Custom-Made Panzerholz Wood Body for SHURE V15 Type III Cartridge

Custom-Made Panzerholz Wood Body for SHURE V15 Type III Cartridge

A Panzerholz body for the Shure V15 offers an extremely controlled, precise, and ultra-damped sound signature. Unlike traditional wood, Panzerholz ("armor wood" in German) is a high-tech composite : a densified wood laminate made under extreme pressure and heat. It's often used in aerospace, toolmaking, and ultra-high-end audio for its vibration suppression and structural rigidity .

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🛡️ What Is Panzerholz?

• Made from birch veneers compressed with resin.

• Harder and denser than most hardwoods (even denser than snakewood).

• Offers exceptional internal damping , better than even most metals or carbon fiber.

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🔊 Sound Characteristics of Panzerholz Body for Shure V15:

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🎧 Subjective Listening Impressions:

• Total suppression of body coloration — the V15 generator does all the talking.

• Incredible blackness between notes , giving the impression of more silence and focus.

• Transients snap into place; high-end sounds effortless and clean.

• The emotional tone is minimal , making this ideal for monitoring or reference use , not for lush or romantic listening.

It essentially turns the V15 into a reference cartridge , especially when paired with a low-resonance tonearm.

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🪵 Armored Wood vs. Natural Woods:

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✅ Best Use Case:

Choose Panzerholz if:

• You want to maximize technical performance of the Shure V15.

• Your system is already warm or tube-based and needs control and clarity .

• You value accuracy and neutrality over tonal coloration.

• You're using the cartridge for archival, mastering, or highly analytical listening .

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🧠 Bonus Insight:
Panzerholz can suppress resonances better than aluminum or brass , making it an interesting alternative even to some high-mass metal bodies. However, it can be difficult to machine — it's often CNC milled or laser cut due to its hardness.