I like the sound of the sealed version alot. Maybe try plugging the ports? If this was originally desinged to be a sealed cab and they just drilled a few ports in the back I would guess the results would be hit or miss. I've gone through a few small ported 1x15 cabs and combos and they all get that compressed midbass honk as the volume goes up. The sealed cab seems to have a smoother low end - no midbass honk with about the same (that is not much) low end.