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I realize that some of y'all are fortunate enough not to remember the 1970s. This thread topic may, or may not, be for you! 
I was just reading a thread at audiokarma which contained a link to an "explanation" of sealed (and, by implication, acoustic suspension -- as opposed to other sealed box alignments) vs. ported loudspeakers. I share the link, which, at a quick read, is almost embarrassingly misleading
blog.fluance.com
That's not, actually, what this post is about!
But that blog post from "Fluance" did get me thinkin' about the notion of sealed boxes that do boom (or, at least, have a midbass hump), which led me to reflect on the 1970s trick of putting too large a woofer in a too small sealed box. And that is what this thread's about!
Two companies in particular come to mind for this particular design trope: Radio Shack and Sansui.
Radio Shack produced a number of sealed-box loudspeakers like this, the most salient (and perhaps the most egregious) example being the (in)famous Mach One.
source: https://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/flipbook/1976_radioshack_catalog.html pg. 47
The other once-common implementation of big woofers in small boxes was a proliferation of models (many sold to US servicepersons by military PXs) from the big-name Japanese audio companies starting in the late 1960s. These products often featured many different kinds and sizes of drivers and, due to their Asian source and Byzantine complexity, are nowadays often referred to generically (and somewhat derisively) as Kabuki speakers in some circles.
The sine qua non of such loudspeakers was indisputably Sansui. From the late-'60s to the mid-'70s, Sansui marketed a bewildering array of stunningly unsubtle "Kabuki" loudspeakers.
source: https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/thre...nese-atroicities-of-the-20th-century.1148633/
So -- here's where I am goin' with this. My recollection is that many of these loudspeakers suffered from (among other audio shortcomings) the lumpy-bumpy midbass bloat that was perceived by many in the marketplace in that era as bass. It might be interesting to see some modern measurements of one or two of these atavisms.
Perhaps unbelievably, I cannot offer up one for testing. Even I have my limits and there is nary a Kabuki in my haphazard collection.
... but maybe one of you, ideally, out on the West Coast, does.
Any thoughts anyone'd like to share on the topic, or the performance, of this class of loudspeakers that were doubtless designed to impress?
I was just reading a thread at audiokarma which contained a link to an "explanation" of sealed (and, by implication, acoustic suspension -- as opposed to other sealed box alignments) vs. ported loudspeakers. I share the link, which, at a quick read, is almost embarrassingly misleading
What is the Difference Between Ported and Sealed Speaker Cabinets?
Ported vs Sealed Speaker Cabinets - Which is best for performance? Depending on the audio setup you have and configuration of your listening space, each speaker type has benefits and drawbacks. We explore the difference between ported and sealed speaker enclosures.
blog.fluance.com
That's not, actually, what this post is about!
But that blog post from "Fluance" did get me thinkin' about the notion of sealed boxes that do boom (or, at least, have a midbass hump), which led me to reflect on the 1970s trick of putting too large a woofer in a too small sealed box. And that is what this thread's about!
Two companies in particular come to mind for this particular design trope: Radio Shack and Sansui.
Radio Shack produced a number of sealed-box loudspeakers like this, the most salient (and perhaps the most egregious) example being the (in)famous Mach One.
source: https://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/flipbook/1976_radioshack_catalog.html pg. 47
The other once-common implementation of big woofers in small boxes was a proliferation of models (many sold to US servicepersons by military PXs) from the big-name Japanese audio companies starting in the late 1960s. These products often featured many different kinds and sizes of drivers and, due to their Asian source and Byzantine complexity, are nowadays often referred to generically (and somewhat derisively) as Kabuki speakers in some circles.
The sine qua non of such loudspeakers was indisputably
Sansui. From the late-'60s to the mid-'70s, Sansui marketed a bewildering array of stunningly unsubtle "Kabuki" loudspeakers.
source: https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/thre...nese-atroicities-of-the-20th-century.1148633/
So -- here's where I am goin' with this.
My recollection is that many of these loudspeakers suffered from (among other audio shortcomings) the lumpy-bumpy midbass bloat that was perceived by many in the marketplace in that era as bass. It might be interesting to see some modern measurements of one or two of these atavisms. Perhaps unbelievably, I cannot offer up one for testing. Even I have my limits
and there is nary a Kabuki in my haphazard collection.... but maybe one of you, ideally, out on the West Coast, does.
Any thoughts anyone'd like to share on the topic, or the performance, of this class of loudspeakers that were doubtless designed to impress?
