[frasolli]

I’m looking for recommendations for a high-end standmount DIY speaker, either from a kit or from available plans, with a budget up to $2,500 (cabinets will be built separately).

Requirements:

Standmount (bookshelf) design, 2-way or 3-way
Should be an reasonable load for a quality Class AB amplifier: 150 W / 4 Ω, 100 W / 8 Ω
Can be placed 2–3 feet out into the room
Listening room size: ~20 m²

Use case & priorities:
Mainly 2-channel stereo listening from streaming and vinyl
Some TV use, but home theater is not a priority

I’m looking for clarity, soundstage, and detail, but I do not want a bright or fatiguing sound.
Ideally, the speaker should have ok bass performance without absolutely requiring a subwoofer.

What designs or kits would you recommend?

PS:
The visual footprint should not dominate the room, so large open-baffle or floorstanding/tower speakers are not considered at this time

[BPT]

Audio First Fidelia
3rd party measurements
BPT

[Rusty Jefferson]

Check out these Joseph Crowe 2 ways with a horn loaded dome tweeter. They have excellent controlled directivity.  I didn't see just the baffles on his website, only finished speakers, but he's all about diy. You'll have to reach out to him to see if he's still selling just the baffles (what I did). He used to sell a flatpack cabinet for them too. These would come in under your budget if you build your own boxes and crossovers.

https://youtu.be/f6S2V9D9_08?si=OksRy52CLhZgKr6-

[JCarney]

You might want to look at the Troels Gravesen diy speakers site. http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/Diy_Loudspeaker_Projects.htm Mulitiple two way options using a variety of drivers. If you prefer Scanspeak, SB Acoustics, or Seas drivers, there are several choices to consider. I've never built one of his kits, but they sure do look interesting. Best of luck with your project.

JCarney

[Cacophonix]

You can check out the Helios kit.
https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/2-way-speaker-kits/satori-helios-textreme-9.5-2-way-speaker-kit-pair/

I built the CM version that uses less expensive drivers, and love it.

[frasolli]

Check out these Joseph Crowe 2 ways with a horn loaded dome tweeter. They have excellent controlled directivity.  I didn't see just the baffles on his website, only finished speakers, but he's all about diy. You'll have to reach out to him to see if he's still selling just the baffles (what I did). He used to sell a flatpack cabinet for them too. These would come in under your budget if you build your own boxes and crossovers.

Joseph Crowe speakers are for sure a work of art. I have only noticed some of his larger finished design for sales that are far from a realistic budget, but I will for sure check out if 1159 and baffle is a possibility 

[frasolli]

You can check out the Helios kit.
https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/2-way-speaker-kits/satori-helios-textreme-9.5-2-way-speaker-kit-pair/
I built the CM version that uses less expensive drivers, and love it.

I have followed Javad Shadzi on the diy project pad FB group and have seen several posting of the TX Helios. Looks to be a good allround contender.
I have seen the kit need to be bought from madisound and then crossover is delivered ready. That takes away some of the experience i´m looking for.
Looks like the CM option has good performance to be a "cheap" version

[WGH]

One of our audio club members built the Troels Gravesen Purifi-Be and likes it a lot. We drove up to Phoenix from Tucson last year to listen to the Salk BePure 1 Monitor and really loved the Purifi driver, the clarity is easily heard, this has to be one of the lowest distortion drivers available today.
http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/Purifi-Be.htm



The Purifi-Be crossover is in separate box



The Troels Gravesen Purifi-Be has been replaced with the Purifi-6R which has a ribbon tweeter. I prefer the ribbon tweeter, it sounds more natural to my ears. The beryllium tweeters are excellent but need careful amp matching and are very fragile too.
http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/Purifi-6R.htm

I have no idea what the drivers and crossover parts cost these days with the fluctuating tariff situation.


I can't comment on the bass, my friend has two Rythmik subs, one behind each speaker. The Purifi drivers have very flat frequency response out to 1000 Hz but my impression is they are not bass monsters like a Seas driver of the same size in a stand mounted cabinet, they make up for it with "reach out and touch it clarity."

My Salk HT2-TL speakers have a pair of Seas Excel W18 and a RAAL ribbon tweeter and they have deep, clear, tight bass down to 34 Hz and I still use a sub. I think a SEAS driver will be punchier that the Purifi. When we were in Phoenix my friend gave me the remote (always a bad idea) and I really tried to get the Salk BePure 1 monitor to punch and it just didn't happen, even blew off one of the passive radiator speaker covers. The room was way to big for monitor speakers, but still I wanted a gut punch. The Purifi are too refined and not what they are designed to do.

