Abstract:
The present invention relates to speaker enclosures utilizing the golden ratio geometrically throughout the design to reduce reflections, resonance and phase shifting, and to improve the transient response. Enclosures can be box-shaped, trapezoidal, suspended or otherwise configured. The enclosure has a driver wall, a baffle and a rear wall. The driver wall and baffle define a front chamber, and the baffle and rear wall define a rear chamber. The volumetric ratio between the rear chamber and front chamber can be approximately 0.6. The rear chamber also can have braces or dividers that segment the chamber into a central portion and two side portions. The volumetric ratio between the side portions and the central portion can be approximately 0.6. Ports of various configurations are provided. Braces can be used in conjunction with the ports to diffuse the incoming air. The baffle can have a plurality of radiused holes there through.

Description:
This United States utility patent application claims priority on and the benefit of pending U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 13/228,554 filed Sep. 9, 2011, which itself claims priority on and the benefit of provisional application 61/381,350 filed Sep. 9, 2010, the entire contents of each are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to speaker enclosures and in particular to speaker enclosures utilizing the golden ratio geometrically throughout the design to reduce reflections, resonance and phase shifting, and to improve the transient response. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Speakers and speaker enclosures have been evolving for many years. In the most basic setup, a speaker or driver is mounted in an open air structure. Improvements can be found when the speaker is housed within an enclosure. Some of the many improvements are illustrated in the following published application and patents: 
     United States Published Application Number 2010/0177921 to Bos is titled Response Speaker System. This application teaches that a sound generator like a guitar supplies an electrical output to operate speakers that are mounted in a chassis. The electrical output is divided into three frequency ranges, separately amplified and delivered to speakers mounted in a three separate enclosures each acoustically isolated from the other. 
     U.S. Pat. No. (hereafter “USPN”) 7,136,498 to Schott is titled Loudspeaker Having a Dual Chamber Acoustical Enclosure with Two External Vents and One Internal Vent. In this patent, it is seen that a loudspeaker with an acoustical enclosure having an internal wall dividing the enclosure into first and second subchambers, an electro-acoustical transducer having a vibratable speaker cone mounted in an opening in the internal wall of the acoustical enclosure, an internal vent in the internal wall of the acoustical enclosure for pneumatically coupling the first and second subchambers, a first external vent in a wall of the first subchamber for pneumatically coupling the first subchamber to an exterior environment outside of the acoustical enclosure, and a second external vent in a wall of the second subchamber for pneumatically coupling the second subchamber to the exterior environment, a ratio of the acoustic masses of the internal vent to the second external vent being approximately 3/1 to 7/1, and a ratio of the acoustic masses of the first external vent to the second external vent being approximately 15/1 to 30/1 is provided. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,777,844 to Johnson is titled Adjustable Speaker Cabinet. This patent shows an acoustical cabinet for housing one or more loud speakers. The cabinet is broken up into a plurality of separate chambers and resonance volumes by means of horizontal partitions across the rectangular chamber. Each of the horizontal dividing walls has a plurality of circular openings therein. The speaker or speakers is mounted to a horizontal baffle across the entire cross section of the chamber. The resonance volumes above the speaker are partially vented, through pluralities of circular openings in the front panels of those chambers. The chambers below the speaker are likewise vented to the back through pluralities of circular openings. 
     None of these references show the use of the golden ratio between both front and rear chambers, as well as within the rear chamber, regardless of overall length, width and height dimensions of the enclosure. 
     None of these references disclose the use of diffusers to reduce chuffing. 
     None of these references teach the use of radiused internal passages or holes that reduce energy loss of the moving air masses. 
     None of these references teach the use of an elongated port to increase the port length and thereby increase port performance. 
     Thus there exists a need for speaker enclosures that solves these and other problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to speaker enclosures utilizing the golden ratio geometrically throughout the design to reduce reflections, resonance and phase shifting, and to improve the transient response. The enclosure has a driver wall, a baffle and a rear wall. The driver wall and baffle define a front chamber, and the baffle and rear wall define a rear chamber. The volumetric ratio between the rear chamber and front chamber can be approximately 0.6. The rear chamber also can have dividers that segment the chamber into a central portion and two side portions. The volumetric ratio between the side portions and the central portion can be approximately 0.6. Forward or rearward ports can be incorporated in the enclosure. Braces can be used in conjunction with the ports to diffuse the incoming air. In other embodiments, the baffle can have a plurality of radiused holes there through. 
