How many different materials did Thiel make cabinets out of over the years? I know most are MDF but my 3.7s are curved plywood(I'm pretty sure, some kind of layered, curved wood product, very rigid.) and aluminum front. The Powerpoints were aluminum, as were the viewpoints and powerplanes. I believe the original 7 had concrete baffles. I tend to follow ATC as well and they've followed a similar trajectory. They've made a bunch of speakers out of aluminum but have returned to MDF. They've been making a lot of curved cabinets in recent years but still some kind of wood composite.
My guess is that for companies that aren't making cost-no-object products, wood of one type or another is the best option. If you're a luxury brand, it's a different world. The main reason you make cabinets exotically is so sales people who don't understand anything can appeal to the vanity of rich consumers who don't understand anything. They have zero understanding of the tradeoffs, importance of various factors, etc. The sales process is just some sort of ridiculous social ritual.
My guess is that for companies that aren't making cost-no-object products, wood of one type or another is the best option. If you're a luxury brand, it's a different world. The main reason you make cabinets exotically is so sales people who don't understand anything can appeal to the vanity of rich consumers who don't understand anything. They have zero understanding of the tradeoffs, importance of various factors, etc. The sales process is just some sort of ridiculous social ritual.