Sub Box Question

[SubaruBassPro]

Currently i have a sealed sub box housing two 12" subs. I was wondering what the difference between a sealed box and a ported box is. Sound quality? More bass?

[DannyV18]

The sound quality part is very subjective, but as long as it's built decently and it's not a fart box (i.e. 45 hz tuning) it will sound decent. Ported will make it much louder than sealed, but they also require much more room.

[skittlesRgood]

SQ will go down with a ported box. output should double (3db).

[DannyV18]

SQ will go down with a ported box. output should double (3db).

SQ goes down huh? Then why do many SQ champions have ported enclosures? Explain please.

And you cannot just expect output to double. Way too many factors to throw out a specific number.

[Ralkyon]

Hence why he said should. l2read

[Quiet]

Sealed provides a predictable frequency response, and you don't have to be too accurate with enclosure volume. If vented enclosures are done correctly (proper calculation of size and port tuning) you can expect a 3-6db gain, since you're using the rear waves from the sub, too; much more low end extension, and better transient response especially at higher volumes when compared to acoustic suspension type enclosures.

The breadth of availability of "one size fits all" vented enclosures out there give vented a bad name. If an enclosure is not of the correct volume for the T/S of the sub, you will get "boomy" sound, and it usually just sounds too bad to listen to. There are no "free lunches" with sub boxes, as there are always trade-offs, typically bandwidth for gain

Acoustic suspension/sealed/4th order band pass = easy, safe enclosure to build, can vary volume of enclosure quite a bit before performance is reduced, typically higher low end roll off. best with subs EBP of 50 or lower

Ported/vented/6th order band pass = need proper tuning for best performance, but yield more performance than acoustic suspension when tuned properly, need a infrasonic filter, volume of enclosure and port area/length need to be pretty accurate. Best with subs with EBP of 100 or higher.

IMO power handling is a non issue. You will get much better performance and longevity by setting your gains properly. You can be happy with 150% RMS power to your subs with proper gains, and conversely blow your subs with 75% RMS fairly easily, by sending clipped, square waves to the coils.

Edited April 2, 2011 by srp365

[Quiet]

Sealed provides a predictable frequency response, and you don't have to be too accurate with enclosure volume. If vented enclosures are done correctly (proper calculation of size and port tuning) you can expect a 3-6db gain, since you're using the rear waves from the sub, too; much more low end extension, and better transient response especially at higher volumes when compared to acoustic suspension type enclosures.

The breadth of availability of "one size fits all" vented enclosures out there give vented a bad name. If an enclosure is not of the correct volume for the T/S of the sub, you will get "boomy" sound, and it usually just sounds too bad to listen to. There are no "free lunches" with sub boxes, as there are always trade-offs, typically bandwidth for gain

Acoustic suspension/sealed/4th order band pass = easy, safe enclosure to build, can vary volume of enclosure quite a bit before performance is reduced, typically higher low end roll off. best with subs EBP of 50 or lower

Ported/vented/6th order band pass = need proper tuning for best performance, but yield more performance than acoustic suspension when tuned properly, need a infrasonic filter, volume of enclosure and port area/length need to be pretty accurate. Best with subs with EBP of 100 or higher.

IMO power handling is a non issue. You will get much better performance and longevity by setting your gains properly. You can be happy with 150% RMS power to your subs with proper gains, and conversely blow your subs with 75% RMS fairly easily, by sending clipped, square waves to the coils.

In Other Words, if you build it right, a vented box is louder and clearer than sealed. If you build it wrong, then it will sound like shit.

[DannyV18]

Sealed provides a predictable frequency response, and you don't have to be too accurate with enclosure volume. If vented enclosures are done correctly (proper calculation of size and port tuning) you can expect a 3-6db gain, since you're using the rear waves from the sub, too; much more low end extension, and better transient response especially at higher volumes when compared to acoustic suspension type enclosures.

The breadth of availability of "one size fits all" vented enclosures out there give vented a bad name. If an enclosure is not of the correct volume for the T/S of the sub, you will get "boomy" sound, and it usually just sounds too bad to listen to. There are no "free lunches" with sub boxes, as there are always trade-offs, typically bandwidth for gain

Acoustic suspension/sealed/4th order band pass = easy, safe enclosure to build, can vary volume of enclosure quite a bit before performance is reduced, typically higher low end roll off. best with subs EBP of 50 or lower

Ported/vented/6th order band pass = need proper tuning for best performance, but yield more performance than acoustic suspension when tuned properly, need a infrasonic filter, volume of enclosure and port area/length need to be pretty accurate. Best with subs with EBP of 100 or higher.

IMO power handling is a non issue. You will get much better performance and longevity by setting your gains properly. You can be happy with 150% RMS power to your subs with proper gains, and conversely blow your subs with 75% RMS fairly easily, by sending clipped, square waves to the coils.

In Other Words, if you build it right, a vented box is louder and clearer than sealed. If you build it wrong, then it will sound like shit.

Thank you.

[skittlesRgood]

SQ will go down with a ported box. output should double (3db).

SQ goes down huh? Then why do many SQ champions have ported enclosures? Explain please.

And you cannot just expect output to double. Way too many factors to throw out a specific number.

1st comment, because they KNOW what they are doing. this guy is obviously new so a general statement is completely accurate for him.

the 2nd comment, duh... but again, its a general reference and its accurate for this guy.

we dont need to get super complicated and confuse people who are asking their 1st questions about a concept.

[Azagtoth502]

I still say go ported, you'll be glad you did