ported vs sealed
 

what do you prefer and why ported or sealed enclosures

This has been covered in the past - a search may reveal a lot of information (and arguing :laugh: )

I prefer a VENTED box. Why?

1) Free output. Generally 2-5db louder. How can that ever be bad?

2) Lower useable frequency output. A vented box is typically louder between 25 and 45hz than a sealed box. This makes it sound like it 'plays lower' and with very little information below 25hz, I'm willing to make that trade. Look at the F3 point of a sealed and a vented box for the same driver. The F3 point is where the response of the box is down 3db from the reference level. The lower the F3 the 'deeper' the box will generally sound.
Sealed boxes hover in the high 30s to low 50s range, in general. Vented boxes often run high 20s to high 30s.

3) Flexibility. Oh you want deeeeep bass all week and a little SPL comp on the weekend? No problem. Run a 30hz vent all week and swap it for a 55hz vent for the show.

4) Power Handling. Vented boxes generally handle more power than sealed ones. The exception is at very low frequencies below tuning but this is an easy workaround.

Those are the 4 major reasons. The sealed camp wins in respect to enclosure size - but this to me is a minor concession and in more than a few instances one can go with a smaller sub or fewer subs and go vented and have the same performance as a larger or more sealed woofers. The topic of 'group delay' comes in as well. Most people don't understand it and figure 'more is worse'. Technically it is but most boxes, sealed or vented, are not a problem.

I will give sealed enclosures one for sure advantage: If you have some random woofer or like to change woofers a lot without changing boxes, get a sealed box. They are way way more forgiving this way.

thanks
 

Thanks for your thoughts it makes me think i've been using sealed for like 10 years always thought it was harder on the sub and easier to blow!

dukk hit the nail on the head.the only reason a ported box would be harder on your subs is if you were playing them below the tuneing of the box.

IB (infinite baffle):
1. Plays low
2. Efficient
3. less weight
4. Freq. response

Cons:
1. power handling
2. output
3. not a lot of drivers can do this well

^ IB? Efficient? I'm going to disagree. I don't want to start a debate but how can it be efficient yet have 'output' and 'power handling' as cons? :dunno:

I've rarely been really happy with transients and IB either - one had better have some killer midbass. This is just my opinion though.

Vented rules, then bandpass.. (OMG did he just say that? :eek: )

8th order

i think i'll stay sealed but thanks for all the input

vented is the best if there are no restrictions such as space and driver size, I will say though that my new set up with a small sealed box and 2x12's sounds very good and I still have lots of space. I can't say I'm really missing the 4cube box. I don't listen to music at very loud levels anymore, but this system gets more than loud enough to cause tinnitis(ringing in the ear). Anyway, the best set up is the one that fits all your criteria for utility, quality, loudness etc...I required lots of trunk space and I wanted 12's, so the only way I could have both was with a smaller box. I decided that a sealed system would do what I wanted, and it has.

some days you go with what fits not what you like

i like ported boxes but i need to go with a sealed BUT WHAT THE F##K IT WORKS

i would like to do more then one 8th order but the box size are big and i need the room

^^exactly! Ultimately the car has to serve me, not the other way around.

i would love to have a show queen but i use my suv all the time

the woofer will determine what box is better for sq than the box, not the other way around. for instance, take an avi sl250 and put it in a sealed box and you will the worst sounding 500 woofer you have ever heard, take the same woofer and put it in a vented box and it an amazing woofer

The other disadvantage with a sealed box is Dukk will argue with you till your blue in the face.j/k

Can't disagree with that. :dunno:

:smokin:

dukks great at arguing a points he has no basis for

hahaha :smilie_da

Not at all. I run a vented box in my very own car so obvioulsy it is the most ultimate bestest! That's how it works for you right? :cheeky4:

Also - vented boxes usually cost more than sealed so they are inherently much betterer there too..

Dave, is correct as usual, it depends on the driver and application:

Here are some general findings I have made over the years:

If you want SPL or DB per watt -- ported is generally better.

However, if you want to maintain control over your driver and maintain a fast even response -- sealed is a good option.

I have to disagree with DUKK's contention that vented boxes have better power handling (check this month's STEREOPHILE, they wonder why more people don't use SEALED to achieve better fidelity and deeper richer bass).

It is not my contention, it is common knowledge - where you been buddy?? :dunno: :cheeky4:


And Sterophile is a hack rag - didn't it used to be called Assclown Monthly?

Gotta agree with Dukk there. If you want power handling, vented is the way to go.

if you want power handling at the tuning freq yes, but above and especially below, sealed will have better power handling, but i am a huge ported fab, ib is a close second

Doh! I forgot where I was, I guess I should have interpreted the question as thus:

"what box do I use to shake my mirrors best" or "I want one note bass, or at least a huge hump between 40-60hz, can you help me"?

My edited response is now "use the biggest box with the biggest slot port you possibly can and be sure to pump as much RAP as you can".

These are generalites of course, but than again whatelse in this thread isn't?

^ Yes Mike that is exactly what I said :stroke:

Arguing the SQ merits of any enclosure design is futile- keep at it though... :gotooprah

Power handling @ the tunning frequency is exactly what I meant. This would be one of the trick to a good SPL cabinet design.


IB is somthing I wanted to give a try this season. But I just dont think I have the power for it. Seeing as its not all that efficient a design. Chances are I'll be goind sealed for my two Type X's.

i use three typex 10"woofer ib in my neon and pulled a 136.9 at finals with half a alpine f#1 status mrvf900

136 is impressive to say the least for an IB arrangement. And you say this was accomplished with half of an F1 amp? So thats like 600 watts or so? If you dont mind me asking, what is the sound like? I know you are using a front mounted sub, but if you werent would your SQ drop much? I know that the Type X has a pretty high Qts so IB should be a decent choice for SQ, but I've never actully tried it myself.


Sorry if I'm stealing the post a bit. This is my first post!!!

the bass in my neon is very good, some of the bess deep bass extension that ive ever heard out of 10" woofers. i did 136.9 at 39 hz as wel. i have experimented with all crossover frequncies between 30 and 50 hz and no matter what, the bass at some point will sound like it comes from the back. i have a thoery on this but thats for another thread. if want the bass to sound like it comes from the front you had better put a woofer there.

the preparation that i took in making the ib setup in my car was huge. the materials used and the method in which we did it was very time consuming but in the end i have 3 typex 10" woofer in ib that can modulate you voice at 28hz

damn straight!

Ok, Defro13. You got my attention, can you post your ideas about IB installs.