Pretty sure l already know the answer to this, but when mounting the speakers inside the enclosures, does a hole (port) need to be cut into them?

I'm installing a temporary system in my 2015 SGS using an Alpine amp, Infinity Reference speakers l had and a BT355 line level converter. With the speakers mounted on the outside of the pods they sound good but hit the stock grill in the fairing. Mounted on the inside they sound horrible. I have polyfill in the enclosures.

My longterm plan is to go with the full Biketronics kit when funds allow.

 

I have my speakers mounted on the outside, but the way they sounded before and after the port I'd say you can't go wrong with the port. Definitely helped my setup.