[Maelstrom]

As per topic question - is it possible to use a front port (or sealed) for X-LS speaker kits? I'm looking at building the X-LS (x4) + X-CS (x1) for a home theater system. Maybe one of the smaller kits for Atmos speakers eventually. They seem just about perfect except that my speakers will go on a bookshelf/cabinetwith a a back. So there really isn't room for optimal placement away from the "wall" (back of the cabinet system). And don't have space to add stands or something like that. Worried that will significantly affect the port (it would be inches from the back of the bookshelf.

So, was thinking of adjusting the build to have a front slot port (likely flare a little to help eliminate some noise, and have some half-formed ideas to avoid mid-range leakage, if that's a concern). Also considered going sealed, as it will be paired with a subwoofer and so don't need to be able to reach down quite as low. Just about anything would be a decent upgrade from what I have now, but wondering if anyone has done this or knows how it might affect things like the crossover. I believe I could get the size of the port accurate, but obviously coming out the front has a different set of issues to resolve.

This is my first home speaker build other than a sub I built, I have built a number of car sub boxes if you go back a ways.

[EdwardT]

If it were my cabinets I’d go ahead and build them to spec for the future and use a port plug to make them work in the current location.

[Maelstrom]

Lots of speakers that are good use front ports, so just really looking for whether anyone has ever done this. If it's not recommended at all, then I would probably build different speakers, not plug these.

[EdwardT]

Indeed they do, I replaced the X-LS with front ported X-SLS to fit my room situation, I loved the sound of the LS components so much. I don’t recall there being enough real estate between the woofer and the cabinet bottom for much of a slot on the LS and definitely not enough for the kit port.

[Maelstrom]

Thanks for the replies! I figured I would definitely need to slightly modify the cabinet design size to fit a slot port. Probably just going slightly taller because the port space doesn't count toward the box volume and make a port slot out of the very bottom just above the bottom board. Then just size it appropriate to be the same volume as the kit port and flare the edges to avoid sharp edges.

I definitely feel like I need to stay with bookshelves (even posted another question about maybe just using the sealed X-CS Encores, even though it'd cost a bit more) due to my room setup (and lack of size for anything else).

Thoughts on just building X-LS without a port (sealed)? Probably a bit less power efficient, but wonder how that would affect the measurements and sound. (I have a sub to handle the lows.)

[EdwardT]

With the port it’s tuned to get down to 55hz so I’d speculate that a sealed box would be -3dB@70-80hz. It’s a super sounding little speaker with the port and I’d bet you’d get really nice results with your sub added.

[Danny Richie]

You can front port the X-SLS version (floor standing version). It will allow the front port to be mounted low on the cabinet and it won't cause any issues.

Putting a port, even a slotted port, right under the woofer is likely going to cause some response issues.

These also work really well in a sealed cabinet.

[Maelstrom]

> Putting a port, even a slotted port, right under the woofer is likely going to cause some response issues.

That was the part I was worried about, seems like sealed is probably the way to go especially since it'll be used with a sub. I can probably add a port later also.

[Speaker Challenged]

> Putting a port, even a slotted port, right under the woofer is likely going to cause some response issues.

That was the part I was worried about, seems like sealed is probably the way to go especially since it'll be used with a sub. I can probably add a port later also.

If you want the option later make them with the port and use a plug. It really does work, I plug mine and use a sub. I would bet that if you make the sealed version you won't want to take the time to port them later. It would be messy too. De-solder parts and remove from the boxes, cut holes etc etc.

or port through the bottom and use some speaker spikes from Danny's site. Wharfedale style.

SC

[mosalmo]

I have the same small room issue. Danny, are there any mods that need to be made to the crossover to make a sealed version of either the Encore or Bravo to make them more of a true bookshelf solution?

[Hobbsmeerkat]

The sealed versions wont need any changes to the crossover.
But they will start to roll off around 70Hz, instead of 55hz for the ported X-LS/Bravo.

The X-CS also uses the same crossover as the X-MTM with the only difference is a larger cabinet volume and ports in the MTM version.