[CAK]

Looking for a picture of the back of the HT2-TL...specifically, binding post and rear port. A full back shot would suffice...thanks guys!

[Bigload]

Hope this helps...

[CAK]

Thanks 

[johzel]

Am thinking of buying a pair of HT2-TL's.  Since this thread is about the rear binding posts AND port I have a question.  I noticed elsewhere you have the option of building these with either this rear (as in picture) or a front port.  Is that correct?

Can someone help me to understand all the differences in sound given the change from a rear to front port?  I imagine placement issues change - front ports can go closer to back walls, correct?  What are the other implications? CAK, hope you don't mind me asking this question in your thread? Would it be more appropriate to make this a new thread?  Thanks!

[Big Red Machine]

Am thinking of buying a pair of HT2-TL's.  Since this thread is about the rear binding posts AND port I have a question.  I noticed elsewhere you have the option of building these with either this rear (as in picture) or a front port.  Is that correct?

Can someone help me to understand all the differences in sound given the change from a rear to front port?  I imagine placement issues change - front ports can go closer to back walls, correct?  What are the other implications? CAK, hope you don't mind me asking this question in your thread? Would it be more appropriate to make this a new thread?  Thanks!

This has been discussed in other threads.  Other than any port noise you MIGHT hear with a front port, I personally wouldn't want you to push them into a corner as they need some space.  I have them 30 inches out from back wall and about 2 feet from side walls so imaging is better accommodated.

[Saturn94]

Am thinking of buying a pair of HT2-TL's.  Since this thread is about the rear binding posts AND port I have a question.  I noticed elsewhere you have the option of building these with either this rear (as in picture) or a front port.  Is that correct?

Can someone help me to understand all the differences in sound given the change from a rear to front port?  I imagine placement issues change - front ports can go closer to back walls, correct?  What are the other implications? CAK, hope you don't mind me asking this question in your thread? Would it be more appropriate to make this a new thread?  Thanks!

I just had an e-mail exchange with Jim Salk about this very issue.

In my case I can only get about 10 inches of space behind the speaker (neither speaker would be placed in a corner).  Jim indicated this was enough space and would still recommend rear porting in my case.  I've also read a comment from Dennis Murphy (he designs the crossovers) that said if you could get about a foot behind the HT2-TL that it would be fine.  I've read some posts that say the recommended space behind the HT2-TL is 2 feet, but I've not seen anything official that says this.  Perhaps other HT-TL owners here can test this in their rooms to see what happens?

As far as the sound difference between a rear ported HT2-TL and a front ported one, this is what Jim explained to me:

The driver rolls off naturally and, in the case of the transmission line cabinet, the "port" extends the bass. Where information from the port intersects with information from the driver, there is a band where the two overlap slightly. Since the signals are different in terms of phase, some frequencies will be reinforced and some attenuated to a degree. Since front port and rear port information arrive at different points in time and differ in terms of phase, the frequencies that are reinforced and attenuated are somewhat different. So the impact will be somewhat different, but no more severe in either case. In practice, you would probably never notice the difference in that we are talking about small differences in some frequencies below, say, 45Hz. So from a practical point of view, it really makes little difference. Given a choice, I would put the port in the rear. But we have done many front-ported speakers and I cannot say I can hear the difference. To me, it is not an issue.

Hope this helps.

[johzel]

I just had an e-mail exchange with Jim Salk about this very issue.
Hope this helps.

Thanks! This helps a bunch and saves me from having to bother Jim yet another time 

[DMurphy]

Traditional ports do not have smooth roll offs at the top end--they often contain harmonic peaks and tunnel resonances  further up that are more directional than the bass output and, in theory, might be heard if the port is on front.  This will be less of a problem with the heavily flared flared ports that Jim uses, and the frequency content of the TL "port" may be smoother than with a typical resonanting port.  I haven't done a close-mic measurement of the "port" content of the HT2 TL, so I'm not sure about that.  In any event, I doubt that it is a very big deal whether you go with a front or back location.

[TJHUB]

I've measured my HT2-TL's at various positions relative to my front wall.  About the only thing that changes for me is imaging, but this is less now that I have room treatments behind the speakers.  As far as measurements, there is surprising little difference.   

How close are you planning to be to the wall?

[johzel]

I've measured my HT2-TL's at various positions relative to my front wall.  About the only thing that changes for me is imaging, but this is less now that I have room treatments behind the speakers.  As far as measurements, there is surprising little difference.   

How close are you planning to be to the wall?

Actually, I have plenty of room.  I've had other front ported speakers and one of the speakers on my short list is front ported.  So, when I noticed they can be made either way I was just curious about what differences might exist between the two designs.  This thread was most helpful - if I go with the HT2-TL's it will be with the standard rear port.  Nice to hear from you TJHUB!

[Saturn94]

I've measured my HT2-TL's at various positions relative to my front wall.  About the only thing that changes for me is imaging, but this is less now that I have room treatments behind the speakers.  As far as measurements, there is surprising little difference.   

How close are you planning to be to the wall?

What was the closest to the front wall did you try?

[TJHUB]

What was the closest to the front wall did you try?

I don't remember exactly, but I think 6-8 inches.

[Bigload]

Jim suggested the front ports to me for my HT1TL's which I use as surrounds in a 5.1, and do sit a little closer to the wall, in corners, about 12 inches away.  So I went with that and have no issues.  But I do also have rear ported HT2TL's for front mains.   It all sounds good to my old ears.

[Saturn94]

I don't remember exactly, but I think 6-8 inches.

Thanks.