Great DIY speakers?

tantus · « **on:** 18 Mar 2003, 06:26 am »

What is the best sounding DIY based speaker you have heard? How does it compare to commercial speakers (that cost 5x as much)?

JohnR · « **Reply #1 on:** 18 Mar 2003, 08:07 am »

Um, are you looking for a project? If so, may I suggest not getting too ambitious on the first try

audiojerry · « **Reply #2 on:** 18 Mar 2003, 03:57 pm »

So far, I have not been pleased with any of my diy endeavors, including kits. The commercial stuff has always come out well ahead, even when I've used the same drivers. I learned that Dynaudio did not make their first line drivers available to do-it-yourselfer's; the versions that went to the aftermarket were factory seconds. I wonder if the same isn't true for other makers.

However, if the GR Research Criterion kit sounds as good as the demo's I auditioned, that changes everything. The Criterions are at the top of my list of one of the best monitors I've ever heard.

tantus · « **Reply #3 on:** 18 Mar 2003, 09:11 pm »

Quote from: JohnR

Um, are you looking for a project? If so, may I suggest not getting too ambitious on the first try

I might be in the future but not right now. Just curious how folks felt DIY speakers stack up against store bought products. What do you consider to be too ambitious and why would you think it'd be my first try?

Hantra · « **Reply #4 on:** 19 Mar 2003, 01:48 am »

The best DIY'able speakers I have heard are Hedlund Horns!

Amazing!

ehider · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 Mar 2003, 03:22 pm »

GR Research! They are BETTER than most production audiophile high end speakers IMHO.

rosconey · « **Reply #6 on:** 19 Mar 2003, 03:39 pm »

i'll give a vote to my rick craig designed 3.5 ways based on his phast-est design

tantus · « **Reply #7 on:** 20 Mar 2003, 03:15 am »

Quote from: audiojerry

However, if the GR Research Criterion kit sounds as good as the demo's I auditioned, that changes everything. The Criterions are at the top of my list of one of the best monitors I've ever heard.

I heard the GR Paradox 1 and thought they sounded very nice. No doubt the new Criterion's should also sound very good.

Has anyone heard the Linkwitz Orion? It looks like a very interesting speaker with some very unconventional design aspects. The designer claims it sounds better than the highly regarded (and expensive $38,275) Audio Artistry Beehtoven Elete, which he also designed. Very interesting.

audiojerry · « **Reply #8 on:** 20 Mar 2003, 02:06 pm »

The Orion has gotten lots of attention on Madisound forum for do-it-yourselfer's. Here's an interesting link I found there:
http://www.doddsy.net/steve6_009.htm

John Bauder · « **Reply #9 on:** 23 Mar 2003, 11:04 pm »

I love my ACI Jaguar 2000s. They were about $750 to 800 including the materials to build the boxes. ACI does not sell the kits any longer because he sold the DIY part of the business but I would think you can get the contact info from the ACI website.

I am thinking about building the AR DIY speakers designed by Ed Frias for my second system - about $300. Can anyone comment on them?