Best products for baffle material s ?

That's interesting Tim. It invites thinking of other damping materials to put in the concrete. Do you think styrofoam has enough mass to absorb vibration? Maybe lead powder? Lead is not toxic sitting as metal. In fact the way Wilson used it in their speakers would do no damage to listeners either. It was encased in the x,y or z material. There must be other materials as well. My thinking is the styrofoam would virtually act as an air bubble. What are your thoughts?

Timlub,

I think Theil and Hales tried that years ago. Then there was the Swedish Rauna and the Danish Avance companies that made the entire enclosures out of concrete. All had a difficult time making any finish stick to these because of the alkalinity of concrete as it cures.

Good listening

Peter

Hi Peter. The new epoxy technology is changing decorative concrete cast planters, garbage receptacles, etc. Didn't Thiel use concrete baffles?

I've seen a few concrete enclosures. My thinking has been that the Styrofoam will significantly lighten the concrete while not losing anything in strength. Then I think of stacking different materials... one dampens the next, dampens the next etc...
I believe that the epoxy will be another dampening material and equally strong, the enclosure should be very dense and as well damped as any material out there.
No testing, nothing scientific about it, just a hunch that I'll have to try someday.

Hello PBNaudio, your input much appreciated. I'm just getting back to this project for 'the perfect cabinet" for the B&W drivers presently in the synthetic cabinets of the B&W Concept 90 CM1s (which vibrate 'nicely' with very little energy input ;-) .
I now have someone who is happy to do the cabinet work as an interesting joint project and has the necessary woodworking tools and skills; as he would like to make speakers for himself from a kit. I enjoy music through the CM1's (with 25 lbs of lead on them) so have time to do what I want. I like to think there may be a better way to provide 'breathing room" behind the cones than simply using a conical opening-which I appreciate as practical- so I want to evaluate more complex ideas. Any suggestions for something more 'extreme'? I'm not the least concerned with diminishing returns-simply going all out--without wild expense. What do you think of a "variably" slotted opening instead of straight cone?

Hello S7horton. I've been on hold with this (I think my massive "myocardial infarction" had something to do with that :-) ).
Ready to get back to it now. Looking to go all out for the construction of these little cabinets. I'm considering all aspects of interior cabinet design-to kill standing waves & resonance. I'll be in touch thanks.

Is there a benefit to adding surface area to a speaker?

Chobham

Jonnk. My first idea was to respond "fribbett" as Johnny English said. However, I thought I'd better look up CHOBHAM --and WOW -- what a revelation. I am looking into it. Do you have some available and the blades I,d need to cut it??? ;-)) Where the heck did your knowledge come from? I,d bet not one in a million knows what you,ve described..

I'm going to research specs on materials- Chouhan , ceramic, aluminum,steel plate, exotic ironwoods, granite , artificial granite and other new countertop materials, maple, South American cherry woods for the hardness,density and vibration attenuation properties. Will report my findings. Any other materials I should consider? How is the energy disappated with all metal Magico or similar systems? I'm inclined towards Rockports multi-material designs as intellectually appealing and fully expect some combination to be the best bet. Wilson was using lead pads within their walls for mass and damping qualities. Cost and workability factors will be interesting.

Associated with baffle material is treatment for the front surface. I notice Rockport designs in felt faces and Wilson has used felt a very long time. YG and Magico don't bother. ??