I've kept my 63 yr old E-V speakers going myself for 48 years, and have spare drivers for my great grandchildren, that's why these E-Vs intrigue me.
If I wasn't so crowded here by the 4,000 lps I just inherited, had the space to store them until I got to it, I probably would have those Model EV-Sixes stacked here already!
I generally want forward facing, no ports, but this quickie idea, I considered the18WS facing down.
1. key to the design staying shorter
2. one 18WS eBay seller said surround sagged, in one position the coil rubs
3. my 15Ws started their life facing down in Fisher President II, up on 8" bronze legs. Never a coil rub, strong bass. That way 1958 to 1973 when I inherited them.
4. new identical but separate enclosures 75-1985, still facing down.
5. current enclosures, moved vertically 1985-now. Strong bass, discovered bass can be directional, yeah.
6. 1980 had refurbed, coils and cones, by pro, a voice coil rubbed, he re-did them.
7. I refurbed coils and cones myself twice over 40 years, vertically, never a rub.
8. I inspect them every other year, never a sign of weakness or sag from surround
9. one cone dried out, near hot air heating vent (since replaced with new damper vent)
I could design nice enclosures, I'm an Interior Designer, specialized in Corporate Office Space, designed and had built a lot of custom furniture and millwork over 46 years, and have current experience with a very good local custom woodworking firm.