MDF vs Trupan vs Fiberglass vs Bamboo.

[BMW Sidewayz 10+ year member]

As Im searching for the best/ right enclosure for my 13W7, I ran into this web-site where a guy uses Trupan to built enclosures. His statement is as follows:

Trupan is the clear choice over MDF for a couple of reasons.

First is its weight. Trupan Light is only 80% of the overall weight of regular MDF. This will yield a much lighter enclosure overall

Even though Trupan is lighter, it still remains as “acoustically dead” as regular MDF.

Trupan is also a much better choice of material to use from the builders standpoint. It cuts much smoother, routes easier, and holds screws much better than MDF. Not only that, but Trupan is much easier on the shop equipment.

However, on average, Trupan cost is nearly double that of MDF. Still, overall I feel the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to the choice of Trupan. Although it is more expensive, I feel the quality of product that it allows me to produce is very much worth the extra cost.

http://fishercustoms.com/products.html

I also came across this other site where fiberglass is molded to fit custom applications.

http://www.bassforms.com/bassforms/universal.html

I was wondering... Does the shape of the enclosure matter, even if it had the rec air volume. How is the air volume calculated on these type of enclosures?

Here I found Bamboo, which I think most of you know. Tc Sounds builds an enclosure for their Very expensive, lifetime warranty 10 inch sub.

http://www.tcsounds.com/products.htm //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wow.gif.23d729408e9177caa2a0ed6a2ba6588e.gif

And finally MDF. Dont have much to say about this. The most popular and tends to be heavy.

Any one has any knowledge or recommendations as what type to use for the 13W7? Much appreciated.

Click to read more...

 

[spoonraker 10+ year member]

If you made the identical box out of all of those materials you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. I'm sure there is one, but it's hardly anything.

Bamboo is ridiculously expensive...I wouldn't even consider it.

Trupan is more expensive than MDF, but lighter and a bit easier to work with.

MDF is MDF, tried and true, heavy but cheap.

Fiberglass has the advantage of being able to fit in any space and create any shape you want. However, it's much more difficult to work with and quite a bit more work involved overall than the other materials.

Basically unless you can afford fiberglass and have the time/skills then just decide if you have enough money to use trupan.

 

[amedeuce 10+ year member]

Hmmm, there is a lumber yard near me that I found out carries Trupan, I may have to give it a try soon.

 

[amedeuce 10+ year member]

I found the info when I searched trupan mdf on yahoo and these were some of the reponses on a forum.

We find Trupan is not always recognized by the supplier even though they have it. I asked a counter person about TRUPAN and they said NO they dont carry it. I went to the supply stock and looked at their "LITE MDF" and all the sheets were labeled TRUPAN. So maybe ask for lite, then ask what the brand stamped on the edge is. You might get lucky

For those of you in California trupan can be found at Higgins lumber. They are in the bay area and in the central valley in Fresno. 1/2 ultra lite in the low twenties and 3/4 under thirty for 4 X 8 sheet.

Fresno location AC 559- 264-1771

 

[IgnoreMe 5,000+ posts]

I found the info when I searched trupan mdf on yahoo and these were some of the reponses on a forum.

under $30 for trupan in cali?

only 5 bucks more expensive than mdf. id give it a shot for that price if i could find it.

 

[nice]

Trupan is really not needed unless you have thousands and thousands of watts. For a 13W7 it would be a waste of money.

 

[IgnoreMe 5,000+ posts]

also is that accurate? its only 20% less weight than mdf? i thought it was like 50%

 

[80INCHES 5,000+ posts]

Trupan is really not needed unless you have thousands and thousands of watts. For a 13W7 it would be a waste of money.

wat bout 5k on 2 18's

in u know who's setup?

80

 

[NeverEnuffBass 10+ year member]

Trupan is really not needed unless you have thousands and thousands of watts. For a 13W7 it would be a waste of money.

Won't need more than 1/2 a sheet for a W7

 

[IgnoreMe 5,000+ posts]

how is trupan needed or not?

as far as i can tell, it depends on if he owner desired a lighter weight box. no one said anything about trupans durability to power...

 

[NeverEnuffBass 10+ year member]

how is trupan needed or not?
as far as i can tell, it depends on if he owner desired a lighter weight box. no one said anything about trupans durability to power...

just as good as MDF. Trupan is light weight MDF

 

[Relax 10+ year member]

Even though Trupan is lighter, it still remains as “acoustically dead” as regular MDF.Trupan is also a much better choice of material to use from the builders standpoint. It cuts much smoother, routes easier,

Prove this to me. And proof is not someone else's opinion.

 

[Relax 10+ year member]

O yeah- and the "Special Technique" is called a Dado and isn't special at all.

I just wonder why you would assume everything someone; who is attempting to sell you something, says is true.

 

[BMW Sidewayz 10+ year member]

Trupan is really not needed unless you have thousands and thousands of watts. For a 13W7 it would be a waste of money.

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/uhoh.gif.c07307dd22ee7e63e22fc8e9c614d1fd.gif

Can you explain why having an excellent quality enclosure would be a waste?

 

[iagrdshaka 5,000+ posts]

Trupan is really not needed unless you have thousands and thousands of watts. For a 13W7 it would be a waste of money.

And why is it not needed for smaller systems? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif