Whats the difference between sealed & ported?
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Sealed is when the space behind a sub in a box is airtight.
Ported is when a small hole is open to let air flow into the rear of the box.
Sealed is usually a "tighter" bass sound, but takes more power to push
Ported is easier to power, but the bass is "boomier"
I view it as a matter of preference or the situation. If you're limited by amp power and still want it to sound "loud" you might be forced to choose a ported setup. But if you have sufficient power you can go with either.
Personally I prefer a sealed box any day.
I believe I have the "gist" of this idea right, but if I'm way off base, any of the audiophiles feel free to correct me
Ported is when a small hole is open to let air flow into the rear of the box.
Sealed is usually a "tighter" bass sound, but takes more power to push
Ported is easier to power, but the bass is "boomier"
I view it as a matter of preference or the situation. If you're limited by amp power and still want it to sound "loud" you might be forced to choose a ported setup. But if you have sufficient power you can go with either.
Personally I prefer a sealed box any day.
I believe I have the "gist" of this idea right, but if I'm way off base, any of the audiophiles feel free to correct me
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That's pretty much right Jim. 
Here's some stuff that I copied and pasted from this site..... http://www.mobileaudio.com/rac-faq/
If found that link by using this link https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/subwoofer.html
That is located here
https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/
Which is located here
https://www.thirdgen.org under the Technical Articles: Car Audio: A Brief on Subwoofer Enclosure Construction
AJ
Here's some stuff that I copied and pasted from this site..... http://www.mobileaudio.com/rac-faq/
Sealed Box
Advantages...
Small enclosure volumes
Shallow (12 dB/Octave) roll off on low end
Excellent power handling at extremely low frequencies
Excellent transient response/ group delay characteristics
Easy to build and design
Forgiving of design and construction errors
Disadvantages...
Not particularly efficient
Marginal power handling in upper bass frequencies
Increased distortion in upper bass over ported design
When using high power and small box, magnet structure is not in an ideal cooling environment
Ported Box
Advantages...
3-4 dB more efficient overall than sealed design
Handles upper bass frequencies better with less distortion
Magnet is in good cooling environment
When properly designed, a ported box will slaughter a sealed in terms of low frequency extension
Disadvantages...
Size (not so critical outside the mobile environment)
Woofer unloads below Fb
More difficult to design/ can result in boomy, nasty sounding bass if misaligned
Advantages...
Small enclosure volumes
Shallow (12 dB/Octave) roll off on low end
Excellent power handling at extremely low frequencies
Excellent transient response/ group delay characteristics
Easy to build and design
Forgiving of design and construction errors
Disadvantages...
Not particularly efficient
Marginal power handling in upper bass frequencies
Increased distortion in upper bass over ported design
When using high power and small box, magnet structure is not in an ideal cooling environment
Ported Box
Advantages...
3-4 dB more efficient overall than sealed design
Handles upper bass frequencies better with less distortion
Magnet is in good cooling environment
When properly designed, a ported box will slaughter a sealed in terms of low frequency extension
Disadvantages...
Size (not so critical outside the mobile environment)
Woofer unloads below Fb
More difficult to design/ can result in boomy, nasty sounding bass if misaligned
That is located here
https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/
Which is located here
https://www.thirdgen.org under the Technical Articles: Car Audio: A Brief on Subwoofer Enclosure Construction
AJ
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I might add, ported is nice in that it's easier to eliminate distortion, but that also makes it easier for you to crank it up and blow your sub, and you'll be wondering why.
That's probably only in extreme cases, though.
I honestly would just go sealed in most applications, making sure the size of the box is reasonably close to what the sub needs.
That's probably only in extreme cases, though.
I honestly would just go sealed in most applications, making sure the size of the box is reasonably close to what the sub needs.
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From: USA
Car: yy wife, crazy.
Engine: 350, Vortecs, 650DP
Transmission: TH-350
Axle/Gears: 8.5", 3.42
Originally posted by Ragnarok_Tyr
LOL, Ditto. I wish I would have seen that before I typed all the crap I did.
LOL, Ditto. I wish I would have seen that before I typed all the crap I did.
Originally posted by REZN8R
Never mind, AJ92RS beat me to the punch.
Never mind, AJ92RS beat me to the punch.
I'm sorry guys. That's what happens when us old construction workers get laid. I mean laid off!!!
AJ
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From: Manassas, VA
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Originally posted by REZN8R
Never mind, AJ92RS beat me to the punch.
Never mind, AJ92RS beat me to the punch.
So your just here for the post? What a *****!
Just 
ing with ya. lol >rest, I think I have decided on the sealed box for my project. Tight and not sloppy bass should be played with rock. Sloppy bass and rock might just sound like ****.
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From: USA
Car: yy wife, crazy.
Engine: 350, Vortecs, 650DP
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Axle/Gears: 8.5", 3.42
Originally posted by redbird_400
So your just here for the post? What a *****! Just ing with ya. lol
>rest, I think I have decided on the sealed box for my project. Tight and not sloppy bass should be played with rock. Sloppy bass and rock might just sound like ****.
So your just here for the post? What a *****!
Just ing with ya. lol >rest, I think I have decided on the sealed box for my project. Tight and not sloppy bass should be played with rock. Sloppy bass and rock might just sound like ****.
It is a little boomy though. I found myself turning down my sub volume after I put the ports in. Eventually I will either plug them, or just make a new top. I don't really like boomy bass, I like accurate bass.
I guess it's all a matter of personal preference. It does sound good if I'm playing Eminem or Ying Yang Twins where the bass is 'fake' anyway, but overall I'd have to agree with you that rock does not sound good with boomy bass. When's the last time you heard a boomy bass drum, right?
AJ
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From: Enumclaw, WA USA
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It's all dependant on the tuning. I've heard a bandpass box sound amazing playing ZZ top, but it sucked playing any kind of rap. (I know that's not ported, but the same principals apply)
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From: USA
Car: yy wife, crazy.
Engine: 350, Vortecs, 650DP
Transmission: TH-350
Axle/Gears: 8.5", 3.42
Originally posted by REZN8R
It's all dependant on the tuning. I've heard a bandpass box sound amazing playing ZZ top, but it sucked playing any kind of rap. (I know that's not ported, but the same principals apply)
It's all dependant on the tuning. I've heard a bandpass box sound amazing playing ZZ top, but it sucked playing any kind of rap. (I know that's not ported, but the same principals apply)
There are ports that tune the freq. range which allows certain frequencies thru. A ported box is the same principle in that it's tuned to put out more sound at a certain freq., and anything above that is fine. But once you get below that freq. it's WHALLA WHALLA WHALLA. That poor sub starts fluttering like a butterfly in heat.
A bandpass is just as bad below the freq. if it's a 6th order dual reflex. If it's a 4th order single reflex it's not as bad. You just won't hear anything below the tuned freq. With a 6th order, you won't be able to hear those freqs. either, plus you won't be able to hear the woofer going "WTF is going on?". That can be bad.
AJ
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From: Orange County
Well, what kind of music do you like, rap or anything else? If you listen to rap go with ported, but if you like rock or alternative or anything else, go with sealed. But I would go with sealed either way, they still have boomy bass if you occasionally listen to rap. Spend the extra money on more power and go sealed.
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