In my experience MDF, Plastic, Masonite - these three are too dead to make good speakers. you will end having to power your drivers more to get better sound. Having is resonance is not bad.
The jackfruit tree interestingly is a superb candidate and pretty cheap
Tar is used on the metal horns, exactly for the same reason why they don't make good speaker body material. Horns are extending a compression diaphragm and will have a high frequency ringing which will make the sound very bright/harsh. Tar is used to damp and ensure the metal doesn't ring.
While on the topic of wood, which wood would be best for carving out a heavy turntable plinth from? To be clear, the wood must be a solid block from which the cutouts for motor and arm must be chiselled out, and NOT planks of wood to be glued together (much like plywood popularly used for multi layered plinth constructions).
Or is the whole idea a bit bonkers, without sonic merits? I understand folks like Shindo used planks of cherry wood for their Garrard 301 builds. I was just wondering if using a large block of wood has sonic benefits, especially if it's a known tone wood?
So whats the conclusion?
Have been using MDF since last few years after I again got into building. I have come across two varieties of MDF here, the commercial which is kind light pink in color and the "green lam" brand which is light yellow and looks much better quality and is denser.
TT Plinth: Granite block? Cut and polished to a beautiful finish.
In the US we refrain from getting much of the outdoor grade wood for interior use. They call it "pressure treated wood" and I dont like using it for any thing in the house. There is some chemicals in it that cause cancer, or other horrible crap.
Cool.
Srinath.
Going by your builds, you do look like a guy with loads of talents and experience and equipments as well. Did you ever try TL's?
In my experience
MDF, Plastic, Masonite - these three are too dead to make good speakers. you will end having to power your drivers more to get better sound. Having is resonance is not bad.
Wood - If you have the money for it, this hardwood is the best choice.
Plywood - This is the most VFM ergo best option.
As I understand, some speaker makers use stacked ply. Like Vapor Audio does.
Thanks for the advice. I have been vacillating but I think should buy the Dayton Audio's DATs for TS measurements before doing all the hard work on cabinets.
I think a glued layered plinth would serve the purpose of isolation and somewhat in lesser quantity as noise drain objective. While as solid wood or unglued layers of ply tightly held by wood pegs would primarily help drain noise from turntable chassis.While on the topic of wood, which wood would be best for carving out a heavy turntable plinth from? To be clear, the wood must be a solid block from which the cutouts for motor and arm must be chiselled out, and NOT planks of wood to be glued together (much like plywood popularly used for multi layered plinth constructions).
Or is the whole idea a bit bonkers, without sonic merits? I understand folks like Shindo used planks of cherry wood for their Garrard 301 builds. I was just wondering if using a large block of wood has sonic benefits, especially if it's a known tone wood?
I think not so thin ply with tar sheet and very very well embraced cabinet almost serves the purpose of ideal speaker cabinet. I could be wrong though or may be it is just one alternative option.So that's what I have noticed. Feel free to add to this or to correct me.
Cool.
Srinath.
I am always doing ported ones. I am not sure why, may be the sealed sound boomy to me.
I am serious about acquiring Altec 288's. Comments ?
Is Dayton Audio DATS a good choice for measuring TS parameters? Parts Express has them.
I have finished acquiring most of the drivers (the 2/3 way set ups which I already started before I got to know Alltecs). So kits are out of my profile. Though should have gone the kits-way. Less painful.
Could you suggest a low cost set up for verification? The TASCAM US-122MK2 ? And a good mic etc.
Thanks a lot.
Yep, the woofers Qts recommends bass reflex and sometimes a choice between the two.
Yep, would go for that matching horn. There is guy in Germany I know who makes amazing horns. He could be of help as well.
Surprisingly, the 288's too weigh a TON !
No, he makes multi cell horns out of 4mm to 5mm ply. A work of Art & Science for him. Uses metal finished adapters in between.