The Wood(MDF) today that is being sold by hardware is not the same as it was 10 or 15 years ago.  As a loudspeaker manufacturer this is something that we have known for a while now.  It seem like the prices of building material has when up, while the quality has dramatically when down.  This situaction seems to develope every 5 to 7 years.  

The last time I notice the declined of the MDF material, was back in 2007 and 2011.  I notice that the MDF was much lighter and the factory process was made from a sandwiched  design.  This is where a manufacture takes two thin sheets of hardboard for the outer layer , while the enter layer is made from very thin and soft fiber material.  The result is a board that is very light and soft, which is Not the idea material for building loudspeakers.  This is why we decide 7 years ago to stop manufacturing loudspeakers until the MDF panels were back up to standard.

This process has happen again and it seem worst than before.  I have notice that hardware stores are starting to list their MDF sheets as “Light” MDF Board.  This is a trend I see more and more.  This is really scary for loudspeaker manufactures esepcially those who relie on quality parts and building material.  The quality of the speaker cabinet can make or break the sound quality of the loudspeaker.  Over-all a loudspeaker cabinet must be rock solid and somewhat heavy or dense to reduce resonates and vibrates. Cause by the drivers cone and air