Ported vs Sealed Subwoofer — Which Should You Buy?

There is a lot of information on the internet about subwoofers but you should be careful to avoid buying one that does not fit your home theater setup. Our professional team performed tests on ported vs sealed subwoofer types to help you assess exactly what quality subwoofer you should buy. 

What is a Ported Subwoofer

Ported subwoofers are the preferred type due to their deep bass sound. They have woofers and one or more ports for better air circulation. The vented enclosure allows the air to move in a larger space giving you louder sound while filling a very large room. 

Ported subs have ports with vent’s resonant frequency. The subwoofer’s response is enhanced due to the ports while increasing the bass frequency. As a result, quality bass sounds. 

On the other hand, subsonic filters are needed for ported subwoofers. They control low frequencies. Remember that the subsonic filter of a ported box should be close to its tuning frequency. Setting it higher can make it perform like that of a sealed one.

What is a Sealed Subwoofer

Sealed subwoofers have sealed enclosures, typically that of a sealed box. As they are enclosed in sealed boxes, they do not occupy a large floor space. 

They lack ports or vents so the sound waves leave only through the active drivers. The absence of ports makes the perceived sound more defined than those subwoofers with ported enclosures.

REL Acoustics HT1003 Subwoofer

Though the system’s output does not sound muddy, they also come with a trade-off. The frequency response [1] drops due to the sealed enclosure. This results in the sealed sub not  hitting all the notes hence, lower bass response and quieter sound output. 

Sealed subwoofers consist of cones requiring high power input to produce the volume that the ported sub can produce. Sealed subs also have very flat frequency response thus providing a level low-frequency foundation to your music. 

One way to solve this is to use large sealed subwoofers to compensate for space where the sound waves will move. Using an additional amplifier is also possible to enhance low-frequency sounds. Another way is to use more than one subwoofer. 

How do they Differ?

Ported and sealed subwoofers boost low-frequency sounds to make the listener feel the intensity of the music being listened to. Here are the major differences between ported vs sealed subwoofers that you need to know.

Size

Size differs in sealed and ported subwoofers. 

black subwoofer speaker

Generally, the ported subwoofer enclosure is larger than the sealed enclosure. In this way, deep tuning frequency is better achieved. Also, ported displays have more bass and lower port noise even at higher drive. If you crave that room trembling audio system, ported boxes are for you. 

A sealed subwoofer has a smaller size. It allows the sealed air inside to produce defined bass and acts as a shock absorber for the subwoofer to move with better control. The small size also makes the music play tight and with a lower group delay. 

To compensate for its size, it needs higher power input to produce the same sound quality.

Power

To identify the power needed to produce a more even bass output, our testers compared sealed vs ported subwoofers for you.  

A subwoofer with a ported enclosure is highly efficient as it can produce a loud and heart-thumping sound even with low power input. Hence, this doesn’t require a subwoofer cooler. 

SVS SoundPath cable connected to a subwoofer

On the other hand, a subwoofer with a sealed box produces a high-quality sound but needs more power to achieve a louder bass. To deliver the same volume as it would in a comparable ported box, most homeowners use two or more powered subwoofers.   

Bass Roll-Off

Bass roll-off is the noticeable drop in low-frequency response. Subwoofer boxes have a roll-off switch that removes frequencies to those displaying a hard time playing. However, if not correctly installed, all frequencies will be played and system output is quite unclear. 

Sealed subwoofers have a gentler bass roll-off than ported ones. Ported subwoofers have a fast roll-off so to capture all the low bass frequencies, a large woofer is needed. 

Timing

Timing is crucial in listening to music. To have the best sound quality, the low frequency notes that the subwoofer will produce should match in timing with the notes produced by the main speakers. This way, you will not hear distorted sounds

Samsung HW-KM36 subwoofer

Sealed subwoofers can align the notes quite easily than ported ones. However, they may need several adjustments in the tuning to achieve the optimum audio quality. 

Ported subs may have a little bit of a hard time in timing as air flow comes from the woofer and the port. This is why the ported subwoofer design is very important as the port needs to be exactly right with the box size and the woofer. 

Buying Guide

To assist you in buying either ported subwoofers or sealed subs, our team of experts summarized the items that you need to consider before purchasing one.

Purpose/Use

The purpose of the subwoofer should also be considered when deciding which to buy. 

Sony SACS9 10-Inch Active Subwoofer Close up

If you are going to use it for a home audio system, ported subwoofers are recommended. It is because they provide deep bass sounds and dynamic vibration. This is especially useful when watching movies in the horror or thriller genre. 

However, if the purpose of the system is for critical music listening, then sealed ones are recommended as they provide accurate tones and defined bass. Sealed subs are also able to play instrumental bass accurately. 

It should be noted that some people also like listening to the loud base of some songs so they prefer to use two or more subwoofers. 

Area Size and Positioning

The room size where the subwoofers will be placed is an important consideration when buying. As room size increases, so with the bass demand. 

SVS-SB-1000-Pro Subwoofer

Subwoofers in a sealed box produce quieter sounds. Hence, they are not meant for large rooms. They are ideal in small rooms. However, if you are really looking for the accurate bass that it can produce, using multiple subwoofers can solve this problem. 

With proper position, the use of multiple subwoofers can create louder sounds and even out the bass frequency across the room. 

The ported sub is best used in larger rooms which can fill with loud, banging bass sounds. Hence, they are usually seen in home theaters to let the viewers feel the intensity of the sounds. 

It is best to position the subwoofer facing the viewers so the vibration of the sound can easily be heard and felt. 

Design and Build

Sealed subwoofers are small so they can be concealed with furniture and indoor plants. Ported ones are larger so concealing them would be a bit harder.  However, as both speakers are visually attractive, both can be displayed in plain sight.

TIC GS50 subwoofer

Another design available is the passive radiator subwoofer design. The main difference between the two is that it has two more drivers aside from the main driver. It also lacks a vent. These drivers are also not connected to the amp of the sub.  

The passive radiator subwoofer offers the best of both worlds as it can provide crisp bass frequency at a loud volume due to its design.  

FAQ

Which is better ported or sealed subwoofer box?

There are several considerations in choosing which is better between a ported or sealed subwoofer box. The size of the room is a major factor to take note of, as sealed ones work perfectly for smaller rooms. The purpose is also important as ported ones provide loud, heart-thumping bass sounds, which are perfect for home theaters. 

Conclusion

When buying high-quality subwoofers, choosing between ported vs sealed subwoofers should be dependent mainly on the room size and purpose. Each has its own strength and downsides. The sealed box provides more precise bass while the port box delivers better efficiency and louder bass.

For related pages, you can also check our list below: 

Proper installation of a powered subwoofer to a factory stereo

Writer

Willie Greer
Willie Greer
Willie Greer is the founder of The Product Analyst. A cinephile, he has made it a personal quest to achieve the awesomest home theater possible. He now shares what he has learned through the years on the site, and has enlisted the help of tech-savvy colleagues in providing more insight about today’s most sought-after gadgets.