Swan HIVI 2.2a shockingly good at $239

Poultrygeist · « **on:** 1 Oct 2020, 10:26 am »

The Swans are high quality easy DIY's that put those PE kit speakers to shame. There are several videos on their construction which can be completed in a couple of hours not counting glueing time. Unique in that the 3/4" MDF is cut in 45 degree angles so that all edges fold inward.

Poultrygeist · « **Reply #1 on:** 1 Oct 2020, 10:31 am »

Green tape is used to keep the glue in check. Clamps aren't used in the videos but I used them with light pressure.

Poultrygeist · « **Reply #2 on:** 1 Oct 2020, 10:35 am »

Good quality crossovers with diagrams on the board to show where components go. Easy soldering to the traces on the underside even for ham fisted guys like me.

Poultrygeist · « **Reply #3 on:** 1 Oct 2020, 10:44 am »

Surprisingly with this MDF you can get by with 2 coats from a $4.00 sample jar of Home Depot Behr. White might be a better choice as it won't show finger prints. The kit comes with a glue on vinyl wrap that looks a little cheap.

Poultrygeist · « **Reply #4 on:** 1 Oct 2020, 10:48 am »

The kit comes with grills and stretchy cloth that tucks into grooves with a putty knife. I would recommend them to help protect the protruding fabric dome tweeter that's very fragile.

Poultrygeist · « **Reply #5 on:** 1 Oct 2020, 10:54 am »

The Swans are jaw dropping good placed on tall stands in near field ( 3 feet from my ears ). They're 87 dbs and 8 ohms but still love single ended tube power at close range. Diana Krall has never sounded better.

mzbrahce · « **Reply #6 on:** 1 Oct 2020, 02:36 pm »

https://swanspeakers.com/product/hivi-swans-bookshelf-speaker-diy-kits-diy3-1/

JakeJ · « **Reply #7 on:** 1 Oct 2020, 04:54 pm »

The three way for $299 looks interesting as well.

ooheadsoo · « **Reply #8 on:** 1 Oct 2020, 07:39 pm »

Here are some measurements for the 3 way: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/hivi-3-1a-diy-speaker-with-sehlin-mod-review.15802/

duck851 · « **Reply #9 on:** 1 Oct 2020, 08:05 pm »

Even less expensive at www.swanskits.com

Poultrygeist · « **Reply #10 on:** 1 Oct 2020, 08:09 pm »

The 3.1 is $299 on Amazon with free shipping. My 2.2a's came in a huge box with smaller boxes inside and I needed hand trucks to move it into the garage.

I would have gone with the 3.1 but they're too big for near field.

Poultrygeist · « **Reply #11 on:** 11 Oct 2020, 12:22 pm »

With grills on and a new stand top plate.

Poultrygeist · « **Reply #12 on:** 11 Oct 2020, 12:25 pm »

Poultrygeist · « **Reply #13 on:** 11 Oct 2020, 12:26 pm »

mresseguie · « **Reply #14 on:** 11 Oct 2020, 01:29 pm »

I noticed both kits are sold out.

So how do they sound? Any brightness to distract from one's enjoyment?

Michael

Poultrygeist · « **Reply #15 on:** 11 Oct 2020, 02:41 pm »

Quote from: mresseguie on 11 Oct 2020, 01:29 pm

I noticed both kits are sold out.

So how do they sound? Any brightness to distract from one's enjoyment?

Michael

No brightness but very smooth and detailed. That's what I'm hearing when paired with flea watt single ended tube amps. Source is the Node2i streaming Amazon HD through a Schiit MB. Diana Krall in the Ultra rez selections literally brings tears to my eyes. I only listen on 37.5 inch stands in near field which is what the Swans were designed for.

c3474 · « **Reply #16 on:** 26 Jan 2021, 01:33 am »

I've bee waiting for these to come back in stock! Looks like the 3.1's are back in stock at Amazon, but not the 2.2's yet.
From what I've read the "Perfectionist" is the way to go on the 3.1's https://sites.google.com/view/sehlin-sound-solutions/hivi-diy-3-1-modifications

wushuliu · « **Reply #17 on:** 26 Jan 2021, 06:58 pm »

Quote from: c3474 on 26 Jan 2021, 01:33 am

I've bee waiting for these to come back in stock! Looks like the 3.1's are back in stock at Amazon, but not the 2.2's yet.
From what I've read the "Perfectionist" is the way to go on the 3.1's https://sites.google.com/view/sehlin-sound-solutions/hivi-diy-3-1-modifications

Definitely. The perfectionist version has the best frequency response and should make the 3.1 competitive with much higher priced 3-way monitors. Nice to see Sehlin has a website now with his designs. He's been active in the techtalk diy speaker community for a long time and is well regarded.

Poultrygeist · « **Reply #18 on:** 21 May 2021, 10:38 am »

Back in stock at Amazon but not many left.

https://www.amazon.com/HiVi-Bookshelf-Speaker-Cabinet-Warranty/dp/B072KTZ2VC/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1BUIDXE6M7NXZ&dchild=1&keywords=hivi+speaker+kit+2.2a&qid=1621593376&sprefix=hivi+speaker+%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFOT1lWS1EzSzFMOTMmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA3MTk1ODIxQlg5NFpMRk9PRllJJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA1Nzk1NTUyQUQ1Rk0wUERPWE05JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Poultrygeist · « **Reply #19 on:** 12 Sep 2024, 11:54 am »

I'm still enjoying the Swan HiVi 2.2a DIY kit speakers. Moved them to the garage which has nice acoustics and I'm driving them with a Fosi ZA3. The Fosi's power band comes in so late that I added an Audio GD DAC which doubles as a high gain preamp. The 2.2a's are designed for near-field listening and that is where they really excel. To sound their best they need tall stands to bring that nice tweeter to ear level. The more they're pulled out from the back wall the better they sound. I keep rediscovering these fine speakers each time I move them back into circulation. I doubt you can find a 1K speaker that sounds any better. I check Amazon but they're currently out of stock. Skunkie on youtube built a pair and posted a glowing review.