Just a comment about MDF in speaker boxes: It's used so much because it's readily available, cheap, easily machined, assembled, and veneered, and has moderately good internal damping. That said, there are VASTLY better materials for cabinet construction, and the best ones are virtually NEVER used because the cost is so high (not just the materials costs, but the cost to the manufacturer of the learning curve that is required to use them properly). So MDF is probably here to stay, limited as it is.
Sean, interesting report on the thick MDF rack. It makes me wonder whether really thick shelves, say 4" to 6", would be better or worse. The stiffness goes up a lot faster than the mass. It may be that 1.5" MDF just isn't enough, especially for heavy components.
Sean, interesting report on the thick MDF rack. It makes me wonder whether really thick shelves, say 4" to 6", would be better or worse. The stiffness goes up a lot faster than the mass. It may be that 1.5" MDF just isn't enough, especially for heavy components.