I am worried that the bracings might act as other chambers and therefore add certain frequency peaks or dips. It may even affect your port tuning.
Bracing usually is intended to make the sides stronger so that the box does not flex. I usually knock on the edge of the box and listen to the sound that it makes. I then knock on the middle of the sides and listen to the sound. If the side knock sounds lower than the edge knock, I usually brace the sides. This means that the material is too thin and/or it will sound boxy. When I do brace the sides, it is usually laterral and it goes with the internal air flow of the box so that it will not create other noises and/or frequencies.
Another box building tip is to double up the front baffle because of the cutout. It usually is the weakest side and therefore needs extra support.
Let us know what it sounds like.
Looks like a beautiful construction masterpiece. Great location for the port.
I spoke with a dd tech about the bracing. Concerned about what ya said about them acting as seperate chambers and changing the frequency. He looked at this web page and said that they wouldn't cause a problem. That they would prevent a standing wave. And that it made for a rigid box.