     According to one advantage of the present invention, the use of the golden ratio between the rear and front chambers, and also within the rear chamber reduces reflections, reduces resonance and reduces phase shifting. 
     According to another advantage of the present invention, the use of volumetric ratios can be incorporated regardless of overall length, width and height dimensions of the speaker enclosure. 
     According to a further advantage of the present invention, a center baffle is provided to manipulate the internal air mass within the enclosure. 
     According to a still further advantage of one embodiment of the present invention having ports open to the rear and exiting into the front chamber, braces are provided to diffuse the air. This advantageously prevents chuffing as air enters through the ports. 
     According to a still further advantage yet of the present invention, the center baffle has holes with radiused edges, which reduce energy loss of the air mass as it moves within the enclosure. 
     According to a still further advantage yet of the present invention, the enclosure can accommodate multiple drivers, which can result in positive excitations in the main driver. This can be seen in one embodiment wherein the baffle is ported for an excitation driver. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, an elongated port design is shown. The port design has an increased length and a path that is arcuate or spiral in design. In one embodiment, the spiral design is a golden spiral, which is a spiral defined by the golden ratio. The port design also has a cross-sectional area that continuously decreases along the path length. 
     According to a further embodiment, a suspended driver section is shown in combination with a fixed external section. This advantageously allows for rear braces to be fixed while the driver is suspended. This allows port output around the entire circumference of the driver to reinforce the driver output. The fixed braces also provide an extension of the effective port length. 
     Other advantages, benefits, and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the invention and studying the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , but without a grill in place. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , but is illustrated without a grill in place. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an additional alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9 , but is illustrated without a grill in place. 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing a sealed baffle (absent perimeter holes) that is ported around the central hole. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a sectional view taken along line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a sectional view taken along line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 16  is a sectional view taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a sectional view taken along line  18 - 18  of  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 19  is a sectional view taken along line  19 - 19  of  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 20  is a sectional view taken along line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional stacked view of several suspended enclosures designed for different frequency drivers. 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of a port design. 
         FIG. 23  is a partial view showing the internal spiral orientation of the path of the port illustrated in  FIG. 22 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     While the invention will be described in connection with several preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 1-5 , it is seen that one embodiment of an enclosure  10  is illustrated. The enclosure  10  has a top  11 , a bottom  12 , sides  13  and  14 , a front  15  and a rear  16 . It is understood that the enclosure can be reoriented without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention, and for sake of clarity, a single forward facing orientation is described. The enclosure can be made of many materials, including but not limited to multi-ply wood. 
     A driver wall  20  provided having a generally circular driver mount  21  formed there through. The driver wall  20  is preferably forward facing, and is located near the front  15  of the enclosure  10 . The driver wall  20  is preferably generally planar and vertically oriented within the enclosure  10 . The driver mount  21  defines a hole with a central axis that is preferably generally perpendicular the plane of the driver wall  20 . 
     A baffle  30  is further provided. The baffle  30  has a central hole  31 , and preferably a plurality of smaller perimeter holes  32  spaced preferably equidistantly around the central hole  31 . The sum of the areas of the perimeter holes has a ratio to the area of the central hole of approximately 0.6 to 1.0. Further, this ratio can range from approximately 0.3 to 1.0 to a ratio of 1.0 to 1.0. The central hole  31  and the perimeter holes  32  preferably have radiused edges. Four port passages  33  are also provided. The baffle  30  is preferably generally planar and vertically oriented within the enclosure  10 . In this regard, the baffle  30  is preferably parallel to the driver wall  20 . The central hole  30  is preferably concentric with the driver mount hole  21 . The perimeter holes each have central axis that are preferably parallel to the central hole central axis. It is appreciated that while central hole  31  and the perimeter holes  32  are shown to be generally circular in profile, that they could embody alternative shapes without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     A rear wall  40  is also provided. The rear wall  40  has four port openings  41  there through. The rear wall  40  is preferably generally parallel to the baffle  30  and to the driver wall  20 . Enclosure  10  is shown to be a passive enclosure that is not optimized for on board amplifiers. However, it is understood that enclosure  10  could be constructed for amplifiers without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     Two rear braces  50  and  55  are shown and are preferably connected to the rear wall  40 . The rear braces are preferably perpendicular to the rear wall  40 , and span between the top  11  and bottom  12  of the enclosure  10 . The braces  50  and  55  extend towards but do not reach the baffle  30 . 
