Port plug for towers? - Blu-ray Forum

Nosrednug · 01-28-2011, 08:41 PM

I have a set of Sony SS7000's, I got a great deal on them and been pretty impressed so far given how much I paid. I have the itch to upgrade but the wife is not scratching.

My biggest complaint from the speakers is the bass response. It sounds boomy and kinda muddy. I've seen people plug the port on subwoofers before, and thinking about trying it on the towers. I'm wondering if I'd get a tighter sound out of them. Any one tried this before? Thanks.

Nosrednug · 01-29-2011, 08:52 PM

Really? No one? Take my speaker model infor out of the equation, is this done with other towers?

Riff Magnum · 01-29-2011, 08:56 PM

I'm pretty sure i've seen pictures of people who've done this, but maybe i'm thinking of subs as well. I'm sure Big Daddy will be along shortly to set the record straight. I guess you could try it and report back. Most people just use Poly-fill from the craft section at walmart and the like.

Big Daddy · 01-29-2011, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nosrednug

I have a set of Sony SS7000's, I got a great deal on them and been pretty impressed so far given how much I paid. I have the itch to upgrade but the wife is not scratching.

My biggest complaint from the speakers is the bass response. It sounds boomy and kinda muddy. I've seen people plug the port on subwoofers before, and thinking about trying it on the towers. I'm wondering if I'd get a tighter sound out of them. Any one tried this before? Thanks.

By adding a port plug to a single port, you will make the speaker/suboofer into a sealed design. The bass becomes tighter, but you may lose output. If the speaker/subwoofer has multiple ports and you plug only on, you are in effect changing the tuning frequency of the speaker/subwoofer.

Port foam plugs allow customizing the speaker/subwoofer to suit your taste and room. They give the option that favor either maximum SPL output, or lower frequency bass extension depending on source material and preference. With port plug removed and the Port Mode switch set for "maximum output," output levels increase to room shaking levels. When the port plugs are installed, and the Port Mode switch is set to "maximum extension," the subwoofer is re-tuned for linear response to lower frequencies at a slightly reduced maximum output.

With home theater systems, ports are left open. This tuning provides an increase in bass output which is more ideal for movies where explosions and other action sounds need greater impact. For music applications, one or more of the ports is/are blocked. This tunes the subwoofer for a flatter response with extended low frequency response. It will produce lower frequencies and do so more accurately.

crackinhedz · 01-30-2011, 12:02 AM

are you using a subwoofer in your setup? what is your crossover set at? are the speakers set to "large" or " small"? (should be small)

perhaps you are sending too much low frequency to them?

My Sony SSF-5000 fronts only have a single 8" driver, and I don't think they're too boomy or muddy.

My crossover is set at 80Hz.

Nosrednug · 01-30-2011, 02:29 AM

Ok, Thanks for the input BD and to Crackinhedz; Yes I'm running 2 subs as a matter of fact, a Bic America v1220 and a Definitive Tech ProSub 60. I have my towers set to small and the x-over at 90. After reading similar material to what BD posted above, it got me thinking about tweaking the towers. Since I don't need 'Max output' from my towers, I thought maybe a plug would help them create a tighter sound.
I dunno, I'm just like to tinker, then hearing the differences.

Beerserker · 01-30-2011, 02:58 AM

I do the very thing you are talking about here. I built my speakers ported so I could have the option of using them for music without a sub if I wanted. But they are almost always used for movies in my HT, and my subs have the lower frequencies more than covered. I plug the ports since I do not need the low frequency extension from the towers, and it helps tighten up the mid bass.

With ports open my speakers extend well into the thirties, but that is sub territory. Why push that low if the subs have that covered? Most people with subs are setting their towers to small anyway. That's what I figure.

I think it helps everything get along better in the system. While the towers handle bass very well, the subs do it much better. If you want to give it a try all it takes is a rolled up pair of socks (No joke.) Cram them in there and re-run your calibration program and see if you like the results. You can get fancier foam plugs if you like what you hear.

01-28-2011, 08:41 PM	#1
Nosrednug Member Top contributor Member since:Nov 2010 Location:Chicago Home Theater Gallery:6 Blu-ray collection:31	Port plug for towers? I have a set of Sony SS7000's, I got a great deal on them and been pretty impressed so far given how much I paid. I have the itch to upgrade but the wife is not scratching. My biggest complaint from the speakers is the bass response. It sounds boomy and kinda muddy. I've seen people plug the port on subwoofers before, and thinking about trying it on the towers. I'm wondering if I'd get a tighter sound out of them. Any one tried this before? Thanks.

01-30-2011, 12:02 AM	#5
crackinhedz Super Moderator Member since:Feb 2007 Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:19	are you using a subwoofer in your setup? what is your crossover set at? are the speakers set to "large" or " small"? (should be small) perhaps you are sending too much low frequency to them? My Sony SSF-5000 fronts only have a single 8" driver, and I don't think they're too boomy or muddy. My crossover is set at 80Hz. Last edited by crackinhedz; 01-30-2011 at 12:05 AM.

01-29-2011, 08:52 PM	#2
Nosrednug Member Top contributor Member since:Nov 2010 Location:Chicago Home Theater Gallery:6 Blu-ray collection:31	Really? No one? Take my speaker model infor out of the equation, is this done with other towers?

01-29-2011, 08:56 PM	#3
Riff Magnum Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Apr 2008 Location:The Island Blu-ray collection:149	I'm pretty sure i've seen pictures of people who've done this, but maybe i'm thinking of subs as well. I'm sure Big Daddy will be along shortly to set the record straight. I guess you could try it and report back. Most people just use Poly-fill from the craft section at walmart and the like.

01-30-2011, 02:29 AM	#6
Nosrednug Member Top contributor Member since:Nov 2010 Location:Chicago Home Theater Gallery:6 Blu-ray collection:31	Ok, Thanks for the input BD and to Crackinhedz; Yes I'm running 2 subs as a matter of fact, a Bic America v1220 and a Definitive Tech ProSub 60. I have my towers set to small and the x-over at 90. After reading similar material to what BD posted above, it got me thinking about tweaking the towers. Since I don't need 'Max output' from my towers, I thought maybe a plug would help them create a tighter sound. I dunno, I'm just like to tinker, then hearing the differences.

01-30-2011, 02:58 AM	#7
Beerserker Active Member Member since:Dec 2009 Location:Las Vegas	I do the very thing you are talking about here. I built my speakers ported so I could have the option of using them for music without a sub if I wanted. But they are almost always used for movies in my HT, and my subs have the lower frequencies more than covered. I plug the ports since I do not need the low frequency extension from the towers, and it helps tighten up the mid bass. With ports open my speakers extend well into the thirties, but that is sub territory. Why push that low if the subs have that covered? Most people with subs are setting their towers to small anyway. That's what I figure. I think it helps everything get along better in the system. While the towers handle bass very well, the subs do it much better. If you want to give it a try all it takes is a rolled up pair of socks (No joke.) Cram them in there and re-run your calibration program and see if you like the results. You can get fancier foam plugs if you like what you hear.

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