I see all these youtube videos of nice subwoofer boxes and enclosures and they they always use either .75" or higher MDF and these large, detailed brace pieces in their boxes for structure. When I made my first box for my CT Sounds Tropo 18", I used .5" MDF and rather than large, waste-of-wood brace pieces, I used Oak wooden dowels to span the divide and create integrity. The box sounded heavenly.
What advantage does spending extra money on thicker wood and more of it over using cheaper (Somewhat-thick) MDF and cheap wooden dowels? Wouldn't the dowels allow for easier air passage with its pre-cut circular shape? Why use More expensive material rather than save some $$$ and still have amazing sound.