High-end DIY bookshelves?

[dor baruch]

thank you rick
I listened to Borresen c1 and Borresen x1\x2\x3 which were exactly what I was looking for (only in a too high price range), my original idea was to return to building speakers after 10 years and maybe have a friend help me with the design (the friend worked at Morel),
I wonder if there is a chance to approach this quality in DIY or am I aiming too high?

Satori Helios TeXtreme 9.5" 2-Way Speaker Kit - Pair: Speaker Components & DIY Audio Parts | Madisound

Satori Helios TeXtreme 9.5" 2-Way Speaker Kit - PairDesigned by Javad Shadzi and debuted at Axpona 2024!This powerhouse 2-way speaker uses the brand new TW29TXNWG-4 TeXtreme dome tweeter and Satori WO24TX-4 9.5" TeXtreme cone woofer. This is the 3rd installment of the Helios line of DIY...

www.madisoundspeakerstore.com

*what eror do you see at 2k?

*I'm still trying to figure out how much of an advantage it would really be to use 2 or 3 smaller 4.5 inch drivers in a 2.5 crossover compared to the larger 9.5 (box size is not importent to me)

*my original idea was to use very good ribbon tweeter with specific waveguide

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[RickS]

thank you rick
I listened to Borresen c1 and Borresen x1\x2\x3 which were exactly what I was looking for (only in a too high price range), my original idea was to return to building speakers after 10 years and maybe have a friend help me with the design (the friend worked at Morel),
I wonder if there is a chance to approach this quality in DIY or am I aiming too high?

Satori Helios TeXtreme 9.5" 2-Way Speaker Kit - Pair: Speaker Components & DIY Audio Parts | Madisound

Satori Helios TeXtreme 9.5" 2-Way Speaker Kit - PairDesigned by Javad Shadzi and debuted at Axpona 2024!This powerhouse 2-way speaker uses the brand new TW29TXNWG-4 TeXtreme dome tweeter and Satori WO24TX-4 9.5" TeXtreme cone woofer. This is the 3rd installment of the Helios line of DIY...

www.madisoundspeakerstore.com

*what eror do you see at 2k?

*I'm still trying to figure out how much of an advantage it would really be to use 2 or 3 smaller 4.5 inch drivers in a 2.5 crossover compared to the larger 9.5 (box size is not importent to me)

*my original idea was to use very good ribbon tweeter with specific waveguide

​

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If you have a designer that can measure and tailor a speaker for you, certainly lowers the risk with DIY. That said, if your spend is comparable to a known complete speaker, you miss out on return and warranty opportunities. I have often pointed out that a DiYer takes on their own repair costs. I usually stock extra drivers in case I need to replace a failed or damaged one. The level of risk is this regard may vary due to regional product laws and regulations, so admittedly my view is skewed as I live in US.

 

[Roland68]

*I'm still trying to figure out how much of an advantage it would really be to use 2 or 3 smaller 4.5 inch drivers in a 2.5 crossover compared to the larger 9.5 (box size is not importent to me)

A narrow baffle can be an important advantage.
Otherwise, the concept makes use of many advantages.
Small chassis are easier to develop and manufacture and do not place such high demands on the material, and they can also be very cheap. It also allows for simple and inexpensive housings with narrow baffles. In addition, there are even cheaper components with higher crossover frequencies. It should be clear that 2 - 3 chassis are necessary to obtain a certain area of the drivers.
For manufacturers, the lower weight of such designs is also important, especially for inexpensive loudspeakers.

There are many good ones, but I have yet to hear a 2 1/2 way speaker that I would prefer to a good 3-way.

 

[yakman]

Doesn't matter. Everything I've owned (Dynaudio Audience 52, Dynaudio Confidence 3, Morel Octave 6) were leaps and bounds above anything I've built.

Look, I don't understand what you're getting at. My point is that what I've built was below mediocre. Almost (there are exceptions) everything I've heard, bookshelf or not was absolutely superior in each and every aspect. What I'm aiming at is superlative sound, it's not a matter of budget.

I had built Dynaudio Gemini, which is a kit design from Dynaudio, when they were a transducer only company.
Using Dynaudio as an example, DIY, you should be able to get Dynaudio Audience level, but getting harder and harder beyond that.
Your chance of faileur and the cost of that is also getting much higher.

1. Hard to source/match transducers, even if you had the channel, your cost would be higher than the manufecter
2. Cabinet cost. If you can CNC and design your own, you might have an advantage, but you ruled out that.
3. Cross over. This might be easiest among all.
4. Testing. The reputable commercial ones are tested properly to ensure consistant quality. It is very important for high end speaker.
5. Price. It is extremely hard to sell or resell DIY loudspeakers.

Given all these, it is possible to DIY to something sounds good. But I don't think i would target anything beyond $1000

 

[gfinlays]

Long story short, I built speakers in the past, I have the tools and the knowledge, access to shops with CNC machines etc. Being short of time and not that willing to turn my house into a workshop as I once was, I want to try a pre-existing design and only take care of the building part. My goal is to satisfy my curiosity: is it possible to achieve the sound quality of commercial upper range booksleves with DIY? Important: I already own a commercial system which satisfies me, this is purely an experiment, but if it turns out sucessfully they could become my main speakers. I thought about Zaph's ZD5 but then found the negative review of his ZA5.2 speakers here on ASR and thought hold your horses gn77b. Or maybe something from Troels Gravesen? Or anything else. For some reason I've grown to dislike floorstanders but I'm willing to make a compromise if it's worth it. So I'm open to suggestions.

Did you find a suitable build in the end?

Maybe a little big for a bookshelf, but I built the Zaph ZRT 2 way in a closed 20 litre box. The 18W8531G00 and D3004/660000 work superbly together in this design. Was my main listening pair for nearly 3 years. Very good bass from the 18W.

Now use them nearfield on the desktop in my man cave. Spectacular!

 

[Wicky]

https://audiofirstdesigns.co.uk/fidelia

More discussion here on ASR: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...o-first-fidelia-on-erin’s-audio-corner.58943/

 

[mrick39]

https://audiofirstdesigns.co.uk/fidelia

More discussion here on ASR: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/audio-first-fidelia-on-erin’s-audio-corner.58943/

My build of the Fidelias:

My Fidelia DIY build

I purchased the Fidelia DIY speaker kit from Audio First back in late August. My kit's arrival was delayed until October due to my special request to have the baffle made in a gold color instead of the stock black. Much thanks owed to Harry at Audiofirstdesigns who was gracious enough to grant...

audiosciencereview.com