HC1M2 as acoustic suspension unit?

[goshko65]

This is a question for Dr. Hsu: can the unit be operated with the ports plugged? The rest of my HT system is all acoustic suspension designed speaker assemblies; what will happen if I were to operate the HC1 in this mode? Thank you for an anticipated reply.

[shadyJ]

Hi, I don't want to speak for Dr Hsu, but it looks to me like you are using the phrase 'acoustic suspension' incorrectly. Acoustic suspension is a very specific type of design which has a relatively loose woofer that uses back spring from the internal pressure in a sealed cabinet instead of a stiff spider. What you are asking about is simply using the HC1 in a sealed configuration by plugging its ports. If you plug the ports, you will eliminate a chunk of the low end output from the speakers. Outside of reducing the bass extension, I don't think it will really hurt anything, but I don't think it will help anything either. It will not destroy the speakers to try it, so if you are really curious about it, just plug them and see how they sound.

[Kevin_Hsu]

Hi goshko65,

Pretty much what shady said. You will lose a bit of your low end and reduce the clean headroom on your HC-1 Mk2. Though if you set your crossover a little higher on your AVR, around 80 Hz, and are not trying to get high output levels from the speaker, it probably won't make as much of a difference than if you were running your speakers full range.

Sincerely,
Kevin