Choosing DIY kit

[dualazmak]

In Japan, this DIY audio shop has fairly good reputation.
https://otokoubouz.com/index.html
I once invited the president of the company to my home listening room, and we had nice discussions and enjoyed our audio session with my audio rig (ref. here for the latest system setup).

It looks they can ship their products overseas with warranty and supports/services.
https://otokoubouz.com/topcontents/overseas.html

 

[ta240]

Solstice just gets in there but might have to wait for a sale to get close to $1000.

There is some more discussion in our DIY section. Will help as i can. Time for dinner rn.

I'd love to hear the Solstice. I've spent so much on DIY speakers that didn't quite sound like the hype that I mostly swore off doing it again. Selling the used drivers online just doesn't equal out the expense. But gluing and sanding are mentally therapeutic for me so that counts as a good way to spend my time.
I'd try the mechano23 but I really don't like trying to work with subwoofers.

 

[ta240]

Unless he taking unpaid leave from work to build the speakers, his time is free. "Opportunity Cost"

An excellent point. I don't get paid for watching TV and it is far less fulfilling than building something.

But I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum of many at ASR...I would always recommend DIY as it is easy to outperform commercial speakers that must achieve a profit margin. Commercial speakers under $1,000 are usually wrapped in black vinyl or something else boring, so not sure you need cabinet-level woodworking skills vs a can of flat-black spray paint.

Don't the retailers of the kits also have to achieve a profit margin? Some of them are printing catalogs and buying online advertising too. And even if you don't buy a kit and instead get all the individual parts they have to make a profit margin on each part.

With overseas manufacturing being so accessible now, it is hard to imagine it actually being cheaper for a company to assemble pieces into a kit in the US than it is to have a storage container full of speakers assembled in a much cheaper market show up on a cargo ship. Especially since with a lot of the kits I can't imagine them selling a fraction of the number that some companies sell.

Sure, there are plenty of factory made speakers that are worse than the kits or online plans, but with careful shopping ones that are better can be found at reasonable prices.

 

[TurtlePaul]

Actually, are any Dennis Murphy’s original BMR Monitor kits still available? I believe there were flat packs available for that. The original with the Scan Speak woofers played impressively low. Probably right at the top end of budget. Have been measured and most people think they sound fantastic. Could be good contenders. Of course you could just pay $1,800 to buy finished newer versions straight from Philharmonic.

Philharmonic BMR Bookshelf Speaker Review

Philharmonic BMR Bookshelf Speaker Review

www.erinsaudiocorner.com

Also, if you are just looking at DIY for value reasons, then consider used. I was able to pick up some Genelecs for 40% off their new price and some Revel floor standers for 60% off their new (on sale) price (but I had to drive to pick up). With a $1000 to $1500 budget you can easily target speakers which MSRP for $2000-3000. Don’t be afraid to make offers. I see some Kef R3 (non-meta) for $850 on USAudioMart right now, as an example.

If you consider floor standing, Crutchfield has Revel F36 for $699 each right now ($1400/pair). Sometimes they do white F35 for $400 each.

If only looking for new bookshelf speakers, you can almost just buy Ascend Sierra LX.

 

[RickS]

Actually, are any Dennis Murphy’s original BMR Monitor kits still available?

Unfortunately, no.

 

[moonlight rainbow dream]

Your issues with bass are very likely due to your room (perfect square dimension is really bad for bass reproduction due to all the standing waves overlapping at the same frequencies) rather than sub vs speakers. In your particular case, subs would actually be the solution not the problem. Use at least 4 of them placed in the corners and integrate them with DSP and you'll have better bass in that room than any floorstander setup.

 

[Pareto Pragmatic]

...this is my first speaker build.

I definitely have the tools and likely enough skill/curiousity to make my own cabinets.

How are you on soldering?

From what I have seen, the CSS kits are the easiest to build and solder up. I thought long and hard about them, but decided to go with Ascend Sierra LX. I do agree this is a good benchmark for what you are looking to get. Amazing speaker, really impressive bass.

Building your own, if you have plans and parts with a kit, will give you options on finish and materials. Measure 3 times, cut once, you'll be fine. But it will be a lot more work. I suppose what matters most is if you have fun pushing your skills. If so, build. If that freaks you out or you don't want to wonder/worry about things when you are done, flatpack.

