CSS Audio Torii DIY Speaker Kit Part 3 -The Finale - Sound Review!

[MattCoykendall]

What’s the biggest thing holding you back from attempting a DIY build? Is it time, tools or lack of reviews in the product?

[chandlerlofton]

I built this kit also. They live in my living room run by an Emotiva integrated. We use them for music, TV, and movies. This review is pretty bang on. Everyone wants to know where the sub is hidden😂. We love these speakers, and I’m already in the process of building cabinets for some 1TDXs.

[JDPrimeShots]

I wish I could know how well stack up to more premium prebuilt sets, because in my case, my build turned out a lot more expensive than I had hoped.

First off, ordering to Canada cost me 70$ in shipping and another 50$ in customs. I opted for veneer, and in the the end, the whole built cost me around $689usd. Which would more than make up for any 2x in cost/performance imo.

All things considered, I still loved the process and very happy with the results. I would happily spend the money on one or their more premium sets

[thewinir]

Great video. I built the 1TDX kit with crossover upgrade and veneered in walnut. Absolutely killer sound and play all types of music at an exceptionally pleasing level, with the ‘x’ tweeter being really special. Pleasant, yet highly detailed. And the bass- the bass is insane-it’s my only bookshelf set that doesn’t need a sub. The texture and effortless authority is phenomenal. The 1TDX has introduced me to ‘high end sound’.

[Luke-qscg]

For me, things like this and the new Dayton speakers are why I started this. Hifi prowess, on the cheap, along with a project. Makes for a great weekend impulse lol

[tmdillon]

I just started building a pair of these to replace our soundbar. I did a set of the 1TDX with upgraded crossovers last winter. They sound insane! Some of my observations so far, I bought the baltic birch for the 1TDX and it wasn't worth the increase in cost. I figured I could find a way to stain and seal them to get a high-end industrial look. The rabbets weren't as precise as with the Torii MDF cuts and I had to do more than a little sanding to get the cross brace to fit in the 1TDX. Conversely, the rabbets and cuts in the higher-end speaker made it very hard to assemble them in any manner but in plumb and true. The Torri front and back don't have any cuts and just fit flat onto the box's sides and top. I'd prefer they spend the time to have a rabbeted edge so it kind of locks into place. I'm going to try my hand at peel-and-stick veneers this weekend as the local woodshop didn't have any other options that wouldn't involve having a seam on the sides. I'm going to use Rubio Monocoat as the finish. If I find I'm capable at veneering I'll refinish the 1TDX cabinets in something interesting I get online.

[rareearthfab]

I took 2 weeks in July and built a set of the 2TDX Towers with the upgraded crossovers. I did a full cherry veneered finish with a couple coats of satin poly over them. They came out absolutely gorgeous considering I’m no cabinet maker. I made some small upgrades for adjustable leveling spikes and better binding posts and plates but for the most part I stuck to the plans. They are fantastic speakers that make me question the cost of my KEF R11 Metas. They aren’t R11 good but they are darn fantastic! Bass is their JEDI trick though. I’m not sure how they make so much.

[PhillioDoede]

What would you say these are comparable to character and price wise to commercial speakers you have reviewed? I feel like those are the most pertinent questions people have when getting into DIY.

I agree that veneer is far easier than paint and Heat Lock makes it even easier. Also, if you are starting out and don't have a router and/or flush trim bit a veneer saw is a great tool for super clean flush veneer cuts.

[christophedecavalla]

Could you try them with the Fosi V3? I’m very curious as I plan to run a pair of CSS 1TDX I’m building with the V3 until I can afford a more powerful class D amplifier.

[mikecampbell]

What a great project! Your curved top was awesome.

[michaelf]

Do you think the Fosi Audio V3 can drive these speakers?

[maxbar]

Thank you! Building this for a friend!

[michaelj.podlovics]

If you're not soldering often AND you're using RoHS compliant lead-free solder, just use a basic 7inch honeywell fan pointed away from your setup to pull the fumes up & away from your face. I've seen small manufacturers get away with this approach. Your space looks big enough that an expensive fume extractor / filter from Weller or Metcal probably isn't needed.

[legrandgroves]

Id tackle it but no time or space to work