Well I guess I have to speak up....
Drew mentions the 300% improved stiffness of hardwood over MDF. to me that's a big deal and coupled with proper bracing makes for a very stiff cabinet. (using solid hardwood is not an excuse to skimp on bracing, we use as much or more bracing than MDF cabinets) unfortunately some who have tried using solid hardwood in the past had some illusion that they didn't also need to brace them and those systems have their own set of issues.
one of several advantages of solid hardwood is that with proper bracing and design a 100 lb. cabinet can outperform a 250 lb. MDF behemoth. makes it a lot easier to move around, eh?
as for the question on stability, I've been doing this for almost twenty years. building solid hardwood cabinets many of which have toured the world with professional musicians, and have very rarely encountered a problem with stability. when done done right and with properly chosen woods these cabinets will last longer than you or I. just look at well made antique furniture and compare it to ten year old MDF/ veneer furniture...
as a few have noted the real reason solid hardwood is not used more often is the cost. as to the sonic benefits, for me this is THE choice, but there are also many great speakers made from a variety of materials. I'm very please to see in the last few years a return to the belief that a stiff cabinet is key to good sound, several companies, like Magico, YG, TAD and others have embraced this philosophy while using different materials to achieve their goals.
thanks,
Lou
Drew mentions the 300% improved stiffness of hardwood over MDF. to me that's a big deal and coupled with proper bracing makes for a very stiff cabinet. (using solid hardwood is not an excuse to skimp on bracing, we use as much or more bracing than MDF cabinets) unfortunately some who have tried using solid hardwood in the past had some illusion that they didn't also need to brace them and those systems have their own set of issues.
one of several advantages of solid hardwood is that with proper bracing and design a 100 lb. cabinet can outperform a 250 lb. MDF behemoth. makes it a lot easier to move around, eh?
as for the question on stability, I've been doing this for almost twenty years. building solid hardwood cabinets many of which have toured the world with professional musicians, and have very rarely encountered a problem with stability. when done done right and with properly chosen woods these cabinets will last longer than you or I. just look at well made antique furniture and compare it to ten year old MDF/ veneer furniture...
as a few have noted the real reason solid hardwood is not used more often is the cost. as to the sonic benefits, for me this is THE choice, but there are also many great speakers made from a variety of materials. I'm very please to see in the last few years a return to the belief that a stiff cabinet is key to good sound, several companies, like Magico, YG, TAD and others have embraced this philosophy while using different materials to achieve their goals.
thanks,
Lou