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Opinion - Every audiophile should build at least 1 pair of speakers

I think everyone who does this, even just once, would be forever changed and become an improved music listener as well as equipment hobbyist.

Whether you build a single driver speaker like the LM-1S or the 2-way desktop LM-1 (designs are free) or any other kit from


I think you would find yourself with very different biases and understanding of how parts interact, how drivers work, and how much a good pair of speakers should cost, and most likely you would have a different opinion about what a good speaker sounds like.

Would you build world reference speakers for $50 a pair? Not likely at all, but when I see audiophiles argue over thousands of dollars in speaker cables and interconnects, I think to myself, their opinions and biases about where to spend their time and money would be forever changed if they built but a single pair of speakers.

Also, of course, building speakers is fun as hell, and a great project to introduce kids to electronics. Especially girls, we need more girls who grow up to be speaker makers, amp designers and audiophiles!

Best,


Erik


erik_squires

Showing 3 responses by bdp24

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bdp24
4,908 posts
 
Another supplier of DIY loudspeaker kits is GR Research, designed by Danny Richie.
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bdp24
4,908 posts
 
While on the GR Research site, check out the 12" servo-feedback subwoofer drivers---one for sealed enclosures, another for OB/dipole applications, and the cabinet plans for 1- a double-walled enclosure with sand between the two walls for the 12" driver, and 2- plans for the W- and H-frames for the state-of-the-art OB/Dipole Sub that is the product of the collaboration between Danny Richie and Rythmik Audio's Brian Ding, which uses a pair of the 12" woofers that have been optimized for free-air use.
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bdp24
4,908 posts
 

Kosst---I can’t speak for all DIY loudspeaker kits, but in the GR Research products you are getting an advanced speaker designed by one of the best in the business. Danny Richie does outside work for non-DIY speaker companies, who pay him to design their crossovers and driver-compensation networks and filters, a particularly strong talent of his. The drivers that are included in his kits are designed by him, and are built to his specs. All you have to do is build the enclosure, or get one of appropriate internal volume from Parts Express or one of the cabinet makers who contribute to the AudioCircle GR Research Forum. Danny also offers economically-priced modification kits for built-to-a-price-point commercial loudspeakers, replacing their junk parts with audiophile-quality parts chosen for ultimate sound quality, and while he’s at it correcting the engineering "mistakes" (or bad choices/compromises) the designers of many mass-produced speakers often make.

Rather than being not as good as the same amount of money spent on a ready-made speaker, the GR products perform way above their price points. That’s why they have won awards at several of the RMAF Shows, and from professional reviewers. Richie has just received the first examples of the new ribbon tweeter he has designed and is having manufactured for him---an improved version of the great NEO 3 that was discontinued several years ago. This tweeter embarrasses those found in much more expensive loudspeakers, including some of the biggest names in hi-fi. Danny is a perfectionist with very high standards, and his speaker designs reflect that fact. Okay, I’m a DR fanboy; I’m far from alone!

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