Linkwitz Lab Loundpeaker baffle

The lx521 deals with all these issues.  The design specifically states that all baffle dimension MUST be maintained.  That includes the thickness of the baffle.  So the builder is allowed a choice of the baffle material only.  Wow, doesn't that open a "new line of inquiry".  For the record, I own both the Orion and the lx521.  The lx521 is truly Siegfried's magnum opus.

Silly boy. The midrange drivers in the Orions--where it matters--is mounted to a rear support and held in place by the speaker's magnet. The driver doesn't touch the front baffle.

To onhwy61. The answer is yes. Very,very basic. Any movement of the driver from an absolutely immobile position results in time smearing, distortion of the sound wave.There is no debating this fact.It's because this is so basic that I posted this serious question.

Danny Richie, open baffle loudspeaker and woofer/subwoofer designer at GR Research, is a strong advocate of baffles built to have their resonant frequency outside the passband of the driver(s) mounted on them. He routinely uses two layers of 3/4" MDF on his baffles. Ric Schultz of EVS, who builds OB/Dipole subs and speakers using GR Research woofers and their related Rythmik Direct Servo Control Plate Amp, builds his OB baffles with three layers of MDF----2-1/4" thick!

Linkwitz used to design microwave antennas for HP.  He looks at loudspeakers as if they were sound wave broadcasting antennas.  Chances are he knows what he's talking about.

Does a dipole driver need the same inert baffle as a box design loudspeaker?  I don't know, but apparently one of the truly great loudspeaker designers doesn't think so.  Why doubt a master?

The proof is in the listening...

Once you’ve heard either the Orions or LX521s you’ll understand... and your search will end!

Hi ptss, the ideal inert box is not to have one, lol!, I hate the sound of over dampened box speaker's, they sound thin!

Oh,oh. Obviously touched an open nerve. 
It's just a simple question.
The website indicates mathematical precision for
many of the other variable.
Is it that the precision elsewhere makes up for flimsy construction? 

Hi onhwy61, do you have experience with the LX521 speaker's? 

Not every manufacturer agrees with the high mass for driver paradigm.  If you don't like Linkwitz's design philosophy, then don't buy them, or start a company and make better products than he does.