How/Where to Sell DIY speakers

[Paul H]

In case the title is a little misleading, I don't mean selling speakers on a continuous and large quantity basis - that would quickly become Work, a Business, not DIY

I'm curious about if/how others here have sold their older DIY speaker creations that have gotten replaced by newer, better DIY designs. How do you establish a worth for them and where do you advertise and sell them?

Thanks,

Paul

[JonMarsh]

When that has occurred, it's usually just been an informal thing with a local friend.

I've seen people list DIY speakers on eBay, but selling DIY to J6P is probably an uphill battle- they want name recognition.

Used to be, when I had time for a social life, half or more of the speakers I built went to girlfriends, who, with my unimpressive social skills and excessive work habits and low SAF hobbies, became ex-girlfriends.

A couple of friends locally have wanted me to build complete HT sets of speakers like the Natalie P, but I just don't have the time anymore. Can't finish my own projects, it seems.

~Jon

[ThomasW]

I usually sell them for the raw parts cost. At that price there's a line of people waiting .....

[KeithM]

IT's hard to sell them yourself if you don't have an EE degree in my town. Even if I did sell them, I don't think I'd charge much over the raw parts cost, maybe 50 cents dollars per hour of work.

[AJINFLA]

Hi Paul,

you could try smaller sites like Audigon, or if you have your own website, like Roman B does, just post some of your old projects up "For sale" alongside your current stuff. Seems to work for him.

Cheers,

AJ

[RobP]

Paul, I may be interested in a pair depending on what they are, my wife wants a set of speakers for the living room area, whatcha have?? Pair of Wilson Audio clones????????????

[philip_g]

I usually sell them for the raw parts cost. At that price there's a line of people waiting .....

that would be fun actually. I tend to enjoy the project more than the results anyway.

[Hank]

I've sold a few pairs, and a 7.1 system. I don't try to market or sell - not enough profit for the hours involved in building and finishing a good cabinet. Nowdays, I receive inquiries from people who have read about my building in a few forums. I've had 3 inquiries in the last 2 months to quote on finished cabinets for two guys who want to install the drivers/crossovers, buying them from designers on the forums. Another guy locally wants a quote on me building unfinished cabinet 'flats' because he doesn't have acces to a table saw and router/circle jig.
How do I price them? That's tough. I do know that in order to make them saleable, if you don't have a name for yourself, you can't add your personal labor hours into the total cost, or you'll have a selling price that no one will go for.
I will say that the SAF has been a very discouraging roadblock to making sales in the past few years.
Sorry not to sound encouraging, but this is based on a few years' experience.

[Paul H]

No interest in marketing or selling here either Hank - I've got no time to even consider making cabinets or speakers for others right at the moment.

I'm just considering selling last year's project (I've got a move coming up in a few months) and was idly wondering where to start. I think I'll check with friends & neighbours first of course.

Thanks for the comments all - any further suggestions welcome.


Paul

[Dennis H]

Which ones are you selling, Paul? The curved MTMs or the big Dipoles?

[Paul H]

Dennis,

While I had much help from this forum, the huge dipoles are essentially my own design and are the result of a year of testing, learning, tweaking, swearing, and finishing. While others with better ears and more exposure to high end systems may find these lacking (or not, I don't know), I'm still amazed every time I listen to them at how clear and 'real' these sound - they're not going anywhere.

Even if I was considering selling these dipoles, the market for 4-way fully active speakers, with an ~ 28" wide x 60" high baffle and 200 lb+ weight each is, I would think, somewhat limited ...

The curved "M8n mtm's" have a clean clear sound that I am very happy with - thanks to Thomas' & Jon's help & design work they're a very nice speaker - but I'd be willing to part with them.


Paul