Can ported speakers match the bass precision of a sealed cabinet?

[Mdp632]

Hello,

Is it my limited understanding ported speakers use their port/vent to enhance low-frequency output, which introduces a phase shift and group delay in the bass region due to the resonance of the port. This can affect time-domain accuracy, as the port’s output lags slightly behind the driver’s direct output in ported speakers compared to a sealed cabinet.

That being said, can any ported speaker "compare" to the bass resolution and tightness of a sealed design? Or, is there really no free lunch? It is just a matter of what trade-off one is willing to compromise on?

I'm used to a sealed cabinet (YG) and appreciate the precision. But, sometimes wish it had more "effortless" sound that are from some of the ported speakers.

Thoughts?

 

[Al M.]

Room-speaker interaction is far more important, in my view, as is amplifier/speaker matching.

Optimizing speaker positioning and treating bass modes with proper room treatment, if necessary, are paramount for good bass. This is more of an issue than ported vs sealed.

 

[microstrip]

Again a Magico versus Wilson discussion?

Surely it is a compromise - the only proper bass design is the infinite baffle using a basement, attic or a side room according to an old WBF thread.

 

[Elliot G.]

Again a Magico versus Wilson discussion?

Surely it is a compromise - the only proper bass design is the infinite baffle using a basement, attic or a side room according to an old WBF thread.

Gobel speakers are neither of the above and have great bass. We use a symmetrical bass reflex ported in the front. Most of this is paralysis by analysis as the whole deal revolves around the room and proper set up

 

[Al M.]

Most of this is paralysis by analysis as the whole deal revolves around the room and proper set up

Exactly.

 

[Kofi Baffour]

the

Hello,

Is it my limited understanding ported speakers use their port/vent to enhance low-frequency output, which introduces a phase shift and group delay in the bass region due to the resonance of the port. This can affect time-domain accuracy, as the port’s output lags slightly behind the driver’s direct output in ported speakers compared to a sealed cabinet.

That being said, can any ported speaker "compare" to the bass resolution and tightness of a sealed design? Or, is there really no free lunch? It is just a matter of what trade-off one is willing to compromise on?

I'm used to a sealed cabinet (YG) and appreciate the precision. But, sometimes wish it had more "effortless" sound that are from some of the ported speakers.

Thoughts?

room coupling from room node and antinodes are more annoying than any port ever would be

 

[Mdp632]

Interesting feedback.

If we use the source analogy, whereas if information is "lost" at the source it can't be "made up" downstream.

Does the same to speakers? If a ported speaker loses bass "resolution" over a sealed design.

How can room treatments make up for this?

 

[Anton D]

Should be doable.

There are speakers that use sealed enclosures for the upper range drivers and have ports for the woofer. So, it seems fine, just careful matching, for sure!

 

[Al M.]

Interesting feedback.

If we use the source analogy, whereas if information is "lost" at the source it can't be "made up" downstream.

Does the same to speakers? If a ported speaker loses bass "resolution" over a sealed design.

How can room treatments make up for this?

They cannot. Information that is lost at the source indeed cannot be made up for later on.

The idea, however, is that the destruction of bass quality by suboptimal speaker placement and bad room behavior is far greater than a putative benefit of sealed over ported design.

In the real world, with setup and rooms as they are, most people probably don't even get close to obtaining the bass quality from their speakers that these theoretically are capable of.

I had to work on room and speaker positioning for a substantial amount of time before I achieved the bass quality that I eventually did.