Hi G.Michael, Can you please explain the cabinet they're in?
Sure. Here's what I know about the cabinets:
Outer dimensions 11"W x 12"D x 31"H, so figuring a 2" thick front baffle, and 1" or 3/4" thick for all the other sides, you can pretty well calculate the volume.
I gather that they cabinets were built with the Tang Band W8 drivers in mind.
The previous owner, a friend who's done a lot of DIY, didn't like how the speakers sounded with only one port ("congested"). He consulted with a guy who I guess is somewhat a single driver / Tang Band W8 expert, and that guy said that the driver needs more air to really sound good. So my friend, obviously with some good tools and a steady hand, added the ports and yes, the speakers opened up, he said. I've only heard the speakers after he added the ports, but I did plug one rear port in each speaker, just to hear the effect, and I concur with my friend that the speakers sound best with all the ports open.
I characterize them as "purist speakers". Very revealing. They do need a good quality front end system, arguably better with tubes (which I don't currently have). I do have a Virue Audio Sensation M451 integrated amp with upgraded power supply, and the speakers do sound pretty good when driven with it--that purity of sound does come through.