Plywood vs MDF cabinets?

Discussion in 'Speakers' started by smithj, Jan 22, 2017.

  1. smithj

    smithj Acquaintance

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    I'm currently building together Jeff Bagby's Kairos in a sealed configuration and I'm mulling over whether to build the cabinets out of plywood or MDF. I'm sort of favouring plywood, because MDF dust is nasty and plywood looks pretty nice, but its also noticeably expensive...obviously sound quality is the goal here.

    Research I've done on forums like diyaudio hasn't really helped because there's basically no consensus. Some think plywood is better, some think its an overpriced gimmick, some think MDF is better, some thing MDF is worse and some think there's absolutely no difference between the two.

    The lack of consensus has me leaning towards "it doesn't really matter if you design and build the cabinets correctly" but I'd like to get more opinions before I blow a few hundred on wood.
     
  2. dsavitsk

    dsavitsk Friend

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    What sort of tools do you have? MDF is easier to work with, but also more prone to easy damage.
     
  3. JoelT

    JoelT Friend

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    I used MDF for my Kairos build, which I believe is what the included cab specs call for if I remember correctly. Easy to work with. Good sound. No regrets.
     
  4. powermatic

    powermatic Friend

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    "...before I blow a few hundred on wood."

    A sheet of 3/4" MDF is about 30 bucks. Why not give it a try and see what you think.
     
  5. ohhgourami

    ohhgourami Friend

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    Had to make sure I wasn't browsing a kitchen remodeling forum...:confused:
     
  6. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    Plywood looks as nice, or as nasty, as its external layer or veneer. But then, I suppose you can add a veneer layer to MDF (etc) too.

    If you want that real-wood look, then this is the way to go, but is going to add some to the cost and a lot to the finishing skills required.

    Anyway, my wood-working skills are such that, if I tried to make a speaker cabinet it would probably end up looking like a fruit crate. Sad but true.
     
  7. smithj

    smithj Acquaintance

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    Standard impact driver & drill, drill press, plunge router, mitre saw, few other stuff lying around. I've done some basic woodworking (makeshift desktop speaker stands, hi-fi racks that sort of thing) though nothing acoustic related and I've never worked with large amounts of MDF. I've mostly worked with solid hardwood.

    MDF is pretty cheap and I'm sure its perfectly fine but ~18mm thick marine plywood sheets are a whole lot more expensive. The design itself is also relatively complex so its not the easiest thing to build two sets of cabinets to compare.

    Did you use MDF for the bracing as well out of curiosity?
     
  8. JoelT

    JoelT Friend

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    Nope. I used 1/2" baltic birch plywood, as spec'd in the build directions.
     
  9. Poleepkwa

    Poleepkwa Friend

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    I opted for real wood for my DIY speaker build. Main reason is weight and price (I had the wood). I move my speakers around a bit (HT build) so birch quite a bit lighter than MDF. Bracing seems to affect the sound a lot more than the choice of materials -this I tested quite a bit with prototypes. Plywood is very stiff and light but a pain too get a good finish. MDF is very easy to work with and easy too get a acceptable finish.
     
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2017
  10. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    My builds are all plywood. My choice has less to do with sound and more for looks and I want to avoid MDF (cancer wood).

    I am experimenting a bit more with PVC and sonotubes though.

    According to the prolific DIY builder Troels Gravesen, he claims no real difference either. In fact, he'll use both in the same build.

    As far as price goes you also need to consider the finish. MDF might be cheaper but it only remains cheaper if you do nothing else to the cabinet. After painting/veneer you could get something that cost more then if you just used plywood and stained it.
     
  11. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

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    Fully agree. There shouldn't be an audible difference, if cabs are designed correctly.

    Real wood has the most potential for extremely good looks. However it requires a very skilful operator behind the tools. Also - when using wood one needs to make sure that it's inert, so it won't warp depending on humidity/temperature...

    P.S. Listen to @Cspirou - finishing is the most work intensive task in most cab builds. I'd personally opt for outsourcing the finishing work.
     

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