A bass reflex speaker is a type of speaker that has a vent or port in the speaker enclosure to allow sound to exit from the rear of the diaphragm for improved sound quality and efficiency. Below is the lowdown on how this speaker design works and why you should consider one in your sound system.
JBL Interview: JBL Engineers Talk About the Bass Reflex Port
The bass reflex speaker is designed to direct the backwave from a speaker cone through an open port (sometimes called a vent or tube) in the enclosure to enhance the overall bass output. These ports are generally located on the front or back of the speaker cabinet and can vary in depth and diameter (even wide enough to fit your hand through).
By channeling the rear sound wave of the speaker cone through such a port, you can often effectively increase output volume, reduce distortion, and improve bass response and extension (compared to sealed enclosure speakers).
A bass reflex speaker has one or more open ports in the enclosure that help channel sound and improve performance. It can also be a great hiding place for small toys from curious, mobile toddlers. So if there are little people in the house and the bass reflex speaker suddenly sounds strange (e.g. a resonant/plastic rattle or the tinkling of small bells), it's a good idea to check for deposited content before troubleshooting subwoofer hum or buzz.
