HDF -- why always MDF?

jmar · 27th September 2009, 02:50 PM

Why in the world do you never hear of high density particle board being mentioned for speakers -- but always MDF?

Cabinet makers wouldn't dream of using MDF.

HDF is much heavier, machines much better. It's also called "cabinet grade".

Is there something (other than weight) that deters it from being used?

(or even mentioned?).

kevinkr · 27th September 2009, 02:59 PM

I guess it is just a little harder to get at the local home center.. HDF does make sense for speaker construction and some manufacturers do use it. (My former mid-fi employer used it during the time I worked there.)

AndrewT · 27th September 2009, 03:13 PM

I think MDF became popular with the big manufacturers due to improved sound as a result of different damping characteristics compared to the other boards that were available at the time.
We had lamin board and block board, plywood, particle board, hardboard (<6.3mm as far as I recall) and a few others.

note that "heavier" and "machines better" and "cabinet grade" do not have any "sound quality" attributes.

Ed LaFontaine · 27th September 2009, 03:33 PM

I would love to use HDF...I've looked for it...can't find it "local" to zip 40403.

Maybe you are close enough across the river to share a source? Is there one in Louisville/New Albany?

blue934 · 27th September 2009, 03:48 PM

sometimes 'Ranger' board is available at lumberyards, at least here in Canada. it's a premium version of MDF. i get my HDF from a local cabinet maker that keeps quite a bit in stock.

david

StigErik · 27th September 2009, 05:02 PM

In Europe at least, "HDF" is the same as high density MDF. I prefer the moisture resistant type of MDF which is very heavy and dense.

hpolkerman · 27th September 2009, 06:01 PM

Mmm, here in the Netherlands, you can find HDF, except it is also called MFD. I found that there is a lot of 'difference' in MDF at local diy-woodshop. I found one that has the HDF grade and sells it under the name of MDF....

And indeed, MDF is a real problem with a router, HDF is just a lot easier; so less faults in the wood while cutting at high speed.

Geek · 27th September 2009, 06:14 PM

HDF is obtainable in speaker cabinet thicknesses in my neck of the woods, but the price makes using real wood MUCH more attractive

Cheers!

jmar · 27th September 2009, 07:51 PM

So, what about the sonic performance of HDF vs MDF? (or are there any)?

It's not that much more expensive -- I get it at a local hardwoods place.

The stuff weighs a ton.

jmar · 27th September 2009, 07:54 PM

Ed --

Call a cabinet maker, I'm sure it's available in Louisville -- he may even have
cutoffs.

I know a counter top guy that loves to give away his scrap.

Including CORIAN.

27th September 2009, 02:50 PM	#1
jmar diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Indiana	HDF -- why always MDF? Why in the world do you never hear of high density particle board being mentioned for speakers -- but always MDF? Cabinet makers wouldn't dream of using MDF. HDF is much heavier, machines much better. It's also called "cabinet grade". Is there something (other than weight) that deters it from being used? (or even mentioned?).

27th September 2009, 02:59 PM	#2
kevinkr diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Blog Entries: 6	I guess it is just a little harder to get at the local home center.. HDF does make sense for speaker construction and some manufacturers do use it. (My former mid-fi employer used it during the time I worked there.) __________________ www.kta-hifi.net

27th September 2009, 03:13 PM	#3
AndrewT diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scottish Borders	I think MDF became popular with the big manufacturers due to improved sound as a result of different damping characteristics compared to the other boards that were available at the time. We had lamin board and block board, plywood, particle board, hardboard (<6.3mm as far as I recall) and a few others. note that "heavier" and "machines better" and "cabinet grade" do not have any "sound quality" attributes. __________________ regards Andrew T.

27th September 2009, 03:33 PM	#4
Ed LaFontaine ...truth seeker... diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: where the Appalachians rise from the Blue Grass	I would love to use HDF...I've looked for it...can't find it "local" to zip 40403. Maybe you are close enough across the river to share a source? Is there one in Louisville/New Albany? __________________ ...call me Ed...Special Ed... EnABL kit http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/swap-meet/119852-enabl-kit.html DCB1 parts http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/swap-...ml#post2361098

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27th September 2009, 03:48 PM	#5
blue934 diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007	sometimes 'Ranger' board is available at lumberyards, at least here in Canada. it's a premium version of MDF. i get my HDF from a local cabinet maker that keeps quite a bit in stock. david

27th September 2009, 05:02 PM	#6
StigErik diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2008	In Europe at least, "HDF" is the same as high density MDF. I prefer the moisture resistant type of MDF which is very heavy and dense.

27th September 2009, 06:01 PM	#7
hpolkerman diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2006	Mmm, here in the Netherlands, you can find HDF, except it is also called MFD. I found that there is a lot of 'difference' in MDF at local diy-woodshop. I found one that has the HDF grade and sells it under the name of MDF.... And indeed, MDF is a real problem with a router, HDF is just a lot easier; so less faults in the wood while cutting at high speed.

27th September 2009, 06:14 PM	#8
Geek diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004	HDF is obtainable in speaker cabinet thicknesses in my neck of the woods, but the price makes using real wood MUCH more attractive Cheers!

27th September 2009, 07:51 PM	#9
jmar diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Indiana	So, what about the sonic performance of HDF vs MDF? (or are there any)? It's not that much more expensive -- I get it at a local hardwoods place. The stuff weighs a ton.

27th September 2009, 07:54 PM	#10
jmar diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Indiana	Ed -- Call a cabinet maker, I'm sure it's available in Louisville -- he may even have cutoffs. I know a counter top guy that loves to give away his scrap. Including CORIAN.

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