[Peregrino]

Hi guys, total noob here with no speakers done yet.

Was thinking of buying an AV/0 but after reading so many good things about the NX Studios I think I've changed my mind. Who knows, we might be getting a stimulus check here in Denmark and I might get the Studios, the AV/0's and a pair of LGK's for the bedroom *sighing contentedly dreaming it could be so*

Anyways my question is if there are any real disadvantages apart from pricing that keeps people from using hardwood for their cabinets? I would be perfectly content to use MDF and call it a day, but of course, the girlfriend has to be placated somehow.

I've read a bit in the forums and apparently there are 2 major concerns, the wood warping by drying out and resonance issues.

Here in Denmark you can buy relatively (and I mean that loosely) cheap tabletop planks of mahogany or acacia which are pretreated with oil. I'm thinking of maybe getting one of those and cut out the parts for the cabinet and gluing it all together. Is it completely unfeasible? Am I missing something so totally basic that all you woodworkers in the forums are smacking yourselves in the face thinking, "Jesus! How dumb can this guy really be?!?"

And regarding the resonance issues, I've looked at Danny's cabinet designs and they have tons of bracing. Would it be a big issue at all?

And a semi related question. These planks aren't exactly the same thickness that Danny recommends in his designs. For something as thin as the LGK I imagine it would ruin the sound a bit, coz there might be a different baffle step loss. Would changing the cabinet volume have a big influence. The thinnest tabletop I've seen is 26mm and Danny recommends 19mm. I haven't done the math, but I can't imagine it's that much of a volume change.

And the same above question goes for the NX Studios.

I know, probably total noob questions, but if you guys say it's ludicrous to use hardwood for cabinets I can at least point a finger at the screen and tell my gf, "I told you so!"

But they would still look pretty good though...

Thx in advance guys

[jcsperson]

I would not change the internal dimensions. The thicker material is fine, just add it to the outside dimensions.

[srb]

Another option might be to use MDF for the 5 sides (perhaps painted?) and hardwood for the front baffle.

In both scenarios I do wonder about this oil-pretreated lumber and its ability to absorb wood glue?

[mlundy57]

I've built a pair of X-LS Encores with hardwood laminated to the MDF. For the LGK, build the box first, them take the hardwood down to 1/4" thick and laminate it to the MDF. This will make the front baffle wider than the plans but you can offset that by putting a 3/8" roundover on the vertical front edges.

For the NX-Studios, you can build the box out of 1/2" MDF then laminate 1/4" thick pieces of hardwood to the 5 sides.

Mike

[Sonicjoy]

MDF is not chosen because of it's low cost. It is chosen for it's stability and low resonance property's. Real solid wood moves too much (expansion and contraction). It can be hard to keep seams air tight (can crack) and if used on the baffle can even damage the drivers that are fastened to it if it shrinks or expands to much. Best to not change Danny's designs. Colors and finish sure but not material and dimensions.

[Peregrino]

Thx a lot guys. Had a couple of ,"Doh!" Moments there. Better not mess with the master's designs 😅