Speaker kits vs. Buy

[jinjuku]

I was looking at the Madisound kits, and yikes, these DIY kits for a MTM design can go for almost $800 a pair.

Am I missing something here vs. going with Ascend, Aperion, AV123, Axiom and one of their MTM designs and for less $$?

 

[Swerd]

I was looking at the Madisound kits, and yikes, these DIY kits for a MTM design can go for almost $800 a pair.

Am I missing something here vs. going with Ascend, Aperion, AV123, Axiom and one of their MTM designs and for less $$?

Which $800 MTM kit are you looking at? I assume that includes cabinets. Madisound does have other MTM kits for much less, as does Parts Express. A good one is the Dr. K's MTM in PE's Project Showcase.

What size midwoofers are you interested in, and what price range works for you?

 

[jinjuku]

Looking at

The Big AV with T25CF-001 Tweeter at $372.5 per. The similar Acends 340 SE is under $600 for the pair, the Axiom Millenia M50ti Tower for $780/pair (floor standers). The AV123 X-CS at $280/pair. Lot of choices.

I know you can play with the driver component with the kits, but that is assuming that you really know what your raw drivers are going to bring to the table with appropriate x-over design.

Just curious. Seemed comparatively expensive to pre-built. I generally associate Kit with DIY and therefore bang to buck (which you just may be getting, but I don't know).

 

[Swerd]

The Big AV with T25CF-001 Tweeter at $372.5 per. The similar Acends 340 SE is under $600 for the pair, the Axiom Millenia M50ti Tower for $780/pair (floor standers). The AV123 X-CS at $280/pair. Lot of choices.

I know you can play with the driver component with the kits, but that is assuming that you really know what your raw drivers are going to bring to the table with appropriate x-over design.

Just curious. Seemed comparatively expensive to pre-built. I generally associate Kit with DIY and therefore bang to buck (which you just may be getting, but I don't know).

You're comparing apples and oranges. The Big AV MTM kit with the Seas T25 tweeter is more expensive than any of the non-kit speakers you mention for a real reason. It's drivers are much better quality. The tweeter alone sells for $87 each! Personally, I would opt for the other tweeter (Vifa D27) offered with that kit. It's probably more in line with the quality of the woofers.

Similarly, the cabinets that come with the Madisound kits are probably built much better than those in the non-kits. Solidly built cabinets make an audible difference, and it costs $ for that.

The commercial MTM speakers you've listed aren't dogs by a long shot, but they can't compare with that particular kit.

Do you want a kit with prebuilt cabinets and crossovers?

 

[jinjuku]

Kewl. Consider curiosity scratched...

Thx.

 

[billnchristy]

You gotta figure, the companies that sell complete speakers buy lots of say 1000 if not more, so their drivers, even custom ones are probably running them 10 bucks tops.

Speakers that have drivers like those $800 kits would probably run you $5k or more on the market.

Example:

I built a pair of bookshelfs using Jordan JX92s drivers. These cost $390 a pair.

There is one company that makes a TL design tower with that very driver for $2500. You could build it for about $5-600 depending on wood and finish.

 

[jinjuku]

You gotta figure, the companies that sell complete speakers buy lots of say 1000 if not more, so their drivers, even custom ones are probably running them 10 bucks tops.

Speakers that have drivers like those $800 kits would probably run you $5k or more on the market.

Example:

I built a pair of bookshelfs using Jordan JX92s drivers. These cost $390 a pair.

There is one company that makes a TL design tower with that very driver for $2500. You could build it for about $5-600 depending on wood and finish.

I have looked at a local community college that has a series of construction courses. While generally for home owners that want to fixer upper, one of the courses is cabinet making.

I wonder what equipment is really needed. Obviously a table saw, router, clamps. I figure with a speaker manufacturer that CNC machines bring a whole new level of efficiency. That whole round hole cutting thingy is kinda tricky

 

[billnchristy]

I use a jig saw because I dont have a router. You just gotta be careful!

You dont NEED a table saw, but it makes straight cuts easy. I have built projects with just a circular saw, it just takes more sanding and care.

Here are a couple of projects I have done:
1st 3 are the Jordan fullranges, 4th is micro mini prototype, 5th is Wall-Omni prototype.