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Front port vs Rear port

Hello all,
Trying to decide on the final pieces for my set up. I know I did it backwards but some deals came up before I could decide on speakers.
I am down to a few choices for my speakers, but I do have one nagging question. The room that everything is being set up in is only 12' X 16' so speaker placement will probably be a big issue. My question is....will a front ported set of speakers allow me to place them closer to the back wall? I know some adjustments will be necessary and it will depend on the speaker characteristics. But in general will front ports make better sense?
Thank You!
mtpockets1311
ptmconsulting
1,000 posts
 
Front ports can be audible in some cases. I personally like rear ports, or better yet, rear slotted ports to avoid any chuffing at all.
lrsky
1,118 posts
 
The position too near the wall, so to speak, usually manifests itself in nearfield reflections, a larger problem imho than port constriction.

Port velocity is usually well controlled in better speakers, with damping material--which changes the pitch AND therefore velocity of the air escaping. So close proximity is usually more of a nearfield issue, in my experience.

Best,
Larry
magfan
1,583 posts
 
To say it has 'nothing to do with the speaker' is somewhat of an overstatement.

See link about damping: some pictures and short text.

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/oscda2.html

lots of room / speaker / amp interactions here, so I would be tempted to test and give a good listen.
Do you plan tube or SS amplification? Can you live with full range single driver speakers? Some front ported TL speakers could answer your question.
agiaccio
147 posts
 
Yes, front ported speakers will definitely make a difference in a smaller room.

As an example the Linn Majik 109 speakers (front ported) were originally designed for small Japanese appartments. A friend of mine has these inside a bookshelf (1-2" rear clearance) and they sound fantastic!
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
The alternative to ported (front or rear) is acoustic suspension. "Sealed" is not necessarily true acoustic suspension, indeed these days it is hard to find a woofer with specs optimized for AS. If you plug the port you do not have AS.
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