     Front braces  60  and  65  are also shown and are preferably connected to the driver wall  20 . The front braces  60  and  65  extend rearward from the driver wall  20  and are connected to the driver wall. Braces  60  and  65  extend towards the baffle  30  but do not reach the baffle. They span between the top  11  and bottom  12  of the enclosure  10 . Braces  60  and  65  are preferably parallel to each other. 
     Ports  70  are provided and are open to the rear  16  of the enclosure  10 . The ports  70  extend through port openings  41  in the rear wall  40 , extend through port passages  33  in the baffle  30  and extend in front of the baffle. Four ports are preferably provided. Yet, it is understood the more or fewer may be utilized without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     A grill wall  75  supporting a grill  76  is provided. The grill wall  75  is at the front  15  of the enclosure  10  in front of the driver wall  20 . 
     The front wall  20  and baffle  30  define a front chamber  80 . The baffle  30  and rear wall  40  define a rear chamber  90 . In a preferred embodiment, the volumetric ratio between the rear chamber  90  and front chamber  80  is 0.6:1. Yet, it is appreciated that a range of ratios, including up to but not limited to 1:1 and including down to but not limited to 0.3:1, can be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     It is appreciated that because the enclosure  10  can have a different orientation, that the front chamber can actually be above, below, beside or behind the rear chamber. Further, the enclosure can also be described to have a large chamber and a small chamber. In this illustrated embodiment, the large chamber is the front chamber, and the small chamber is the rear chamber. 
     The ports  70  are open to the front chamber  80 , and are diffused by braces  60  and  65 . In this regard, the braces  60  and  65  are preferably at least partially aligned with the ends of the ports  70 . 
     The rear braces  50  and  55  divide the rear chamber  90  into a center portion  91  and two side portions  92  and  93 . In a preferred embodiment, the volumetric ratio between the center portion  91  and the sum of the side portions  92  and  93  is 0.6:1. Yet, it is appreciated that a range of ratios, including up to but not limited to 1:1 and including down to but not limited to 0.3:1, can be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     Air flows through the enclosure  10  based on differences in pressure at different parts of the enclosure. Controlling the internal dampening is accomplished by directing air flow within the enclosure  10  to manipulate inertia of the driver&#39;s components. It is appreciated that the passages may be tuned to selected frequencies within the enclosure. 
     It is appreciated that multiple drivers can be incorporated into the design of the present invention. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 6-8 , it is seen that an alternative embodiment of the enclosure  110  is illustrated. The enclosure  110  has a top  111 , a bottom  112 , sides  113  and  114 , a front  115  and a rear  116 . While overall exterior dimensions are shown, it is appreciated that the dimensions may vary without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     A driver wall  120  provided having a generally circular driver mount  121  formed there through. The driver wall  120  is preferably forward facing, and is located near the front  115  of the enclosure  110 . The driver wall  120  is preferably generally planar and vertically oriented within the enclosure  110 . The driver mount  121  defines a hole with a central axis that is preferably generally perpendicular the plane of the driver wall  120 . 
     A baffle  130  is further provided. The baffle  130  has a central hole  131 , and preferably a plurality of smaller perimeter holes  132  spaced preferably equidistantly around the central hole  131 . The sum of the areas of the perimeter holes has a ratio to the area of the central hole of approximately 0.6 to 1.0. Further, this ratio can range from approximately 0.3 to 1.0 to a ratio of 1.0 to 1.0. The central hole  131  and the perimeter holes  132  preferably have radiused edges. The baffle  130  is preferably generally planar and vertically oriented within the enclosure  110 . In this regard, the baffle  130  is preferably parallel to the driver wall  120 . The central hole  130  is preferably concentric with the driver mount hole  121 . The perimeter holes each have central axis that are preferably parallel to the central hole central axis. It is appreciated that while central hole  131  and the perimeter holes  132  are shown to be generally circular in profile, that they could embody alternative shapes without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     A rear wall  140  is also provided. The rear wall  140  is preferably generally parallel to the baffle  130  and to the driver wall  120 . Enclosure  110  is shown to be a passive enclosure, but could be active without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     Two rear braces  150  and  155  are shown and are preferably connected to the rear wall  140 . The rear braces are preferably perpendicular to the rear wall  140 , and span between the top  111  and bottom  112  of the enclosure  110 . The braces  150  and  155  extend towards but do not reach the baffle  130 . 
