MATERIALS
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USING
HARDWOODS IN LOUDSPEAKERS
PHI
offers a number of woods for the construction of loudspeaker
enclosures.
Below is a list of woods we have
used, with some notes as to the tonal and mechanical
character of these woods. Using tone woods for loudspeakers
and in particular referring to the tonal characteristics of
woods may sound alarming to those committed to neutrality in
sound. The truth is that any material one may use for the
construction of a loudspeaker has some kind of sonic
signature. This does not mean that reproduction would be
coloured - we, at PHI, are probably as committed to tonal
neutrality as any audiophile, and our loudspeakers are
constructed with this as our foremost requirement. But, all
things being equal, one might as well know the character of
the material one chooses.
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Kiaat
An
excellent value local wood known for its durability, look
and stability. Sonically it falls in the walnut and maple
fold, with a clean and transparent sound, slightly favouring
high frequencies.
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African
Rosewood, Bubinga
One
of the best value woods that one can obtain locally. Shares
some excellent tonal characteristics with "real"
rosewoods such as a slightly dark and woody sound mildly
accentuating lower and middle frequencies.
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Afrormosia
Wonderfully
dark wood in a medium to high price range. Similar in sound
to Merbau - rich and resinous, though perhaps slightly more
favouring of the upper mids than the latter..
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Beech
Beautiful
strong light coloured wood that finishes perfectly. Tonally
"powdery" and "midsy".
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Birch
An
old favourite in loudspeaker building, particularly in the
form of plywood. Lively sound.
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Burmog
Even-grained
wood with similar tonal and mechanical characteristics to
mahogany, favouring mids and upper mids.
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Iroko
Even-grained
wood with similar tonal and mechanical characteristics to
mahogany. Beautiful yellow colour that turns to a rich brown
as it ages.
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Jacaranda
A
very soft and light wood. Inexpensive, but has some
surprisingly attractive patterns and a good neutral sound.
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Maple,
Birdseye Maple
Probably
one of the best looking and sounding lighter woods.
Difficult to find wood with as many "eyes" as this
piece, but well worth the search. Somewhat expensive. Sound
described as transparent and "silvery".
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Merbau
Very
attractive dark resinous wood. Medium-priced but becoming
rare now. Rich sounding.
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Oukoume
Soft,
light coloured wood with similar characteristics to birch.
Even-grained and silky. Relatively inexpensive. Lively
sound.
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Padauk
Stunning
reddish wood - similar to rosewoods in tone, though perhaps
less rich sounding. Medium to high price.
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Panga-panga,
Partridge wood
Stunning
dark and very underrated wood. Tonally neutral to slightly
bright, but hard and difficult to work with. Not expensive,
but should be.
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Pau
Marfim
Very
nice light coloured wood with very little figuration or
texture that's not particularly expensive. Dense and hard
with a punchy and brilliant sound.
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Poplar
Inexpensive
soft light wood more suitable for the inside of loudspeaker
enclosures. Clean and lively sound in such an application.
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Purple
Heart
Even
textured dense wood with an exceptional purple colour.
Excellent tone wood - smooth sounding with a slight
favouring of middle and higher frequencies.
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Sapele
Mahogany
Forward
mahogany-like sound, slightly favouring middle frequencies.
Excellent workability, even grain. Beautiful dark colour but
with little or no figuration. Medium-high price.
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American
Walnut
Wonderfully
figured chocolaty brown wood with a sound similar to Maple:
clean and transparent, perhaps slightly favouring mids,
upper mids and highs. Somewhat expensive.
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