Apparently Mr Atkinson did something like that with the RatShack / Linaeum bookshelf speakers, a pair of which I own:

http://www.stereophile.com/budgetcomponents/695ratshack/

I haven't done it myself as I simply don't listen at high enough levels where it would be much of a difference - but you can try foam or other creative tweaks and have fun.

Acoustic suspension, ported or even transmission line are techniques to optimize loudspeaker resonance. Plug the port and you possibly just ruined the potential of that driver.

Quote:
Acoustic suspension, ported or even transmission line are techniques to optimize loudspeaker resonance. Plug the port and you possibly just ruined the potential of that driver.

But you won't do any harm blocking the ports. If the low frequencies lack definition or are too boomy, try it. Some speakers are even supplied with foam to block the ports if the owner prefers it that way: see www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/605dynaudio .

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

I guess the opposite of that is to also try to extend the port with some kind of tube (mailing tube, carpet roll, etc).

Are the Dynaudios the only speaker that has this capability?

I ask because I came across an article / review some place (I believe on Stereopphile.com) which reviewed a bookshelf speaker that could actually be put in a bookshelf. The way the designer accomplished this was by making the port pluggable by design.

Of course now I can't figure out what the make or model of this speaker is (and various incantations on search engines gets no results).