11-19-15: CjaronicaYep. Just ask any Magnepan owner. With an open baffle design, the back wave is out of phase with the front, so the closer to the wall behind, the stronger the out-of-phase wave, which cancels much of the bass extension firing to the front.
Open baffle speakers load the room differently than a enclosed box. Bass increases rather than decreases as the speaker is moved away from the front wall.
Open Baffle Convert
I recently took my 12" audio nirvana full range drivers out of their cabinets and into open baffles with wings. I can't believe the diference in sound. So much more 3 dimensional and lifelike. I was concerned the bass would roll off but I dont find it a aproblem at all. Munting them 14 inches to center of driver off of the floor seems to be enough. I am curious how many of you have heard this design. All of the downsides I had read about never materialized. Any thoughts?