Vintage McIntosh ML-2C Speakers Ported?

[VonDrake]

I have noticed there is a possible port plate(?) just under the mid-range driver of my ML-2C speakers.
Haven't been able to find any information on this, even on Roger Russell's site.

Anyone here know whether the ML series speakers have a porting option?
This probably applies to ML-1's & ML-4's as well.

Would I want a port, especially after just refoaming and Mortiting drivers to ensure a sealed cabinet?
I haven't unscrewed the plate, but I felt under the mid-range driver while refoaming - there didn't seem to be anything behind the plate.

See photos below of what I'm asking about >>
1 - The possible port on my McIntosh ML-2C?
2 - Photo from eBay item labeled "McIntosh ML-1C Port Cover Plates".

 

[SaturationPt]

As a port, it would be really noisy for several reasons (location, size, lack of tube/tuning), I can't imagine this was intended to be a port.

 

[Johnny_Law]

Not ported.

As a port, that location makes no sense anyway, it would only port one 12" woofer enclosure.

Each 12" woofer has its own sealed enclosure. One above the other, stacked like one ML-1C speaker laying on top of another.

 

[twiiii]

ML-2's are a critically damped speaker design. With porting the cones would just flop around in the breeze and would bottom out with very little power. They are a true acoustic suspension speaker. system. Thats why they can respond down to 16 hz with very little effort. They should be used with a MQ 101, 104 or 107. The little device corrects for how the speakers are placed in a room, in a corner, out of a corner, against a wall etc. The other 4 or 7 filters of the 104 or 107 are to correct for room anomalies excited by the speaker system. Go to Roger Russels website about the Mcintosh speakers he designed and he will tell you all about the ML and XR series and what you can do to update the tweeter domes and super tweeters to increase power handling remarkably. Audio Classics still has kits for m ML-1's and XR-7's is what I heard. At one time if you blew the orange tweeters of ML-2's Mac was replacing them with XR250 and XR 290 tweeters. Don't know what you do today. Hers a photo of an updated XR7 by audio classics. The 4 tweeters in an arc have been disconnected. They supply a cover plate after the tweeters have been removed now.

 

[VonDrake]

Thanks for everyone's help here!

I don't feel like opening it up just to see what lies behind the plate, as I've just refoamed & sealed the cabinet.
It will stay sealed like the mummy's tomb!

 

[62caddy]

As others said, the original design is acoustic suspension and should be kept that way for best performance. Possibly the plate was intended for a fuse panel that was considered but never made production. If anyone knows it would be Roger Russell. Might still be able to email him.

 

[VonDrake]

As others said, the original design is acoustic suspension and should be kept that way for best performance. Possibly the plate was intended for a fuse panel that was considered but never made production. If anyone knows it would be Roger Russell. Might still be able to email him.

Thanks for your reply 62caddy. I might just contact Roger Russell to ask him, as it would be cool to hear what he has to say!
P.S. Your avatar image with the Cadillac Fleetwood (?) in front of McIntosh's factory is really wonderful!

 

[62caddy]

Thanks for your reply 62caddy. I might just contact Roger Russell to ask him, as it would be cool to hear what he has to say!
P.S. Your avatar image with the Cadillac Fleetwood (?) in front of McIntosh's factory is really wonderful!

CdV. Thanks.