Infinite Baffle

Also known as “acoustic suspension.” A type of speaker cabinet design where the speaker driver’s output from the front of the cone is separated and isolated from the output from the rear of the cone. With an infinite baffle design, the sound produced by the rear of the cone is trapped within the sealed rear portion of the cabinet (at least to the extent that the sound can be contained by the cabinet walls and back). The sealed air inside the rear of the cabinet is used as a “spring” to help return the speaker to its resting position. This allows heavier, longer-throw drivers to be used, but generally results in reduced efficiency, requiring more amplifier power for a given output volume level.