Plugging port at low volume? (Eich BC112/TecAmp Puma)

[Matthias]

Hi!

I recently got me an Eich BC112Pro (very small 1x12“ 500W Combo, successor of the TecAmp Puma) and I really like the sound at higher volume, it’s surprisingly loud and handles the low B really well, BUT: At low volumes it has a nasty low mid bump and sounds very boomy. I’m quite sure this comes from port design. When I plug the port it gets much better. So here are my questions:

Do you have similar experience with very small ported cabs? Is it possible that at low volume the port is too loud compared to the speaker around the tuning frequency?

Will it be ok for the speaker when I plug the port at low volumes?

I’ve read through some older posts about port plugs, bottom line: plugging should be ok at low volume...

BTW: Rolling off bass or low mids doesn’t help much: When I roll off the bass I lose too much low end below the boomy mids, and the low mid control doesn’t sit in the right spot…

Regards,
Matthias

 

[JRA]

it's always better to plug your own ports than to let someone else do it for you!

you're fine. no worries at lower volumes. folks will chime in with their hair on fire telling about all of the harm you can do to the cabinet, the amp, the environment, yada yada. plug your port and pay no attention. remember: low volumes! good luck!

 

[svlilioukalani]

My Audiokinesis cabs have port plugs, and I have had an Trace Elliot Cab that also had port plugs. These cabs were designed for this. Give it a try and see what happens. I am sure somebody with more knowledge will chime in. If not ask Duke on the Audiokenisis thread. He will give you an awesome answer with in a few days.

 

[Downunderwonder]

You aren't going to harm anything by plugging ports. According to Trace you can get extended bottom end at lower volume. I never played loud enough mucking around at home to hear 5c worth of difference.

 

[BogeyBass]

BTW: Rolling off bass or low mids doesn’t help much: When I roll off the bass I lose too much low end below the boomy mids, and the low mid control doesn’t sit in the right spot…

Regards,
Matthias

Usually things would get more boomy at higher volumes. But I could see things happening like that if ports were small or on the rear. Specially in small rooms at home. It's possible room gain is having a large effect on your tone. Bass response can be peaked in small spaces

And boomy response comes from enclosure that is on the small side. Will cause a huge mid bump that you speak of. Smaller enclosure would be design aspects for portability or gives speaker better power handling.

In this case maybe both.
Otherwise, yes as well ports are either poorly designed and too small so velocity is high.
Or their is a fine art of making velocity high intentionally with smaller ports to increase the appearance of bass response.

Another problem and typical is ports that are to high tuned. Same thing , poor fundamental transients. And high tuning give a fake mid bass response.

Likewise my usual poop talk. The market seems to be fascinated with the typical Bass Mid Mid Treble tone controls.

In theory the frequencies sound like ideal spots for bass. But in real life are rather pointless and not designed to really have much control over real world conditions.

Hence you can't control the mid hump cause the tone stack.

Anyhoo I've played sealed cabinets for years. Absolutely love them.

Likewise like to build my own enclosures. So I have control over port velocity. Set the reflex point ( tuning) to a actual usable point for bass.
And don't really bother with the over copied tone stacks found in the current market.

You plugged the ports and it sounds better all good. Works fine high volumes as well.
All leads to common sense with any amp or speaker. The speaker will tell you when it's unhappy. Then back of a little

 

[BassikBrad]

Hi!

I recently got me an Eich BC112Pro (very small 1x12“ 500W Combo, successor of the TecAmp Puma) and I really like the sound at higher volume, it’s surprisingly loud and handles the low B really well, BUT: At low volumes it has a nasty low mid bump and sounds very boomy. I’m quite sure this comes from port design. When I plug the port it gets much better. So here are my questions:

Do you have similar experience with very small ported cabs? Is it possible that at low volume the port is too loud compared to the speaker around the tuning frequency?

Will it be ok for the speaker when I plug the port at low volumes?

I’ve read through some older posts about port plugs, bottom line: plugging should be ok at low volume...

BTW: Rolling off bass or low mids doesn’t help much: When I roll off the bass I lose too much low end below the boomy mids, and the low mid control doesn’t sit in the right spot…

Regards,
Matthias

IME, nearly all ported cabs sound better, when ports are closed off. Tighter lows, slightly better transient response, improved Group Delay & Phase Response. All of which is plainly audible to the reasonably
trained ear & indeed when measured. You have already started to recognize some of the results, rock on.

 

[Matthias]

Another problem and typical is ports that are to high tuned. Same thing , poor fundamental transients. And high tuning give a fake mid bass response.

That's exactly what I was thinking in this case.

In theory the frequencies sound like ideal spots for bass. But in real life are rather pointless and not designed to really have much control over real world conditions.

IMHO Gallien Krueger does a very good job with their 4-band EQ; one of the reasons I bought my 700RB.