Short answer: the HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod. It ranks #63 of 134 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $364.99. The Parts Express Samba MT ranks #85, rated 3.6/5, at $329.96, $35.03 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod: CEA2034 spinorama shows a mostly smooth on-axis response for a DIY three-way kit. The catch: Some directivity error appears around 2.1kHz on-axis.
What the Parts Express Samba MT does well: A Dayton Audio designed two-way kit built around the RS180P-4 7-inch Reference paper woofer and the RST28F-4 fabric-dome tweeter, with CNC-cut MDF knock-down panels, the crossover parts and damping included. Watch for: The listening window spans 6.0dB between 300Hz and 5kHz in Erin’s Audio Corner’s measurements, less even than the best speakers here, and the preference score only reaches 6.27 with an ideal subwoofer.
Buy the HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $35.03 with the Parts Express Samba MT does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod | Parts Express Samba MT | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $364.99 per pair for the kit (assembly required) | $329.96 per pair |
| Ranked | #63 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #85 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 33.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 45.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Audio Science Review) | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Kevlar woofer, 2” Dome midrange, 1” Soft Dome tweeter | Dayton Audio RS180P-4 7” paper woofer, RST28F-4 1-1/8” fabric dome tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 86.5dB (measured, Audio Science Review) | 87dB 1W/1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) | - |
| Dimensions | 16.5”H x 8.5”W x 13”D (420.0 x 215.0 x 330.0 mm) | 15”H x 8.5”W x 11.7”D (381 x 216 x 298 mm) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.8 (derived from ASR thread measurement data) | 4.46 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.6 (derived from ASR thread measurement data) | 6.27 |
| DIY Kit | Yes | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 40Hz-20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | - | 70W RMS, 140W max (manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod compares with other leading options:
- GR-Research NX-Studio vs HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod
- AsciLab C6B vs HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod
- KEF R3 Meta vs HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod
- KEF Q Concerto Meta vs HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod
- KEF R3 vs HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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
HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod: $364.99 per pair for the kit (assembly required) Amazon eBay
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a mostly smooth on-axis response for a DIY three-way kit. Horizontal beamwidth of about ±70 degrees is wide and consistent. Distortion stays under control down to 40Hz at 96dB SPL/1m, a strong result for a 6.5” woofer in this class. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86.5dB.
Cons: Some directivity error appears around 2.1kHz on-axis. Predicted in-room response needs about 1-2dB of correction to fit an ideal target curve. Vertical directivity is just okay, so listening height matters more than with a coincident design. Minimum impedance dips to 3.8 ohms with several peaks, a moderately demanding load. Requires DIY assembly (kit only), with additional Sehlin-mod parts and labor beyond the base kit price.
Full HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | Yes |
| Dimensions | 16.5”H x 8.5”W x 13”D (420.0 x 215.0 x 330.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Kevlar woofer, 2” Dome midrange, 1” Soft Dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 86.5dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.8 (derived from ASR thread measurement data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.6 (derived from ASR thread measurement data) |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs Klipsch RP-600M II
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs GR-Research X-LS Encore
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs Polk Monitor XT20
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs MoFi SourcePoint 10
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs KEF R3
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs KEF Q Concerto Meta
- See all 12 comparisons
Parts Express Samba MT: $329.96 per pair Parts Express eBay
Pros: A Dayton Audio designed two-way kit built around the RS180P-4 7-inch Reference paper woofer and the RST28F-4 fabric-dome tweeter, with CNC-cut MDF knock-down panels, the crossover parts and damping included. Erin’s Audio Corner measured deep bass for a bookshelf, about 45Hz at -3dB and 34Hz at -10dB, a smooth predicted in-room response (0.69 smoothness) and wide horizontal dispersion averaging 60 degrees, for a preference score of 4.46. Measured bass extension of 45.4Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The listening window spans 6.0dB between 300Hz and 5kHz in Erin’s Audio Corner’s measurements, less even than the best speakers here, and the preference score only reaches 6.27 with an ideal subwoofer. It is a kit: you assemble the cabinet, solder the crossover and finish the raw MDF yourself, and each kit builds a single speaker.
Full Parts Express Samba MT review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 33.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | Yes |
| Dimensions | 15”H x 8.5”W x 11.7”D (381 x 216 x 298 mm) |
| Drivers | Dayton Audio RS180P-4 7” paper woofer, RST28F-4 1-1/8” fabric dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz-20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | 70W RMS, 140W max (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB 1W/1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.46 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.27 |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons