which do you think is better a bandpass or ported box. i just wanted to know if one is better. right now i got 2 12's in a bandpass box but its so heavy and taking up all the space in my little 323 trunk. i was thinking of getting a smalller ported box, just want to know what the sound diff is if any. thanx.

 

Although a talented installer can fabricate a box to do just about anything you want (just spl, or good sound w/o tons of slam, etc.) the generalization goes like this:
1) sealed, the smallest in size, and generally lowest in db's (assuming the same amount of power). Smooth sound, and the easiest to build.
2) ported, larger box than sealed (usually by about 50%), and generally a little louder, by like 3db's
3) bandpass, usually the biggest, and not usually the best for sound quality, although I've built a couple that were. These can be tuned for the highest SPL of the 3 choices with the same power.

These are generalizations of most basic types of the 3 boxes, depending on the subs used, the power your amp has, and the person's skills building the box.

I usually recommend a ported box for most applications (I use one myself). Better SPL, but not at the expense of sounding good.

 

Go to Rockfords site.They have a massive amount of information on there. Including the best type of boxes for individual applications. It's awesome stuff.

 

there is no best box or magic box, they all have pros and cons for a given situation. Your only true test is to build a box for each type and choose which you like best.

Personally i use sealed boxes for thier SQ and just add more juice to fuel them. I also like to use 10" subs.

here's how the boxes kinda relate to music

1. sealed = classic and hard rock, jazz...
2. ported - heavy metal, heavy rock, pop...
3. bandpass - rap and hip hop, techno

Also, aviod an equal length sided box, like 14x14x28...try to make shallow angles, rather than harsh 90deg corners. a wedge design is better than a flat backed box. It has to do with physics and the way the air and speaker cone reacts inside the box.

 

thanx guys.im dumb actually i meant a sealed box from the beginning sealed vs. bandpass. anyways thanx though most time i listen to really hard rock and a little rap. either mettalica or outkast both sides of the spectrum i guess. anyways i like a lot of thump since i work at best buy i get car audio stuff like 1/2 off. so thanx forr all your input.

 

onehawaiian likes sq, so sealed is the way to go. bandpass will boom, but i like to hear my bass notes and not always just the "thump".

if you have an eq, and you are not inot comps, go sealed. you can always adjust your eq to tune your bass.

 

yeah im thinking i should go with a sealed box. and get rid of my huge bandpass box. havent made up my mine yet.

 

I agree with my hawaiian friend ,,, sealed is the way to go , if you want the bass to be tighter then stuff it with cotton . I have had so many different types of boxes that it is just nuts, from dual 10" bandpass boxes, (ok but I did not like them) to sealed boxes( I loved all of them) my very first box, was a sealed dual 10" box with individual chambers, that thumped so hard ,, people would turn around when i was driving ,... that is how you know you have a rocking system
Bruce