 

[MT_bassbone]

How are you on soldering?

From what I have seen, the CSS kits are the easiest to build and solder up. I thought long and hard about them, but decided to go with Ascend Sierra LX. I do agree this is a good benchmark for what you are looking to get. Amazing speaker, really impressive bass.

Building your own, if you have plans and parts with a kit, will give you options on finish and materials. Measure 3 times, cut once, you'll be fine. But it will be a lot more work. I suppose what matters most is if you have fun pushing your skills. If so, build. If that freaks you out or you don't want to wonder/worry about things when you are done, flatpack.

I have soldered a few times but would need to either buy or borrow a soldering gun and some solder. I was looking at the Ascend Sierra LX's as an off the shelf option. Is the top end bright? How is the bass extension?

 

[Pareto Pragmatic]

I have soldered a few times but would need to either buy or borrow a soldering gun and some solder. I was looking at the Ascend Sierra LX's as an off the shelf option. Is the top end bright? How is the bass extension?

There is a review thread. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/ascend-acoustics-sierra-lx-review.47294/ Ascend also has lots of measurements up on their site.

Short version, very linear, not bright or dark, very good bass control and extension. I have issues with room gain, and really can't have them closer than 5' to the wall otherwise I have too much bass, but that's a "my room" thing, not a speaker thing.

 

[norman bates]

I liked the solstice kit.

It went surprising low for a pair of 6's.

Just couldn't play Kid Rock very loud......................

 

[Lekha]

In Japan, this DIY audio shop has fairly good reputation.
https://otokoubouz.com/index.html

Nice looking speakers.
Have you noticed that in all those nice boxes, the convex side of the speaker cone is hidden in large volume boxes, apparently to curb the sound from that convex side? Why waste so much money to create boxes that cover the best part of the cone diffuser? Why not cover or box the less efficient side of the cone diffuser, the concave side?

Like the original idea of Lincoln Walsh that no one really implemented—he died before the first speaker bearing his name was created. There were two other individuals who came up with such an idea long before him. He actually cited them in his patent. Of course, they wouldn't look as beautiful as wooden boxes. An upturned long funnel won't be on the WAF list too!

 

[im_gumby]

Ok, jumping in here late... but my $0.02 worth...

1) Value. There are DIY kits that punch above their weight in terms of sound... however, there are fully built speakers in the same price range that also do the same. The BMRs for example are such a beast. Want something different... look at the LX Mini (Linkwitz) You'll need two stereo amps because each driver requires its own power amp channel.


2) You do DIY because you want the challenge. If you go the flat pack route... MDF has to be sealed and painted ... or veneered. (lets ignore wraps). Baltic Birch is easier to finish.

3) No tools? Depending on where you live, you could be covered. Here in Chicago there are 'maker studios' where you can join for ~$50.00 a month and have access to tools and some help.

4) soldering XOs? The Fidelia out of the EU is a kit that has the XO prebuilt and the front baffle is 3D printed. Price wise in your range. So its really just glue them up and you're 'done'.

If this is a 'one and done' effort, meaning you're not planning on getting into the DIY ... its cheaper to buy than build. If you are thinking about this as a hobby... then build.

As to buying expensive gear... even w a flat pack, you'll need to buy glue, clamps, and a soldering iron. Then depending on how you finish... that too.
You'll also need some work space. If you don't have it, then join a makers space. You can get a decent soldering iron from Microcenter or online for not too much money although quality will vary.

If you're in the states... the CSS 1TDX is a good starting place.
If you want to go more expensive, Madisound has some great kits... and you can also get the flat packs thru them or someone they know... depending on the speaker build.
Want to test the waters and not spend a lot? Go w Parts Express.

 

[MT_bassbone]

Update here: I have narrowed it down to the CSS Audio 1TD-X and Neil Blanchard MLTL-6. Here is my question. Do either of these represent an improvement compared to my Totem Acoustics Sttaf speakers?

BTW: I confirmed the frequency response for the MLTL-6 was in room.

 

[Ktacos]

Update here: I have narrowed it down to the CSS Audio 1TD-X and Neil Blanchard MLTL-6. Here is my question. Do either of these represent an improvement compared to my Totem Acoustics Sttaf speakers?

