This is not applicable to all designs. And I wonder if the
cone breakup that I hear may come from what you are describing.

Could be. Maybe I'm just going deaf.

I don't have a chance to hear anyone else's homebuilds.

Last night I was at the local symphony (in volunteer usher service)
and I was trying to hear what the concert hall would sound like from
2 little speakers in MLTL boxes. I decided I'd never be playing
up to those volume levels. The concert hall is the concert hall and
home is home.

There was some real low notes from a section of bowed bass that
was very effective. I don't know if I could ever get that low and quiet at the same time.