Baltic Birch [message #62080 is a reply to message #62077] |
Sun, 14 March 2010 11:42 ![Go to previous message Go to previous message](/forum/theme/AudioRoundTable/images/up.png) ![Go to next message Go to previous message](/forum/theme/AudioRoundTable/images/down.png) |
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Wayne Parham
Messages: 18748 Registered: January 2001
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Illuminati (33rd Degree) |
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I understand your concern with MDF. I use it in smaller cabinets, usually 3ft3 and less, but only if they'll be used indoors. MDF is definitely softer and easier to damage. It doesn't do well in humid environments either. But in dry, indoor places, it's great because it is real dead acoustically and the price is right.
For outdoors use or wherever I need a more durable cabinet, I always go with Baltic Birch. It isn't just the strength I'm looking for when choosing this product over other plywoods. My main concern when choosing plywood is the possibility of voids. If there are voids between laminations, then there is likely to be debris in the voids that buzzes. Sometimes, there are internal voids that don't initially buzz but material breaks free over time and a buzz develops. If that happens, the cabinet is firewood. I've heard of people drilling tiny holes and inserting epoxy to fill in a void that forms, and that's a pretty good idea if you hit the pocket, but I'd rather start with a nice void-free material to begin with. So I suggest using Baltic Birch.
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