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Triangle Monitors--Port Noise Complaint

I own a pair of Comete monitors from Triangle, and a single Titus (funky deal, possible center channel). These are front-ported designs. Tonight I was running a test CD for bass rolloff (Chesky Stereo Review Test CD track 18 "Shake Rattle and Roll") and noticed horrible port noise with each model. Kind of a high-frequency sputtering sound. The track is designed to "detect spurious resonances" excited by differing bass frequencies in a room, which it does well (the stove in my tiny apartment needs vibrapods now), but it is also useful in finding where speakers roll off their bass response. With the Cometes the noise picks up at about 70-75 hz, with the Tituses it's around 85-90. It is BAD and extremely audible from the listening position.

I had hoped to run the speakers full range, but now I'm wondering if I should run a subwoofer with an active crossover of some kind to choke off the offending frequencies. I have heard that cutting straws to fit the port hole helps, but I don't want straws getting lost inside my speakers. Does anybody out there have suggestions? Do all small ported speakers have this problem, this bad? Ay carumba!
jfacker
4 responses Add your response
reubent
6,982 posts
 
Well, you may want to try listening to music on the speakers! I had a pair of Triangle Titus and they sounded great with some much more expensive electronics. I did try them using a high pass filter at 85 hz with good results, but my "Super Audiophile Geek (an endearing term)" friend preferred them full range with a sub. If there were a "major" anomoly, he would have noticed it!!

TIC
sean
6,231 posts
 
All ports will generate "noise", especially at high volume. Some companies try to get around this by using multiple vents. The problem with this is that vents also allow out of phase upper bass and midrange to "vent" into the room. That is one of the reasons that many companies have gone to rear or downloaded vents, passive radiators, etc...

Stuffing the vents with straws simply changes the resonance / tuning of the vent along with the velocity of air flowing through it. It can be used to some extent to "fine tune" an otherwise "rough" design. I would hope that this is NOT a "rough" design though... Sean
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hueske
124 posts
 
I agree. I own a pair of Triangle Titus's. I did a similar test with warble tones down to 50 hertz or so, and the chuffing was a little noticable. However, with any realistic music and instruments, it is just not there. I don't believe that any of these tests are indicative of what the speaker is actually doing when reproducing music. If you're listening to some actual music and you notice it still, I'd seek a solution. But until then, just sit back, relax, and enjoy what a wonderful speaker you have! Cheers!
blkadr
739 posts
 
Just so you know, I like the pun. Stop playing the test CD and forget about it.
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