There are two main types of subwoofers on the market today: Sealed Vs Ported Subwoofer. Both have their advantages and disadvantages that need to be considered before making a purchase.
Sealed subwoofers are typically more expensive and require more power, but they offer cleaner, more accurate bass reproduction. Ported subwoofers are usually less expensive and require less power, but they can suffer from compromised sound quality at higher volumes.
Contents
What is The Purpose of Subwoofers?
Audio customers often ask, “Why do you need a subwoofer?” Subwoofers give you more bass. Subwoofers are what enhance the quality of sound of your music.
If you use the correct subwoofers, your main speakers will sound better. Subwoofers of high quality will produce a richer, more powerful sound.
Subwoofers of a lower quality are only loud at certain frequencies, and the difference in sound can be very obvious. A subwoofer that is right for you will produce the rich, rich and dimensional sound many people are looking for in their music.
You will need a subwoofer that can deliver much low-end power if you’re considering investing in a better subwoofer to enhance your man cave/media room/in-home theater. What is the “low-end effect”? Low-end impacts refer to bass-frequency signals below 250 Hz.
The room’s size is the most important factor in determining the impact. A larger room will require a larger subwoofer, and possibly more. Multiple subwoofers will improve the listening experience by distributing a consistent sound and essentially evening out the bass response in the room.
Overview
What Is A Sealed Box Subwoofer?
As the name implies, a sealed box is sealed completely. It seals in the air, which acts as a shock absorber.
The sub can reproduce low frequencies with greater accuracy than their ported counterparts. This helps to limit back-and-forth cone movements, which ensures that your sub is not exerted too much. It also results in tight bass and low-frequency foundation for your particular music.
A sealed sub rarely roars, thunders, or booms. That’s because sealed subwoofers consist of very flat frequency response and tend to play tight, full bass that provides a level low-frequency foundation to your music.
These sealed enclosures will enhance your music experience, particularly if you prefer high-quality sound over SPL. Because you don’t have to design the port, they are compact and easy to construct.
Pros
- The subwoofer boxes that are sealed in boxes are usually small enough to fit in most vehicles. They also blend well with any environment and have minimal impact on the decor.
- It is also important to note that a sealed box doesn’t require precise measurements when it comes down to the size of its contents. Even if the box is larger than expected, it will not affect the system output.
- A Sealed box provides a better sound system and greater accuracy.
- Excellent transient response, especially for critical music applications.
Cons
- To increase the overall sound output, you’ll require a powered amplifier.
- The cone movement is restricted by the trapped air, which may limit the sound quality.
What Is A Ported Subwoofer Box?
Sealed vs Ported sub box enclosures can be louder than sealed ones and produce a booming bass with greater reverberance. Ported box sub enclosures have one woofer, and one or more vents that allow air to escape.
Ports redirect both the sound from the cone’s back and the front to increase the bass output. You can use your subwoofer with an amplifier, or without it. Both will produce great results.
This port can also be used as a pipe organ. This port works in conjunction with the woofer to produce more bass and give the cone more movement freedom without the need for a processor or equalizer. This port has another great advantage: it prolongs the life of your sub- by providing sufficient airflow and a cool environment.
Ported boxes also have another important aspect: the air creates an audio effect similar to a whistle while moving in and out. This improves the cone efficiency and makes the sub hit harder.
This subwoofer enclosure should be constructed by taking into account the volume and frequency of your subwoofer. The trick to building a ported enclosure is choosing the right size enclosure as well as the right-sized port. It can be difficult to achieve a balanced sound with a sealed enclosure.
Pros
- Cone excursion and sound distortion are reduced with ported boxes
- They also provide that extra boost in certain music genres.
- When it comes to amp power, the ported enclosure can be very efficient in making your sub perform admirably.
- Ported subwoofers will last longer because it is more reliable than a sub that’s not ported.
Cons
- Sometimes, the sound from the port can cause more damage than good to your music.
- Climate changes, such as temperature or humidity, can affect the port.
- They can also be sensitive to sudden changes, such as driver fatigue.
- Ported boxes can be difficult to design because they must be strong enough to withstand internal pressure.
- Because they are so large, it is possible that space availability could be an issue.
