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What exactly is a speaker box sound?

In another thread the comment was made that all speakers with baffles cause them to have edge diffraction effects which makes it easy to hear the speaker itself, instead of the music.

Maybe I'm spoiled but it's been a very long time since I have heard this effect in real life.  What speakers have you heard lately which sound exactly like speakers instead of music?

erik_squires
jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 

I have never heard this edge diffraction effect - regardless of the price of the speakers (cheap to expensive). My favorites have been ESL's - the Quads and KLH Nines. Obviously free from any boxy sound!

roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,942 posts
 

I haven't heard the effects of edge diffraction, except maybe slightly diminished imaging capability. I say that having owned Spendor SP100s twice, and they have a raised frame around the baffle.

Where I have perceived a boxy sound is in some large, older speakers that resonate at some bass notes, and give away their box volume in the process, as well as their location which spoils the stereo soundstage when it happens.

avanti1960
1,461 posts
 

agreed. boxy sound is caused by cabinet resonance, some more some less.  

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,467 posts
 

Most good designs try to minimize the diffraction effect, you'll mostly lose imaging and depth. 

kenjit
1,771 posts
 

I haven't heard the effects of edge diffraction

How would you know that unless you heard both a speaker with and without diffraction?

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