woofer Be-squawker and Be-tweeter are actively driven by dedicated amplifiers; furthermore, I added L&R heavy-large sub-woofers YAMAHA YST-SW1000 and L&R metal horn super tweeters FOSTEX T925A both driven by dedicated amplifier.
The total setup, therefore, can be now called/categorized as "quasi-DIY SP setup", I believe. (please find the latest system setup in
my post here on the project thread. You may also find
here and
here Hyperlink Index for the project.)
Consequently, I would like to suggest
another possible DIY path of speakers by first having well established HiFi (highly ranked/marked vintage or old or recent) passive 3-way or 2-way speaker, and you may DIY converted it (removing all the LC network in it!) into fully active system using DSP (XO/EQ) software plus multichannel DAC plus multiple amplifiers. If needed, you can also add sub-woofers and/or super-tweeters again to be driven by dedicated amplifiers.
At least in my case, this approach guided me to much success in achieving greatly improved total sound quality through the full digital XO/EQ, high quality multichannel DAC processing, proper selection of suitable amplifiers for the SP drivers (enjoyable long journey), flexible Fq response control, perfect (0.1 msec precision) time alignment between all the SP drivers, much improved SP transient characteristics (by complete elimination of LC network and direct/dedicated drive by amplifier),
etc.,
etc.
Another nice feature of this approach is that you can keep the original passive system as your reference sound setup, like I did it all the way. At any point/stage of your progress, you may easily fully roll back the system into your original reference setup for intensive measurement and-or listening comparisons. Please do not change multiple factors at once, and please go forward step-by-step changing/improving only one factor in one step forward.
Keith of @Puite Audio kindly wrote
here;
"You must hear equipment in your own room in your own system, compare unsighted if there isn’t an immediately apparent difference/improvement. To go further if there isn’t a significant improvement then don’t change anything, the largest gains are speakers and room. Keith"
Edit to add:
If you have nostalgia and preference for nice looking "genuine" large glass-face VU meters (IEC 60268-17 VU meter Standard/Specification), you may also add DIY multiple VU-meter array just like I did it recently as shared here.