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DIY - Two kits using similar tweeter to Tekton

Hi Everyone,

There is a lot more to a speaker quality and sound than the brand of tweeter, but I wanted to get you excited about the idea of making your own. I try to post nice DIY projects or kits I find around the web every now and then. Every audiophile should build at least 1 pair of speakers in their lifetime!

Madisound in the US is now carrying a pair of kits, a 2-way and a 2.5 way from SB Acoustics. A very find Danish designer/Indonesian manufacturer trying to give ScanSpeak a run for their money for less.

https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/speaker-kits/satori-ara-2-way-speaker-kit-pair/

The normal markup on drivers in the store is 10:1. If you buy the complete kit you pay 4:1, so a big savings. These are very well liked parts, and the tweeter is uber smooth. This is not the kit to buy if you are enamored of Golden Ear or B&W or Dynaudio.

One big advantage of buying a kit like this is part rolling. You can buy it as is, and then try your hands with any exotic capacitor you like.

Also introduced recently is the 2.5 way design, with cabinets:

https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/2.5-way-speaker-kits/satori-rinjani-2.5-way-speaker-kit-pair/

Best,


E
erik_squires
erik_squires OP
16,394 posts
 
I mean this sincerely:

I simply do not know how  you can sell a speaker at retail for less than 10x the wholesale driver cost. 

Wholesale can be up to half of retail pricing, and it's even cheaper if you make your own drivers. 

Focal produced some excellent slides talking about what goes into value. The money a buyer would pay for speakers. 

Audible performance was one of 5 or more different attributes. Brand recognition, modernity, aesthetics, etc. all play a role in increasing retail value. 

So, you are right. If you are looking for an investment, you are much better buying a Rolex. 

On the other hand, if you are going to be happy with these speakers for a decade and pay a third of what this quality would buy you in the store, this is the way to go. :) 

Most importantly, you have to be a bit of an iconoclast. You have to trust your ears and heart when you listen. 

Best,

E
robertrs
17 posts
 
Erik,

Do you have ears on experience with either of these kits? I remember you have suggested them before in another thread.

I am guessing you have heard the LS50 can you compare the two? I have no way to audition the Satori as most folks don't.
erik_squires OP
16,394 posts
 
Not the kits, but the individual drivers are pretty well regarded. :) 

I'd suggest you ask in DIY forums, you'll find people with direct experience. 

Best,

E
gawdbless's avatar
gawdbless
1,235 posts
 
Probably why these type of DIY threads should be in another forum? as you are saying the drivers you are touting are respected but you have not heard the speakers in question. I think for the most part, and with all due respects Eric, I think you are flogging a dead horse here.
I do read the posts though, but can no way entertain any form of DIY.

erik_squires OP
16,394 posts
 
@gawdbless

I do read the posts though, but can no way entertain any form of DIY.


That’s a real shame, because I think every audiophile needs to at least once in their hobby build their own speaker pair. You’d learn a huge amount viscerally instead of whatever BS you think you can learn from reviews alone.

It will completely alter your perception of value and what things you should be tweaking to get what you want.

That is why a thread or two on DIY in the Speaker forum is important. Of course there are dedicated DIY forums like DIYaudio.com and Parts Express, but if they stopped appearing in Audiogon it would be an intellectual impoverishment of the hobby.

Above all, DIY should not be about saving money but about learning and taking control over what you are listening to away from the manufacturer and review cabal and into your very own hands. 

Building a pair of DIY speakers doesn't mean you won't buy commercial again, it just means you are a much better informed audiophile (by orders of magnitude) than everyone else. 

Best,


E
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