     Front braces  160  and  165  are also shown and are preferably connected to the driver wall  120 . The front braces  160  and  165  extend rearward from the driver wall  120  and are connected to the driver wall. Braces  160  and  165  extend towards the baffle  130  but do not reach the baffle. They span between the top  111  and bottom  112  of the enclosure  110 . Braces  160  and  165  are preferably parallel to each other. 
     A grill wall  175  supporting a grill  176  is provided. The grill wall  175  is at the front  115  of the enclosure  110  in front of the driver wall  120 . 
     The front wall  120  and baffle  130  define a front chamber  180 . The baffle  130  and rear wall  140  define a rear chamber  190 . In a preferred embodiment, the volumetric ratio between the rear chamber  190  and front chamber  180  is 0.6:1. Yet, it is appreciated that a range of ratios, including up to but not limited to 1:1 and including down to but not limited to 0.3:1, can be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     The rear braces  150  and  155  divide the rear chamber  190  into a center portion  191  and two side portions  192  and  193 . In a preferred embodiment, the volumetric ratio between the center portion  191  and the sum of the side portions  192  and  193  is 0.6:1. Yet, it is appreciated that a range of ratios, including up to but not limited to 1:1 and including down to but not limited to 0.3:1, can be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 9-11 , it is seen that an additional embodiment of an enclosure  210  is illustrated. The enclosure  210  has a top  211 , a bottom  212 , sides  213  and  214 , a front  215  and a rear  216 . The enclosure can be made of many materials, including but not limited to multi-ply wood. 
     A driver wall  220  provided having a generally circular driver mount  221  formed there through. The driver wall  220  is preferably forward facing, and is located near the front  215  of the enclosure  210 . The driver wall  220  is preferably generally planar and vertically oriented within the enclosure  210 . The driver mount  221  defines a hole with a central axis that is preferably generally perpendicular the plane of the driver wall  220 . Four port openings  222  are provided, and extend through the driver wall  220  . . . . 
     A baffle  230  is further provided. The baffle  230  has a central hole  231 , and preferably a plurality of smaller perimeter holes  232  spaced preferably equidistantly around the central hole  231 . The sum of the areas of the perimeter holes has a ratio to the area of the central hole of approximately 0.6 to 1.0. Further, this ratio can range from approximately 0.3 to 1.0 to a ratio of 1.0 to 1.0. The central hole  231  and the perimeter holes  232  preferably have radiused edges. Four port passages  233  are also provided. The baffle  230  is preferably generally planar and vertically oriented within the enclosure  210 . In this regard, the baffle  230  is preferably parallel to the driver wall  220 . The central hole  230  is preferably concentric with the driver mount hole  221 . The perimeter holes each have central axis that are preferably parallel to the central hole central axis. It is appreciated that while central hole  231  and the perimeter holes  232  are shown to be generally circular in profile, that they could embody alternative shapes without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     A rear wall  240  is also provided. The rear wall  240  is preferably generally parallel to the baffle  230  and to the driver wall  220 . The enclosure  210  is shown as an active enclosure designed to accommodate an integrated amplifier. In this regard, the integrated amplifier (not shown) can be received within the large opening through the rear wall of the enclosure. 
     Two rear braces  250  and  255  are shown and are preferably connected to the rear wall  240 . The rear braces are preferably perpendicular to the rear wall  240 , and span between the top  211  and bottom  212  of the enclosure  210 . The braces  250  and  255  extend towards but do not reach the baffle  230 . 
     Ports  270  are provided and are open to the front of the driver wall  220 . The ports  270  extend through port openings  222  in the driver wall  220 , extend through port passages  233  in the baffle  230  and extend behind the baffle. Four ports are preferably provided. Yet, it is understood the more or fewer may be utilized without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     A grill wall  275  supporting a grill  276  is provided. The grill wall  275  is at the front  215  of the enclosure  210  in front of the driver wall  220 . 
