Two questions: How does one know if a speaker is free air or is supposed to be enclosed?

I have two rear speakers, 5-1/2 " from a 92 190e that are mounted in plastic enclosures. They fit in the rear of our 87 190e but the existing sheet metal below has a whole about 2" in diameter. Should I seal the bottom of the plastic enclosures to improve the base?

Thanks, I have learned a lot reading this thread.

Haasman

Let's see- from what we've discussed in this thread, I think you would want to leave them as open as possible. Your 190 has a metal bulkhead that really encloses things, so you'll want to gain as much access to "open air" as possible.

My original question dealt with my 280SEL, that has no metal bulkhead at the rear shelf- hence, my speakers would be open to the entire interior of the trunk, which is too much open air. Thus, I used the baffles to find a happy medium.

I think it is about providing an opening that is not too restricted, but at the same time, not wide open either.

Do correct me if I am mistaken, but this is what I have gleaned from this thread.

BTW, I am VERY happy with my overall results. See the thread "108 chassis sound systems" for pics of my final product.

Cheers,

JAS