What exactly is a speaker box sound?

Exactly why I suggested to the OP that he listen to EVERYTHING and buy what HE likes.

It's a little sad people think you only come to audiogon when buying.  This thread is for discussion, and curiosity for me, not to help me buy anything.  I always buy what I prefer to listen to, if I can't make it myself. :)

My point to ask this question is in part that I haven't heard actually terrible speakers that sound like boxes in a very long time.  Was wondering what is out there today that has this quality.

It’s a  thing of the past for anyone who cares. I wouldn’t give it a second thought.  Still a thing with cheap mass marketed speakers that anyone with ears and even a little money can easily avoid if it bothers them. 

You should try some computer speakers and small pocketable bluetooth speakers. You'll get that "tiny driver screaming in a tin box" effect. 

@erik_squires 

I suppose you are right, but his point was asking about box speakers.

ALL of them distort the source material.  How much is up to HIM to hear.

Period.

By the way, do you find it interesting that most "high-end" makers of box speakers have chosen a "tall" form factor ever since the late 1970's or so?  I WONDER where they got THAT idea?  I will have to ponder that one for a while, I guess...

Cheers!

I think the tall vs. wide and squat has a lot of benefits. Smaller footprint, better location of the tweeter/mid relative to the ears. The minimum dimension of the panels also must be easier to brace.

I have long argued that the 2.5 way speaker could very well be the ideal compromise for most family rooms.