Why shouldn’t one use MDF in pro speaker cabs?

Anything not covered elsewhere.
Post Reply
Message
Author
User avatar
BrentEvans
Posts: 3044
Joined: Thu Oct 09, 2008 10:38 am
Location: Salisbury, NC

Why shouldn’t one use MDF in pro speaker cabs?

#1 Post by BrentEvans »

Uptown Funk is why. If it ever gets wet (as these did) and Uptown funk is played, you get sawdust.

These are Baltic birch cabs coated with duratex. Except for the handle cups apparently. I’ll have to have a word with the guy that built them. Notice the way it shredded. The Duratex had to be holding it together for some time.
Attachments
4960E8CE-903E-4813-A7C5-72BEE0C9931B.jpeg
99% of the time, things that aren't already being done aren't being done because they don't work. The other 1% is split evenly between fools and geniuses.

User avatar
BrentEvans
Posts: 3044
Joined: Thu Oct 09, 2008 10:38 am
Location: Salisbury, NC

Re: Why shouldn’t one use MDF in pro speaker cabs?

#2 Post by BrentEvans »

Sawdust
Attachments
D36CE989-869D-4F26-B319-15B09D96B618.jpeg
99% of the time, things that aren't already being done aren't being done because they don't work. The other 1% is split evenly between fools and geniuses.

User avatar
Bill Fitzmaurice
Site Admin
Posts: 28619
Joined: Tue May 02, 2006 5:59 pm

Re: Why shouldn’t one use MDF in pro speaker cabs?

#3 Post by Bill Fitzmaurice »

MDF has it's place, and that's in the home. It takes veneer better than plywood, so if you're going to veneer, the cab is never going to be moved, and it's safe from getting wet use MDF. The only reason to use MDF in pro-sound cabs is because it's cheap. If they skimp on the cab material they skimp on the drivers and everything else, engineering included.

User avatar
BrentEvans
Posts: 3044
Joined: Thu Oct 09, 2008 10:38 am
Location: Salisbury, NC

Re: Why shouldn’t one use MDF in pro speaker cabs?

#4 Post by BrentEvans »

Bill Fitzmaurice wrote: Fri Jul 12, 2019 8:45 pm MDF has it's place, and that's in the home. It takes veneer better than plywood, so if you're going to veneer, the cab is never going to be moved, and it's safe from getting wet use MDF. The only reason to use MDF in pro-sound cabs is because it's cheap. If they skimp on the cab material they skimp on the drivers and everything else, engineering included.
Yep. And if you’re having someone build for you... check on the work to make sure shortcuts weren’t taken. I picked these up painted and with damping installed. I had no reason to believe shortcuts like this would be taken, but they were.
99% of the time, things that aren't already being done aren't being done because they don't work. The other 1% is split evenly between fools and geniuses.

Post Reply