Comments on: JVC's build-it-yourself speakers: DIY rubbish

Why the Hello Kitty would you want to spend about 140 pounds (or $290) on a set of speakers that came in bits?

[brianherbert]

This is DIY rubbish!

From the looks of the picture, it doesn't seem like there's really much to "DIY" here. It definitely looks like it's more trouble than it's worth.

[shmody]

It's a great idea, but cost too much...

I think it's a little too early to judge without hearing the result of the DIY assembled product. But the price seems a bit high.

Still, I've been pondering the idea of Nintendo, and...well a lot of other companies selling their product as a DIY kit for the last year. For too long the Makers or Maker-wannabes-but-are-too-afraid have been waiting for something like this. And those who just can't afford the hi-tech products, it would be another way to understand them. I think this "progressive" idea hearkens back to the Heathkit days where people would actually freakin' know what the heck makes their product work and be empowered by that.

If the Wii came in kits - there's wouldn't be much of a shortage and in fact there'd probably be a user/owner community more *vibrant* than that of today.

I'd be okay with it if it were ~30-40% less than "pre-assembled" retail and with a shortened warranty period.

However, like the Segway, if poorly advocated, implemented, or marketed then the idea will likely flop. Building things with your own two hands - I think it's a great idea.

Best,
Shalin

[beauraines]

At one point I thought it would be cool...

After taking an acoustics class in college, I thought it would be cool to make my own speakers. But I didn't because I knew I couldn't make as good a speaker as a good manufacturer. But it would have been a cool project.

I agree with the comments about Heathkit and making stuff your self.

[Rick Cavaretti]

And you call yourself 'tech'

How can you call yourself 'tech' if you have no desire to understand how
something is designed and built? This is like the old Heathkits that were
popular from the 1950's to the 1990's....the devices most likely responsible for
kicking out all of the brilliant engineers that gave us the space program and
everything else since. This is how engineers and technologists are born--you
build things from scratch...it's called learning and knowledge.

[itstheoldindy]

Good stuff comes out of kits

There is a Heathkit stereo amplifier in photos of my parents' apartment from several years before I was born. I think my dad may have built it before he married my mom. It finally burned itself out when I was eighteen, so I'm guessing Dad had it for somewhere between twenty and twenty-five years. It was reliable right up until the end.

Don't judge this product too harshly before you see and hear it working. Maybe it'll actually result in a pair of speakers that are worth as much or more than what was spent on the kit.