Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo sound diff between MDF and "real wood"?

i was planning to buy M2v2 at the begining but then i found there is an option that i can "upgrade" it by using diff wood. Price is about $40 top of regular model. Then again i found it just the same price as M3v2.

here is my question, does "real wood" sound better over MDF in a tiny 11.5" x 7.5" x 8.5" box?? If it's not a big deal, should i go M3?

please, i would really appreciate that i can have some inputs before i place the order.

Mark
room: 10x10x8H (may move later 1~2yrs)
amp: denon1507 75wX7
sour: pc/Audigy SE 24bit 5.1 via Monster THX cable
main: Bose 161
sub: polk psw202 (modified)

It is my understanding that the wood series speakers are just a external wood veneer, just like the vinyl is a vinyl wrap. The internal speaker foundation is still MDF. Most speaker companies use MDF in the build process for better sound reasons.

that mean the diff is only they wrapping speaker by wood instead of vinyl?

That's my understanding also. MDF is more inert than wood leading to a more accurate sound.

Yes, this is not just Axiom, but most wood exterior finishes for speaker manufacturers are not solid wood through out.

Hi Na8c,

The real wood veneer is applied by hand in our custom shop and hand-finished, unlike the vinyl "wrap" which comes pre-applied to the MDF (medium-density fiberboard). Because custom real-wood veneer application is very labor-intensive, it costs more and there is a wait of some weeks, because each order is custom-assembled for the customer.
The price will vary depending on the choice of real wood veneers (cherry, walnut, rosewood, etc.) and the finish desired. High gloss finishes require many coats of finish, which is why they cost more than satin or semi-gloss finishes.

The reason that 95% of speaker manufacturers use MDF as the base material for speaker construction is because it is, as Mojo pointed out, one of the most acoustically inert materials available and is very consistent from one sheet of MDF to the next. Before the emergence of MDF as the ideal material for speaker enclosures, the next best alternative was plywood, because it is composed of laminated layers of different wood and glue, which makes it stiffer and less susceptible to resonances.

If we used actual planks of real wood for construction, you would have increased problems of acoustical resonances (vibrations) that would vary with each type of real wood, even within the same wood stock, so trying to brace it and cancel the resonances would become a manufacturing and testing nightmare for each speaker.

Loudspeaker enclosures are the opposite of musical instruments like acoustic guitars, violins, 'cellos, violas and double basses, where the vibrations of the strings cause the wood to resonate and amplify the tones created by the strings (the latter tones are transmitted to the body of a violin or guitar by the bridge that supports the strings.)

In a loudspeaker enclosure, you do not want the box to vibrate or resonate, creating spurious sub-harmonics or vibrations which would then taint or "color" the original sounds emitted by the loudspeaker. A loudspeaker box is not a musical instrument and should not contribute or generate acoustic output from its side, rear and front panels.

Regards,

thanks for y'all great infor. So, their diff is MDF sounds better, and "real wood" look better?

If so, i would to purchase the regular one, 'coz i think the appearance is just a little plus for me, sound/performance is the first thing first to me.

now, how long will it take to complete the regular M2(or M3)with Boston cherry vinyl/black gril, anyone please?

thanks guys,
Mark

Mark,

Boston Cherry is a standard color. If you order from regular stock, you normally would have it within a few days. If you want to save money and order from the Factory Outlet, the delivery times are stated on that page.

I don't work for Axiom, so you might want to call them or email them these types of questions.

thanks sirquack, I thought so too(regular just take few days from order to receive). but just checked the Factory Outlet. yes, it's cheaper there, but it take 2 week for M2(and M3) with regular boston cherry !

Mark