Best speakers for your money? Build them | CSS Audio Criton 3TD-X

[@TheOtherSamMallory]

I wish I could afford licensing some real music for this one 🎸 How would you design your custom speakers?🔈

[@ChandlerLofton]

I just completed my second CSS build. I had the Torri to start off. We enjoyed them for a year or so, but I wanted more. So I just did a set of 1TDX with superior crossover. They are currently blowing my mind. Now I’ve seen your 3TDX build, and it’s got the gears turning again! Awesome video!

[@TheOtherSamMallory]

Maybe it's the next project... 😀 I am tempted to build a set of 1TDX's myself now, there are other rooms to fill!

[@timball4892]

I have built the 2TDX, 1TDX, 2TDX tower and the bass module. Amazing products, each one and all. Not only are the drivers and crossovers (superior in my cases) excellent the end results perform way above their weight class. I will soon be building the 3TDX, again with superior crossovers, and I can't wait to start the project. As soon as funds allow I'll be placing my order. I also want to chime in on CSS customer service. They are incredible in their knowledge and patience in dealing with the customer.

[@TheOtherSamMallory]

It sounds like you’re the expert we all need to learn from! I fully agree though, an excellent company with remarkable sounding products. 😀

[@tedroybal5231]

I went the cheaper route and built 2 CSS Criton MTMs. I could not be happier. It amazed me how low they go!

[@haroldpramekamol1009]

Great production value! I'm taking the short drive tomorrow to CSS to check them out. Thank you Sam.

[@ElCidPhysics90]

Wonder how these would compare to Toid Audio’s 212 speakers?

[@JosephTongret]

I almost have myself talked into picking up a diy kit and doing my first build. The only thing I'm lacking is your bad @$$ brother!🤣The speakers look absolutely stunning and the whole video is beautifully done!

[@travis4619]

Can you advise where your sourced the feet?

[@sglynnphoto]

Excellent build and fantastic video! Very enjoyable!

[@TheOtherSamMallory]

Thanks for watching, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@getdealtwithquick]

Beautiful. Looking forward a set of built ones hit the used market near me 😂.

[@w.p.martin8910]

Sam, I thoroughly enjoyed the video and the incredible work that went into building the loudspeakers. I'd like to know more about the dye/stain, and final finish, used on the speakers. As a woodworker myself, I am always on the lookout for new and inspiring products. Thanks for anything you can share/post about the products used in the build.

[@mrcarpentersc]

How do these compare to the CSS Typhon?? Better?

[@christophersteinrueck1735]

great build. I'd like to do it. can you share the cnc files?

[@snivesz32]

I’m sure they sound great, especially when you don’t have much experience with speakers.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

Any open baffle designs?

[@tylerpanteleeff8581]

Nice work! I bet they sound amazing. I like the idea of building my own speakers, and building from a kit like this seems like the way to go. But for less than 1/10th the kit cost, I recently purchased some old used Boston Acoustics VR40's that sound amazing to me. At some point I'll swap out the capacitors, but that shouldn't take much time or money.

[@TheOtherSamMallory]

That’s the nice part of DIY, you can choose your own adventure and buy in at any price. I think CSS even has very modestly priced options as well… but I must admit I can’t step down from their flagship now that I’ve heard it!

[@brianhenderson1775]

Hey, great video, clearly took a lot of time. One recommendation. I would recommend considering a pop filter in the future. Listening to this I feel like I could hear every drop of saliva which I feel like distracted from the otherwise solid presentation

[@TheOtherSamMallory]

You should hear it through the speakers 🤣

[@fluxcapacitr121]

Recording engineer here. A pop filter reduces/blocks plosive sounds. Think “Puh” and “Buh” syllables. Nothing to do with “saliva” noises.

[@psyphonyxaudio]

Amazing cinematography. Good story telling. ( i think the sound could have been mixed better so your voice is more up front.. other sounds more in the background )

[@psyphonyxaudio]

Can we see how much money it would cost to afford ALL the tools ..and materials and processes ( anodizing, etc ) .. ? .. for comparison against just going to buy some at that proposed $10k .. or $25k range.

