Sealed or Ported

[KLapinas]

What do you prefer in a speaker/subwoofer?

[treitz3]

Hello, KLapinas. That's a loaded question with so many variables it's uncanny. What are you looking to achieve?

Sealed is one thing, ported can go from a box to an infinite baffle. Then there's the speaker applications / sub applications which can be two completely separate animals.

Tom

[Devlon]

I prefer a 12" sealed sub with a passive radiator. Many companies use this design: REL, Paradigm, GoldenEar Forcefields, Polk Micropros, many others, etc. In the past I found I like the ported best for movies because of how powerfully they can reach low, and sealed best for music because of their faster transient attack. So, there are trade-offs. I like the sealed with the passive radiators because of their smaller footprint compared to most ported subs. To me a 12" sealed sub with a passive radiator reached as low, or lower than most 15" sealed subs with no radiator. Trinnov on my Sherwood confirms 19hz on my Polk Micropro 4000's. For a 12" sub that's pretty darn good! A sealed sub with a passive radiator design is a great happy median for me that satisfies my need for low impact for movies, and clean fast response bass for music. Good Luck!

[nhhiep]

it depends on too many variables. my Deftech Supercube I sealed with a 10" sub and 2 PRs. they say the amp is like 1800 w. and it's dead under 30hz.

[rpf65]

I prefer ported over sealed. All things being equal, the ported will reach lower hertz than a sealed. On the other hand, if foot print is a concern, you can usually get a larger speaker with a bigger amp with a sealed sub.

Generally speaking, a sealed is usually better than ported for music, while ported is better for movies. Bass heads usually prefer ported.

If your trying to decide which would be better for you application, we will need a little more info. What do you have, what the application is, movies/music application, taste, bass head or not, you get the idea.

Most manufacturers will give you really good recomendations, and not try to up sell you.

[decal]

Open or Closed headphones, Sealed or ported speakers, Chevy or Ford, Steak or Chicken, Night or Day, Cold or Hot.......................................

[KLapinas]

Hello, KLapinas. That's a loaded question with so many variables it's uncanny. What are you looking to achieve?

Sealed is one thing, ported can go from a box to an infinite baffle. Then there's the speaker applications / sub applications which can be two completely separate animals.

Tom

I just want to see what most prefer, whether it be a sub or bookshelf speaker or a floor stander.

[KLapinas]

I guess we can throw passive radiator in to the equation as well.

So if we look at the choice of a sealed, ported or passive radiator speaker/sub and they all have the same f3, what would you pick and why?