Calculated optimum enclosure volume VS trial and error volume. Sound Difference.

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Hi guys I just wanted to share a quite simple yet significant find. I am sure that many have experienced it but maybe other people might benefit from it.

I just noticed something. N.B the boxes are sealed.

1 enclosure was a large box volume, using a 4inch Foxtex sigma fullrange, then I filled it up with similar wooden boxes and listened, till I got to a place where I got maximum detail, definition and punch. Above this threshold the sound began to deteriorate. I noted the volume. Then I made another box with that very volume.

2nd enclosure was another box which was calculated to have a Qtc of 0.707, and of course I took in consideration the volume of the magnet, basket, mounting hole etc etc ...

Blind test result = The enclosure with the manually found volume(trial and error) sounded way better(more detailed, controlled, punchy etc) than the calculated volume one.

The manually found system has a Qtc was greater than 0.707.


So if I relied solely on calculations, i'd end up with a less than optimum sounding speaker.



Has anybody experienced this?
 
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What was the value of Qtc that you preferred?

The Acoustic research AR18 had a Qtc of 1 and has nice sounding bass IMO. The Heybrook HB1 and JPW AP series speakers were around 1.2 and surprisingly don't sound that bad with such a high box Q.
 
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