Ported vs Sealed

[chutsk10]

So, I have a cab to take care of the bottom end and i need somehtign for the top, it comes down to a 4x10 or 2 2x10's, (im only considering the 2x10's since they are a better match to the cab for the low end, it same wattage and same impedience)

So I was leaning for the 2 2x10's until i realized they were ported, the 4x10 is not. Basically I am wondering which would sound better when only handeling the mid/top end and how much would they differ in sound.

I am aware that trying them out is the best was to find the answe but no shops carry the cabs in stock.

 

[A9X]

Are you going to use a xover and biamp?

If not the 2x10 will likely be fine, just stuff the port wirh some high density foam. Instant 'sealed' box.

 

[chutsk10]

Yes, the system is gogin to be bi-amped with a crossover, an 18 is takign care of the lows.

If you do seal a ported box with foam, does that generate the same effect as a sealed box, or does it not work as well since the box was designed to be ported.

 

[billfitzmaurice]

Yes, the system is gogin to be bi-amped with a crossover, an 18 is takign care of the lows.

If you do seal a ported box with foam, does that generate the same effect as a sealed box, or does it not work as well since the box was designed to be ported.

Very good point. What you want to do is optimize the cab for the application. If you're not going to run the box below 100 Hz, for instance, you can make the cab considerably smaller, and tune it for the best result in the over 100Hz passband, which, depending on the driver, might result in a sealed alignment. But doing so necessitates either a DIY or custom built top, as you can't obtain that level of sophistication from a commercial box.