Do you prefer rear ported, front ported cabs or sealed bass cabs?

[beans-on-toast]

Front ported or non ported.

If I want a cab against a wall, rear ported won't work. You need enough space behind the cabinet for the port to function properly.

 

[JRA]

It is the total package more than the hole.

i've tried to explain that, awkwardly, too many times.

 

[two fingers]

I dunno, isn't this a bit like whether I like my beef fried, grilled or roasted? It's all dependant on the rest of the recipe?

Well stated.

I have a front ported 410 and 610. I have rear ported 15s. I have spent a great deal of time in front of sealed 810 cans. They all do something fantastic. And in the right context (or "recipe"), they all shine.

 

[Jscriv]

Ok so I'm struggling with my best cab purchase based on porting and the fact that I don't have access to try a single one. I want another neo 410. And I'm considering an ampeg or an Aguilar. Going with an Aguilar TH500. The ampeg is from ported and the Aggie is rear. I play lots of small cramped stages. At a 1400 price point and being a brand new dad and now single income, this is a really big deal for me. I have an acoustic bn410 for practice and it's front ported, and honestly sounds great. But I want something nice for the gigging. If you're still with me here, this thread is essentially saying no one cares, rear ports are only.good on large stages, rear ports don't matter too much, front ports are great, sealed are great. It's a bit confusing.

 

[JimChjones]

If one were definitively better than the others then the others wouldn't be made, so that's why you're not going to get a consensus.

If your cab is going to be hard up against a solid wall then you don't want rear ported, cos you'll be blocking the ports. But there must be precious few venues that are so cramped that you can't find 6 inches behind the bass cab.

 

[LetItGrowTone]

To OP: It's still a good thread, thank you.

On 6-string guitar I liked both 4x12 sealed and 2x12 open. This is my first bass cab and my first that's ported, in the front, a 1x15.

To me, there's a transition in its voice, as I descend the E string for example, and the low E ends up sounding quite different. I don't mind that it sounds "open", as I said above; I do mind a little that it's inconsistent with the rest of the bass. To me, open is emotionally different from sealed and I need either one or the other (or both but at different times), so I'll have to try a sealed cab (or a driver suitable for this cab with the ports closed).

So, while knowing almost nothing - sorry - I did vote sealed.

 

[S-Bigbottom]

To me, there's a transition in its voice, as I descend the E string for example, and the low E ends up sounding quite different. I don't mind that it sounds "open", as I said above; I do mind a little that it's inconsistent with the rest of the bass.

That is about your bass itself or the strings not the cabs.

It may need a setup, pickup height adjustment or balanced set of strings.
Also some pluck closer to the bridge on the higher strings and move closer to the neck as they go up to the E string, this can also make it sound different.

 

[bucephylus]

I have and gig all three. They are all marvelous. Of course; they’re made by Jim Bergantino!!

 

[Jscriv]

I have and gig all three. They are all marvelous. Of course; they’re made by Jim Bergantino!!

Do you gig them at random or venue specific?

 

[The_Owl]

I generally prefer sealed, as I usually find the low end a bit too boomy or loose on ported cabs. In general, however, as there are certainly exceptions to the rule. My current 410 is ported, but at the same time has great midrange punch. Since it's the only cab I use ATM, it does a great job at filling a room.

 

[bucephylus]

Do you gig them at random or venue specific?

It’s more volume specific. Little cab is 112 front ported. Medium cab is 212 rear ported. Big cab is 610 sealed.

No, I don’t generally worry about venue variations.

 

[jlepre]

Non-expert opinion, I'd just not put the back right up against a wall.

This

 

[DWBass]

Front ported. Will not buy anything else.

 

[shoot-r]

I'm sure that this has been asked here before, but I'm curious what type of cabs people here on Talkbass prefer - Rear Ported, Front Ported or Sealed cabs - and why??

Thanks for your input!

Since going with a sealed cabinet (Bergantino NV610) the rooms I've had problems playing in the past (with front ported cabinets) has cleared/cleaned up!

 

[LetItGrowTone]

That is about your bass itself or the strings not the cabs.
It may need a setup, pickup height adjustment or balanced set of strings.
Also some pluck closer to the bridge on the higher strings and move closer to the neck as they go up to the E string, this can also make it sound different.

Thank you for your suggestions, but my amp is a 2*6L6 Bassman clone and in this case closing the ports definitely improved the clarity of the lowest notes, a lot. This is quite a relief because I was doubting everything.

 

[BogeyBass]

Yeah it's weird.
Your use too normal front ported cabs

Then play sealed
And try to go back to ported

Don't happen.
Well kinda. But just a certain magic with sealed

Rear ported single 10" surrounded by rat fur and metal grills. Ohhhh my dreams have come true!!……lol just kidding

 

[Deleted member 271037]

Front ported! I want to feel the air!!!

I've never liked the response of sealed cabs. Even with tube amps where it's supposed to be the "right" thing.

I've never owned rear ported so can't comment on those.

 

[LetItGrowTone]

That is about your bass itself or the strings not the cabs.

No, in my case (Bassman clone into a ported 1x15), closing the ports fixed it.

 

[bass40hz]

Front for me, they just sound so much bigger and less choked. I have used Rear and they are ok, they sound more focused. Sealed never did it for me.
Rock on.

 

[tubedude]

None of the above for me, i like 15" horns.