Which material sounds better for speakers construction? Wood, Ply or MDF?


Im guessing they use mdf these days because its cheaper.

vinny55
My DIY JBL-4350 has two 15" woofers, each in a 5 cu. ft. enclosure, for their enclosure I used two layers, 3/4" birch plywood on the outside glued to 3/4" particle board on the inside, that is 1 1/2" total thickness, it is heavy but as solid and resonant free that is practically possible, this enclosure does not require any internal bracing.
I would say that because MDF is heavier then Plywood it is going to have a lower resonance point, meaning the MDF will store vibrations longer, much like a heat sink, and release it slowly causing a smearing of the imaging. Then by bracing in an effort to eliminate resonance mass is added, which again lowered the resonance point. Imaging ringing the bell in the tower of London as compared to the bell on a bicycle. Lots of energy off the back of the driver is headed to the cabinet.

Harbeth still takes the light approach with success. Not sure about their 40 series however, that may be to big a woofer.  
I would say that because MDF is heavier then Plywood it is going to have a lower resonance point, meaning the MDF will store vibrations longer, much like a heat sink, and release it slowly causing a smearing of the imaging. Then by bracing in an effort to eliminate resonance mass is added, which again lowered the resonance point. Imaging ringing the bell in the tower of London as compared to the bell on a bicycle. Lots of energy off the back of the driver is headed to the cabinet.

Another illogical argument based on lack of knowelege of material resonance. Thick and highly braced MDF cabinets have a higher resonance point than thin walled designs like a Harbeth - usually  in the >400Hz range. This is what happens with very stiff enclosures. The bell analogy falls apart because each would have to be struck with the same size clapper. You'd be striking the London bell with a bicycle clapper. You're basically referring to the Gandy argument of how materials store energy, problem is, he too has a misunderstanding of materials science. Put a stethoscope on any of his plinths and you'll hear rumble galore compared to a high mass design.