Is it possible to build speakers as good as Polk and possibly cheaper too?

Is it possible? Sure - anything is possible.

As a hobbyist, you don't have the salaries, factory real-estate, shipping/receiving, inventory, advertising, marketing, or any of the other expenses a company has.

Generally, a few audio engineers use their collective knowledge and experience that results in the Polk speakers you can buy.

Assuming you "guess" correctly the first time when buying the components (speaker enclosures, making the ports and speakers, getting the appropriate crossovers... machining/manufacturing the various enclosure parts (like that plastic piece on the top of the TSi100), you should be good to go. Many times, we get things done through "trial and error" and since we can't get it right the first time, we end up speeding more time and $ getting it "right" the 5th or 6th time... With any luck, you can make better speakers than can be purchased, but if it was *that* easy, Polk (and Bose, Klipsch, ElectroVoice, Cambridge, and many others) would not make/sell as many speakers as they do... But lots of people make their own speakers and get great results.

First you don't want to build speakers from scratch, designing and building speakers from scratch is a major undertaking and takes allot of experience and knowledge to do it right. Now you could be built them from kit so all the math and technical design has been done for you its just a matter of putting them together.

Can you build speakers better than Polk ? Sure, for less no not really. Polks are not that expensive honestly, and granted there are many cheap speaker kits on the market but many are not very good.

One of the best places for speaker kits is Madisound. They sell very good speaker drivers and kits, which would definitely be better than the Polks but more expensive too.

Scanspeak, Seas, and Eton are all great drivers very well respected and make nice kits.

Personally I think the parts and kits from Parts Express are junk.

So the question is does it make sense to built your own speakers, if you want to learn about speaker design on a basic level sure its fun and you learn allot, will it be better than the Polk speakers, if you spend a bit more than the Polks sure but not likely for less.

Kevin

40 years high end audio video specialist

I do very own a HTIB, Onyko. The audio equipment are a sturdy reliable sounding equipment however the encompass is far less to be needed. I even have never heard Polk. We did a attempt on the LG towers and the Onkyo in our front room. The LG placed the Onyko to disgrace whilst it involves the encompass. we could desire to return the LG equipment simply by fact of a defective amp. Plus the sattelites are rubbish. i visit declare that while you're searching for an extremely complete sound, with reliable bass, the Onyko is extremely effective. The amp is extremely reliable too, love the sub! next time i visit place a equipment together by skill of piece, so if i've got been you, look at specs on all audio equipment you have an pastime in, and study what all of them advise, then hear to each of them interior the save. If that may no longer possibile ask on the subject of the return coverage and function them back interior that era while you at the instant are not happy. I prefer I had yet another week to paintings out this speaker and theater equipment so i could desire to piece it together, whether that is merely too previous due. i'm caught with the Onkyo, don't get me incorrect, that could be a powerful high quality made equipment. i visit maintain the amp, the mid variety, and the sub, merely relpace the front audio equipment, have self belief me you do get volume on them in case you prefer it with reliable complete sound. could desire to have them up, no longer on the floor however for greater suited sound.

I'm sure you can build something. Popular Mechanics has plans for speakers with detailed construction of the enclosure. http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how-to/...

The problem is that you can't buy the parts mentioned in the article for less than the $220 for a pair of TSi-100's.

of course you can do it, better, and cheaper. just need somewhat quality drivers, and your crossover tunes properly, I have my plans for my own build if all is well it should screetch with loudness:)!