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Kit vs. Finished Speakers [message #79882]

Mon, 28 April 2014 20:24

Satyaa
Messages: 1
Registered: April 2014

Esquire

Hi all, I am new member on the forum and am researching speakers for HT setup for a 13' x 23' living room with cathedral ceiling.

I was hoping to buy a set of finished speakers for under $2K but it doesn't seem possible.

I am wondering whether I should buy the kits and build the speakers myself. I searched for 'kit vs finished' speakers on the forum and found nothing.

I have two questions...

1. How easy/difficult is it for a newbie to assemble speakers from these kits? I am new to cabinetry and was going to get into it for other things anyway. I can handle wiring connections/soldering/etc., but don't know anything about electronics.

2. The cost difference between kits and finished speakers is significant. Leaving the time and effort aside, how much would the material typically cost for decent cabinets (3 x Three Pi and 2 x Two Pi)?

If I go that route, I would have to spend a couple of months to get the cabinets ready and then order the kits when I am ready! That way, I won't have the kits sitting in the basement while I am learning to build cabinets.

Any advice from your experience is appreciated.

Thanks,
Satyaa

Researching for a new HT setup

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Re: Kit vs. Finished Speakers [message #82676 is a reply to message #79882]

Tue, 24 May 2016 04:27

Csharp
Messages: 90
Registered: April 2012

Viscount

If you're still lurking.......or for anyone else who wants to know.....if you don't have experience then expect this project to take twice as long than if you did have experience. Learning as you go will make the clock move slower as they say, so you want to keep that in mind.

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Re: Kit vs. Finished Speakers [message #82690 is a reply to message #82676]

Tue, 24 May 2016 12:19

mamoss
Messages: 185
Registered: May 2016

Master

Csharp wrote on Tue, 24 May 2016 04:27

I have to agree with you completely. Apart from assembly taking time, I believe doing this as a newbie may compromise the quality of the final product. I am one of those people who prefers to buy and learn along the way.

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Re: Kit vs. Finished Speakers [message #82694 is a reply to message #82690]

Tue, 24 May 2016 14:21

gofar99
Messages: 2049
Registered: May 2010
Location: Southern Arizona

Illuminati (5th Degree)

Hi, One source of speakers I have found useful is Audio Advisor (on the web). PI speakers are great, but it may be difficult to fit your budget (ask Wayne). Audio Advisor often has closeouts of mid to high end speakers and they do a lot of HT systems. I snagged several high quality speakers off them for about 1/3 the original selling price.

Good Listening
Bruce

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Re: Kit vs. Finished Speakers [message #82722 is a reply to message #82694]

Wed, 25 May 2016 10:30

Wayne Parham
Messages: 19099
Registered: January 2001

Illuminati (33rd Degree)

I think we talked about this via email. So I think this post has been answered privately.

But I'll throw in my 2¢ here anyway.

Speaker cabinets that are just a simple box aren't too expensive to have made by just about any cabinet shop. The customer can choose any wood veneer they want. If cost is an issue, then the cabinet can be painted instead of using an expensive wood veneer.

The components in the kit come in a number of quality levels. Onoe can choose an inexpensive kit costing less than a hundred bucks. Or they can choose a more high-end product that costs thousands.

So there are a wide range of products offered at just about any price point.

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Re: Kit vs. Finished Speakers [message #83881 is a reply to message #82690]

Fri, 04 November 2016 22:15

Ssal
Messages: 67
Registered: October 2016

Viscount

As a newbie myself, I have to agree that it probably would be for the best to get the finished product for now. At least until you are confident enough to start doing things for yourself.

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Re: Kit vs. Finished Speakers [message #99432 is a reply to message #82694]

Sat, 23 May 2026 14:35

Kurt
Messages: 33
Registered: December 2025

Baron

gofar99 wrote on Tue, 24 May 2016 14:21

Hi, One source of speakers I have found useful is Audio Advisor (on the web). PI speakers are great, but it may be difficult to fit your budget (ask Wayne). Audio Advisor often has closeouts of mid to high end speakers and they do a lot of HT systems. I snagged several high quality speakers off them for about 1/3 the original selling price.

PI speakers would definitely work with a bit of adjustments. I am of the opinion that Wayne would definitely figure a way to make it work for him one way or another.

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Re: Kit vs. Finished Speakers [message #99449 is a reply to message #99432]

Thu, 28 May 2026 12:29

Rusty
Messages: 1464
Registered: May 2018
Location: Kansas City Missouri

Illuminati (4th Degree)

I put together a pair of bookshelf kit speakers from Parts Express for an old buddy who didn't have anything decent to listen to. The C-Notes. They were an easy build, the panels fit tight with cnc cuts. I only altered the plans by using 3/8ths dowels from the baffle to the back to stiffen it. The crossover was populated with good parts and the little buggers, I thought, sounded really nice from my audition before sending it on to him. I finished it with some leftover red oak paper backed veneer and dark Hammerite spray on the baffle. I'd also bought to power it a little bluetooth integrated amp from Fosi Audio.

He's enchanted with it, my friend down in Alabama. So, these kit speakers, some are a real competition with more expensive ready mades.

/forum/index.php?t=getfile&id=3587&private=0

/forum/index.php?t=getfile&id=3587&private=0

Attachment: P1010066.JPG
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Re: Kit vs. Finished Speakers [message #99450 is a reply to message #99449]

Thu, 28 May 2026 16:17

Wayne Parham
Messages: 19099
Registered: January 2001

Illuminati (33rd Degree)

Those look really awesome, Rusty!

I'll bet they're fantastic as mini-monitors or surrounds.

Gotta love it!

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Re: Kit vs. Finished Speakers [message #99808 is a reply to message #79882]

Fri, 18 September 2026 01:21

Hank
Messages: 66
Registered: December 2025

Viscount

Hey, welcome here.

The thing is that I built my first Pi kits years ago as a total newbie and found them easier once I slowed down. The plans are comprehensive, and if you can solder like you said you’ll handle the wiring fine. I didn’t know electronics either and still pulled through.

I spent about $180 on MDF for three 3π and two 2π cabinets from the local lumber yard. Plywood would have run higher. Flat-packs are an option if cutting panels feels intimidating at first.

I like your idea of finishing the boxes before ordering the kits. That’s exactly what I did, so nothing sat unused in the basement while I practised.

Take your time, measure thrice, and feel free to ask me anything here if you are stuck with it.

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