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The return of the DIYer

I’ve been thinking about several trends and forces that are affecting our hobby and how this will change things.

The global pandemic and supply issues, unemployment and how disposable income has dwindled in the middle class over the last 30-40 years. The brick and mortar showroom is vanishing, and audio shows have become scarce. About the only aspect of the audio industry which has not dwindled or hurt as much are bloggers/review sites and DIY suppliers.

Our hobby grew up out of tinkerers and experimenters, and then seemed to have been subsumed by the all powerful consumer. The arm chair speaker or amplifier designer who could talk tech without every doing a bit of math or soldering became what we call a "true audiophile" so long as they regularly bought and sold gear.

Now though, perhaps the tables are turning. The lack of funds in many an audiophile’s pocket, lack of ability to go listen for yourself, I’d like to believe the age of the mega speaker holding the cover of audio magazines is over. I honestly wouldn’t mind seeing most mega-speakers vanish, being rarely more than excess without commensurate capabilities. Tweaked sounds, and fashionable trends in frequency alterations dominated the press and showrooms.

Is that all over? And if it is over, are we ready to return to our roots as makers instead of buyers, or are we in a temporary malaise? Nothing more than a flu from which we will bounce back? Or is the DIY er himself to vanish as well with the hobby?
erik_squires
pwayland
82 posts
 
I would venture to say DIY is alive and well in this hobby and may be gaining momentum. For me it's about self-reliance and extends beyond just updating and modifying electronics. 
I hope the Right to Repair takes hold, although I'm personally not that interested in schematics of boards with hundreds of surface mount components, I do hope there are those that are and can save them from the landfills.
mrklas
441 posts
 
If you are a DIYer - great.  My not being a DIYer doesn't diminish my enjoyment of the music.  In the end, I want to hear music from my system - not work on my system. 

My time is important to me and I'd rather pay for an outcome (listening pleasure) than buy and experience (pride in creating something with my hands) when it comes to my audition equipment.  
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
RadioShack used to have all the tools and circuit components and not only RadioShack.
Instruction manuals for sound equipment used to have schematics of all boards printed and now instead all we read that access under the box should only be done by professional.
DIYing died back then.
erik_squires OP
16,049 posts
 
RadioShack used to have all the tools and circuit components and not only RadioShack.
Instruction manuals for sound equipment used to have schematics of all boards printed and now instead all we read that access under the box should only be done by professional.
DIYing died back then.



You know, you hit it on the head.  With the death of Radio Shack it's really hard for a hobbyist to get into anything without a mentor or group.  I mean, sure, the Internet has a video for that, but why would you eve get interested? How do you get started?

The big interest is in robotics and Python and Raspberry Pi.
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,599 posts
 
Actually, Erik...it was really easy, at least for me. *s*

It helps to have a focus, and I certainly found mine.  And I get to either critique' my efforts or just f'n enjoy them.  And, pardon the pun:

Sounds like a 'win/win' to me....*goody, nice cringe*

@Lanx0003....1st comment on last of yours, i.e., Wilson & Co.

Of no interest to me.  As for the WAAD device, shouldn't that be 'built-in' vs. a new X$ item?
Interesting cabinetry, I'd wager the bulk of what one pays for.
SAF?  You've Got to be Kidding....@ that price point, she'll likely just go shopping for her 'itch'.

Cloning:  Pick any 2 speakers of any similar 'build' level, and you see more 'clones of clones' than much else...

Agreed (surprise!), kits are not 'design it yourself', no.  They do give one a chance to develop skills and the requisite tools to move on from...
'Kit' speakers are a leap of faith; 'raw' drivers even more so...;)

I know of one who is 'diy-ing' a 'clone' of a MBL 101...the 'Martian fire hydrant' so well loved...
MBL has not shown up at his porch, nor legal leeches.  More likely astounded that anyone would Try.....
(Last contact he'd got the top 2/3s' down, moving into the balloon bass base....)

Save $?  Well, maybe....I've spent more on set-up and time vs. actual parts and raw materials, and the time is of a premium to me....more because I only have so much to spare anymore....
...but it's important to me to spend some of it, on It.

I have a 'bookshelf pair' I listen to daily, attached to this desktop.

One 'gets involved' for the challenge...and the previous line. ;)

...which really is the point of it all, doing it for the pleasure derived in ones' pursuit, whatever the means and method to achieve that.

If something significant happens, I'll let y'all know. *G*


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