Picking out which subwoofer you want to add to your vehicle is really up to you. The debate between sealed and ported enclosures and which one is better is purely subjective because everyone is different. It really comes down to what type of sound that you like most. You obviously want high quality sound coming from your speakers because that’s what subwoofers do. But what kind of high quality sound do you want? Do you want tight and accurate or do you want kick, bass and knocking power? That’s where sealed and ported subwoofer boxes differentiate.



Sealed Subwoofer Enclosures

A sealed subwoofer box is what is it is, it’s a sealed box. Sealed boxes are smaller, more compact than ported boxers and because of that it makes the sounds easier to listen to while you drive. They give your stereo system more concentrated soundwaves that’s clear and concise. Sealed subwoofers are really beneficial for drivers who like to listen to soothing, relaxing music or any type of audio that doesn’t draw attention. You can enjoy your audio or video sound quality without the constant reverberation from bigger subwoofer boxes that bring more power into their soundwaves. Sealed subwoofer boxes do have the capability of producing stronger bass sounds, but you need to add more power to the woofer in order to do that. You might as well go ahead and invest in a ported subwoofer box if you want strong bass sounds that can kick.



Ported Subwoofer Enclosures

Ported subwoofer boxes are recommended to people who want bass, power and kicking power that enhances their entire sound system; ported subwoofers are exactly what you need for that to happen. Ported boxes are much larger than sealed ones and are more efficient when it comes to the power. They don’t require much amp power to work, unlike sealed boxes which need a lot of amp power to run efficiently. People like ported subwoofer enclosures because they require less power to amplify the soundwaves in your vehicle and this will save you money in the long run because you don’t have to invest in a new amplifier to match the strength of your ported box. It’s important that you are tuning it to the right frequencies. A poorly tuned subwoofer will make your sound muddy and hard to listen to, especially for a ported subwoofer. Finding the right tune for your subwoofer will be trial and error, you probably won’t get it on the first attempt, so make sure to play around with the tuner to get the best sound performance from the ported subwoofer box.



It’s All On You

As we mentioned earlier, there is no right answer to which subwoofer enclosure is better, sealed or ported. The answer is purely subjective; it’s really up to you to decide what kind of sound you want for your car. What type of music you listen to and do you have enough room in your car to install a sealed or ported subwoofer enclosure. If you enjoy songs that bring laid-back and relaxing vibes to your drive then the sealed subwoofer would be the best choice because it delivers a concentrated and more focused sound quality to your speakers, which can make for a more serene drive in your vehicle. If you like Jazz, Country or any type of easy-listening genre of music then a sealed enclosure would be your best option.

If you like having your bass kick and those speakers knock loud enough to vibrate the neighborhood, then go with the ported enclosure for sure. It’s really important that you have enough room in your ride to install these ported boxes because they are much larger than your average subwoofer box (much bigger than sealed ones) and take up a lot of space, so make sure to carve space out in your ride before purchasing. It’s also important to refine the tuner for your ported enclosures as well. Find the one that fits for preference because just tuning it to the highest point could lead to a lot of distortion in your speakers.