Madisound Recession Buster or Polk Audio Monitor 40s?

[tentaguasu]

I've been planning to do the Madisound Recession Buster kit as a way to get a superior speaker at a cut rate price.

However, on another thread someone suggested the PolkAudio Moitor 40s and I was surprised to see them going fur sub $150 refurbished on ebay.

Any thoughts on which of those options would give me superior sound at that price range?

 

[alexwakelin]

I own a pair of the Recession Busters and I can say that they are an amazing value for the price, depending on the materials you use and the finish you choose, you can build a pair for ~$120. Having never heard the Monitor 40s I can't say how they compare, but you can get them new for $150 a pair with free shipping:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290010

If you use baltic birch plywood and put a nice finish on your Recession Busters you are probably looking at roughly the same price for the RB's or the Polks. Others on this site have said that the RB's compete with the Infinity Beta 20's in terms of sound quality, possibly beating them slightly if you build them well. The Betas are in the same price range as the Polks. If you like the sound of Polk speakers, then $150 for the pair is a pretty good deal it seems.

 

[Wafflesomd]

Behringer 2030p if you're looking at that price range.

 

[alexwakelin]

Behringer 2030p if you're looking at that price range.

I've heard nothing but good things about these speakers, there's a few mods to improve them as well.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=412211&postcount=2

 

[lsiberian]

I've been planning to do the Madisound Recession Buster kit as a way to get a superior speaker at a cut rate price.

However, on another thread someone suggested the PolkAudio Moitor 40s and I was surprised to see them going fur sub $150 refurbished on ebay.

Any thoughts on which of those options would give me superior sound at that price range?

The question really is.

Do you want to have the fun of building your own boxes? If you view it as a chore than get the Behringer 2030p's

If you view it as fun then build the Madisound kit.

SQ wise the sealed Madisound kit is very good when crossed at 100hz.

It has very good sound. Better than Infinity Beta 20s for sure IMO. But I'm biased from building them myself.

 

[tentaguasu]

Let's put it this way - I don't mind building my own - in fact I think it would be fun.

But this is a home theater first, a DIY project second.

My budget is extremely tight.

My number one priority is bang for the buck.

If the Behringer 2030p or Polk Monitor 40s are as good as (or very close to as good as) the Madisounds, then I'd go with the purchased options.

If the Madisounds provide a reasonable upgrade over them, then I'd be happy to put in the work.

So your opinion is (given that I don't mind making them) I'll get more quality in a final product with the Madisound option?

 

[lsiberian]

Let's put it this way - I don't mind building my own - in fact I think it would be fun.

But this is a home theater first, a DIY project second.

My budget is extremely tight.

My number one priority is bang for the buck.

If the Behringer 2030p or Polk Monitor 40s are as good as (or very close to as good as) the Madisounds, then I'd go with the purchased options.

If the Madisounds provide a reasonable upgrade over them, then I'd be happy to put in the work.

So your opinion is (given that I don't mind making them) I'll get more quality in a final product with the Madisound option?

That really depends on your woodworking skill. But it's not hard to make these speakers equal the Behringer 2030p and pass the Polk's in build quality.

Sufficient Bracing and dampening will make these very good speakers. How much you use and how far you go is up to you. At the very least you will want to mod the box size to allow for additional rockwool and plenty of bracing.