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Seal a ported sub?

I have 2 Klipsch 10" subs. They are both from the Klipsch Reference line which is supposed to be their top quality. I know that there are better subs out there but I want to optimize what I have before going to new equipment. One of the subs is a sealed unit. The other is front ported with a rectangular port located in the front at the bottom. This is the sub......https://www.klipsch.com/products/reference-subwoofers?model=r-110swMy listening preference is for 2 channel for music only. I have read many recommendations in this forum that sealed subs are better for music, where ported ones are mostly preferred for HT where movie music and sound effects are predominate. Here are my questions.....While I don't care about booming/overpowering bass but rather about the quality of bass in music, would closing/sealing the port on the ported sub gain any benefit?If so, what material/process would I use to do so? I realize that speakers are designed to operate with their complete construction in harmony. After all, I'm just trying to augment my stand mounted speakers with the larger 10" subs to provide better bass.Thanks
jrpnde
7 responses Add your response
erik_squires
15,980 posts
 
Old, clean t-shirts work just fine to seal it. 

Your ears will tell you which you prefer.... but... really what you want is bass traps and a DSP to integrate the sub properly into your room and with your speakers. 

Best,

E
tutetibiimperes
202 posts
 
A well designed ported sub can be just as good for music as a sealed sub. There is a difference in behavior around the port tune however - given two subs with the same driver a ported design will typically have more output down to the port tune, but will then rapidly fall off. The sealed sub will start to fall off sooner but will have a more gradual roll off.

Typically a ported sub will have a larger enclosure than a sealed sub, however, so sealing a ported sub may hamstring its performance potential.  
seanheis1
595 posts
 
A lot of nice subs come with port plugs for music. Socks also work.  

If you are trying to integrate a sub with the roll off of your mains, then a sealed sub is preferred. Sealed mains would also be preferred. 

Stuff some socks or shirts and you can hear for yourself.    
erik_squires
15,980 posts
 
Tute :

Funny thing. Yes. sealing a ported speaker will raise the -3dB point, in an anechoic room, but that may also help the speaker integrate better. The lower you go, the more likely you are to run into room modes. Also, sealed speakers have less cone excursion below resonance, so there is that matter of power handling. :)

Overall, I'd rather the OP properly EQ'd and damped his room instead. That is the way to get the most out of those subs instead of plugging them.

Best,
E
tutetibiimperes
202 posts
 
@erik_squires 

I agree.  More manufacturers need to go the route of Anthem (STR series), Elac (Element), and Yamaha (R-N803) and offer integrated amps with real bass management and room correction built-in.  

I believe the biggest obstacle to the traditional 2-channel crowd embracing subwoofers has been the reluctance on the part of makers of 2-channel electronics to offer some of the basic functionality that's been found even in $500 home-theater AVRs for over a decade.  
seanheis1
595 posts
 
I believe the biggest obstacle to the traditional 2-channel crowd embracing subwoofers has been the reluctance on the part of makers of 2-channel electronics to offer some of the basic functionality that's been found even in $500 home-theater AVRs for over a decade.

DSP? gasp. That would invalidate our $5000 DACs. 
erik_squires
15,980 posts
 
Sean, only for the sub. :) That's how I run. It's marvelous. OR you get a digital domain crossover, and then feed a pair of DAC's. :)
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