Qwin
pfm Member
Back then, that's all they had.Chipboard was the material used in the sixties/seventies. This was eventually replaced with mdf for a couple of reasons, including machine ability. Apart from ply, mdf seems to be expected, these days (even used as a selling point.. or not!). I have a pair of three-way 'speakers made of chipboard and closed box loading (from the '60's). Don't like mdf/reflex loaded, too much boom boom for me.
Then and now, particle board is 1/4 of the price of decent Plywood (without voids) and solid wood was/is even more expensive.
MDF became a cheaper alternative, machines well and takes veneer/stain. I hate the stuff, expands like crazy if it gets wet, doesn't take screws well, bends over time, even under small loading, is very heavy and its acoustic properties are dubious. But its obvious why it's used so much in lower/mid priced speakers.
I too like sealed box bass and my NS1000m had thick chipboard cabinets, as did my Celestion 66 monitors (ABR).
I made new cabinets for the Yams MDF/BBirch sandwich, worked extremely well, here is the build:
https://www.jkwynn.co.uk/Project_Images/Yam_Rev/YamRev_Cabinet.pdf