Open Baffle vs Box

Kenjit: " An open baffle would cause the back wave to distort the front wave."

The backwave would cancel the front wave at frequencies where the wavelengths are long relative to the baffle dimensions. This cancellation results in a rolloff of 6 dB per octave above the driver’s free-air resonant frequency, accelerating to about 18 dB per octave below the driver’s free-air resonant frequency. This rolloff can be corrected by EQ up to the displacement limits of the drivers, and then distortion would set in. But the backwave in and of itself does not distort the frontwave, any more than the sound radiated backwards from an upright bass distorts the sound radiated frontwards.

"That’s the whole point of a box to stop that."

The point of a box is to stop cancellation at long wavelengths, so I think we agree on what the box does to some extent.

"If you enjoy distortion then that’s your choice."

This statement is based on a false premise, which can be paraphrased as "the backwave of an open baffle speaker distorts the front wave." Therefore the implied conclusion, namely that someone who enjoys open baffle speakers is enjoying distortion, is also false.

And in my opinion the insult aimed at those who like open baffle speakers is an unnecessary display of aggression.

Duke

@helomech could you add some more of your experience in how bass behavior is different with the Spatials? I’m on the fence but since I listen to a lot of bass heavy music I’m trying to create a mental picture of how OB bass differs.

Thanks :-)

You didn't ask me specifically, but to me, OB bass surrounds you rather than punches you. This is not a quality judgement, they can both be great. In my case, where my room is less than ideal, the Spatial OB sound works better than box; though it feels like less bass, it sounds like better bass.

@james_edward 


thank you. I appreciate your input. It was
Described to me before that you ”get the punch but not the rumble”. do you agree with that description?

Above 100 Hz open baffle speakers can be great given the right drivers. It is much easier to build a plate that does not add colorations than a box.
All of my favorite speakers, the ones that I would own are boxless. Under 100 Hz is a different story. The problem is that building a SOTA subwoofer is an expensive and difficult task and the end result will be a device that is very heavy and expensive to ship. Most manufacturers cut corners resulting in flaws that for those of us who have experienced the best bass find intolerable. I believe those of us with DIY capability can actually do a better job than most manufacturers but in forms that could not be competitively priced.