Front port orientation

[russ.c]

I've just picked up one of these. It can be stood with the front-facing port horizontal or vertical. I'm guessing how it's placed is just a matter of what sounds best for the environment I'm playing in?

 

However I'm a nerd, and any science someone could throw my way would be appreciated.

 

 

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

Port radiation is omnidirectional, so the orientation doesn't matter. Scientifically speaking the radiation angle of any source only shrinks to 180 degrees when the radiating plane is less than a wavelength in dimension. At 100 Hz a wavelength is 3.43 meters. Yes, that means the cone radiation is omnidirectional at 100 Hz as well. That's why you can hear the lows standing behind a cab.

[russ.c]

Much appreciated, thank you Bill.

[BassmanPaul]

@Bill Fitzmaurice Thank you for continually sharing your knowledge. It helps no end.

 

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

Thanks, but I made an error. The radiation angle of any source only shrinks to 180 degrees when the radiating plane is a  wavelength in dimension. Since with direct radiating speakers the radiating plane is the baffle it's called the baffle step frequency. When it's smaller than a wavelength the sound will wrap around the cab, eventually going to 360 degrees as you go lower. When larger than a wavelength dispersion narrows as you go higher.