Hi. I was just curious about everyone's opinion on ported cabs, vs. non ported cabs. And could anyone explain what the differences are (sound wise/pro's and cons) to me? Gracias amigo's.
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Ported cabs. Yes/No/maybe?
- Thread starter bottomfeeder33
- Start date
I'm interested in this as well. I only have a lay person's view of this topic, but would love to hear what some of the more knowledgeable folk have to say.
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http://barefacedbass.com/technical-information/the-mysteries-of-ports.htm
Couple great articles about this very topic.
http://barefacedbass.com/technical-information/the-mysteries-of-ports.htm
Couple great articles about this very topic.
There are bad and good examples of both types of enclosures.....one can write a whole book on the subject......
Ive been using sealed cabs the last few years. Not a ton of boom but keeps the mix cleaner. Just bought a ported 412 and I feel it lack clarity. Not that it sounds bad. I picked up a HPF to see if I can clean my bottom end up and keep it focused.
I think I'm gonna go with a sealed cab. Get in there and make sure it's airtight, then contact Eminence with my deminsions. Great co. And made in my home state of Ky.
My favorite cab everytime is an Ampeg SVT810...but I will not own one due to size and weight
It's totally worth it if you're lucky enough to have a garage, an suv, and live in an area with 99% ground floor gigs like me.
Dont write off one design by generic statements. There are well and poor executions of both kinds of cabs. Go play specific models and make your decision on the individual cabs.
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
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I prefer ported cabs for their low end extension, as well as sounding less compressed to my ears. 
Same here.
I would love to get one but I don't have a garage and have to store my gear in the basement. Those narrow basement stairs are the deal breaker for me.
Mesa PH 412! Great punch, definition, and bottom end! Makes my MTD 635 sing...
Eminence has an article on this.
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It's not a peer reviewed paper. I can't say there's evidence to back it up.
I think ported cabs that get bad reviews do so because they are poorly designed. There are some truly bad designs pushed here on TB. There are also some spot on excellent designs You an tell the difference because the good designs will actually include measured response charts.
As the author notes in the above article. "... sometimes you just get lucky and find that perfect combination of speaker voicing, cabinet, amp, and instrument and it just doesn’t matter if it works out technically."
There sure is a lot of lucky bass players around here
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It's not a peer reviewed paper. I can't say there's evidence to back it up.
I think ported cabs that get bad reviews do so because they are poorly designed. There are some truly bad designs pushed here on TB. There are also some spot on excellent designs You an tell the difference because the good designs will actually include measured response charts.
As the author notes in the above article. "... sometimes you just get lucky and find that perfect combination of speaker voicing, cabinet, amp, and instrument and it just doesn’t matter if it works out technically."
There sure is a lot of lucky bass players around here
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
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- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
A short answer is sealed cabs are better for low mids and a ported cab has better true bass response. Sealed cabs are generally better for guitar. But having said that I must say I like to tone of my bass playing into a sealed 4x12 cab.
I couldn't give two craps whether a cab is ported or sealed as long as I get a sound I like. I do, however, know people who are completely insistent on sealed cabs...our TB pal Johnny April from Staind has said many times how he hates ported cabs because they sound puffy and mushy to him. He's certainly entitled to his opinion, but I don't get it myself. As stated, it's all in the design, and some are good and some are bad no matter how they're made.
On guitar it's a big deal. There is no way you will get tight metal low end with an open back cab.
I've only ever owned ported bass cabs (probably 14-15 cabs over the years). I suppose ports are the majority. Maybe sealed is more of a vintage thing at this point?
I've only ever owned ported bass cabs (probably 14-15 cabs over the years). I suppose ports are the majority. Maybe sealed is more of a vintage thing at this point?
Johnny A has a very modern rock sound with his Spector Euros and his sealed cabs, so it's not quite that simple.
