Best of The Best, DIY Speaker Kit

jjb · « **on:** 27 Dec 2003, 09:23 pm »

Ok Group, I'm looking to build my second DIY Kit Speaker Project. I'm looking for opinions on the best of the best performing DIY Kit availiable.

Marbles · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 Dec 2003, 09:35 pm »

VMPS RM40 kit would get my vote

BikeWNC · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 Dec 2003, 09:38 pm »

If you have the room, GR Research Alpha LS. I hope to build this kit this winter. We'll see. I was amazed by the Selah Audio ExcelArray which is also a line source speaker. It also is a kit. The difference is the Alphas go a bit lower and don't have as much high frequency loss above the height of the speaker as do the ExcelArrays. I'm sure there are other differences though someone else will have to fill you in on those.

Andy

Marbles · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 Dec 2003, 09:40 pm »

Good call on those two kits Andy

nature boy · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 Dec 2003, 09:45 pm »

Well you certainly have a lot of very good choices. It would also help if you give folks an idea of your system components, room, musical listening taste and whether you plan to use these in a dedicated listening set up or home theater.

Off the top of my head in no particular order:

Dave Ellis's 1801's
Danny Ritchie's (GR Research) Diluceo's, Criterion's, AV's

If you really want a major DIY project try Rick Craig's Selah Array's. Your cabinet making skills better be above par.

If you have a low powered SET tube amplifierEd Shillings Horn Shoppe offerings are tough to beat, but these are not DIY speakers.

I hope this helps in your search.

NB

jackman · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 Dec 2003, 10:52 pm »

Great suggestions, Ribbons (Marbles?) and company. I have another couple that I'd like to throw out there. Although I haven't heard any of the ones I'm going to suggest (not exactly, I've heard the MBOW1's but not the three ways...), but here goes:

1. Sigfried Linkwitz (Spelling?) Orions, or John K's similar version. Active dipoles that are attracting an avid following. Expensive but the Orions seem to get more of the "best speakers I have ever heard" talk of any speakers I know.

2. Dennis Murphy's MBOW1-3 ways. I trust Dennis' ability to design great speakers and the MBOW1's are no exception. The three ways supposedly have more open mids and much deeper bass. Best part, you can build them for under a grand.

Good luck!

Jack

jjb · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 Dec 2003, 11:20 pm »

Well It certainly didn't take long to get some great suggestions, here's some of the details I left out, My speaker use is mostly HT (95%), I have a Marantz SR-19 AV Reciever, Hsu Research TN1225 Sub w/500w amp, and the normal DVD, etc. My room size is large 16x19 with 16foot ceilings, I would rather not have speakers as large as the GR Alpha's (wife factor). Your recommentations are welcomed.

bubba966 · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 Dec 2003, 11:27 pm »

The GR Reasearch A/V-3's are damn nice speaks that aren't huge. Not terribly expensive if you're DIY'ing them either.

George W · « **Reply #8 on:** 28 Dec 2003, 09:30 am »

Take a look at the kits from http://www.northcreekmusic.com/#LoudspeakerKits as well. Specifically the Rhythms or possibly the new Manifest kits, although I'm not sure if they're in production quite yet.

elektratig · « **Reply #9 on:** 28 Dec 2003, 12:34 pm »

I'd recommend that you also take a look at http://www.pispeakers.com . The Theater 4's (at left in the last photo in my Gallery) may be too large to satisfy the SAF test, but the Studio 2's may fit the bill nicely.

On the other hand, my wife was initially appalled at the size of the Theater 4s. However, her ears are far more sensitive than mine, particularly to treble/tweeter sharpness. After hearing the Theater 4s, she pronounced them the best speakers she had ever heard and allowed them to remain.

If I don't succeed in attaching an image, one of my Theater 4s appears at the left of the last picture in my Gallery page, http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=gallery;area=browse;album=130

[img]http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=1192[/tag]

nature boy · « **Reply #10 on:** 28 Dec 2003, 02:12 pm »

jjb,

I second Bubba's suggestion for the GR Research AV-3's. Since you listen to 95% HT and have a powerful Marantz receiver, a set of 5 or 6 AV-3's with a sub kit of your choice will have you set IMHO.

NB

jjb · « **Reply #11 on:** 28 Dec 2003, 03:04 pm »

Thanks Guy's I certainly will take some time and review each of the suggested speakers. For the record I have a pair of GR AV-3, these are Danny's original design w/sonocap upgrade. Since I have the itch to build a new set, my first choice is a new set of AV-3, however I want to see what other options I should consider. Thanks Again. (The AV-3's are great)

Hogg · « **Reply #12 on:** 28 Dec 2003, 08:29 pm »

Don't forget to ckeck-out Dennis Murphy's designs. His crossovers have a stellar reputation. The MBOW1 and 3 are getting good press. Also check out the rtaings from the 2003 Iowa DIY event.

http://murphyblaster.com/

http://www.kaiaudio.com (DIY 2003 Iowa)

Jim

jjb · « **Reply #13 on:** 29 Dec 2003, 12:22 am »

Hogg, Thanks for your input, I did check out Murphy's web site, its a bit technical for me, I would like to see a picture of the MBOW1 3 to get a feel of its size and performance. Building a new set of speakers is becomming a challange there appears to be so many great designs, I'm not worried about difficulting in building as I'm a very good cabnit maker, and most of the kits range in price between 300 to 900 well within my range, its all about quality and performance.

rosconey · « **Reply #14 on:** 29 Dec 2003, 12:32 am »

heck take a look at the linus array if you can make cabinets-its 900 beans
http://www.selahaudio.com/.
i did a version of his phast-est

Jason1 · « **Reply #15 on:** 29 Dec 2003, 04:23 am »

Another option is 5 Adire HE12.1's. Sealed for the center and surrounds, ported for the mains.