To port or not to port. That is the question

Ok, I am looking at the dual 12" full well boxes from subthump and noticed that they either ported or unported. Which was is best I guess and what are the benefits of each??

Ported or un-ported really depends on the specification of the subs your putting in them...

Ported boxes are can sound very good, but if they are not matched to the subwoofers they can sound really really bad...

Look at the specifications and enclosure recommendations for the subwoofers you're thinking of.. if they can handle a 1cf enclosure ported then I'd say you're all set, if they require more than 1.25cF ported, then don't use them in that enclosure.

The enclosure WILL make or break the way the subs sound...

you might wanna check out http://forum.soundillusions.net/index.php?

What about these subs:

JL Audio (http://www.jlaudio.com/subwoofers/12w3v2.html)


It states:

Sealed Enclosure Range: 1.00-1.50 cu.ft. (28.3-42.0 liters)
Ported Enclosure Range: 2.00-3.00 cu.ft. (57.0-85.0 liters)

So from that I take it that I need a sealed box? :confused:

With those subs with the enclosure you stated you wanted to use... then yes, they need to be sealed.

If you had more volume to use (Custom Fiberglass enclosure) then I would say Ported "could" be an option.

There are subs out there that do handle small ported enclosures though. Adire makes a couple of them that would work in that enclosure...

On that note, the Brahma with enough power would probably wreck that ebay box you were looking at. I'd buy one from Subthump.com and have Steve (megabass on this board) build the baffle stronger to support the speaker. His boxes are also thicker, most of those eBay boxes are 1/2" MDF, his are all 3/4" MDF; you'll need that thickness.