What is the recommended ported (bass reflex) box volume for B&C Speakers 5NSM38 16Ω?

According to electroacoustic alignment calculations, B&C Speakers 5NSM38 16Ω performs optimally in a 1.5 liter vented enclosure tuned to 272.0 Hz, reaching an F3 cutoff of approximately 188.3 Hz.

Can B&C Speakers 5NSM38 16Ω be used in a sealed box?

Yes. In a sealed (acoustic suspension) enclosure of 1.6 liters with a Qtc of 1.051, the system exhibits an F3 of 170.4 Hz with tight transient response and natural roll-off.

What port dimensions should be used for B&C Speakers 5NSM38 16Ω to avoid port chuffing?

To keep vent air velocity below turbulence limits at rated power, a minimum port diameter of 6.8 cm with a length of 4.9 cm is recommended.

Reflex Optimized

B&C Speakers 5NSM38 16Ω

Complete Thiele/Small parameters, optimized ported (bass reflex) and sealed enclosure designs, F3/F6/F10 cutoffs, and vent turbulence analysis calculated by Load Forge.

Estimated Retail

140.80 EUR

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⚠️ 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.

Recommended Bass Reflex (Vented)

OPTIMIZED EXTENSION

Net Box Volume (Vb)	1.5 Liters
Tuning Frequency (Fb)	272.0 Hz
F3 (-3 dB Cutoff)	188.3 Hz
F6 / F10 Extension	177.1 Hz / 162.8 Hz
Port Inner Diameter	Ø 6.8 cm
Port Physical Length	4.9 cm
First Pipe Resonance	3477.0 Hz
Estimated MOL @ F3	104.1 dB SPL

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Recommended Sealed (Acoustic Suspension)

MAX TRANSIENT DAMPING

Net Box Volume (Vb)	1.6 Liters
System Q (Qtc)	1.051 (Butterworth Q=0.707)
System Resonance (Fc)	348.4 Hz
F3 (-3 dB Cutoff)	170.4 Hz
F6 / F10 Extension	145.1 Hz / 116.8 Hz
Air Spring Linearity	High (Zero port compression)

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Verified 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	Manufacturer Official Datasheet

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[url=https://loadforge.io/drivers/bc-speakers-5nsm38-16][img]https://loadforge.io/api/v1/card/bc-speakers-5nsm38-16.svg[/img][/url]
[b]B&C Speakers 5NSM38 16Ω[/b] — 1.5L Bass Reflex tuned to 272.0Hz (F3: 188.3Hz). Designed with [url=https://loadforge.io]Load Forge[/url].

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