Ported vs Sealed Subs

Soccerplyr

I am on the hunt for a new sub as I have never felt the Polk has done the job for me. I am probably 75% movies 25% music. I have it narrowed down to three different subs, the SVS PB10-NSD and two different eD's the A5s-300 and the A3-300.

The main difference between the two eD subs is that one is sealed and the other is ported. What are the benefits of one over the other. I have only had ported subs, my previous being a Velodyne CHT 8.

If I am missing any other options feel free to make suggestions. The Epik Legend looks pretty nice but can't be had until September. Trying to keep the purchase around $600.

Thanks,

Jeff

gfong

I have th SVS 12 inch version and it is fantastic. Movies sound awesome and it can keep up with the music listening as well.

You would not be disapointed with the SVS and I have not heard of the other brand that you mentioned.

Polkie2009

Check out AVS forum on what people are saying about what's going on with the eD subs. I'd wait a couple of months and see what the Epik Legend can really do. Sealed subs are getting more respect in HT, thanks to bigger drivers and better amps:) Some folks prefer a cleaner bass over a booming bass. Either way, good luck with the search.

quadzilla

Sealed or ported can provide "clean" bass. The main difference between sealed and ported designs is that a ported sub will roll off low frequencies at a minimum of 24 db/octave below the tuning frequencies and can provide deeper useful output with the same sized box. The sealed however will give lower total extension, but requires a larger box to reach the same low frequencies. But this also gives you more extension. My preference is a sealed sub, but there are many very good ported subs out there as well.

lanchile

quadzilla wrote: »

Sealed or ported can provide "clean" bass. The main difference between sealed and ported designs is that a ported sub will roll off low frequencies at a minimum of 24 db/octave below the tuning frequencies and can provide deeper useful output with the same sized box. The sealed however will give lower total extension, but requires a larger box to reach the same low frequencies. But this also gives you more extension. My preference is a sealed sub, but there are many very good ported subs out there as well.

I like sealed too, The bass is much cleaner and faster than ported.;)

thuffman03

I have had both and I prefer sealed subs over ported.

BWilberg266

Given your usage of 75/25 movies/music I would say go with the A3-300. I added an A2-300 to my setup last week and have been very pleased with it's performance on both movies and music. It has a great ability to "disappear" and really blend in just the way you want a good sub to do, but then really step up and make itself know in the high impact LFE sequences on movies. If you have all of the speaker settings, levels, and crossovers set right through your receiver I don't think you will find your bass to be lacking in definition.

As far as "what is going on" with ED subs, I would have no concern. They have great customer service and always seem to do right by their customers should there be a need for a replacement part. There was some issue with some of the amps in their A2-300's but they have since been utilizing a newer version of amp and have seen no issues. Their subs have great bracing and use EFS, a more dense, more environmentally friendly material than the traditional MDF used by most other companies.

I would check out the review that ED has on their site on the A3-300, the pro reviewer did a very extensive job working it on movies and music. And his previous sub was a Velodyne as well. (He actually ended up purchasing the A3-300 and using it as his new reference sub after the review)

Any reason (besides the fact that it doesn't ship until 7/21) that you aren't considering the PB12-NSD? It would be a better comparison the the ED subs you selected.

scoobygt68

So I have a def tech trinity sub: consists of 2 powered 14" subs and 4 passive 14" radiators on the sides. Is that basically a ported sub then?

cstmar01

scoobygt68 wrote: »

So I have a def tech trinity sub: consists of 2 powered 14" subs and 4 passive 14" radiators on the sides. Is that basically a ported sub then?

a ported sub has just that a port that air is allowed to move through ect. Often they are found on the back or front of the sub, a circle in which PVC or plastic is installed.

Sealed is just that, its sealed, no openings.

Midnite Mick

Not a big sub guy here but I have yet to hear a ported sub that doesn't annoy the hell out of me.....granted I have only heard relatively cheap ones (sub 1k).

I used to have a sealed diy Tumult that I liked.

Regards,
Mike

apphd

scoobygt68 wrote: »

So I have a def tech trinity sub: consists of 2 powered 14" subs and 4 passive 14" radiators on the sides. Is that basically a ported sub then?

Short answer YES. At least the passive serves the same purpose as a port. What ever the total volume of air the 4 passives above can move, would have the same tuning as a port that would exhaust the same amount of air. Ports extend the low freq. response.

Ports and sealed designs all have there pro's and con's. As replies indicate in general for music sealed are the favorites of many. For HT (LFE) ported get the nod. But there are ported that can do music good and sealed that can do HT justice.

danz1906

apphd wrote: »

Short answer YES. At least the passive serves the same purpose as a port. What ever the total volume of air the 4 passives above can move, would have the same tuning as a port that would exhaust the same amount of air. Ports extend the low freq. response.

Ports and sealed designs all have there pro's and con's. As replies indicate in general for music sealed are the favorites of many. For HT (LFE) ported get the nod. But there are ported that can do music good and sealed that can do HT justice.

Agreed, A Sealed sub will need Lots of Power like the JL Audio F113 Sub-2500w
The Ported subs(SVS Ultra-13) can get away with less power(750w) and sound
just as Loud and go just as Deep.

Soccerplyr

Thanks for the responses. I am going to stick with a ported sub since it sounds like that would be a better choice based on the amount of time I spend listening to movies. Still up in the air on which one to go with. Might just wait until the Epik hits the market as I've read nothing but positive stuff about their product. The 300+ pages of eD stuff did have me a tad worried so thanks for the feedback on your experiences with them. Main reason for not going with the larger SVS is cost. I'm trying to keep the upgrade to around $600 including shipping. I do keep my eye on their B-stock and if one ever shows up I will definitely grab it.

Polkie2009

Soccerplyr, I believe the Epik Legend is going to be a sealed design? Maybe you can look into a used Epik of the ported design, they have a few that were well thought of. Another brand I'll throw out there just for grins in the Klipsch Synergy 12,you can probably get a used one or two for about $250-$300 each? It's a ported design and folks say it's a good bang for the buck for home theater.

BWilberg266

Soccerplyr wrote: »

Thanks for the responses. I am going to stick with a ported sub since it sounds like that would be a better choice based on the amount of time I spend listening to movies. Still up in the air on which one to go with. Might just wait until the Epik hits the market as I've read nothing but positive stuff about their product. The 300+ pages of eD stuff did have me a tad worried so thanks for the feedback on your experiences with them. Main reason for not going with the larger SVS is cost. I'm trying to keep the upgrade to around $600 including shipping. I do keep my eye on their B-stock and if one ever shows up I will definitely grab it.

I hear you on the ED stuff. I felt like I was just totally lost in all of the forums, posts, and blogs out there but now that I have one in my setup I couldn't be happier. I have to be honest though, the new dual 12" from Epik really has me curious. It look like it would be a fantastic sub.