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
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