FG vs MDf

[dannyz122001 10+ year member]

i was wondering what the difference in SQ is when 1 or more sides of an enclosure are made of fg as opposed to entirely mdf? just a discussion i guess, i was never positive

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[Atimm693 10+ year member]

I dont think there is, just make sure the f-glass strong enough so it doesnt flex.

 

[matrxx dude 5,000+ posts]

I dont think there is, just make sure the f-glass strong enough so it doesnt flex.

thats the problem,flex with fg

 

[fbi90909 5,000+ posts]

actualy i feel MDF is better. it's a more dense material compared to FG. FG is and can get a little expensive depending on what you are planning on but to compare the density of MDF to FG you'd have to have layers and layers and i mean LAYERS to get the thickness. it may be strong as **** after 10 layers(which would be recommended for subs) but it'll be like having a hollow box that has strenght.

i don't know if his makes any sense to ya i'm a little drunkr ight now.

 

[InfinitePeace 10+ year member]

Benefits to both.

MDF is quicker to build, cleaner, and cheaper.

FG, while doing it yourself can still be done without losing an arm and a leg, is more expensive, and takes longer, but can yield a very cool product and you can always get exactly what you want if you do it right... for some cars, it's almost a necessity.

I think with the proper fabrication, a blind taste test would be tough to call.

 

[jbl_marshall21 10+ year member]

actualy i feel MDF is better. it's a more dense material compared to FG. FG is and can get a little expensive depending on what you are planning on but to compare the density of MDF to FG you'd have to have layers and layers and i mean LAYERS to get the thickness. it may be strong as **** after 10 layers(which would be recommended for subs) but it'll be like having a hollow box that has strenght. i don't know if his makes any sense to ya i'm a little drunkr ight now.

depending on the sub and power, 3-4 layers is enough. 500 watts and 12" with 4 layers done right is enough. Between fg and mdf i don't believe there is a difference. Why would SQ competitiors still be using fg if it didn't sound good?

 

[fbi90909 5,000+ posts]

true about the layers depending on subs. i threw that number out cause of me running my XXX. though my enclosure has about 16-18 layers of matt + cloth feel it's still a bit hollow. it sounds good don't get me wrong but for high powered applications i'd chose MDF.

the thing i was trying to express was lets say if you took a 10" 500w sub. placed it in it's proper sized sealed enclosure made of MDF i feel that the sound waves would come from where they need to come from. the front of the box where the speaker is producing the waves.

now take the same speaker and create a 100% FG enclosure(with the exception of a mounting ring) of the same size sealed as you would reccomended with3-4 layers. now the enclosure may be strong enough to prevent flexing but it's just not thick/dense enough and would allow the audible waves inside the box to escape all around it.

now i probraly am making no sense. this is just an oopinion i feel about one of the diferences about the FG and MDF.

as for why competitors still use FG, i don't know. i have never heard of a competitors system so i can't say.

though really i suppose for everyone is what works for them, works for them.

 

[dannyz122001 10+ year member]

the reason i ask is because i am planning on building a box for 2 12'' SoloX. the way im building it, i am molding 3 sides to the car. i was going to FG those 3 and either leave them as they are, or kinda build seperate boxes within the FG. i dont know if you can understand what i mean. i think the easiest way to explain it is that i am glassing the 3 sides (front, bottom, and back) and then going to "line" the inside of the glass with MDF. i know that the solox's are more powerful than most, thats why i was thinking about using the MDF. suggestions?

 

[Lakota 5,000+ posts]

I've been told that mdf is stronger in straight lines and fg is stronger when curved.

 

[Rawr-DQ 10+ year member]

neither is very strong on flat surfaces, both need to be braced.

FG, you use it where you can't use MDF, where it isn't practical, I.E. curved surfaces, complex surfaces. Other than that, use MDF for any area that is going to be flat and practical to use mdf.

(I.E. surfaces that do not require a lot of cuts.)

SQ wise it should not make a difference, what makes a difference is the actual shape of the box. For SQ, a perfect circle is the best enclosure. I think the next best is a cylinder. But if it goes into a car, a car will have all types of peaks and drops, you will need a good EQ to tune it, and a mic hooked up to a laptop and some special software.

FG is cheap, the resin is expensive....also sanding it smooth is a pan in the ***.

 

[InfinitePeace 10+ year member]

SQ wise it should not make a difference, what makes a difference is the actual shape of the box. For SQ, a perfect circle is the best enclosure. I think the next best is a cylinder. But if it goes into a car, a car will have all types of peaks and drops, you will need a good EQ to tune it, and a mic hooked up to a laptop and some special software.

Do you mean like, a sphere?

 

[denim 5,000+ posts]

For normal usage, MDF is fine. There are a few different woods that can also be used, but they are harder to work with.

 

[only126db 10+ year member]

You can use some 1.4" MDF and put the FG over that to add to its rigidity.

 

[UCF52 10+ year member]

I have recently seen a guy use rope and then glassed over to give the enclosure strength and reduce and flexing.

His build can be seen here

 

[Lakota 5,000+ posts]

Do you mean like, a sphere?

That's what he meant.