Solid wood.
The 8c’s outer cabinet is crafted from 20 mm thick solid oak panels. Every oak panel is unique and therefore each 8c has its own unique appearance. During the manufacturing process, we match cabinet pairs, to ensure 8c’s of a pair have a similar look. However, no two 8c’s look exactly the same. We like our customers to be aware of this before buying.
Internally, the 8c is made out of birch plywood. It is used to create the separate compartments for the drivers and to brace the cabinet, in order to increase the stiffness and strength of the cabinet. This results in an acoustically inert cabinet, which ensures that all you hear is the sound of the loudspeaker drivers.
Solid wood is a living material that continuously changes over time. Under the influence of changes in temperature and humidity, the wood will expand and contract. Hairline cracks are normal with solid wood, and thus to be expected. However, the 8c’s cabinet construction is carefully studied and fine-tuned, in order to avoid breakage as the wood ages.