Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Buying a new home theater - recommendations?

Like most other high end speakers, the cabinets are made of medium density fiberboard. The finish is in vinyl, but they can be customized with a real wood veneer.

Hi,

As kcarlile pointed out, 99.9% of the speaker enclosures around the world are made of MDF, because MDF is the most acoustically dense and non-resonant material available other than concrete (using concrete would not be practical).

Real wood is much more prone to resonances than MDF, which is why MDF is so universally used. Manufacturers then add either a synthetic vinyl veneer of simulated wood over the MDF, or a real-wood veneer, as indeed Axiom does if you prefer a real-wood finish. The real-wood veneers cost more, of course, depending on which wood and finish you choose.

By the way, no contest regarding Jamo vs Axiom. Jamo are European and while they've always had handsome real-wood veneered enclosures, the sound quality is definitely colored and not neutral or linear like Axiom.

Regards,

Hi,

Just adding my $0.02. I have listened to a number of speaker systems including Axiom and can easily say that you get the best bang for the buck in product and sound qualities from Axiom. They beat all the manufacturers you state at similar to higher price points.

If there is one thing I would look to for additional options, it would be the subwoofer. Not that Axiom's are bad, its just that there are many internet direct & brick and mortar companies that have excellent products with a great value. Some brands you could look at are SVS, HSU, Outlaw, Elemental Designs, Velodyne, to name just a few. It all boils down to your budget. You may end up paying less than an Axiom subwoofer and still be happy!

I guess I'm against MDF because of the effect humidity could have on it. Look at a 10 year old couch with a lot of MDF in it - the MDF is what is failing in the structure - all the real wood is still holding strong. I suppose if it's painted on all surfaces... I have never spent this much on *speakers* before. I would feel a lot more confident if I thought that they would last a long time. I don't want a guest leaving a drink on the subwoofer, and finding a nice fat ring welled up there tomorrow.

I think you're more familiar with LDF--MDF is pretty strong. I've never seen bulges on any of my speakers, and I'm not particularly careful with them.

Primarily, you should remember that subwoofers are not side tables though they are used in that fashion sometimes!! I have seen glasses of coffee and tea placed on SVS and Velodyne subwoofers and there has been no resutling bulging.

We are not talking about furniture or cheap MDF shelving you would pick up at Home Depot. There is a reason speaker manufacturers ALL AROUND the world in ALL climates have used MDF since the beginning of speaker manufacturing.

I would suggest you do a little research on the internet and get educated about speaker manufacturing and sound acoustic techniques if our educated responses are not what you want to hear.

you're right - there is a definite difference between MDF and LDF. I recently used MDF for center panels in a raised-panel wainscoting treatment I did in a remodel (I'm a builder). I guess the whole time I was thinking LDF and saying MDF. Thanks for being patient in spite of my ignorance.

Also remember that all exterior surfaces on speakers are typically covered with either vinyl or veneer. With Axiom, you can be sure there is no exposed MDF.

Ouch, Randy.