Does Plugging Bass Port Affect Pace, Rhythm and Timing?

One thing to consider is that the speaker designer chose the internal volume of the enclosure based on the fact that it is ported. He would have probably used a smaller enclosure if he was using the same woofer in a sealed application. With the port plugged, there will be unintended consequences---you will have changed the performance and behavior of the woofer.

Plugging the port of a speaker tends to reduce efficiency, does it not?

OK, guys - I plugged the ports, and it really reduced that mid bass bloat by a lot. The music is much more balanced now, and those sweet highs are much more to the fore. I think I'll live with this configuration for a while before I try anything else like moving the speakers from the walls with and without plugs. Thanks for all your help!

@prof - That’s actually an often repeated myth.

The overall efficiency is determined by the driver and crossover. The cabinet and port affects the bottom end of the driver’s response. Plugging the port does raise the -3 dB point up to about an octave or so.

I should point out that when I bought MA Silvers they came with factory foam plugs for the bass port, so this technique is quite normal.

@bdp24 - You are kind of right, in that an optimized sealed cabinet is usually quite smaller than an equally optimized ported cabinet, BUT that assumes they are going to be used the same way. If you are going to take a stand-mounted speaker, and then put it on a bookshelf, plugging the port is a very very good way to compensate for the additional bass reinforcement.


Best,

E

Glad we could help, OP.

Best,

E