Sealed Vs. Ported

[jayjay6888]

ok so space is kind of limited (37"w..... 23"D.... 17"h) and i really want to run a 18 i believe those dimensions give me enough space after all displacement but my dilemma is i would like to go less on the depth to about 20 at most 21. ok so getting to the point which would be louder and sound better an 18Q sealed in 5 cubes or a 18 Q ported in a lil over 6 cubes tuned to 32hz? or should i just go with a 15Q or LVL4 15 in a 4 cubic ft. box tuned to 32hz?

thanks for chiming in with you opinions/Suggestions

[Aaron813]

The Q would probably sound better it all depends on what kind of sound you like

[jayjay6888]

my ears dont have a preference for a certain type of sound... im just wondering if the Q sealed will be about same as it is ported(not number wise of course) but to the ear? or would i be louder just going with a 15lvl4 or 15Q ported...in other words what am i sacrificing with it being sealed

[The Performer]

my ears dont have a preference for a certain type of sound... im just wondering if the Q sealed will be about same as it is ported(not number wise of course) but to the ear? or would i be louder just going with a 15lvl4 or 15Q ported...in other words what am i sacrificing with it being sealed

You have a bit more flexibility with a sealed in terms of how well the sub performs at a wide range of frequencies if I'm correct. Most of the time ported enclosures are aimed at a certain range of frequencies in which they perform at their best, where as a sealed will just work usually no matter what frequency. I might be wrong in that a sealed has a bit more drawback with VERY low frequencies, (someone chime in here).

Otherwise, your main factors in this decision is simplicity in the build, what kind of bass you want, what kind of music will you listen to MOST often, and of course how much space you have to work with.

[Boon]

If you can get 6 cubes ported a 18Q will go damn good.