Sealed Vs Ported Subwoofer
1. Sound Quality
A sealed box subwoofer will have a lower group delay. This is the measure of how quickly the acoustic phase changes. Phase is simply the difference in time between two soundwaves reaching your ears.
Sealed subwoofers can move air faster to align with speaker output. This allows for a more coherent and integrated sound. The sound of sealed enclosures can be described as being “tighter and more articulate” and is often used for listening to critical music in audiophile systems.
Ported subwoofers are able to reach lower frequencies and render the most challenging low-frequency content with greater vigor at higher volumes.
This means it can play louder or lower with the same amplifier power as the driver measurements. The larger cabinet volume is a big factor.
A ported subwoofer is just as musical as a sealed subwoofer. It can produce a powerful, chest-thumping sound for home theater. It is more about your preference for one sound or another and subtle distinctions.
2. Preferences and Playback Levels
A ported sub is a better choice for those who like to watch movies, music, and TV at high volumes and crank up the Sound Pressure Levels (SPLs). This is especially true when the subwoofer is pushed with deep bass effects, particularly with Blu-rays or other formats that have high-fidelity soundtracks.
We don’t mean to be negative: While a sealed subwoofer can produce cinema-quality bass at high volumes and in concert, its strengths are in its musicality as well as its speed in transients.
A sealed subwoofer box is better for classical music listeners who are more into the sound and have a keen ear for music. It has an incredibly precise transient speed and can stop and start at a moment’s notice.
This design is best for instrumental bass, where you want the sound of the guitar strings or the sound of the tympani to be as natural as possible.
A ported subwoofer may be more suitable if you are into EDM, and would like the bass to drop below 20Hz to strike like a sledgehammer.
3. Dimensions of the Room
Sealed subwoofers can fill any room with powerful, inarticulate bass if its dynamic limits are properly matched to the playback level and room size.
Ported subwoofers have a higher peak dynamic output which gives them an advantage in larger rooms with less inherent “room gain”, especially when playing back material is very demanding.
You can reduce the size of the room by using multiple subwoofers. Using two or more subwoofers is usually a better option than one large to provide a more consistent bass output.
4. Visual Impact
The sealed subwoofer will be smaller and more compact than the ported, even though they have the same driver size. The sealed subwoofer also has a cube-like design which blends into listening rooms better with less visual impact and requires less floor space.
Ported enclosures require more cabinet space, which allows them to be louder and play deeper in the room. However, it also makes them larger and more visible.
Some relevant posts:
- Woofer Vs Subwoofer
- How To Connect A Subwoofer To An Old Amplifier?
- How To Connect Subwoofer To Soundbar?
Are You Still Undecided?
SVS subwoofers are designed to reduce the difference between sealed and ported models. The SVS sealed subs are capable of producing incredible output and low-frequency extension.
Ported models, on the other hand, can be extremely fast with pinpoint accuracy and speed in transients. This topic is being discussed in depth on SVSound.com.
Ported vs Sealed in trunk – A Comparison. Or, you can ask a World Wide Stereo representative for a demonstration to hear the differences firsthand.
What is better a sealed or ported sub box? Whether your subwoofer is ported vs sealed subwoofer, it’s one of the most important sonic upgrades you can make to your home theater. It will add a new level to music, home theater, and audio experiences.
FAQs
Are Sealed or Ported Subwoofers More Efficient?
Ported subwoofers are generally more efficient than sealed subwoofers, which means they can produce more sound with less power.
Which Type of Subwoofer is Better For Music?
Sealed subwoofers are generally considered better for music because they provide tighter, more accurate bass. Ported subwoofers are better for movies and other multimedia because they produce more impactful bass.
Which Type of Subwoofer is Better For Home Theater?
Ported subwoofers are generally considered better for the home theater because they can produce the deep, rumbling bass that is often found in movie soundtracks.
How Do I Choose Between A Sealed and Ported Subwoofer?
The choice between sealed and ported subwoofers depends on a variety of factors, including the size of your room, your listening preferences, and your budget. You may want to consult with an audio professional to help you make the best decision for your specific needs.
Conclusion
A subwoofer is a speaker designed to reproduce low-frequency sounds, typically below 20 Hz. Subwoofers are used in various audio systems, including home theater, car audio, and professional audio. Sealed and ported subwoofers are the two most common types of subwoofers. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
