LOVE FOR WOOD
CRAFTSMANSHIP AND PRODUCTION PROCESS
A Deep Connection with Nature
Solid wood is a living substance, an organism that breathes, ages, and transforms. Its cells, while no longer biologically active, act like tiny sponges: in a humid environment they absorb water vapor, expanding slightly; in a dry environment they release the contained moisture, contracting. This constant exchange represents the wood’s “breathing” and is what causes those small movements, settlings, or even slight “creaks” that can be heard in antique furniture or large structures authentically crafted from solid wood.
These are not defects, but tangible signs of the dynamic nature of this wonderful material.
Even after being cut and transformed into beams, planks, or furniture, solid wood retains indelible marks that reveal its organic origins, making it unique and strikingly different from all other alternatives. Every grain, every knot, every imperfection tells a story that makes each piece unique, one-of-a-kind, and profoundly connected to nature: wood reminds us of the beauty of growth, resilience, and transformation.
Our love for solid wood stems from an understanding of its authenticity, its ability to warm a space with its mere presence, evoking feelings of well-being and welcome. This love is strengthened by our knowledge of its intrinsic acoustic properties: just consider that—to this day—it remains an irreplaceable material for the creation of countless types of musical instruments.
In an era where sustainability is paramount, wood also stands out as a renewable resource with a low environmental impact, offering eco-friendly solutions for the future. Specifically, the solid wood used in Diapason speakers comes entirely from controlled arboriculture, in which trees are periodically cut and replanted in equal numbers, without impacting the “planet’s lung capacity”.
CABINETMAKING TIMES AND PROCESSES
Diapason has always crafted its cabinets using solid wood—often integrally, always substantially. The preferred wood is “Noce Canaletto,” also known as American walnut, but throughout our brand’s history, we’ve also used chestnut, roasted maple, and olive.
Each wood is meticulously treated, primarily to ensure adequate natural drying times: this is the only way to manage the natural variations in the fibers. Large solid wood planks are aged for years: only after this process they can be cut into slats. The seasoning is further refined with a “cooking” process using special vacuum ovens that heat the slats to controlled high temperatures. This optimizes the moisture content of the fibers, stabilizing them mechanically.
CRAFTMANSHIP
Our production process is imbued with a truly artisanal approach, combining knowledge, patience, and manual skill: this is essential if you aspire to work with solid wood.
Each Diapason cabinet is assembled by joining individually carved slats, then glued and sanded. This is a complex process, divided into many phases. Between each phase, the pre-assembled units are left to rest for a period of time that takes in account the season and the phases of the moon. Even fully assembled cabinets are left to rest before moving on to the next assembly phases, allowing the wood to further settle into the desired shape, just like a musical instrument.
This process, which begins with cutting the slats to size and concludes with the cabinet assembled and ready for the installation of speakers, can take up to six months.