Slate/stone speaker cabinets.

[twelvebears]

OK folks, this may sound bonkers, but I'm investigating the possibility of having the cabs of my much loved speakers, reproduced in either slate/stone or Corian.

I love the looks and proportions of my 'boxes', but even though they are constructed from 1" mdf with bracing, it's amazing how resonant they still sound.

I've found a very helpful and interested company 'oop north' who are having a look at the plans to see if they are possible in stone, but I've yet to find a company dealing in Corian who are interested in having a crack at them.

Basically I'm after the most innert housings possible to let the drivers 'do their thing' and without very complex construction (sandwiched panels, bracing etc), it's hard to get the required deadness in the 'knuckle rap' test.

Has anyone got any experience/comments/suggestions?

[Tom472]

Slate is supposed to be the business - I'm sure i saw a TV program ages ago with a guy who had a pair of studio monitors made from slate - difficult to work with though.

I suppose any kind of stone would be pretty good, with the only obvious downside being the weight - presumably you have very sturdy floors?

[The Grand Wazoo]

You could try giving Pete at HNE Systems near Retford a go. He's the man for granite & very good, but don't expect to get it cheap!

[twelvebears]

It's in a new-build flat (with lifts!) and the floors are concrete, so weight shouldn't be an issue once they are in place.

Slate would seem the ideal choice (apart from the weight) as I'd expect the nactural layered structure and density to pretty much eliminate any resonances.

Unfortunately the cabs are big-ish, so if I do go down the rocky road, they will be seriously heavy.

Another option I'm exploring is Corian, as this is also dense and non-resonant and can be cut, glued, moulded and seemlessly joined.

Was drawing a complete blank on any companies down south who were even willing to discuss tackling a one-off in Corian, but once again, 'by the power of Google', I've managed to track down a small family run firm in Huddersfield who were genuinely interested in having a stab at it.

[twelvebears]

Hi GW.

Had already eliminated granite as an option due to its hardness and the amount of machining required for the speaker cut-outs etc.

Also, I just prefer the look of slate.

Anyway, depending on cost, I will probably go the Corian route. My cabs are finished in white at the mo and this is easily do-able in Corian, in fact it's ideal, as the thickest commercially available sheet (20mm) only comes in white.

Corian will be far tougher and damage resistant than slate, lighter than either slate or granite, should give a perfect finish on all the joints and can be invisibly repaired if it does get damaged.

[Tom472]

Ah Corian - I've seen some worktops made of that, looks and feels very nice. You'll have to let us know how resonant etc. it is - presumably DuPont don't publish that kind of info as it's a touch irrelevant for the intended market.

Could be on to a winner there, or worth a try at least. Good luck with the firm in Huddersfield.

Tom

[twelvebears]

It's a mineral loaded composite and pretty dense (twice the density of MDF), and hard enough for work surfaces so it should be pretty good.

Also, because of the way it can be seamlessly bonded, any joint is as strong as the material itself, so adding internal bracing should be pretty easy.

Moving the finished cabs will be another matter of course.....

[Spectral Morn]

Many years ago an American company called Barclay audio made a range of CD players and transports from Corian, for exactly the reasons you list fairly dead and easy to work. I love the finish too....marble like, but with none of the issues marble has, such as staining and ringing. Slate would be good to but its hard to work cleanly....I think it likes to split and chip.

Sounds interesting, keep us all posted on your design, and when finished maybe you would like to write about it in Strokes of Genius. Not often someone can do a before and after review that describes the sound differences cabinet material can make.


Regards D S D L

[The Grand Wazoo]

I seem to remember the Linaeum speakers (wierd ribbon tweeter) had Corian cabinets as an (expensive) option over the bog std. version.

Having just a couple of weeks ago laid a 24 ft long room with slate tiles, I can vouch for the messiness & unpredictability of working with it - it's awful

[Spectral Morn]

I seem to remember the Linaeum speakers (wierd ribbon tweeter) had Corian cabinets as an (expensive) option over the bog std. version.

Having just a couple of weeks ago laid a 24 ft long room with slate tiles, I can vouch for the messiness & unpredictability of working with it - it's awful

Forgot about those.....very nice.


Regards D S D L