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DIY/Home Brew Taking A Risk

As with many Agonr's I have acquired friends and contacts through this hobby. I decided to take a gamble and had some home brew speakers built by a contact I now call a friend. I'm not a doctor, lawyer.... and do not have deep pockets. Resale value on home brew gear is typically low. I considered all of the pros and cons and decided to take the plunge. I essentially have a pair of Usher 8871 speakers in generic cabinets for a total cost < $3000. The drivers in the main speakers are Usher (1) 8 inch woofers, (1) 7 inch mid, (1) silk dome tweeter with ferrofluid removed. The crossovers are a considerable upgrade versus the stock crossovers. I saved more money and later had an additional 8 inch woofer built as passive woofer/sub in separate cabinets powered by an Emotiva XPA-200 amp versus the Monarchy amps for the main speakers.
I got lucky. The result by far exceeds any expectation I had but this by far was the biggest risk move I've made in audio in 25 years. I put faith in the builder and he delivered.

Any another Agonr's taking risks with home brew purchased (either purchased or built by someone else)???

Was the outcome good or bad???
pdspecl
detredwings
162 posts
 
Have you listened to any of the guys speakers? Is this a proven designed or something he suggested to you?

I have no woodworking skill and have never attempted building speakers. I have seen some beautiful builds on the DIY forums by some guys with amazing skills.

I have built amps, preamps, headphone amps and other misc projects. DIY is not always cheap. You can makes some amazing equipment for a good price, using high quality parts. But you can also end up with a piece of ****.

So what makes you trust this guy? If he has a good track record and made some nice gear, why not? If not?
pdspecl OP
197 posts
 
I did view and listen to a few of his designs. Had several discussions with the builder and a contact he built speakers for.
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
Never. I would not trust them. I have had enough bad results with others in c=various areas that i would not risk the chance to have someone build something for me after i paid.
Now if i saw something already built, and it was what i wanted, and i could take the risk, then yes.
Way too many folks have been seriously burned by promises and no show or very poor show ... for me to ever part with money and no product in front of me.
(though i have ordered product like a Bryston amp from a dealer i have known a long time.. No problem there. In that situation.

And yes plenty of other folks have prepaid and gotten great stuff. Fine. just NOT ME.
csontos
1,275 posts
 
Very good point. There's some truly outstanding gear out there that far exceeds manufactured product quality but you have to audition it first, then buy it.
s7horton
1,065 posts
 
Depends on your situation. Woodworking is my forte. I've spent years studying exotic veneering and cabinet construction. I don't do crossover design. But, over the years I have met a few people that I really trust to do impeccable crossover work.

Combine them together and I have a product I couldn't touch on the retail market. I'm currently veneering my 37th pair of speakers.
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