Alternatives Materials

[Yoshy]

Hello,

I'd like to know if any of you tired alternative materials for speaker enclosures. For my next project I was thinking about using marble or making a mold and using acrylics or even concrete (and why not sand in glue).

However, I would prefer to know about potential problems before as I'm sure it's not the same as MDF.

Thanks

[chlorofille]

While those exotic materials may give a solid non resonant enclosure, the tone of the speaker will be affected. I heard a pair of marble speakers using a 5.5'' seas paper cone. Sounded very cold, the decay of instruments were too quick, resulting in a less emotional listening experience.

[TransNova]

Originally Posted by chlorofille

While those exotic materials may give a solid non resonant enclosure, the tone of the speaker will be affected. I heard a pair of marble speakers using a 5.5'' seas paper cone. Sounded very cold, the decay of instruments were too quick, resulting in a less emotional listening experience.

Did you compare the exact same system using the exact same enclosure specifications using different materials in the same room? Was there any test equipment involved?

[WithTarragon]

Originally Posted by chlorofille

While those exotic materials may give a solid non resonant enclosure, the tone of the speaker will be affected. I heard a pair of marble speakers using a 5.5'' seas paper cone. Sounded very cold, the decay of instruments were too quick, resulting in a less emotional listening experience.

For some reason I can't ignore this one.

The decay would now simply be the decay of the instruments and NOT the decay of the instrument confounded with the decay of the cabinet.

Perhaps you do not like instruments simply sounding like instruments.

[TransNova]

Originally Posted by WithTarragon

For some reason I can't ignore this one.

The decay would now simply be the decay of the instruments and NOT the decay of the instrument confounded with the decay of the cabinet.

Perhaps you do not like instruments simply sounding like instruments.

Agreed.

[Yoshy]

Originally Posted by WithTarragon

For some reason I can't ignore this one.

The decay would now simply be the decay of the instruments and NOT the decay of the instrument confounded with the decay of the cabinet.

Perhaps you do not like instruments simply sounding like instruments.

Wouldn't reducing the decay of the cabinet be a good thing ? I can't see it as a bad thing... If I want to *add* something I'll put an EQ or other filters; well that's my solution for the "emotional" side of things

[ScottG]

Here is an interesting article from a manufacturer's perspective:

6moons audio reviews: Living Voice OBX-RW

Though not about cabinet material, this is my favorite statement:

"We’ve compared virtually the same drive unit in a fancy cast magnesium basket against a stamped God-help-us steel basket with all the bad connotations and unmarketability this entails. The stampers sounded fluid and powerful with quiet backgrounds. The Magnesium versions were bleached and gray."


Note that marble enclosure example mentioned in the thread may well have had an overdamped driver. So yes, it may be a bad thing is far as reproducing accurate sound.

[TransNova]

I wonder what "bleached, gray, cold etc..." sound like?

[Yoshy]

I think I'll try acrylic with sand mixed in. If I can figure out how to do a hallow sphere then I'll try && report back. But I'm also interested in concrete & marble.

[Charles Darwin]

Originally Posted by Yoshy

I think I'll try acrylic with sand mixed in. If I can figure out how to do a hallow sphere then I'll try && report back. But I'm also interested in concrete & marble.

You could sacrifice a couple of exercise balls. Just coat them with your acrylic sand mixture.