Sealed vs Ported Subwoofers

My current subwoofer is sealed and is used in my music system. I've used ported in a home theater system. What I believe to be more useful in integrating a subwoofer is getting a digital sound processing sub that allows room equalization. And just as important is being able to adjust the volume of the subwoofer independently and easily from your left/right speakers. Once I set the volume for the source signal I generally adjust the subwoofer volume to get the sound right. Useing the same static volume settings for the sub in relation to the left/right speakers in all situations is what causes so many complaints about subwoofer integration IMO.

Sealed generally means less resonance and group delay - so more refined bass.

Ported means higher output which can be important for HT and will give you more bass for much less money(much more efficient).

What Shadorne said. Ported subs are usually (though not always) less damped than sealed subs. That helps for high output capability at very low frequencies (read "HT"), but might cause some issues when optimizing for a music system. However, as the other posts note, individual subwoofer designs vary, as do main speaker designs. The trick re: damping is to find a sub and mains that are similarly damped at the crossover point. I'd guess that, more often than not, a sealed sub will be a better choice, but "more often than not" is not the same thing as always.

Good Luck

Marty

I agree, in general, with Shadorne -and- Gmuffley. Box size is another factor to consider. Using the same size box, you will get deeper extension and higher output with a ported design. The sealed box will give you a flatter and more gradual roll off. Recent sealed subwoofer designs use smaller boxes with very powerful amplifiers with compensation to achieve better output and extension. Some have been very popular. My old ported 12" Mirage(Energy) would shake the walls in a way my sealed 10" Parts Express Titanic subs will not. Ultimately, the sealed subs work better in my room.

Subwoofers are very commonly used with electronic equalization. The inherently-smooth slow rolloff of a sealed system is best suited to equalization, and the equalization can take care of the fact that the rolloff begins at a higher frequency.