Looking for recommendations on DIY speaker kits for my new dedicated home theater space.
Overall, I would like to target the KEF R or Q series for performance and save as much money as I can. I think $2-300 per speaker would be a good sweet spot, but I am having trouble finding clear "favorites" in the community so I am also having trouble setting realistic budget targets.
I am coming from a beginner setup with HTD Level 3 LCR bookshelves with Micca MB42x surrounds and a Dayton Sub-1000, so I think most anything will be an upgrade. These are powered by a Denon S760H which will eventually be upgraded to an 11-channel model to target 7.2.4 Atmos. My room is approx 12-8 x 18-10 x 7-5 so volume of ~1760 cf. I have never built a DIY kit before, but I have a friend who has designed and built his own so I will have assistance available. Viewing distance will be ~10-12'.
Overall, I would like to target the KEF R or Q series for performance and save as much money as I can. I think $2-300 per speaker would be a good sweet spot, but I am having trouble finding clear "favorites" in the community so I am also having trouble setting realistic budget targets.
I am coming from a beginner setup with HTD Level 3 LCR bookshelves with Micca MB42x surrounds and a Dayton Sub-1000, so I think most anything will be an upgrade. These are powered by a Denon S760H which will eventually be upgraded to an 11-channel model to target 7.2.4 Atmos. My room is approx 12-8 x 18-10 x 7-5 so volume of ~1760 cf. I have never built a DIY kit before, but I have a friend who has designed and built his own so I will have assistance available. Viewing distance will be ~10-12'.
- My first priority upgrade is my sub, which has been undersized since I originally bought it. I am planning to go with two (2) Martycubes with the LaVoce SAF184.03 which seem to be longtime community favorites. I would like to find the old MDF cutlists for this to save some extra money but not sure if they are archived somewhere with instructions. I have a fair amount of space that I could stick a mini- or full Marty in the back of my room but I don't know if I need it, and I also don't know if the extra couple Hz would make a real difference.
- For LR, I would prefer to find a floor-standing style speaker (target KEF R5 Meta) but the DIY community seems to focus nearly exclusively on bookshelf designs. The HT-12s seem quite popular and have caught my eye but are never in stock and may be a little large for my space. I don't know how the HT-10s or HT-8s compare. I am also curious about whether the Swan HiVi 3.1s would be appropriate in a HT application? I have not had a particular issue with my HTDs but seeing the reaction on this site makes me wonder what I might be missing out on.
- For center, I want a horizontal speaker that can lay on my tv cabinet (target KF R6 Meta). I'm not sure if the DIYSG HT-88 is intended for this application, but again it is out of stock and I haven't really found anything that jumps out at me during my research.
- For surrounds, the Miccas definitely need to go. Looking for any recommendations here. Reactions to the DIYSG Volts seem meh.
- For the overhead speakers, I have a relatively low ceiling so will probably need something that will surface mount and cannot tilt. Have not really found anything in the DIY world for this so far.