which is easier?

[96civ 10+ year member]

Just ordered a Sharp Aquos 52" LCD set. Now all we need at the house is the audio, would it be easier just to buy some set online or build a kit myself? I want the cheapest, best quality route... not afraid of spending time on a project if I have to. Also, where can I get some good box plans/x-over plans if u guys turn me toward that DIY route?

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[thylantyr 10+ year member]

DIY designs.

http://www.zaphaudio.com/

http://www.partsexpress.com/projectshowcase/homeaudio.cfm

http://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/

http://www.rjbaudio.com/

http://www.htguide.com/forum/forumdisplay.php4?f=39

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

If you build it yourself, it will be better and cheaper if you know what you're doing ...

Not always.... But, usually... //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

DIY designs.
http://www.zaphaudio.com/

http://www.partsexpress.com/projectshowcase/homeaudio.cfm

http://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/

http://www.rjbaudio.com/

http://www.htguide.com/forum/forumdisplay.php4?f=39

Those are some sweet projects for sure....

 

[1loudsuv 10+ year member]

Not always.... But, usually... //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

so if you had the same parts as b&w has available would you not be able to put it together and save some money?

now will it be worth it to go trough all the trouble for a diy speaker well thats up to the person them selfs, but yes its possible with some questions and an open mind and some knowledge to build something from scratch that rivals something else that is prebuilt that cost more.

theirs cabinets that come prebuilt at madisound,parts express and other websites even though ive never heard them. which i myself was thinking of getting before anything.

and with diy you can make it however you want and not have something mainstream. saying both things sound equal a diy speaker would drop more jaws //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

diy is time consuming so if you have the money to spend just go with something else but if you don't and are patient then i would suggest diy.

just do allot of reading

heres some review's on drivers..

http://www.zaphaudio.com/

but what do i know im running a bose 3-2-1 system.

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

Well, here is the thing.

You can't get the same drivers as B&W uses... Plus, their drivers are engineered to work with their boxes and crossovers.

I have a busy life as most people do and I don't have the time nor the equipment to design proper crossovers to specifically match the drivers as they do. Nor can I afford to individually audition components and lots of drivers to find the ones that match what I am trying to do.

Just curious have you ever seen the inside of a B&W loudspeaker? It's not just a box. There is a lot of deadening which is strategically placed. Also, I seriously doubt that I could build a Nautilus taper tube in the same fashion in which they do. Also, the matrix and bracing system used is very superior.

There are a lot of speaker manufactures that half-*** their drivers, boxes, crossovers. I honestly believe that with time and money I could design a loudspeaker much better than many of them. However, in my personal opinion and from my experience with B&W they are very much not like other companies. Their speakers are built with more care, expertise, and engineering that I have time and skill to give.

If, for a second, I could get all the drivers. I could build the crossovers. I could design and build the boxes, and finish them with the same look and feel as B&W. I would still be out money. Here is why, my time is valuable. When I am not listening to my speakers or on here reading posts (which is my comedy for the day usually) I am studying or working. Not doing these things would cost me more in the long run than purchasing the loudspeakers from B&W. By the time I put all of the time, effort, and money into equipment and supplies I would probably be out 2-3x of what the speaker actually cost me. Plus, you have to figure that you are not just paying them for the drivers, cabinet, crossover, and every other piece of hardware. You are paying them to do the service of designing, building, and testing the speakers for me.

And, in all honestly and seriousness I love the B&W sound. It is what I enjoy and what I like to hear in my loudspeakers (which is why I bought them). So, why would I want to design something to sound the same when I already have what I want... //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[1loudsuv 10+ year member]

how long has b&w been in business fo? i know it doesnt matter to much cause look at sony but with them i bet they have done allot of testing

this is one argument ill give you the win hands down!

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

1965-66 Depending on when you say they start.

http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1465

John Bowers = My Hero...

The thing with B&W is they have a VERY large research center, aka the University of Sound.

 

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

You'd do it for the challenge and accomplishment when you're done since it's a hobby and not a job...

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

You'd do it for the challenge and accomplishment when you're done since it's a hobby and not a job...

Well... To tell you the truth... I have 2 people that I am building speaker for this summer. They are not going to be hi-fi more mid-fi budget. It should be fun. Plus, I am building a crossover for another person...

I am looking for the challenge and the accomplishment...

But, for my own ears, it's going to be hard to tear me away from my 703s... //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

I would love to start my own company like Bowers, but, that is much easier said than done....