Notices
Audio, Security, & Automotive Lighting Troubleshoot wiring problems and get equipment suggestions all in one place. Now expanded to include Automotive Lighting

Ported or Sealed?

Thread Tools
 
Old Aug 26, 2006 | 01:21 PM
  #1  
Chimbo's Avatar
Chimbo
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Default Ported or Sealed?

Is there a difference between the two? i mean, i know there is, but what is it. i did some research and sorta found out the ported enclosures are for deeper bass and sealed ones are used to hit harder. i also found out that it also depends on the specification of your sub/subs. either way, i want to know whether i should get a sealed or ported enclosure for my 15" sub.

whats the difference?
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2006 | 03:10 PM
  #2  
dleccord's Avatar
dleccord
Member
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by BASS OUTLAW
Now we will start with :

Sealed enclosures : A SEALED enclosure will be the smallest,and is the simplest of enclosures and will have good low frequency extension, but might not have the best low frequency extension. If space is limited.
and its a good choice for SQ fans (Sound Quality).

PORTED enclosures (Bass Reflex) : A PORTED enclosure will generally have a better low frequency extension for a given response shape,but would require a larger enclosure. If you made the enclosure as small as the sealed enclosure, but ported it to gain the low frequency response, the output would deviate from the desired flat response.

Ported enclosures are slightly more difficult to design than a sealed enclosure. When using a sealed enclosure, it is difficult to be so far off as to risk damaging the woofers. In any type of enclosure, the woofer relies on the enclosure for damping. If there is insufficient damping, the woofer's cone will move significantly more than it should. The ported box will provide virtually no damping below the port frequency, all of the control will be provided by the woofer's suspension. Below the tuning (port) frequency, it is possible to cause damage to the woofer well before power levels approach the maximum power ratings of the woofer.
common tunning frequencies :
Sound Quality : 20 up to 28 Hz.
Sound Quality Loudness : 30 up to 35 Hz
Sound Pressure LeveL SPL : 40 up to 80 Hz (test tones are played rather than normal music, to avoid Low frequencies, which damages the speaker).
Its commonly used for competition propose. and not everyday driving.(unless you like listening to test tones for everyday driving).

BandPass enclosures (Single Reflex): Bandpass enclosure can sound good and give you a flat response,but most of the bandpass enclosures(in the market), are not designed for a flat response, this means that they are built to produce a large peak at some frequency from 50 to 60 Hz, these enclosures will work well with Rap, but generally they dont sound good with other types of music.
if u use a banpass enclosure. it should be designed specificaly for your speaker.
P.S : its not always recommended.






hope that this info will help many to understand the different types of enclosures.and which type will perform better for their propose.


-zAK
-by zak aka bass outlaw
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2006 | 10:27 PM
  #3  
Chimbo's Avatar
Chimbo
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Default

wow. i have no idea what that is saying. i was hoping for a simple answer; yeah sorry im a noob at this stuff lol
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2006 | 11:43 PM
  #4  
FrozenAcid's Avatar
FrozenAcid
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Default

lol very true. if you dont know the words, then that doesnt make any sense. personally, i have never seen a 15 inch sub in anything but a ported box. Normally a sealed box would be used for sound quality or when there is very limited space. Subs in a sealed box hit a lot faster and sound a lot more crisp. But you lose loudness. Ported often hit lower and much louder, but they also have a much looser sound to them. I think most people agree that sealed = rock, ported = rap/hip hop
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2006 | 11:54 PM
  #5  
b00gers's Avatar
b00gers
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 58,579
Likes: 0
From: Lll
Default

I will go ahead and say use this as your criteria.

Sealed box = if you want something that wont take up so much room

Ported = if you have the room to spare for the huge box, and you want that extra 3db that is claimed from using a ported over a sealed box.


If you have an Integra, I dont know if you would want a ported box for a 15" woofer in the hatch area.
__________________
.
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2006 | 02:36 AM
  #6  
Arfboy's Avatar
Arfboy
Diamond Audio turns me on
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Default

I'd suggest a sealed box for the sake of saving trunk space and because it's more forgiving in design. I had a sealed 15" in my Accord with 1600W and it got plenty loud enough for my taste.

If you're experienced in box building, want the extra output, and don't care about losing your trunk, go for a ported box tuned nice and low.
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2006 | 05:49 AM
  #7  
skip259's Avatar
skip259
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
Default

Depends on what you're listening to. ported is better for hip hop and bass heavy tracks. Sealed is better tighter bass (drums, bass guitar, rock music)

I've got a sealed 15" kicker box in my trunk. Sounds pretty good with all types of music. It's powered by a phoenix gold 400 watt class D amp.

hope this helps.

post the type of music you normally listen to, and that might help steer you in the right direction.

-B

p.s. check my sig.
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2006 | 11:16 AM
  #8  
Chimbo's Avatar
Chimbo
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by b00gers
If you have an Integra, I dont know if you would want a ported box for a 15" woofer in the hatch area.
Yeah, i have an integra, but i dont really put anything in the back anyway. Also, i listen to hip-hop and alternative, but mostly hip-hop. i dont really care about trunk space so im really leaning toward a ported box
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2006 | 11:37 AM
  #9  
FrozenAcid's Avatar
FrozenAcid
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Default

whats the type of sub? how much wattage are you running to it? Personally i like ported over sealed, but thats come from having my sub in both types of boxes. The best way to figure out what you'll like is to do the same.
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2006 | 02:22 PM
  #10  
Tyler88's Avatar
Tyler88
sinking steps rising eyes
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 694
Likes: 0
From: South Dakota
Default

depending on the sub type ported may be an issued with space limitations. Sealed has a lot crisper sound to it, IMO, then ported. Ported is louder but you sacrifice a lot of space. again it depends on what the company recommends for a box size...
Reply



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 12:22 PM.