Parts Express Boxes

[Nathan P]

Okay, I have been looking at the parts express prebuilt boxes and I was wondering what you guys think of them? How much cheaper is it to build your own? How muck does veneer cost and how hard is it to handle? The box I'm looking at is the 1cu ft box and it is 100, can I build a 1 Cu Ft box for less than that?

Thanks,
Nathan

[WillyD]

Yes, you can build cabinets for a good bit less, but what you have to figure is how much time it will take you and how skilled you are.

Some prefer to build the cabinets themselves to save money, others because they are skilled carpenters/or they want the cabinet to be a specific size or style.

I suggest that if you are a busy man, you don't have much experience with building speaker cabinets, and you like the looks of any of the PE cabinets, then get those.

However, if you are short on cash or you want to build a different style cabinet, then by all means build them yourself.

FWIW - I am very impressed with the PE cabinets. I have the .75 cuft cabs and they are excellent. The $85 each was worth it to me because I couldn't have made a cabinet of equal quality without spending a lot of time I didn't have. This also allowed me to concentrate on the crossover more...

[JonMarsh]

:agree:

Well, if you're asking this question at all, than the answer probably is that for the money and effort, you can't match the PE boxes. That's why I chose them for some of these projects.

If you're experienced with veneering and finishing, and you have spare time and sweat equity to devote, then you can build your own and be more flexible about size (more LF extension for the MTM's), etc. But don't kid yourself that you're saving money. Unless you value your time below minimum wage.

~JON

[Nathan P]

Good point. I'll just save a little more and save myself some trouble and use the PE boxes, the cherry stain I think it is called is especially purty.

[Nathan P]

Oh, PE says the 1 CU box is for an mtm. Can you use it for an MT?

[khellandros66]

IDK I started messing around trying to make a box after I ordered mine for my sub, and uhhh yeah, I need alot of practice. The PE box I ordered weighs about 30lbs so its no slouch.

~Bob

[ThomasW]

Oh, PE says the 1 CU box is for an mtm. Can you use it for an MT?

As long as you don't tell the box it won't know....:wink:

[Nathan P]

lol I didn't know if it had different bracing etc.