This subject may not interest many people, but when it comes to using MDF or Particle Board,
it is definitely not limited to building speaker boxes. In fact, many
folks use these types of wood for other things, including shelving
structures, furniture, under-flooring material, and so on. However, this
post is about the differences between these types of building material
and whether or not one is more suited for speaker boxes than the other.
First of all, MDF stands for medium-density fiberboard. Particle board (also spelled particleboard or chipboard) is a lower density wood. Actually, both MDF and particle board are not true forms of solid wood, as they are engineered woods. For example, particle board is composed of wood chips,
sawdust and random shavings that are glued together. This cohesion is
not known for its durability or reliability, but it still functions as
wood nonetheless. MDF goes through a similar process, but instead of all
those random scraps being used in the composition, it consists of just
the wood fibers, instead.
MDF is heavier and more sturdy than particle board.
It doesn't warp and bend as easily when weight is applied to it.
Although neither of these engineered woods need to get wet, MDF can
tolerate dampness much better than particle board. In less words, do not get particle board wet! MDF has a smooth texture and is an excellent surface to paint. A lot of people that use the less-attractive particle board
for speaker boxes, often want to staple carpet over it, to cover up the
ugliness; ha! I must say, though, that has never been a problem for me.
When I'm building speaker boxes, I'm more concerned about the bass
and/or the performance of my subwoofers as opposed to the cosmetic effects my box may or may not provide.
Now, when it comes to using screws, particle board is generally an
easier material to work with. Unless you get too close to the edges, it
normally adapts to screws quite nicely. Some people complain about
having to drill a pilot hole prior to screwing into MDF because it's
more solid, and it is also known to split. I've never had too much
trouble with this, but I suppose it depends on what you are building.
The cost of both MDF and particle board is fairly cheap when compared to real solid woods, but MDF is still a bit pricier when compared to the dirt-cheap particle board. When it comes to the subwoofer
performance and bass response, some car audio enthusiasts will claim
that MDF is the best but takes longer to break in. In case you don't
know what I'm talking about, many of us "subwoofer gurus" claim that
there is a break-in period in which the bass hits harder from a box that
has been used for an extended period of time. I'm guilty of this
belief, as well, as I really think that the bass thunders from a
well-used box more than it does a new one with the same proportions and
air space, as long as there are not any air leaks, of course.
Where I live, they sell MDF and Particle Board in 4ft. by 8ft. slabs. The MDF is 3/4ths of an inch thick, while the particle board is 5/8ths of an inch thick. Even though I have just described MDF as being superior to particle board, I must say, for speaker boxes, I see no reason to favor it over particle board.
The reason for my conclusion is that you are not going to be getting it
wet, you are not going to be using it for a shelf or to hold weight,
and the added thickness of MDF doesn't mean very much when concerning a
sealed box for your speakers. In a thumbnail, it is not worth the extra
expenses nor is it worth lugging around the extra weight of the wood.
The only exception I see, is if you have several 15-inch subwoofers
with a high-powered amp, as then you may definitely need MDF! Now, for
building shelves and furniture, I'd vote for MDF all the way, if I had
to pick between these two forms of engineered woods.
Related Post: https://random-twaddle.blogspot.com/2022/01/use-isobaric-subwoofer-configuration-to.html
Image Credit: Bing Image Search using the 'free to use & share' function.
---End of Post "Building Speaker Boxes: MDF vs. Particle Board"
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