Sealed cabinets tend to start rolling off earlier than ported, but at a lower rate. All rooms have bass reinforcement, with often times the most at the higher end of the low bass, the same area where ported subs have higher output. As you go down lower though the curves often cross, with the sealed cabinet actually having greater output than ported. This accounts for hearing ported as more powerful, sealed as smoother/deeper.
Using lots of them works so well because while each sub still has its own set of lumpy modes, its output can be lower because there are more subs and they all add together for smooth deep bass everywhere in the room. The single location limitation is a problem with using EQ, not DBA.