[TenTec] Orion heat problem

[Roy]

"...It looks like removing most* of that
sponge layer (remove the speaker first, it lifts out) would still
provide the mechanical stability of pressure from the top cover but
there would be added airflow around the edges of the speaker.  It's not
much - perhaps 1/16th to 1/8 of an inch around the speaker but that
could be significant...(etc.)"

Un-sealing the edges of the speaker removes the baffling effect of the 
enclosure, causing cancelation of lower frequencies, known as operation in 
duplex mode, where the driver sees an acoustical short circuit at low 
frequencies. Response will be very much shifted to a "tinny" sound. (About 
the resistor, solid state audio amps operate OK into an infinite Z).

73, Roy,    K6XK