None of totems stuff is tuned very well, so anything remotely neutral is an improvement. The CSS would be an upgrade, though they really need a round over on the baffle, probably the best example of edge diffraction I've ever seen, and the dispersion isn't very good. They're a little expensive for what you get, the tweeter is just massively overpriced.

I wouldn't trust any design from Blanchard. The responses on his stuff look terrible, even if they're room. His graphs are really misleading, if you load them up in vcad with a proper scale they're pretty rough. I've used the tweeter from this design and that is a very lazy filter he has on it if he got that response. Where's the off axis data? Where's the distortion?

Not to mention he wants $150 for plans, I'm sorry that's hilarious. Pretty sure that is more than what the drivers cost. I will design you a better speaker for free. Heissmann acoustics has paid plans but his speakers perform exceptionally, and the plans are cheaper and you get wayyyy more data to confirm the design. So many red flags on that dudes site.

There's honestly plenty of really good DIY speakers out there, mechano23 is just an example, doesn't seem worth it to pursue some of these designs with issues. Like why build a speaker with a DI mismatch in 2025?

 

[MT_bassbone]

None of totems stuff is tuned very well, so anything remotely neutral is an improvement. The CSS would be an upgrade, though they really need a round over on the baffle, probably the best example of edge diffraction I've ever seen, and the dispersion isn't very good. They're a little expensive for what you get, the tweeter is just massively overpriced.

I wouldn't trust any design from Blanchard. The responses on his stuff look terrible, even if they're room. His graphs are really misleading, if you load them up in vcad with a proper scale they're pretty rough. I've used the tweeter from this design and that is a very lazy filter he has on it if he got that response. Where's the off axis data? Where's the distortion?

View attachment 489050

Not to mention he wants $150 for plans, I'm sorry that's hilarious. I will design you a better speaker for free. Heissmann acoustics has paid plans but his speakers perform exceptionally, and the plans are cheaper and you get wayyyy more data to confirm the design. So many red flags on that dudes site.

There's honestly plenty of really good DIY speakers out there, mechano23 is just an example, doesn't seem worth it to pursue some of these designs with issues. Like why build a speaker with a DI mismatch in 2025?

Do you know if the Heissman Acoustics plans are in English? The DXT-MON-182 looks interesting. Are all of the parts readily accessible in the US? I really want a speaker that gets down into the 30s hz range. I really haven't had a subwoofer that I liked integrated into my system. So mechano23 is like not going to work.

Also, do you know how Heissman gets that strange angle on the front baffle of the DXT-MON-182?

 

[Ktacos]

I really haven't had a subwoofer that I liked integrated into my system.

No offense but you probably didn't do it right. A sub is going to give one way better bass response than any tower or bookshelf with low extension, you'll be fighting room modes all day with the tower/bookshelf.

Do you know if the Heissman Acoustics plans are in English?

They probably are, his site is in german and english.

Also, do you know how Heissman gets that strange angle on the front baffle of the DXT-MON-182?

Probably a table saw and jig. Doesn't look like the easiest cut, but not the hardest either.

 

[a4eaudio]

Do you know if the Heissman Acoustics plans are in English? The DXT-MON-182 looks interesting. Are all of the parts readily accessible in the US?

The tweeter is available at Madisound (US) but you need to get the woofer from Solen in Canada. However, buying from Solen is just as easy as buying from a US supplier and the CAD to USD rate is favorable right now.

This may help...

Heissmann DXT-Mon-182

I've been wanting to try out a solid DIY approach to a 2-way, so I'm starting up a build of the Heissmann DXT-Mon-182. I went through $100 of good material to do that darned faceted face but couldn't get consistent results with my tools (which are good, but no match for a CNC machine). So I've...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[MT_bassbone]

Went with the Heissmann DXT MON-182. Waiting for parts to arrive.

 

[Flaesh]

Probably no more than $1500

Is a kit required? You can buy something like

(random pictures for example)
Instead of varnished furniture like

make simple bright red box for the woofer and put the horn on top. 4channel digital xover, measurement mic and second amp will be required.
Sorry if I took point 2 in post 28 ("can get more") too literally.