sealed.....or VENTED??!

[Ddogsc93 0]

Honestly in your experiences does the FI Q work/sound better in a sealed or vented enclosure?

and does this seem to change with size?

(ex. a 10in Q sounds better vented while a 12in. Q sounds better in a sealed box)

Just wandering what everyone's opinion is

[scottxgtr 9]

there is a lot of personal preference involved here. are you a ported or sealed kind of guy?

myself, i will always run a ported box. i just like them. i love low bass, and when i was running a 18" Q ported at 30hz, i was a very happy individual. it was one of the best sounding setups ive ever had. everyone told me "youre going to port an 18" sub? that thing is going to be sloppy as hell" and it was exactly the opposite. i listen to a lot of rock, so kick drums sounded very natural and tight.

[Sir-Lancelot 216]

Just depends on your goals for the sub?!

Best for what>?

[Ddogsc93 0]

Well i was kinda leaning towards a sealed box because i like sound quaality, but then i was told that a 10in. Q does better vented. All i've ever really heard has been vented woofers so i don't really kno how much different they make the sub sound compared to a sealed sub.

[Sir-Lancelot 216]

Ported boxes can sound damn good and are also louder. They will have a higher peak around tuning so maybe not the best for SQ, but a good compromise for a loud and clear set up.

A good high excursion subwoofer in a sealed box can move some air too. I personally like sealed boxes but the bass head in me wont let go of the higher volume a ported box allows.

You could always try both. Sealed boxes are easy to build. I would start there and if you need more volume, then build a ported one later.

[Ddogsc93 0]

yea thats wat i figured I'd do for my little RSX (hatchback) where there's nothin separating the seat from the woofer. But for some reason a guy said a 10" Q doesn't do so hot sealed so i was curious if he's just a bass head and loves ported boxes or if he's telling the truth.

[Sir-Lancelot 216]

Of course it would do well sealed.

[///M5 2,833]

Well i was kinda leaning towards a sealed box because i like sound quaality, but then i was told that a 10in. Q does better vented. All i've ever really heard has been vented woofers so i don't really kno how much different they make the sub sound compared to a sealed sub.

And that has nothing to do with either box. You are a ported listener which is real obvious just from your screen name alone If you haven't liked a ported enclosure before it was because it was built poorly. Which then brings us to the ONLY generalization that holds that somewhat answers your question. A shitty ported box will sound worse than a shitty sealed box for the Q.

[///M5 2,833]

And no, it has NOTHING to do with the size of the woofer.

[Ddogsc93 0]

Alright thanks guys that's what i thought before. Yea i think i'll take sir-lancelot's advice for now and go for the sealed box since it'll be a little smaller, cheaper, and easier to make. Also I'm sure it'll be more than enough since the stock 6in. woofer already sounds ok. Thanks again for all the help hopefully i'll get this project started this summer and put up sum serious pics for everyone.

[Ddogsc93 0]

o also is wood the best material for sound quality or is fiberglass just as good? Cuz i kno you can make crazy boxes with fiberglass

[KU40 173]

Either are good if built properly.

[///M5 2,833]

If you truly care about SQ you wouldn't be asking us about your sub and its box, but your front stage. Ported is what you really want.

[Randal Johnson 544]

I agree with M5, you might need a ported enclosure (can take a little more abuse) / more concentration / learning on the front stage if thinking more of SQ.

just a suggestion, best of luck with your build.

[Notorious97200 339]

Try a ported box for a 10" or 12" sub.

But be sure to have a box small enough to be able to turn it in your trunk.

My sub is louder and lower in a big sealed box, firing back than the same sub in a well built ported box with the sub and port firing up in the trunk (hatchback car too) in the same car, with the same power.

You see, it's not easy.

I think a 10" Fi Q in a ported box can please you more. There are some serious box builder on these forums, look for them !

[Ddogsc93 0]

If you truly care about SQ you wouldn't be asking us about your sub and its box, but your front stage. Ported is what you really want.

MMyess this was on hold before because i didn't really have enough money for real nice comps, but now that i've got a job i should be good to go. Right now i have polk speakers which i'm sure aren't the best, but they would do for a while. I planned on buying either some Bravox 6.5" speakers and tweeters from here, or phoenix gold (something under $300). I'm probly gonna only do the front speakers/ tweeters and ditch the rear speakers btw.

[Ddogsc93 0]

ok hows this sound for a ported box?

1.2 cubes AFTER displacements tuned to 32hz, sub up, and port foward firing toward the hatch.

sub displacement is .12, and 16 square inches of port area per cubic feet.

Edited June 5, 2010 by Technoboy