F-PE Quality: Use Denovo

Did you know that all MDF is not created equal and there are different grades that will change how your project turns out? Just like anything else, some manufacturers cut corners and use inferior quality on their flat-pack enclosures (F-PE). Denovo on the other hand only uses a high quality super-refined MDF, and it’s very easy to see the differences when compared side by side. Let’s quickly run through the benefits of using a super-refined material so that you'll know what to look for when buying a speaker or subwoofer cabinet made from MDF wood.

All comparison pictures shown below use a product purchased from another retailer to compare their quality with our Denovo Audio flat-pack enclosures (F-PE). The product being compared is a MDF 3 ft³ Subwoofer Cabinet. We wanted to show real life differences in quality so you can become a more knowledgeable consumer and get your money’s worth. We are the only authorized distributor for Denovo cabinets. Don't get a 'Sloppy Copy' from another retailer. If it doesn't say Denovo, you aren't getting Denovo quality.

Low-quality MDF is lighter, brittle, prone to swelling, and often emits higher formaldehyde levels, making it less durable and difficult to machine nicely. On the other hand, high-quality MDF features higher density finer wood fibers that significantly reduce panel flex. It also uses superior uniform resin, resulting in stronger screw holding, smoother finishes, and better moisture resistance.

Left side is the low quality MDF: average density 550 – 600 kg/m³

Right side is Denovo's high quality MDF: density 770-800 kg/m³

The next picture shows night and day differences between the two materials and how they're cut. Most cheap MDF is made from pretty much any type of ground up wood fibers that the manufacturer can find. Unfortunately this type of material is still used by some companies to save money even though it has unacceptable tolerances and weak spots in the panel. The inferior resin means it can't be cut with precision and will become brittle or delaminate.

Contrast that with the high quality MDF used by Denovo. It offers consistent density throughout the entire panel. It’s only made from wood species found in Canada and the USA that are ground finer and manufactured with higher pressure. And because it uses better resin, you get better screw holding power, less panel flex, more precise machining and smoother surfaces for easier finishing. We never use cheaper wood imported from China.

Lower quality MDF can have a surprising amount of nasty chemicals in it, including elevated levels of formaldehyde that can off-gas in your home for months or even years. This is not the material you want to work with inside your home.

High Quality MDF used by Denovo is a very low-emission wood product. It passes all CARB-2 compliant regulations and it's also Eco-Certified to be much safer to work with. This ensures that our cabinets do not release dangerous levels of toxic compounds into air. Our health and your health are the most important thing to us. You would think that would be the case from all manufacturers, sadly it’s not, and we feel strongly that you should be aware of it.

Their low quality MDF on the left tends to chip easily when machined so you end up with a coarser surface, tear-outs, and the potential for voids, making it harder to achieve a high-end, smooth finish. Poor quality boards shed fibers like crazy, and finishing is a nightmare. Low quality resins can also burn when routers are used on the edges.

Denovo's High Quality MDF on the right allows for clean, crisp cuts especially when using industrial grade routers and CNC machines. This gives you an extremely smooth, uniform surface that requires less sanding and takes paint, veneer, or lacquer exceptionally well.

Not all MDF is created equal and you need to pay extra attention to the quality of the material that you're spending your hard earned money on. While many manufacturers use "Big Box" or low grades to cut costs, Denovo uses Super-Refined, Higher-Density MDF to ensure your enclosure performs as well as it looks.