What is the Best Wood for Subwoofer Boxes?

If you’re an avid music admirer, you possibly know how important a subwoofer is. No make a difference how great the tweeters audio, with no a correct sub, there will in no way be enough bass. And for the minimal frequencies to “pop,” you will want a top quality-quality wooden box. Which is right: the housing performs a enormous role in shaping the seem of the bass frequencies, directing them to the front. It minimizes distortion and boosts the seem quality, not to point out guards the sub.

So, the huge concern listed here is what is the correct wood type for the box? Need to you go with MDF, or probably plywood? What’s the difference between oak and pine, and must particle boards even be regarded as? We have acquired all the answers right right here!

To make the choice less complicated for you, we broke our checklist down into two types: hardwood and softwood, each such as three wood kinds. Alright, let’s see what we’re doing work with!

The Best Wood for Subwoofer Boxes

This term is utilized to describe wooden from dicot trees. These contain beech, oak, and birch, to title a handful of. Hardwoods are the solution of deciduous trees that can be distinguished by bouquets and fruits additionally, they have wide leaves. Thanks to the intricate composition and multitude of vessels, hardwood is sturdier and, well, tougher than softwood. Nonetheless, with so many trees in both groups, there can be plenty of variations.

On typical, hardwood is rather expensive but tends to final lengthier. Power, straightforward maintenance, and an prolonged lifespan that is what can make it so well-liked in construction. It is also in wonderful need for flooring and furniture, which can make it a perfect selection for subwoofer containers. Deficiency of versatility can be an situation, although, along with earlier mentioned-regular excess weight.

1. Baltic Birch Plywood (Hardwood)

Wood Type Hardwood
Density 680–760 kg/m3
Weight 48 lbs
Durability/Strength High

Dense, sturdy, and exceptionally resistant to distortion/warping, Baltic birch plywood is, in a lot of methods, the greatest option on the desk. It does an superb work of housing and protecting the subwoofer and keeps vibrations to a bare minimum. As a consequence, you get exceptional acoustic efficiency: sturdy, punchy bass with no booming tones in any way. Created utilizing a exclusive approach in Russia and the Baltic states, this plywood looks remarkable untreated.

That’s proper: you won’t have to invest extra money on a finishing item. It does get a “royal” gloss when painted, even though. And what about the downsides, you may possibly inquire? Effectively, this plywood is not particularly inexpensive, in comparison to other kinds. But, if you are ready to spend in a top quality-high quality substance, it will be income well spent. Baltic birch is amazingly versatile and secure, thanks to the thicker-than-average veneers.

Pros
  • Highly resistant to warping
  • Superb audio component protection
  • Looks great both treated and untreated
Cons
  • A bit on the expensive side

2. Marine-Grade Plywood (Regular Plywood)

Should you really pick Baltic birch more than normal birch plywood? What is the large difference in between these two? Properly, typical plywood tends to have softwood/filler plies in the centre. In contrast, in Baltic birch plywood, the specific plies are considerably thinner. In less difficult terms, much more plies sit on top of every other for a provided thickness, which signifies stiffer, a lot more durable plywood for your subwoofer box.

On best of that, Baltic birch is fantastic at screw keeping due to the fact it does not have voids like some softwood resources do. For woodworking, this is a large pro.

Wood Type Hardwood
Density 672–800 kg/m3
Weight 50 lbs
Durability/Strength High

This subsequent type of plywood is even denser than Baltic birch, which instantly implies it’s highly resistant to weather components. You will not have to fret about temperature fluctuations if you choose to craft the box utilizing marine-grade plywood. Humidity/dampness won’t be an situation possibly, due to the fact this wood is drinking water-resistant and does not swell (which can be a massive issue for wooden). Stability is a component of the offer as effectively.

That equals fantastic audio top quality and powerful, plausible bass reaction. Include zero resonance within of the housing, and you’ll see why maritime-quality plywood is a worthy decide for a subwoofer box. Initially, this plywood was utilized by the army to construct boats. So, longevity and durability are not a problem here. The only minimal con has to do with the edges: they are quite rough and may require therapy like sanding.

Pros
  • Easily handles environmental factors
  • Water-resistant: doesn’t swell
  • Keeps resonance to a minimum
Cons
  • A bit rough on the edges

3. Oakwood

What is the Best Wood for Subwoofer Boxes?
Image Credit: 4941, Pixabay
Wood Type Hardwood
Density 593–897 kg/m3
Weight 45 lbs
Durability/Strength Moderate/High

This appropriate right here is 1 of the longest residing trees on the world (up to 400 several years). Brown-coloured, it usually grows in regions with chilly climates and is extensively used in design and household furniture. As for oak plywood, it is a wonderful material for subwoofer housing. 1st, it is sturdy and, just like the tree, has an prolonged lifespan, which is exactly what we’re seeking for. Subsequent, it is very adaptable, treatable, and straightforward to work with.

