Vented Specialist

Scan-Speak 16W/4538G05

Best box: 17.7 L bass reflex tuned to 38.9 Hz · F3 39.5 Hz

Predicted SPL response of the Scan-Speak 16W/4538G05 in the recommended 17.7 L bass reflex box versus the alternative — open it in the simulator Open and tweak this box live ↗

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Recommended Bass Reflex (Vented)

PORT BUILDABLE
Net Box Volume (Vb) 17.7 Liters
Tuning Frequency (Fb) 38.9 Hz
F3 (-3 dB Cutoff) 39.5 Hz
F6 / F10 Extension 34.5 Hz / 30.1 Hz
Port Inner Diameter Ø 6.8 cm
Port Physical Length 35.8 cm
First Pipe Resonance 481.0 Hz
Estimated MOL @ F3 101.6 dB SPL
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Recommended Sealed (Acoustic Suspension)

MAX TRANSIENT DAMPING
Net Box Volume (Vb) 7.8 Liters
System Q (Qtc) 0.707 (Butterworth)
System Resonance (Fc) 71.3 Hz
F3 (-3 dB Cutoff) 72.1 Hz
F6 / F10 Extension 54.7 Hz / 41.4 Hz
Air Spring Linearity High (Zero port compression)
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Thiele/Small Parameters

Resonance (Fs) 36.0 Hz
Total Q (Qts) 0.35
Electrical Q (Qes) 0.385
Mechanical Q (Qms) 3.82
Equivalent Volume (Vas) 24.0 Liters
Diaphragm Area (Sd) 123.0 cm²
DC Resistance (Re) 3.1 Ω
Efficiency Bandwidth Product (EBP) 93.4
Linear Excursion (Xmax) 13.5 mm
Thermal Power (Pe) 70.0 W
Nominal Diameter 6.0"
Catalog Source Load Forge catalog (manufacturer datasheets and retailer listings)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the recommended ported (bass reflex) box volume for Scan-Speak 16W/4538G05?

Load Forge's calculated alignment puts Scan-Speak 16W/4538G05 in a 17.7 liter vented enclosure tuned to 38.9 Hz, reaching an F3 cutoff of approximately 39.5 Hz.

Can Scan-Speak 16W/4538G05 be used in a sealed box?

Yes. In a sealed (acoustic suspension) enclosure of 7.8 liters with a Qtc of 0.707 (Butterworth), the system exhibits an F3 of 72.1 Hz.

What port dimensions should be used for Scan-Speak 16W/4538G05 to avoid port chuffing?

Sized from cone displacement (Sd × Xmax), a minimum port diameter of 6.8 cm with a length of 35.8 cm is suggested; check the port air velocity at your drive level in the Load Forge Studio.

Shareable Acoustic Card for Forums & Social Media

Embed this design card on DIYAudio, AVSForum, Reddit, or Facebook. It shows the calculated F3, MOL (when the power rating is published) and box parameters.

Scan-Speak 16W/4538G05 Enclosure Card
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