[@TheOtherSamMallory]

Hey now, I said the speakers sound amazing, I can’t promise anything for my audio mixing 🤣 As for the costs: -Tools would be outrageous since we used a CNC, but others were limited to an orbital sander, router, drill, wire stripper, soldiering iron, and some clamps - MDF $50 - Veneer $119 - Fenix Laminate $182 - Feet $120 - Rubio monocoat $80 - Laser cut aluminum $38 - Aluminum prep/anondizing $62 - Grill cloth $50 - acrylic sheet and magnets $51 Total cost to customize: $652 Speaker kit: $2,500 All in: $3,152 *I also went all premium on cloth, laminate, speaker legs and feet, etc… you could do it cheaper (or go crazy the other direction)

[@psyphonyxaudio]

@@TheOtherSamMallory ..Thank you.

[@mattrismatt]

@@TheOtherSamMallory Wouldn't the pre-built SVS Ultra Evolution Tower/Titan/Pinnacle be a more sensible purchase? $3000-5000/pair all-in.

[@TheOtherSamMallory]

That might be an excellent buy, but you will be spending a great portion on the cost of manufacturing vs. the drivers and crossovers. One of the arguments for DIY is you’re getting significantly better drivers and crossover components for your dollar since you’re not paying for manufacturing. The CSS drivers and crossovers should be better than the SVS but it ultimately comes down to implementation and the sound signature you like. I will look for an opportunity to listen to the SVS, but think these CSS speakers sound like $10k+ pre-built speakers. I also think the opportunity to customize and custom build is a value proposition on its own…

[@eranddroory9987]

thanks for the video. Music is way too loud unless its actually a music video..

[@David.Murdoch]

Do you remember if the positive terminal of the tweeter and mids go straight to ground like their published schematic indicates?

[@css_audio]

Yes, the mid and tweeter are in reverse polarity

[@hammer-and-thumb]

Other costs of high-end speakers are marketing, distribution, administration, promotion, advertising, shipping, and a lot less profit than you would think after all the above are handled. So people freak out about high-end prices, but it is the small-batch, small-volume nature of the product that means each unit bears a larger share of the overall expense of running a business, and that is responsible for most of the price you pay. Some other companies have learned to create unique designs and promote their expertise to create a unique high-end brand, and there is some value added to the product by that brand association, so that is another part of the price paid for the product. The high price of high-end speakers is a fact of life, and companies that have tried to 'save the world' from high priced high-end gear either end up cheapening the product, or going out of business.

[@JCOTV]

Which kind of wood did you use?

[@TheOtherSamMallory]

It’s and MDF cabinet with a white oak veneer, Rubio monocoat black pre-stain, and Rubio monocoat charcoal 2C

[@timball4892]

could you please provide a link for the grill cloth? also, the veneer used and the footers. Thanks and again one of the best videos I've seen about audio

[@TheOtherSamMallory]

The grill cloth is from Acoustone (acoustone.com), the veneer is white oak, the feet were a random find on aliexpress (search stainless steel spike speaker feet)! Thanks for watching 😀

[@kilove1]

🙌👋👍💯🥇🏆 well done i thought i was watching a professional creative Ad…. Mega build 😮😎👀💪😍💯

[@SalarSayyad]

May I ask what IEMs you were using in the video? Are they the Campfire Solaris??

[@TheOtherSamMallory]

Excellent eye! The Solaris 2020 indeed… I’m guessing you’re a CA fan?

[@SalarSayyad]

@@TheOtherSamMallory Just an audio devices fan...I did have the CA Atlas, but it was a bit too much bass bleed and a bit zingy in the lower treble. Were there other IEMs you tried before choosing the Solaris 2020?

[@TheOtherSamMallory]

I’ve tried the Atlas, Andromeda, Ara, and the original Atlas… Andromeda’s are my preferred with a slight v-shape, full low end, and generally musical

[@hammer-and-thumb]

These are competitive with products from Dynaudio, Revel, etc in the price range between $5,000-$7,500 per pair.

[@bladeswelove]

Well done!

[@hrmny_]

Moving the port in theory does have an impact on the sound as it adds delay to the port compared to the woofers, it doesn't matter if they're sitting against the wall or not At the frequencies where it matters, the phase shift is probably negligible, but taking a finished design and moving the port around is still weird.

[@kerryarmes2786]

Sam talked to us about this before doing it to confirm it was ok. The wavelengths at bass frequencies where the port operates are almost 40 feet long. Your room has a much more significant impact at this region than moving the port from front to back. Everything will sum exactly the same regardless of where on the cabinet the port is placed.