Both Seas and Purifi drivers are very fast and require a fast sub. The Rythmik subs work but REL subs are faster. I have heard the Rythmiks in many rooms and own a REL, go for a REL. It's not about bass, it's about space and REL subs do space. A room opens up, not thump, thump but WOW! I'm actually sitting in the club where the music was recorded. A REL sub paired with the Purifi monitor will sound like a $50,000 state-of-the-art full range speaker.

The Troels Gravesen with the Purifi driver is still one of the clearest speaker I have ever heard and up there with the Vandersteen Model 7 and the Andrew Jones designed TAD Compact Reference CR1.

[keenween]

https://heissmann-acoustics.de/en/

These might be of interest, not a lot of info and reviews though. I hope to build the Suzie Q at some point.

[Cacophonix]

I have followed Javad Shadzi on the diy project pad FB group and have seen several posting of the TX Helios. Looks to be a good allround contender.
I have seen the kit need to be bought from madisound and then crossover is delivered ready. That takes away some of the experience i´m looking for.
Looks like the CM option has good performance to be a "cheap" version

You have to pay to have madisound assemble the crossover. The kit i got had just components. I needed to put them all together.

[frasolli]

You have to pay to have madisound assemble the crossover. The kit i got had just components. I needed to put them all together.

I checked with madisound and for the TX Helios it is originally assembled when buy the kit, but I can inform them that just want the part if not want to have it done by them.
Looks to be a great speaker

[FullRangeMan]

Be aware $2500 is alot of money for a kit.

[FullRangeMan]

The visual footprint should not dominate the room, so large open-baffle or floorstanding/tower speakers are not considered at this time

In these dramatic conditions I would suggest you install in wall speakers to please wife.

[S Clark]

Be aware $2500 is alot of money for a kit.

My GR- Research LS9 kit was a tiny bit more than that.  But when  the  speaker was offered later in  completed form, the listed for $10,000.   

Also, I don't  know if  Madisound  actually builds out their crossovers and voices them.  Years ago when I bought components and a crossover from them, their crossovers were computer generated from driver and box parameters, but never evaluated by an experienced designer. 
Perhaps they have more expertise now. 

[frasolli]

Also, I don't  know if  Madisound  actually builds out their crossovers and voices them.  Years ago when I bought components and a crossover from them, their crossovers were computer generated from driver and box parameters, but never evaluated by an experienced designer. 
Perhaps they have more expertise now.

The crossover in kit are based on the specs from original design from the designer. with a few upgrade options on tweeter cap and woofer coil.

[frasolli]

Be aware $2500 is alot of money for a kit.

Yes, this at the high end of what like to pay. with wood it can then end close to $3000 that is a lot. But idea are that this should compete and punch well above that price point compared with commercial speakers. That said, I do not mind if the right project lands $1000 under the top end of budget 
I looked inside my Focal speakers and that crossover is made to a (low) budget.

[Doublej]

Linkwitz LXMini is one to take a quick look at. While technically a floorstander it might meet your visual criteria. But you won't get to play with your shop tools like you will with a box monitor.

Add GR Research and CSS to the list of speakers to consider.

[mresseguie]

Take a look at CSS Audio speakers. They’re well within your budget, and sound great. I assembled the 2-way bookshelf speakers for a friend, and I got to burn them in for a week before I turned them over to my buddy. They definitely sound great.

https://www.css-audio.com/online-store/Kits-c29751664?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22285852989&gclid=CjwKCAiA8vXIBhAtEiwAf3B-gykaf1zMTG7SXzsfx7qNDmFB3H47t6JKOHj9le_wF_nOVxuZM5OrPBoCTtQQAvD_BwE

[frasolli]

Linkwitz LXMini is one to take a quick look at. While technically a floorstander it might meet your visual criteria. But you won't get to play with your shop tools like you will with a box monitor.

Add GR Research and CSS to the list of speakers to consider.

Unfortunate I cant get used to the idea of a speaker attached to a drainage pvc pipe
I have looked at the NX studio from GR research. Probably need a sub, but a mighty fine speaker

[nlitworld]

I have looked at the NX studio from GR research. Probably need a sub, but a mighty fine speaker

A mighty fine speaker indeed, but yeah subs are required unless small room and more acoustic instrument listening. Plus tons of them around people are willing to audition for friendly people on this forum.