     The front wall  220  and baffle  230  define a front chamber  280 . The baffle  230  and rear wall  240  define a rear chamber  290 . In a preferred embodiment, the volumetric ratio between the rear chamber  290  and front chamber  280  is 0.6:1. Yet, it is appreciated that a range of ratios, including up to but not limited to 1:1 and including down to but not limited to 0.3:1, can be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     The ports  270  are open to the rear chamber  290 . 
     The rear braces  250  and  255  divide the rear chamber  290  into a center portion  291  and two side portions  292  and  293 . In a preferred embodiment, the volumetric ratio between the center portion  291  and the sum of the side portions  292  and  293  is 0.6:1. Yet, it is appreciated that a range of ratios, including up to but not limited to 1:1 and including down to but not limited to 0.3:1, can be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 12  it is seen that a further alternative embodiment of an enclosure  310  is illustrated. In this embodiment, the enclosure  310  has a driver wall  320  and a baffle  330 . The baffle  320  is a sealed baffle having a central hole  331 , port passages  333  and driver ports  335 . Perimeter holes (illustrated above) are absent in this embodiment. Ports  370  extend through the port passages  333 . An excitation driver (not shown) can be mounted to the central hole  331  though the driver ports  335 . The sealed baffle  330  thus forms a seal between a front chamber  380  and a rear chamber  390 . 
     It is appreciated that while several embodiments are illustrated, that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. For example, it is understood that an enclosure have several chambers (possibly completely isolated chambers) for tweeter, midrange, base and other frequencies can be provided. 
     It is also understood that, for example, a rear or front ported enclosure can incorporate a sealed baffle, or can incorporate a ported excitation driver. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 13-16 , it is seen that an additional embodiment of an enclosure  410  is illustrated. The enclosure  410  has a top  411 , a bottom  412 , sides  413  and  414 , a front  415  and a rear  416 . The enclosure  410  in this embodiment has a generally trapezoidal design, wherein the front  415  is wider than the rear  416 . While overall exterior dimensions are shown, it is appreciated that the dimensions may vary without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     A driver wall  420  provided having a generally circular driver mount  421  formed there through. The driver wall  420  is preferably forward facing, and is located near the front  415  of the enclosure  410 . The driver wall  420  is preferably generally planar and vertically oriented within the enclosure  410 . The driver mount  421  defines a hole with a central axis that is preferably generally perpendicular the plane of the driver wall  420 . 
     A baffle  430  is further provided. The baffle  430  has a central hole  431 , and preferably a plurality of smaller perimeter holes  432  spaced preferably equidistantly around the central hole  431 . The sum of the areas of the perimeter holes has a ratio to the area of the central hole of approximately 0.6 to 1.0. Further, this ratio can range from approximately 0.3 to 1.0 to a ratio of 1.0 to 1.0. Secondary holes  433 , which are preferably even smaller than the perimeter holes  432  are also provided, and are located further from the center of the central hole  431  than the perimeter holes  432 . The sum of the areas of the secondary holes has a ratio to the sum of the areas of the perimeter holes of approximately 0.6 to 1.0. Further, this ratio can range from approximately 0.3 to 1.0 to a ratio of 1.0 to 1.0. The central hole  431 , perimeter holes  432  and secondary holes  433  preferably have radiused edges. The baffle  430  is preferably generally planar and vertically oriented within the enclosure  410 . In this regard, the baffle  430  is preferably parallel to the driver wall  420 . The central hole  430  is preferably concentric with the driver mount hole  421 . The perimeter holes each have central axis that are preferably parallel to the central hole central axis. It is appreciated that while central hole  431 , the perimeter holes  432  and the secondary holes  433  are shown to be generally circular in profile, that they could embody alternative shapes without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     A rear wall  440  is also provided. The rear wall  440  is preferably generally parallel to the baffle  430  and to the driver wall  420 . 
     Two rear braces  450  and  455  are shown and are preferably connected to the rear wall  440 . The rear braces are preferably perpendicular to the rear wall  440 , and span between the top  411  and bottom  412  of the enclosure  410 . The braces  450  and  455  extend towards but do not reach the baffle  430 . 
     A port  460  is also shown. The port  460  is defined by a front brace  461  that is near and parallel to the top  411  of the enclosure. The port  460  is open to the front  415  of the enclosure and open in front of the baffle  430 . 
