Short answer: the Fosi Audio SP601, if you are buying new. The DIYSG HTM-12 v2 ranks higher than it (#14 vs #113 of 131 bookshelf speakers, 4.5/5 vs 2.7/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Fosi Audio SP601 is still sold new at $339.99.
Why pick the DIYSG HTM-12 v2: Purpose-built high-output cinema kit pairing a 12-inch woofer with a compression driver in a large SEOS waveguide. The catch: Erin measured F3 at approximately 67Hz, the normal efficiency/bass-extension tradeoff of a high-sensitivity 12-inch design, so a subwoofer is mandatory.
Why pick the Fosi Audio SP601: Two-way bookshelf design with a 6.5” paper/aluminum-alloy composite cone woofer and 1.5” silk dome tweeter. The tradeoff: An unusually erratic, up-and-down frequency response (a scooped midrange followed by an upper-mid bump, a dip, another small bump, then a strong 3-4dB peak around 4-7kHz) makes the speaker’s overall character genuinely hard to characterize: the reviewer compared the experience to a similarly disliked model, the Triangle Borea BR03, which has a comparably inconsistent response.
Buy the Fosi Audio SP601, since the DIYSG HTM-12 v2 is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| DIYSG HTM-12 v2 | Fosi Audio SP601 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $920 per pair per kit, Discontinued | $339.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #14 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #113 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 59Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 91dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 85.4dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | AVR-compatible impedance profile (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 12” woofer; compression driver in SEOS waveguide | 6.5” woofer, 1.5” Silk Dome Tweeters |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.26 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.88 | - |
| Dimensions | 25”H x 18”W x 9.5”D (635 x 457.2 x 241.3 mm) | 14.5”H x 9.1”W x 14”D (368.3 x 231.1 x 355.6 mm) |
| Weight | 39.9 lbs (18.1 kg) assembled | 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg) |
| DIY Kit | Yes | No |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | No |
| DSP | - | No |
| Power Handling | - | 80w RMS Per Speaker |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to DIYSG HTM-12 v2:
- AsciLab F6B vs DIYSG HTM-12 v2
- DIYSG HTM-12 v2 vs Buchardt Audio S400
- ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 vs DIYSG HTM-12 v2
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs DIYSG HTM-12 v2
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Fosi Audio SP601
Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
DIYSG HTM-12 v2: $920 per pair per kit Discontinued DIY Sound Group eBay
Pros: Purpose-built high-output cinema kit pairing a 12-inch woofer with a compression driver in a large SEOS waveguide. Erin measured 91dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity, extraordinarily low distortion (still below 1% to about 60Hz at 102dB) and only about 0.5dB tweeter compression at the same level. Horizontal directivity is consistent and crossover integration is unusually good, so response corrections remain EQ-friendly. The benign impedance curve can be driven by many capable AVRs. Measured bass extension of 67Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 91dB.
Cons: Erin measured F3 at approximately 67Hz, the normal efficiency/bass-extension tradeoff of a high-sensitivity 12-inch design, so a subwoofer is mandatory. A few narrow resonances appear in the response, impedance and decay plots; Erin suggested crossover/component investigation could improve them. Vertical radiation narrows around the crossover, the unfinished kit requires cabinet assembly and finishing, and its broad baffle is visually and physically substantial. Discontinued.
Full DIYSG HTM-12 v2 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | Yes |
| Dimensions | 25”H x 18”W x 9.5”D (635 x 457.2 x 241.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 12” woofer; compression driver in SEOS waveguide |
| Impedance | AVR-compatible impedance profile (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 91dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.26 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.88 |
| Weight | 39.9 lbs (18.1 kg) assembled |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Fosi Audio SP601: $339.99 per pair Amazon Fosiaudio eBay
Pros: Two-way bookshelf design with a 6.5” paper/aluminum-alloy composite cone woofer and 1.5” silk dome tweeter. Bass reaches a respectable 60-70Hz in most rooms (F3 59Hz, F10 40Hz) for a budget bookshelf speaker. Distortion at 86dB and 96dB measures reasonably well at face value, and compression issues at extreme output are generally in line with what’s expected for a speaker at this price point. The overall tonal character can be substantially improved with basic EQ: the reviewer found a boost around 400Hz plus a cut around 4kHz brought it to an acceptable baseline. Measured bass extension of 59Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85.4dB.
Cons: An unusually erratic, up-and-down frequency response (a scooped midrange followed by an upper-mid bump, a dip, another small bump, then a strong 3-4dB peak around 4-7kHz) makes the speaker’s overall character genuinely hard to characterize: the reviewer compared the experience to a similarly disliked model, the Triangle Borea BR03, which has a comparably inconsistent response. The 4-7kHz peak gives a sharp, sibilant edge to S and T sounds in vocals. A strong diffraction dip around 4kHz followed by a peak can’t be fully corrected with EQ; the reviewer recommends sidewall absorption panels instead, since off-axis energy in the 2-7kHz range actually exceeds the direct sound reaching the listener. Multitone distortion becomes more noticeable and grainy at higher volumes, concentrated in the upper-midrange where hearing is most sensitive. A peaking distortion issue right at the crossover region suggests a possible combination of tweeter distortion and midwoofer/crossover-component strain. The enclosure sounds notably hollow when tapped, and a flashlight inspection suggested a lack of internal damping material, along with likely insufficient bracing. Vertical listening position is fairly tightly constrained around the tweeter axis. Still requires a subwoofer for real kick-drum impact and bass authority.
Full Fosi Audio SP601 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 59Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 14.5”H x 9.1”W x 14”D (368.3 x 231.1 x 355.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” woofer, 1.5” Silk Dome Tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 80w RMS Per Speaker |
| Sensitivity | 85.4dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons