Port Plug?

[ruk]

My center channel came with a "port plug" Moniter RS LCR I understand the concept of it but is it somthing I should use? What does it do to the sound?

 

[Jack Hammer]

My center channel came with a "port plug" Moniter RS LCR I understand the concept of it but is it somthing I should use? What does it do to the sound?

I'm not familiar with your specific speaker. Generally, a opened port hole will help your speaker to produce lower frequencies via bass reflex, basically making it a "full range speaker." This can be good to a certain level but also bad on others. While some frequencies may be improved, others will be worsened. If you are using a subwoofer, you probably don't need to keep the port open. Put the plug in and let the sub produce the lower frequencies, that is what it is for.

 

[brendy]

Hey ruk, I copied this from the Monitor website.

The RS1, RS5 and RS LCR are rear ported cabinet designs. Because of this
design, we recommend that when fixing the loudspeakers to a wall that the port
bungs are used. This may also apply when they are positioned very close to a
rear/side wall. The port bungs are another way of fine-tuning the loudspeaker to fit in sonically
in your home environment

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Brendy is right, you don't want the port against a wall. There needs to be distance between the port and the wall.

A port, or bass relfex design, helps make a speaker more efficient, raising the spl level and aiding the woofer or mid bass driver in travel. A sealed enclosure tunes a speakers a bit lower, while acoustically suspending the woofer or mid bass driver. The driver is sealed, and has increased resistance due to the design. The bass sometimes is said to be more controlled, but more power is needed to reach it's xmax (full travel).

If you close a port in your center, you must close the ports in the L and R speakers as well to make sure they are tonally correct (timber matched). Otherwise, trying to balance the three could be close to impossible.