In this impatient, fast-paced world, everything seems mass produced, poorly made and on-demand. Quality sound can’t be defined by these contemporary boundaries but high-end costs make this dream seem out of reach for many. It doesn’t have to be this way. DIY is your answer.
1. Achieve high fidelity sound at a more affordable rate
Hi-fi products typically come with a luxury price tag. The DIY trend enables you to bypass commercial assembly and finishing, saving on manufacturing and production costs. Of course, in theory you can spend as much or as little as you want on your build project but your focus should be on obtaining quality components, in particular speaker drivers and crossover components. This way your sound quality will be kept high while the main cost of construction and finishing will be your spare time.
2. Build and sound quality is up to you
There’s nothing more frustrating than buying a complete product and hauling it home only to find it doesn’t deliver what it promised on the box or it has a manufacturing abnormality or defect. With a DIY audio project, the quality of your finished product relies on your discretion with selecting premium, compatible components from reputable suppliers and also on the care you take with your workmanship. Depending on your budget, you may wish to hire someone to design and construct your speaker cabinets, but you need to be mindful that it can be tough and expensive to find knowledgeable and willing professionals. However, if you have the right tools, this is completely unnecessary given the online support, advice and templates available. Then again, even if you don’t have these tools available, you can make use of the many quality speaker kits which can be purchased with pre-cut MDF and all the compatible internal components you’ll need.
3. Create a unique end product
Whether the complete design or just the finishing is up to you, you have the potential to create something personal and individual that breaks the mass-produced mould. Of course, you may choose a gloss feel to replicate high-end tastes, or go wild with new crazes like sticker or photo bombing. Then again, there’s endless finishing options available to satisfy your style and budget, including but not limited to painting, staining or veneer. When it comes to the final steps, you can achieve a well executed finish for an affordable price or go for a deluxe veneer for a premium price. How much or how little you spend is entirely up to you, but we’re sure you’ll be surprised at how much cheaper it is to DIY when you look at the cost of comparable finished products.
4. The satisfaction of building something yourself
At the end of the day, there’s something grand about being able to say, “I made that.” You can bask in silent satisfaction or let it be a brag point at your next home movie night or party where you’ll no doubt hear from your audience a resounding, “That sound is amazing – where did you get those speakers?” The satisfaction that comes from building a quality product with your own two hands is hard to surpass. The added bonus is that you can secretly smirk over the fact that achieving hi-fi sound didn’t break the bank. You can think about your next audio project while you count the savings in your pocket.
5. It’s easier than you might think
With DIY becoming increasingly popular you won’t find yourself short of helpful advice and support. One of the best online sources for audio and, in particular, audio DIY is StereoNET. No doubt most people will have had some experience with flat-pack furniture or kitchens (IKEA anyone?) so if you’re considering starting your first project, why not look into purchasing a loudspeaker kit? Kits from LSK provide you with all the quality components you’ll need to build a loudspeaker (minus the veneer/finishing materials and tools) as well as written guides and video tutorials to support you along the way. Whether you’re looking to kickstart your DIY audio hobby or you’re an expert in the field, there are plenty of options out there for you to challenge yourself with. What’s more, most of the DIY audio enthusiasts out there are more than willing to share their tips and advice with you to help you along the way, and all they’ll ask in return is for you to share your build experience with them. Documenting your progress and sharing your project photos are a must!
So, what are you waiting for? Try DIY.
