B&C Speakers 5NSM38 16Ω
Best box: 0.4 L sealed · Fc 452.5 Hz · F3 362.2 Hz
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Comparable 5.0" Drivers
Drivers with similar piston area, resonance and Qts — useful alternatives when the B&C Speakers 5NSM38 16Ω does not fit your target box volume or tuning. Each entry links to its full enclosure design and Thiele/Small parameters.
⚠️ Engineering Notice for Builders
- Limited linear excursion (Xmax: 2.2 mm); set a high-pass subsonic filter at 25–30 Hz when driven with high power.
Textbook Bass Reflex — not recommended (16.2 dB bass hump)
PORT BUILDABLE| Net Box Volume (Vb) | 1.5 Liters |
| Tuning Frequency (Fb) | 272.0 Hz |
| F3 (-3 dB Cutoff) | 242.5 Hz |
| F6 / F10 Extension | 224.7 Hz / 206.8 Hz |
| Port Inner Diameter | Ø 6.8 cm |
| Port Physical Length | 4.9 cm |
| First Pipe Resonance | 3477.0 Hz |
| Estimated MOL @ F3 | 116.1 dB SPL |
Sealed (Acoustic Suspension) — compromise
SUITS INFINITE / OPEN BAFFLEWith Qts 0.94 a Butterworth (Qtc 0.707) box would be many times Vas. A box equal to Vas reaches Qtc 1.329; for a flat response this driver is better used on an infinite (IB) or open baffle.
| Net Box Volume (Vb) | 0.4 Liters |
| System Q (Qtc) | 1.329 (above Butterworth: Qtc cannot fall below Qts (0.94)) |
| System Resonance (Fc) | 452.5 Hz |
| F3 (-3 dB Cutoff) | 362.2 Hz |
| F6 / F10 Extension | 308.1 Hz / 253.0 Hz |
| Air Spring Linearity | High (Zero port compression) |
Thiele/Small Parameters
| Resonance (Fs) | 320.0 Hz |
| Total Q (Qts) | 0.94 |
| Electrical Q (Qes) | 1.188 |
| Mechanical Q (Qms) | 4.5 |
| Equivalent Volume (Vas) | 0.4 Liters |
| Diaphragm Area (Sd) | 95.0 cm² |
| DC Resistance (Re) | 9.3 Ω |
| Efficiency Bandwidth Product (EBP) | 269.3 |
| Linear Excursion (Xmax) | 2.2 mm |
| Thermal Power (Pe) | 110.0 W |
| Nominal Diameter | 5.0" |
| Catalog Source | Load Forge catalog (manufacturer datasheets and retailer listings) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the recommended ported (bass reflex) box volume for B&C Speakers 5NSM38 16Ω?
A simple ported box is not recommended for B&C Speakers 5NSM38 16Ω: the textbook alignment (1.5 liters tuned to 272.0 Hz) needs a 4.9 cm port, and no nearby retune stays buildable without a bass hump. A sealed box, a passive radiator or a folded duct is the practical choice.
Can B&C Speakers 5NSM38 16Ω be used in a sealed box?
Yes. In a sealed (acoustic suspension) enclosure of 0.4 liters with a Qtc of 1.329 (above Butterworth: Qtc cannot fall below Qts (0.94)), the system exhibits an F3 of 362.2 Hz.
What port dimensions should be used for B&C Speakers 5NSM38 16Ω to avoid port chuffing?
A straight 6.8 cm port would need 4.9 cm of length, which does not fit a practical cabinet. Use a passive radiator or a folded/3D duct instead of a straight tube.
Shareable Acoustic Card for Forums & Social Media
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