To Buy or to DIY, here is my question
If I buy the speakers that appear closest to what I desire
they are $11k new and $8k used.
If I buy the raw speakers and build it
the speakers alone are $2.2k.
That is a 3 way system.
Still must add costs of XOs and cabs.
Assume the total custom build cost would be about $3k.
The $8k speakers used are Proac D40Rs.
The raw components would be from ScanSpeak and SB acoustics
and include 10" woofer, 4.5" Mid and a planar ribbon tweeter.
MadiSound provides XO advice.
Comments???
Well, building another set will be even easier then. If you are not buying a DIY kit, paying for plans of a well proven and well tested design helps when the crossover and enclosure specs are included. Saves time to focus on a quality build for yourself. |
What attracted you to the Proac speakers? Have you seen https://meniscusaudio.com/product/er18mtm-ribbon-pair/ should sound similar to the Proac’s and what you’ll learn and the satisfaction derived could make up for the sound difference if any.
Also a fun read with some insight on what DIY entails. https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1637209185
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Indeed, sometimes the main reason to DIY is a creative dissatisfaction with commercial offerings. It's like making your own dinner. Yes, it's cheaper to eat at home, but sometimes you want a meal just so and the only way to get it is to make it yourself. Of course, not everyone can cook, but if you are patient and willing to put in the effort and have good mentors you can definitely make exactly the meal you were looking to make. For me I wanted to put together two really excellent drivers in a small two way (failed on the "smal" part! 😂) with exactly the capacitors I wanted to try out. That was my drive. It was never to undercut any retail product, but of course at a 10x markup, I don't think I would have been able to afford my speakers if found at retail. |
