OK, guys...

I just purchased my Kicker S10L54 and was curious as to which enclosure to use - sealed vs. ported. I'm not familiar with how the sealed enclosure sounds, I've only had experience with a bandpass box in my car, but I do have Bose speakers at home (301's + Acoustimas 5) and know they work on a ported system. I like how the Bose speakers sound in the ported box, but I'm not sure if they'll sound the same in a car. Please give me your advice before I go out and purchase the enclosure.

BTW - I'm a bit confused as to what it means when a ported box it "tuned" to a specific frequency. If someone could explain what that means, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance, as always!

 

Box choice has a lot to do with music preference. Do you like tight quick bass, go sealed, or bass heavy(like much of the rap that's out these days) go ported. I chose ported b/c it fits the style of music I listed to most.

As far as the tuned frequency of a ported enclosure, it is controlling the length and width of the port to create a desired peak at a certain frequency. My box is tuned to 32Hz. I will get the most output at and around those frequencies from the box.

 

I personally like sealed boxes better.

 

Now with the right tuning, and the right amp. A ported box will hit just as crisp as a sealed. Even with 4 12"s, mine hits crisp and clear when I play Chevelle, Linkin Park, Cold... etc. But still has that nice boom when I want to play Rap.

 

also, people tend to choose a higher tuning (around 40 hz and up) for spl, and a lower tune (low 30s, high 20s) for sq goals. for a nice blend of sql, tune in between.

 

Thanks for the explanation, guys... I was always curious about it.

@filtor1,
I listen to mostly rap, hip-hop, R&B, jazz, reggae, Latin and vocals. From your description, it seems as though a ported box would produce the sound I'm looking for.

The ported box I was looking into getting is 1.3 ft3 + port displacement, which is the size the Kicker website suggests for a compact (1.25 ft3) and a street bass (1.75 ft3) ported enclosure, tuned to 32-34Hz. It's made of 3/4" MDF and looks like it's very well made. Does this sound like a box I'll be satisfied with?

Thanks again!

 

That will do it. Perfect size for that 10".