Even if you’re not a seasoned vet, oak won’t get a lot time or energy to change into a box for your sub. One more large professional: it very easily handles burning daylight. Indeed, UV rays are recognized to damage some types of wooden, but that won’t be an issue with oakwood. The natural, “expensive” texture is even much more explanation to decide it above the competition. Do maintain in mind, though, that it tends to marginally alter the audio tone.

It’s practically nothing key, of system, and you will not even recognize it.

Pros
  • Sturdy, long-lasting material
  • Flexible and pliable by nature
  • Strong against sunlight (UV rays)
Cons
  • Tends to change the woofer sound a bit

4. Pinewood (Softwood)

Softwoods are not as long-lasting or dense as hardwoods, but they’re far more inexpensive and (typically talking) more adaptable. Very easily manipulated, they get much less energy and ability to form to your liking. Softwoods also are inclined to be lighter (with MDF getting an exception to the rule). Plus, they are rapidly growers, which should clarify the reduce value. As a building materials for subwoofer bins, softwoods can be an superb selection.

Many thanks to their natural acoustic characteristics and non-resonant qualities, they do a great job of enhancing the audio frequencies produced by the sub.

What is the Best Wood for Subwoofer Boxes?
Image Credit: Nkt.Nipharat, Shutterstock
Wood Type Softwood
Density 352-849 kg/m3
Weight 37 lbs
Durability/Strength High

As a coniferous tree, pinewood has an extended energy/longevity. Density is previously mentioned common as effectively, dependent on the species. The 1st thing that sets it aside from all the other woods on the checklist is the fat (only 37 kilos). More importantly, it is 1 of the cheapest softwood choices on the industry, and it will be virtually excellent for a subwoofer box. We say virtually simply because versatility isn’t pine’s robust go well with.

It is nonetheless workable, specifically if you have the correct equipment, just not as versatile as oak. Now, pinewood is a normal seem absorbent. That implies you’ll get a pure, nicely-pronounced minimal-conclude with no coloration or tone adjustment. Great and thick, it also positive aspects greatly from some fundamental therapy. Finally, pine plywood is exceptionally resistant to rot and decay and will take paint effectively. It serves for numerous several years (if not decades) and keeps the woofer effectively-protected.

Pros
  • Available at a very affordable price
  • An excellent sound absorbent
  • Practically immune to decay and rot
Cons
  • Not very flexible

5. MDF

What is the Best Wood for Subwoofer Boxes?
Image Credit: stux, Pixabay
Wood Type Softwood
Density 600–800 kg/m3
Weight 58 lbs
Durability/Strength Low/ Moderate

A lot of experts in the discipline swear by MDF (medium-density fiberboard), and for good reasons. Its largest edge over other types of wooden is class-top versatility. Shaping it doesn’t consider any costly tools or products. Does that indicate it’s straightforward to break? No, not at all: whilst toughness is not industry-foremost, density is extremely higher.

So, if you’re looking for a content that keeps vibration at bay and minimizes noise, this could be it. Medium-density fiberboard is made from recycled wooden particles and is acknowledged to boost reduced frequencies, supporting them cut through a occupied keep track of full of mids and highs. By amplifying the audio level via further thickness, MDF tends to make the woofer output distinct and enjoyable to the ear.

A single thing to keep in mind is that it is quite heavy (up to 58 lbs). This can be a minimal inconvenience at very first. But, as soon as you are done with the box and discover a place for it, that will not even be an problem any longer.

Pros
  • Very easy to shape to your liking
  • Minimizes resonance and vibration
  • Enhanced the sound of the woofer
Cons
  • The heaviest wood on the list

6. Particle Board

What is the Best Wood for Subwoofer Boxes?
Image Credit: Nor Gal, Shutterstock
Wood Type Softwood
Density 590–800 kg/m3
Weight 41 lbs
Durability/Strength Low

AKA the chipboard, the particle board is yet another well-known development content that we can use to develop a subwoofer box. Particleboards aren’t crafted from one one wooden. As an alternative, they’re produced of scraps of different supplies (sorts of wooden). So, of course, they’re equivalent to MDF. Sadly, this isn’t a particularly robust or sturdy materials. In addition, it simply cannot take care of dampness/humidity appropriately.

