Rustic Speaker Cabinets.. Thoughts?

[Nipper]

I would like to build some rustic looking speaker cabinets to match some cabin furniture.

From what I have read, building cabinets from solid wood is a no-no because of vibrations and changes in humidity.

If I build the cabinets out of MDF and then put 1x2 planks of knotty pine or some plywood with a knotty pine veneer over the MDF, will I still get the undesired effects of the wood?

Are these solid wood cabinet issues as bad as they say? It seems like there are a lot of instruments made from wood... How bad can it be?

Any thoughts or suggestions?

[Old Guy]

I would like to build some rustic looking speaker cabinets to match some cabin furniture.

From what I have read, building cabinets from solid wood is a no-no because of vibrations and changes in humidity.

If I build the cabinets out of MDF and then put 1x2 planks of knotty pine or some plywood with a knotty pine veneer over the MDF, will I still get the undesired effects of the wood?

Are these solid wood cabinet issues as bad as they say? It seems like there are a lot of instruments made from wood... How bad can it be?

Any thoughts or suggestions?

You WANT the wood in an instrument to add harmonics but Not a speaker cabinet.

An outside layer of wood is fine. Since the MDF won't resonate, it won't transmit to the outside layer. As log as glued securely so no rattles etc.

[Nipper]

Is plywood suitable or does it react like wood?
I found some really nice 3/4" 9 ply plywood with a knotty pine veneer... Would this work alone or should I stick with the covered MDF plan?

[Old Guy]

Is plywood suitable or does it react like wood?
I found some really nice 3/4" 9 ply plywood with a knotty pine veneer... Would this work alone or should I stick with the covered MDF plan?

I have built many a plywood box with good results. If in doubt add a diagonal brace (corner to corner) across large panels on the inside.

Or even if not in doubt, it never hurts even with MDF.

[Nipper]

OK then! :thankU:

One more question please....
That plywood is about $120 a sheet. Can I just use that for the top and sides and do the rest with MDF? Am I asking for trouble?

[Panomaniac]

$120 a sheet! For pine? Dats Nutz.

Many a Lowes-Depot has the pine panels if those are rustic enough for you. I've used them with good results.

[Nipper]

I know... But this is some really nice looking stuff!

I could be losing my sanity but I have another idea.

Thinking of installing 2 sets of speakers in one box but wire them separately.
One set hooked to the A speakers output of the amp and the other set hooked to the B output. My amp can do A, B or A and B.

Im thinking when I really want it strong I can run A and B.

Will inactive speakers in the box cause a problem? If so I could put them in a separate chamber... Hmmmmmmmm.

[GM]

From what I have read, building cabinets from solid wood is a no-no because of vibrations and changes in humidity.

It depends on the type of wood and the year round moisture 'swing' where they will be located, but laminating planks over a void free plywood cab is fine for even the wide 'swing' a cabin is likely to encounter. Pre-laminated planking (strips or scrap such as butcher block) sold to make benches, table tops is fine all by itself and is thick enough it normally doesn't need any bracing.

I got so sick of building matching butcher block speakers, coffee, end table and counter tops back in the '70s that I finally refused to make any more. Did some 1x4 White Pine glued to plywood MLTL cabs that the owner treated with a bleaching agent which turned out real nice once sealed with a water clear satin varnish.

Then of course there's the knotty wood Pine or similar solid wood paneling for that rustic look over a plywood cab and a lot less effort than applying a bunch of single boards..........

GM

[Panomaniac]

Then of course there's the knotty wood Pine or similar solid wood paneling for that rustic look over a plywood cab and a lot less effort than applying a bunch of single boards..........

Yeah, that's a nice idea. Easy rustic!

[bowtie427ss]

What NOT to do.

*** LOOK *** 4 large stereo speakers and sub woofer