Homebrewing monitors

S

Sangram

New member
Is it possible to whip up a set of homebrew monitors at all, if I design the cabinets properly and use good drive units/crossovers/cables?

If it is (I think not but I wanna hear if it's doable) what should I be looking for? Has anyone done this sorta stuff? Or is it not worth time/effort. If it's not possible, why not?

My one fear is that they'll end up being speakers which sound good to me and me alone, and that I'll get mixes that sound good on the monitors but bad on everything else...

I'm currently monitoring on a JVC mini-system with all trimmings cut down, sounds OK in the car and on small stereos to me, if a little too much low end (small component systems seem to reveal a very 'low' low end) but OK otherwise.

Sang
 
DIY monitors are a great idea if you find a proven design, and there are plenty of choices out there. There are kits out there that can be purchased from places like:

http://www.speakercity.com
http://zalytron.com
http://www.gr-research.com
http://www.madisound.com

Many of the kits sold by these places are designed with relatively flat response, and use very high quality drivers, crossover parts, and cabinets. If you're going go this route, and will be using them for nearfield monitors, stay away from the MTM (midrange, tweeter, midrange) designs...reason being...the listening position for a MTM design is several feet away, and will not work well for nearfield. Stick with a TM design.

I built all of my home theater speakers from kits and some homebrewed designs. For relatively little money, I have a system that will rival systems at almost any price. That's what's really nice about DIY...you can get much higher quality for less, as long as you're willing to put some work into it. You can also do some tweaking with DIY designs, and tailor the speakers to your liking.

If you need some kit suggestions, let me know, and I'll try and help you out. Otherwise, there is an excellent BBS that will provide you with more information that one person could ever soak up in a lifetime...

http://www.madisound.com/cgi-bin/discuss.cgi

Those people are the cream of the crop in speaker designs, and are extremely helpful.

L8R
 
Thanks for the reply.

I managed to dig up a few resources myself, too but your links seem better.

I like the link to the madison forums. Will be there soon.

Unfortunately I don't have dollar acceess so I can't order off the 'net. Sux.

Will have to homebrew with what's available.

Thanks

Sang
 
Sangram said:
Unfortunately I don't have dollar acceess so I can't order off the 'net. Sux.
Click to expand...
Aren't credit cards universal? ;)

I would highly recommend NOT trying to design a set of monitors yourself. This is an extremely difficult endeavor which takes a lot of engineering knowledge, test equipment, and most importantly experience. Just choosing high quality components is not nearly enough.

Would a German, Dutch, or Danish source work for you? I think I have some links to kit distributors over there.

barefoot
 
'Aren't credit cards universal?'

No. In our country you aren't allowed to remit payments overseas if you don't earn foreign exchange in some way or the other. Importing into the country is also not allowed except by registered importers.

I do have access to a pair of Studiophile monitors: for about $600 equivalent. Pro audio in this country is a racket.

Sang
 
LooneyTunez

I noticed you built your home theater speakers youself, would you recommend the same thing for home recording?
Would DIY monitors really compare with the ones at the store for recording and mixing?
or would I need alot of money to make that happen?
 
StoneB,

DIY speaker kits are a great way to go for building studio monitors. Many of the kits sold at the places I mentioned in my previous thread are designed by the best speaker designers in the business. I almost went this route for my mixing/recording monitors, but wanted to go with an active pair, which would involve a little too much work for me to build.

As far as money is concerned, you'll get a better price/performance ratio by going with DIY kits. One problem though, is that you can't audition the kits like you can with pre-built speakers...But on the other hand, you can tweak them if you're not happy with how they sound.

Another thing that is a bonus with the kits, is the satisfaction you have when you get them built, and you can pat yourself on the back for a job well done. :)
 
Very intriguing

It'll have to be next year or so before I can actually try this, but You've got me very interested. I wonder... can you adjust the power handling when you build your own? Is that what the drivers are for?

I don't know much about this stuff, but I am learning, I think when I'm ready for another pair of monitors, I'll be ready to do it myself.
 
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