Good morning Group. Is it necessary/beneficial to add a baffle/enclosure to a tender speaker or does the tender shell itself provide an adequate baffle/enclosure? I'm using a round Tang Band speaker.
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Speakers have a rating for the volume they can fill. If the tender is too big, it won't help the speaker. Having an enclosure, helps the speaker produce more sound.
This is a big subject and it's tuff to give some all in one answer. Maybe the exact speaker model would help you, if you look up the specs on it.
You could try putting a plastic cap of the correct diameter over the speaker to test.
Engineers tune the enclosure to help achieve the performance they desire or optimize the speaker's performance.
You might take a look at the Tang Band speakers that come complete with an enclosure. They make some in small sizes that fit well in O scale models.
@tigermoth posted:Peter. Most of Tang Band mini round speakers don't have a baffle/enclosure. In the case of boiler and tender installs, in O scale, can you assume the boiler and tender body act as the baffle/enclosure or does one have to be built?
"For the most part, you'll get MUCH better results with a proper speaker baffle. If you look in most Lionel Legacy tenders, they have a speaker baffle. I can assure you they wouldn't spend the money if it wasn't doing some good. 
Adding a speaker baffle will improve the sound of almost any speaker."
already answered!
@tigermoth posted:Good morning Group. Is it necessary/beneficial to add a baffle/enclosure to a tender speaker or does the tender shell itself provide an adequate baffle/enclosure? I'm using a round Tang Band speaker.
Most certainly a proper baffle will make a big difference in most cases. It's simple to try it yourself, it's pretty easy to fabricate a simple baffle and see the results. It's not rocket science to make a basic baffle. While truly engineering the ideal baffle is a lot more complex, a simple dixie cup over a speaker will make a huge difference.
