MDF vs. particleboard

Glowbug · 9th May 2006, 03:57 PM

I'm engaged in a "discussion" with a rather hardheaded individual about particleboard vs. MDF for subwoofer enclosures. He stresses there are no fundamental drawbacks to using particleboard, other than the fact that it looks like *** and is difficult to finish.

I disagree, but I need some concrete numbers or facts to back the claim up...or just any applicable evidence.

Thank you in advance!

Netlist · 9th May 2006, 08:25 PM

To add to the confusion: I think multiplex is the best.
I've been told by experienced speaker builders here on the forum not to use MDF for subwoofers, certainly not in a pro environment.

/Hugo

Geek · 9th May 2006, 08:43 PM

Whichever suits the DIY'ers sonic taste and budget is best

That and have you tried a router on particleboard?

Cal Weldon · 9th May 2006, 08:59 PM

Particle or K3 board is cheapest but weakest. Doesn't hold a screw forever and doesn't like moisture. Used it for years before MDF came along.

MDF is good sonically but doesn't like moisture and is only medium tough. Used it some.

Plywood is toughest but not as dense as MDF. Use nothing else now. IMHO easiest to work with.

I'm not sure you're going to find a concensus on this . Like Gregg says, it's up to the DIY budget.

Nemophyle · 10th May 2006, 10:21 AM

if correctly damped and braced, i don't think that particleboard is so much worse than MDF, only screw are never sufficient with particle

also i prefer to work with particle board, i really hate this MDF dust, it don't even smell wood

so for me : if you are poor : particle board
if you are rich : Plywood

i built a sealed sub out of particleboard with a SLS 12, and it is totally inert

westend · 10th May 2006, 11:02 AM

Engineering specs. for appleply and plywood:http://www.statesind.com/pdf/ApplePly.pdf Engineering specs . for chipboard: http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/pdf2000/salik00a.pdf (page 5) What should be of primary concern would be the Modulus Of Elasticity. This will reflect how the materials bend and would effect cabinet construction. There is little question as to density. Lift a panel

. If this is about the thread on SIN, yeah , the builder of those cheap boxes is way out of line.

DorinD · 10th May 2006, 11:08 AM

What about OSB? I was using and keep using that and I think is better even than plywood in some circumstances, like subs.

Scottmoose · 10th May 2006, 11:40 AM

I quite like chipboard for horns...

Rademakers · 10th May 2006, 11:47 AM

Look at the following waterfallplots:

Particleboard

MDF

As you can see there is not much difference between both materials.

For people interested in the test conditions, more measurements, incluiding birch ply, meranti ply and sandwichstructures (it's in Dutch however):

http://www.zelfbouwaudio.nl/index.ph...id=18&Itemid=2

With kind regards Johan

tade · 10th May 2006, 12:36 PM

nemophyle: Hahahahahahaha. I love that. Perfectly quoteable.

9th May 2006, 03:57 PM	#1
Glowbug diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hillsborough, NC/McLean, VA	MDF vs. particleboard I'm engaged in a "discussion" with a rather hardheaded individual about particleboard vs. MDF for subwoofer enclosures. He stresses there are no fundamental drawbacks to using particleboard, other than the fact that it looks like * and is difficult to finish. I disagree, but I need some concrete numbers or facts to back the claim up...or just any applicable evidence. Thank you in advance! __________________ Jim J.**

9th May 2006, 08:59 PM	#4
Cal Weldon Speakerholic diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: British Columbia	Particle or K3 board is cheapest but weakest. Doesn't hold a screw forever and doesn't like moisture. Used it for years before MDF came along. MDF is good sonically but doesn't like moisture and is only medium tough. Used it some. Plywood is toughest but not as dense as MDF. Use nothing else now. IMHO easiest to work with. I'm not sure you're going to find a concensus on this . Like Gregg says, it's up to the DIY budget. __________________ Next stop: Margaritaville Some of Cal's stuff \| Cal Weldon Consulting

10th May 2006, 11:47 AM	#9
Rademakers diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Rotterdam, NL	Look at the following waterfallplots: Particleboard MDF As you can see there is not much difference between both materials. For people interested in the test conditions, more measurements, incluiding birch ply, meranti ply and sandwichstructures (it's in Dutch however): http://www.zelfbouwaudio.nl/index.ph...id=18&Itemid=2 With kind regards Johan __________________ Impossibilities we do immediatly, miracles take slightly longer.

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9th May 2006, 08:25 PM	#2
Netlist diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003	To add to the confusion: I think multiplex is the best. I've been told by experienced speaker builders here on the forum not to use MDF for subwoofers, certainly not in a pro environment. /Hugo

9th May 2006, 08:43 PM	#3
Geek diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004	Whichever suits the DIY'ers sonic taste and budget is best That and have you tried a router on particleboard?

10th May 2006, 10:21 AM	#5
Nemophyle diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: paris	if correctly damped and braced, i don't think that particleboard is so much worse than MDF, only screw are never sufficient with particle also i prefer to work with particle board, i really hate this MDF dust, it don't even smell wood so for me : if you are poor : particle board if you are rich : Plywood i built a sealed sub out of particleboard with a SLS 12, and it is totally inert

10th May 2006, 11:02 AM	#6
westend diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: shorewood	Engineering specs. for appleply and plywood:http://www.statesind.com/pdf/ApplePly.pdf Engineering specs . for chipboard: http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/pdf2000/salik00a.pdf (page 5) What should be of primary concern would be the Modulus Of Elasticity. This will reflect how the materials bend and would effect cabinet construction. There is little question as to density. Lift a panel . If this is about the thread on SIN, yeah , the builder of those cheap boxes is way out of line.

10th May 2006, 11:08 AM	#7
DorinD diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bucharest, Romania	What about OSB? I was using and keep using that and I think is better even than plywood in some circumstances, like subs.

10th May 2006, 11:40 AM	#8
Scottmoose diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK	I quite like chipboard for horns...

10th May 2006, 12:36 PM	#10
tade diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ralieigh nc	nemophyle: Hahahahahahaha. I love that. Perfectly quoteable.

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