     The front wall  420  and baffle  430  define a front chamber  480 . The baffle  430  and rear wall  440  define a rear chamber  490 . In a preferred embodiment, the volumetric ratio between the rear chamber  490  and front chamber  480  is 0.6:1. Yet, it is appreciated that a range of ratios, including up to but not limited to 1:1 and including down to but not limited to 0.3:1, can be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     The rear braces  450  and  455  divide the rear chamber  490  into a center portion  491  and two side portions  492  and  493 . In a preferred embodiment, the volumetric ratio between the center portion  491  and the sum of the side portions  492  and  493  is 0.6:1. Yet, it is appreciated that a range of ratios, including up to but not limited to 1:1 and including down to but not limited to 0.3:1, can be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 17-21 , it is seen that an additional embodiment of an enclosure  510  is illustrated. The enclosure  510  has a top  511 , a bottom  512 , sides  513  and  514 , a front  515  and a rear  516 . While overall exterior dimensions are shown, it is appreciated that the dimensions may vary without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     Enclosure  510  has a suspended section  520  and an external section  530 . Each of these sections is described below. 
     Suspended section  520  has a housing  521 , a baffle  522  and a driver wall  523 . The baffle and driver wall are similar to those described herein above, and are not separately discussed here. The suspended section  520  has an inside and an outside. 
     The external section  530  has an inside and an outside. The external section further has a rear wall  531  with two braces  532  and  533  connected thereto. The braces  532  and  533  are perpendicular to the rear wall, and span between the top and bottom of the inside of the external section. 
     The suspended section  520  fits within the external section. The braces  532  and  533  extend into the volume of the suspended section towards the baffle  522 . However, the braces  532  and  533  do not reach the baffle and are not connected to the suspended section  520 . 
     A port  540  is provided, and is defined by the area between the inside of the external section  530  and the outside of the suspended section  520 . In this regard, the port spans the entire circumference (or nearly the entire circumference) around the driver. 
     The driver wall  523  and baffle  522  define a front chamber  550 . The baffle  522  and rear wall  531  define a rear chamber  560 . In a preferred embodiment, the volumetric ratio between the rear chamber  560  and front chamber  550  is 0.6:1. Yet, it is appreciated that a range of ratios, including up to but not limited to 1:1 and including down to but not limited to 0.3:1, can be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     The rear braces  532  and  533  divide the rear chamber  560  into a center portion  561  and two side portions  562  and  563 . In a preferred embodiment, the volumetric ratio between the center portion  561  and the sum of the side portions  562  and  563  is 0.6:1. Yet, it is appreciated that a range of ratios, including up to but not limited to 1:1 and including down to but not limited to 0.3:1, can be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     The port  540  in this embodiment is open to the front  515  of the enclosure. The port is also open into the rear chamber  560 . In this regard, air entering through the port  540  must go around the fixed braces  532  and  533 , which act together to extend the effective length of the port. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 22 and 23 , it is seen that a preferred embodiment of a port  610  is provided. The port  610  has a housing  620  with a top  621 , a bottom  622 , sides  623  and  624 , a front  625  and a rear  626 . It is understood that the orientation of the port  510  can change without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. Port  610  can be fixed or placed adjacent an enclosure (for example the enclosures illustrated herein, or otherwise). 
     The port  610  defines a path  630  from an entrance  631  to an exit  635 . The entrance  631  is preferably located across the entire front  625  of the housing  620 . The entrance  631  has an entrance axis  632 . The exit  635  exits the housing  620  through the top  621  along an exit axis  636 . In this regard, the exit axis  636  is generally perpendicular to the entrance axis  632 . 
     The path  630  has a generally spiral or arcuate shape. The cross-sectional area of the path preferably continuously decreases from the entrance  631  to the exit  635 . The effect of the spiral path is that the overall length of the path is increased. The overall length is preferably longer than the maximum width of the path (which preferably occurs at the entrance  631 ). 
     The spiral is preferably a golden spiral, which can be described as a series of quarter circles drawn in squares, wherein the squares have been inscribed in a golden rectangle whereby the ratio of a given square to the adjacent larger square is approximately 0.6 to 1.0. 
     It is appreciated that a spiral having many revolutions may also be incorporated into the present invention. 
     The path exit  632  can be at or adjacent an enclosure entrance. 
     Further, the cross-sectional area of the exit is preferably equal to the cross-sectional area of the spiral immediately adjacent the exit. 
     Thus it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the invention, a speaker enclosure that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages as set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.