[@teknolojigundemi]

Good build. 2TD-X Iooks better. distance from top to tweeter too much , if there was a AMT tweeter or CSS LD25X-WG tweeter it would better, btw what is this tweeter in their range? Taking ports to back also good idea for aesthetics.

[@NhkNguyễn-g1b]

you build speaker gryphone kodo 2

[@gdemirjian]

well done!

[@mikehuntington4440]

Sorry but.... I haven't watched the video. Please tell me which $100k speaker you previously had in your setup..... And how this is better. Thanks.

[@TheOtherSamMallory]

That answer is at the end of the video!

[@bingdong8571]

I just need to say that cnc machines are completely unnecessary when building speaker boxes. It seems like everyone building something on KZbin feels like they need to use a cnc machine now. Its a wood box!

[@Colin623]

Yes I couldn't agree more, nearly every video thinks Mr average has a cnc machine knocking around in the shed 😂😂

[@RennieAsh]

It's $100k sound because of the CNC at Send Cut Send. Next time get them made from hardox XD

[@TheOtherSamMallory]

Fortunately we didn’t use any external CNC services, Send-Cut-Send was only ~$50 laser cutting. If I find myself needing something more expensive I’ll check hardox! Thanks for watching 😀

[@RennieAsh]

@@TheOtherSamMallory in a way laser cutter is a CNC with laser attachment. Really only $50 to cut out that speaker? Maybe I should design them up on PC too as I'm not that into cutting and sanding these days Hardox is very tough hardened steel, would be indestructible speaker lol

[@TheOtherSamMallory]

True, yes! I only had the aluminum legs cut through send-cut-send… we have a CNC so cutting the MDF for the speaker cabinets was “free.” …and indestructible, but resonant free??

[@RennieAsh]

@@TheOtherSamMallory would be interesting if anyone were to ever make it. Might be high enough in frequency that it doesn't matter for woofers and then you can CLD it. But there are more practical materials for sure

[@litoboy5]

Great

[@bm2085]

650 usd shipping (the cheapest option and before tax) to my country :`(

[@FuzzyKaos]

You lost me when you knew that you were doing it wrong but you still went ahead with it, the drivers edge inset.

[@TheOtherSamMallory]

I unfortunately learned about the issue after the cabinets were built 🤦‍♂️ The heads-up is so other don’t copy my mistakes! I’m not sure I would have charged ahead so blatantly had I understood the full impact to baffle diffraction but I’m very pleased with the end-products sound and appearance.

[@theoracleprodigy]

​@@TheOtherSamMallory still am amazing build and filmography. Have to agree though on the baffle edge. That defraction will catch up to you.

[@uncola6028]

Maybe some old fashioned felt rings with points could help with diffraction

[@ufarkingicehole]

​@@uncola6028 works for Wilson audio

[@nelsonscattabingus5751]

For that kind of money you would expect an actual circuit board for the crossover

[@css_audio]

We choose not to do a circuit board because we have a lot of customers who are soldering for the first time. If you are not familiar with soldering to a PCB, you can damage them easier than most people realize. Once they are damaged, they have to be replaced. Point-to-point wiring allows you to more easily fix your mistakes without the risk of damaging anything.

[@Colin623]

@@css_audio Agreed, I did my own crossovers that way using silver plated copper wire !

[@C-man553]

Looks like an edge diffraction nightmare.

[@bladeswelove]

Way to add some positivity to the discussion.

[@C-man553]

@@bladeswelovethe discussion isn’t lacking for that. A 3/4” roundover make can an unexpected difference. … around the mid and tweeter. But aesthetics are more important than sound quality in the age of vanity. Otherwise, an impressive execution.

[@richarddortch6122]

DIY speakers with a truncated frame on the midrange!? This is a No Go for a lot of DIY'ers..... They should've gone a different direction.

[@TheOtherSamMallory]

I think their aim was a very even directivity… can’t speak too much to the benefits/pitfalls but the sound is cohesive, midrange is detailed and images well 👍🏻

[@richarddortch6122]

@TheOtherSamMallory A round frame on the midrange would accomplish the same thing. If they oriented the flats horizontally it would at least reduce the center to center spacing of drivers. Truncated drivers are just really difficult for DIY'ers to deal with.

[@danpoinsett2869]

The truncated midrange was chosen to reduce the height of the matching center channel.

[@ElCidPhysics90]

Are you referring to how the edges of the midrange are cut off