DIY speakers have fuzzy imaging

[chrisk15]

I thought the cabinets looked as though they were tiled. That's creating a hugely reflective surface surely?

That won't be good for imaging at all, as there will be all manner of reflections, not only from the tiles, but the uneven surfaces.

As a starter, I would apply a test covering of something absorbent to the baffle and then listen again.

I would think so too, but at the same time how different is ceramic vs. wood or another material for reflectivity? There are a bunch of speakers out there where the baffle or entire enclosure is made of concrete, aluminum, etc. But for sure, the gap between the ungrouted tiles might be causing some nasty diffraction. Just need to stop procrastinating that part I'm going to try your test and cover the front though.

Edit: Hmm, I stand corrected in regards to ceramic vs. wood: https://www.acoustic.ua/st/web_absorption_data_eng.pdf

 

[audio_tony]

Edit: Hmm, I stand corrected in regards to ceramic vs. wood

You only need to compare the reflectivity of a tiled bathroom vs a wooden shed for example.

The shed doesn't echo nearly as much...