On the brilliant aspect, particle boards are low-servicing and very smooth—no painting, ending, or staining will be required. In addition, they’re light-weight and sustain low vibration amounts. Their largest pro: advanced acoustic properties. For that reason, if you want your woofer box to be equally sturdy and sonically rich, you could use particle boards for the rear panels and MDF or Baltic birch plywood for the rest of the enclosure.

Pros
  • Smooth and sleek surface
  • Doesn’t distort or dent easily
  • Requires minimal maintenance
Cons
  • Weak against moisture

Choosing the Right Wood for Woofer Boxes: Step-by-Step Guide

Wood is the best materials for crafting a subwoofer box—this has been proven numerous moments in thousands of diverse initiatives. Nevertheless, not all wooden types out there are suitable for this sort of perform. Some are slim, brittle, and weak in opposition to weather factors. Indeed, there are lots of facets to think about prior to you commit, and in this short, nevertheless informative guide, we’ll talk about it all in fantastic element.

Durability, Density, and Thickness

Time spares practically nothing, which is why sturdiness has to be the best priority. In comparison to steel, plastic, and other materials, wood is far more susceptible to peaks in temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure. So, the only way to see regardless of whether a specific wooden sort is strong towards these factors or not is to check out the longevity and density. That way, you can guarantee a extended, problems-totally free lifestyle for the subwoofer box.

And what about thickness—what’s the right option below? We advocate heading with ⅝ inches. This is an optimum thickness that makes the enclosure thick adequate to withstand the examination of time while still being light-weight and (comparatively) easy to have close to. If you’re going with MDF, ¾ inches will also do. And if the subwoofer is more compact than common, ½ inches can perform as properly.

Weight Comes Next

This one’s self-explanatory: the heavier the housing, the harder it will be to transfer the woofer around. Working with heavy wood tends to be a little bit demanding, as well, specifically if you’re not a seasoned carpenter. At the exact same time, the wood needs to be sturdy sufficient to effortlessly maintain the audio factors of the sub and avert vibration and shaking. Now, you’ll almost certainly only have to go the woofer once so, really do not even give this significantly imagined.

Dimensions Follow

All you need to do here is make confident the wood is large sufficient for crafting panels for the box. Functioning with 1 solitary wooden panel is ten instances less difficult and a lot more enjoyable than obtaining to “glue” many pieces jointly for each and every side. Just take a minute to figure out the specific size that you require for every facet of the subwoofer box and go from there.

Flexibility/Ease of Use

Generating a subwoofer box requires expertise, the proper established of tools, and sleight of fingers. That’s why the wood has to be adaptable and straightforward to form to your liking. As mentioned in the reviews, pinewood isn’t specifically versatile, but it is nevertheless a wonderful decision for a subwoofer box. And if you want a genuinely pliable wood substance, go with MDF.

What about Tone/Resonance?

Seem clarity is one of the defining elements that sets very poor-high quality wooden from a top quality content. To accomplish that, you want to make certain vibrations and jitter in the box are next to zero. How do you do that, however? The reply is straightforward: density. Generally talking, the larger the density, the a lot more enjoyable the tone will be to our ears. And that tends to make Baltic birch and marine-grade plywood an best decision.

Warping Resistance

Previous but not least we have acquired warping. Concerning wood materials, warping describes hefty distortion underneath the affect of environmental aspects, mainly temperature and humidity. This does not take place right away, of course, but let us just say that subwoofer boxes aren’t low cost, and it would be greatest if you believe about this prior to investing your hard-attained funds on a content with minimal resistance.

Over time, distortion triggered by incredibly very hot or chilly temps and elevated humidity will, most definitely, have an effect on the high quality of the sound, producing it uninteresting, weak, and not-at-all punchy.

Conclusion

There’s no lack of subwoofers on the market. Nonetheless, most of them sound common at ideal. As we discovered today, the purpose is reduced-top quality bins. Fiberglass, Sonotube, or polycarbonate merely really do not minimize it, but to maintain the price tag reduced, manufacturers normally go with fiberglass or other cheap stuff. That is just why audiophiles close to the world are receiving into hand-made top quality wooden boxes these times.

They deliver the sound ahead and make the low frequencies good and wealthy, with a deep growl. We just checked out the six very best wood components for a subwoofer enclosure. They all have different densities, bodyweight, longevity, and weather resistance properties. Nonetheless cannot appear to make a choice? Then go back again to our reviews and spend added attention to the pros and negatives. Keep protected and take pleasure in your punchy bass!


Featured Graphic Credit rating: Aleksandr Kondratov, Shutterstock

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