Millercarbon,
“Ask them this simple question: if your DIY (fill in the blank) really is as good or better than (fill in the blank) and for less money, then why aren’t you selling it to make a profit?“
One reason is that making one pair of speakers is a very different animal than making hundreds or thousands of them. And the need for a profit margin will most likely mean that the price point will get on par with the big manufacturers product. Certainly, the big manufacturers make their product for less than they sell it for. With the investment of lots of research and lots of time and sweat, an experienced DIYer can make speakers to rival some of the big manufacturers products. The high quality parts are readily available, and as profit isn’t the goal, the cash investment can ensure high quality instead of profit margin. As for technical know how? Agreed, I’ll never be designing and building any other part of my stereo system. But speakers are a bit more like chess, deceptively simple, but a lifetime off study and experience. And yet, accessible, thanks to the many professionals and others who have offered their expertise in books, articles, periodicals, online resources, etc. Only Von Schweikert can make Von Schweikert speakers, even though many of the parts are readily available. But if someone has invested many years in the hobby of speakers building, quite possibly out of the joy of learning and doing, they can make a speaker that is just as satisfying, and enjoy the benefits of the experience of doing it. And they won’t be limited to Henry Ford’s color choices.
b_limo,
They do rock out, but only up to a point, and there lies the rub! The ScanSpeak Revelator line has some of my potential choices for midrange and tweeter. Even if they don’t get used in this potential project, I suspect they will show up in another. Morel And Seas are showing some stiff competition in those areas.
Thanks for all comments,
Dave
“Ask them this simple question: if your DIY (fill in the blank) really is as good or better than (fill in the blank) and for less money, then why aren’t you selling it to make a profit?“
One reason is that making one pair of speakers is a very different animal than making hundreds or thousands of them. And the need for a profit margin will most likely mean that the price point will get on par with the big manufacturers product. Certainly, the big manufacturers make their product for less than they sell it for. With the investment of lots of research and lots of time and sweat, an experienced DIYer can make speakers to rival some of the big manufacturers products. The high quality parts are readily available, and as profit isn’t the goal, the cash investment can ensure high quality instead of profit margin. As for technical know how? Agreed, I’ll never be designing and building any other part of my stereo system. But speakers are a bit more like chess, deceptively simple, but a lifetime off study and experience. And yet, accessible, thanks to the many professionals and others who have offered their expertise in books, articles, periodicals, online resources, etc. Only Von Schweikert can make Von Schweikert speakers, even though many of the parts are readily available. But if someone has invested many years in the hobby of speakers building, quite possibly out of the joy of learning and doing, they can make a speaker that is just as satisfying, and enjoy the benefits of the experience of doing it. And they won’t be limited to Henry Ford’s color choices.
b_limo,
They do rock out, but only up to a point, and there lies the rub! The ScanSpeak Revelator line has some of my potential choices for midrange and tweeter. Even if they don’t get used in this potential project, I suspect they will show up in another. Morel And Seas are showing some stiff competition in those areas.
Thanks for all comments,
Dave