[fbov]

Here's a quick experiment to answer the engineering question. While listening at fairly high sound levels, have someone else apply had pressure to the enclosure sides. If you hear a difference at your listening position, and like it better, add bracing until you can't hear a difference.

If you can't hear a difference...

Frank

 

[fbov]

Owen,
Have you run any box sims to see what effect brace volume would have? I think you'll fiind that you'd have to add a LOT of bracing to adversely affect box tuning.

For simplicity, let's say you want to add 7 1x1x9" braces. That's 63 cu in, or about 1 liter. Now do a box tuning simulation and see what affect 1 liter has on box tuning. In my ~65l towers, F3 rises 0.6Hz - no audible effect would be expected.

That's also why I suggested a test to see if box resonance was an audible problem. No point in fixing something that won't show an improvement. No point worrying about things you cannot hear. I'd consider the blindfold mandatory as that's the only way to be sure it's real!

Have fun,
Frank

 

[fbov]

I like the idea of clamping MDF to the sides, but you may find it hard to do blindfolded...