Finally taking next step in home system

EvilYoda

Lifer
Apr 1, 2001
21,198
9
81
So, for various reasons (moved a few times, travel for work constantly) I've had the same home audio system for quite some time now. The heart of it have been my Dynaudio Contour S1.4 and Velodyne DD-12, with the receiver/amps/sources changing once a year or so. For the last 2 years I've actually primarily used a full-range pair of DIY Mark Audio speakers, with the Dynaudio's sitting in their boxes.

Finally listed them last night on Audiogon, hopefully they don't take too long to sell. I'm 95% certain I'm going DIY again for their replacements. I was set on "upgrading" (aka, spending more) for a while, maybe going to their Confidence line or something in that ball park. Instead, I'm going to be a little more reasonable and have been looking at the 1099 from DIYsoundgroup.com/AVS Forums.

Considering that a flat pack will soon be available, the assembly of the speakers should be very straightforward. I toyed with the idea of using my friend's tech co-op and CNCing a curved enclosure, but decided that if I'm trying to do the reasonable thing that that design can wait. I'm just going to Duratex the exterior instead of a veneer or traditional paint.

The rest of the system will be an LDR-based attenuator combined with a PassDIY B1-based DCB1, Pass Pearl phono preamp, Oppo BDP-105D, aaand...not sure what the amp will be. F5? Manufactured class A? Tube? I have a few receivers, chip amp, B&O ICEpower, and vintage amps laying around while I decide.

Long post, sorry...just feel excited and relieved to have made the first step toward my next iteration. :)
 

LikeLinus

Lifer
Jul 25, 2001
11,518
670
126
The 1099 flat pack is already available.

http://www.diysoundgroup.com/flat-packs-1/seos-flat-packs/1099-flat-pack.html

I've got a 1099 sitting in my office waiting for me to assemble. I have (2) Fusion Pure on their way to round out my L/R. I'm trying to decide how to finish them. Not sure I like the texture of Duratex. So I will probably either get a spray gun or do a veneer. Decisions decisions!

DIY is awesome, but very addictive :).


Are you planning on adding any subs?
 

EvilYoda

Lifer
Apr 1, 2001
21,198
9
81
Oh right, thanks...it was the picture that wasn't up. A lot of DIYSG browsing at 2AM. ;)

As for the paint...Duratex is the least that I'll do. I don't remember if my buddy's tech co-op has a full spray booth or not...if they do, I might use that if someone will walk me through it. There's the TechShop in Dearborn that's sponsored by Ford with millions of dollars worth of equipment but it's also a 45-minute drive each way. If I go that route I'd probably bring a few projects and just rent out a table for a few weeks since the paint will spend longer drying that applying.

In terms of subs, I haven't decided to sell the Velodyne yet - it's a fantastic sub for its size and that's definitely one of my limitations currently. For its selling price I could easily build anything that AVS/DIYSG has to offer including amp, but it will be more than enough for now.
 

MongGrel

Lifer
Dec 3, 2013
38,466
3,067
121
Looks nice, but somehow I can't justify that myself, even if I have some speakers I've modified myself over the years.
 

Anubis

No Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
78,712
427
126
tbqhwy.com
Oh right, thanks...it was the picture that wasn't up. A lot of DIYSG browsing at 2AM. ;)

As for the paint...Duratex is the least that I'll do. I don't remember if my buddy's tech co-op has a full spray booth or not...if they do, I might use that if someone will walk me through it. There's the TechShop in Dearborn that's sponsored by Ford with millions of dollars worth of equipment but it's also a 45-minute drive each way. If I go that route I'd probably bring a few projects and just rent out a table for a few weeks since the paint will spend longer drying that applying.

In terms of subs, I haven't decided to sell the Velodyne yet - it's a fantastic sub for its size and that's definitely one of my limitations currently. For its selling price I could easily build anything that AVS/DIYSG has to offer including amp, but it will be more than enough for now.

its 10000x easier to just roll on the duratex
trust me
 

EvilYoda

Lifer
Apr 1, 2001
21,198
9
81
Part of me wants easy (kit, flat pack)...part of me wants to learn something new. I've already done powder coating at his place...:p

Oh, and I got my first lowball offer! Whoooo, I've made it.
 

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
53,636
6,513
126
after seeing the DIY sub's people are building and how the kits are pretty easy to put together, sometimes i wish i just went that route instead of getting the subs i did. i'm sure i would have saved quite a bit of money too. i just like to build stuff and put things together too.

not that i'm complaining or anything about my setup though heh.

and i used duratex for my speaker stands because they match the finish on my speakers, and i am a fan of the look of it. it was very easy to do too.
 

LikeLinus

Lifer
Jul 25, 2001
11,518
670
126
If you do plan on on subs, depending on space, I highly recommend the Marty series of subs. I'd do either a minimarty or martycube if you can swing it. I'm using (2) SI 18 D4s with an iNuke 3000 dsp. LOVE it and it's so worth the time spent. It's probably fine to do those in Duratex.

All you need is a cut list and it's simple to build.
 

EvilYoda

Lifer
Apr 1, 2001
21,198
9
81
Doubtful, my space is more than likely only going to shrink as there's a good possibility that I'll move to Chicago later this year or next. For its size, the DD12 is pretty awesome.
 

grimed

Member
Sep 28, 2013
106
0
0
I got a Dayton 18" HO and wanted to make a Marty cube then I found out that 18" is to big for the Marty cube.
So i just got a flat pack from part express. this will be a sealed sub woofer. I wanted a ported one but Marty mini will be to big for my use.

I have a iNuke 3000 also hopefully I will have the time to but it together this weekend.
I need a big sub woofer because my room is 20 x 20 x 10 with a large opening in the back of the room.
One seal sub-woofer even at 18" may be to small for my room if it is sealed one .

Also if you don't have a table saw and a router ( you can it with out a table saw and a router) the cost gets a lot lore to make one.

But if you are going to make a sub , L/R/C and some surrounds then it make more sense because the cost you save over buying a vendor type of speaker is a lot better.

I plan on getting a table saw later but I don't have the room for one at this time. would be better spending the money replacing the old torn up shed and then making room in the garage for the table saw that I would get later.

If you are handy the table saw and router can be used for a lot more also.
 

Anubis

No Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
78,712
427
126
tbqhwy.com
yea i had to go and look that up, the Dayton cutout is smaller than the SI18 by like 1/2 an inch

different basket design