So, for all the DIY experts here, what would be your recommendation for an end game DIY loudspeaker that would equal or exceed what we on ASR would consider to be the best available on the retail market?
Thanks!
Hi all and MKR,
In my experience, the idea finding of an end game speaker (whether commercial or DIY) is not realistic.
Because inevitably, if one is in the hunt for such, the realization that the room/environment matters so much to finding "end game sound", that the speakers and room become a marriage of sorts.
End game sound then becomes an exercise in starting with a room design, preferably from the ground up, and choosing appropriate speakers for it.
Given most don't have that luxury, we get the best speakers for whatever room we are working with.
So let's say you find end game speakers for whatever room you're working with.......
are you really going to be in that room forever? Not sell house, move, etc?
Or not change your idea about what end game sound is, or even what music tastes are?
My humble advice is forget the idea of end game, and whether you want to go the DIY route or the commercial route.....plan for inevitable change.
I spent the first 40 years of my adult life going the commercial route (always thinking I could find end game.)
And the last 10 years going the DIY route ( knowing I'll never find end game Lol.)
The main reason for the change in attitude about end game, has nothing to do with commercial vs DIY, however.
It came from simply downsizing homes, where the one I left had a large room designed from the ground up for optimum acoustics.
I've also learned how much better just about any speaker sounds outdoors, free of the room.
So anyway, if you love shopping for commercial speakers, auditioning at dealers, trades shows, etc...by all means do that.
If you are excited by DIY, and can visualize how you're going to actually build the speaker with shop/tools either already owned or need to acquire,....
and how you are going to measure and design xovers/EQs, again with skills/tools either already in possession or need to be acquired.....by all means do that.
Just don't expect either to get you to end game, is my best advice.
On the direct issue of which can be better, DIY vs commercial, my experience is DIY exceeds anything I've found commercially.
That, I'm pretty sure I've spent more on DIY than I ever would spend for commercial speakers.
Pure aside: If i were back in the commercial market, I'd only buy used. Reason: CHANGE will occur.
I'd only buy home audio gear that has a super wide following.
But prosound, I could buy unheard...if pulled pulled from a church or theatre etc. Such has a good chance of making some of the best sound out there, and near certainly be a best value. Many boxes have Ease data for modeling, although I don't know how well the modeling works for home-sized rooms.
Used prosound......"Have you music for near nothing and you can change speakers for free !" (high resell to used purchase)