aiming the subwoofer box

Gotcha, inflames989.  Now that I see that green symbol as a woofer instead of an arrow, it becomes clear.  But the box depth should be defined so that it can be added to the to-rear distance measurement of 4.5" that you defined as a control in the experiment.

(Wonder what rear porting would do to that nicer set of soundwaves??  Looks like a good case for ports on the face of the box, by this demonstration.)

Here's one up for grabs:  a polyfiber-filled sealed enclosure actually (apparently, if you wish) slows down the backwaves, making the box air volume act as if it's somewhat larger.  As far as I know, there is no science (proven with math) to demonstrate to what degree this "slowing" action occurs.  It is estimated at somewhere between 10% and 30% greater box volume if polyfill is used, from what I've read.

Now, the graphs with the black background in this experiment are projections of soundwaves based on math, not actual recorded results, if I understood the above explanation correctly.  Consider this:  a scenario where the box, like many enclosures, is filled with polyfill or Acousta-Stuf fibers.  And, consider that there is no math to explain a difference in backwave emanation from the box (if indeed there IS a difference) because of the fill.  If the box were filled with fiber, would this projected result (which is based on math) be accurate? 

Also looking forward to your real-world experimenting this weekend, haemphyst.  This is a good thread... and thanks, inflames989, for sharing your project with the forum.