So It`s Ok To Mix and Match Ported and Sealed Subwoofers ??


I`m completely set on adding 2-4 more subs in addition to the one I have now.

Seemed the concensus was to either run ported or sealed not both.
In a music only system like mine the vast majority say to go sealed.

I now realize that the Original Swarm uses ported subs...somehow I missed that part, so there goes the sealed only for music idea !
Then, I see where in a room like mine I might be better off using a mix of ported AND sealed.

My room is about 20' x 17' with a slanted vaulted ceiling 12' at the peak.
There`s a hallway at the left corner on the front wall and another hallway on the back wall in the corner.

There`s a set of double doors to the left that open to a family room/kitchen area. . The double doors are open at the top so it`s not a sealed room.

 So...IS IT ok to mix ported and sealed then ?

Steve
scm
Tim is one who knows what he's talking about, Steve. I don't even need to read his posts any more, they are all so thorough and accurate its only if I have the time any more.

When it comes to which sub, if you have one you like go with it. It does make a difference, obviously a lot of bigger more powerful subs is better than a lot of small weak ones. But try and keep in mind, the number of subs overshadows everything else. In other words I think Tim or I or anyone else with a Swarm type setup will be happy to put it up against any one sub on the market, regardless of price, size, power, or EQ.

My favorite story, which helped me get off my butt and build my DBA, was when Audiokinesis said he had a customer with some enormous budget something like $30k just for subs. Dude went and compared a lot in that price range, wound up buying a Swarm for 1/10th and not because it was cheaper but because it was better.
Now honestly if it was me I would have bought four or five better subs, heck with that kind of money make it six or seven. What I would NOT ever do is pour big money into only one or two, or even three. The improvement from more subs that far overshadows the improvement from anything else.
Hard to believe, I know. That's why Tim and I keep hammering on it.
big_greg that`s some nice subs you have !
On the Rythmik`s, the entry level ones don`t have speaker level inputs unfortunately.

Thanks
Steve
 
Hello scm,

    I'm guessing you're using something like the Revel Gems as your main speakers but, as I stated earlier, it really doesn't matter. You didn't answer my question about your budget, so I'm guessing that means your looking to spend as little as possible.
    If you're mainly concerned with very good bass performance at your listening seat and want to spend as little as possible, One option would be buying another Revel Ultima15 pre-owned passive sub, use the crawl method to position each sub optimally and power them both with your Dayton amp.  
      Another fairly low cost new option is to sell your Revel sub and Dayton SA-1000 amp, buy a new or used pair of the good quality SVS self-amplified PB/SB 1000 subs (SVS may still have a pair of new SB-1000 subs on sale for $950) and optimally position both using the crawl method. With either of these options you could add another pair of subs later if you wanted to. I can describe how to connect 4 passive subs to your Dayton amp in series/parallel when and if you want to in the future.
    The only downsides of using self-amplified subs is that you need to make sure the subs have separate controls for volume, crossover frequency and continuously variable phase(I know the SVS SB-1000 subs do) and you need to set these controls individually on each sub, rather than once for both/all 4 subs when powered by the Dayton amp.
    A third option is to deploy 3 subs, which Dr. Earl Geddes claims can be as effective as 4 subs if properly positioned and configured. This may be best for your system since the subs don't need to match in brand, model or size and you can mix self-amplified subs with passive subs.

Tim

millercarbon...I can believe what you say wholeheartedly.
I sometimes wonder if the same effect of a DBA setup can be had with way lesser priced subs !?
I mean your just pressurizing the room right ?

When you think about it in the simplest way the swarm is just 4 passive boxes with a relatively inexpensive 10'' woofer in each one.  
Makes me wonder

rego..thanks, that`s a common idea no doubt.