Calling Audio Gurus: Sealed vs Ported Content

[Lord DRIFT]

I read somewhere a long time ago pre BMW ownership, that because these cars are built like tombs it is very hard to get satisfactory bass from a sub, and that a ported sub will be the way to go. Now im just looking to fill the cabin with music not the streets. I'm looking in pawn shops for a very light small sub and enclosure. It seems though, that all the smallest enclosures are sealed. Has anyone had any luck with a sealed enclosure. My original plan was to use a ported enclosure and route the port through the armrest opening. All the ported boxes I've seen are whales though.

[jessejames]

I read somewhere a long time ago pre BMW ownership, that because these cars are built like tombs it is very hard to get satisfactory bass from a sub, and that a ported some will be the way to go. Now im just looking to fill the cabin with music not the streets. I'm looking in pawn shops for a very light small sub and enclosure. It seems though, that all the smallest enclosures are sealed. Has anyone had any luck with a sealed enclosure. My original plan was to use a ported enclosure and route the port through the armrest opening. All the ported boxes I've seen are whales though.

for clarification, you meant 'sub.'
not to make fun, just for others.

[Lord DRIFT]

for clarification, you meant 'sub.'
not to make fun, just for others.

oops ..fixed..thanks 4 that:D

[Analog]

Sealed for tight bass.

Ported for greatest output.

I have an elemental designs 15" sub off 500w rms in a 3.5 cubic foot box tuned to 35hz, and it BEATS to rap music. Anything else is meh though.

Replacing it with 2 8's, and putting the ghetto thumping 15 in teh e30 :)

[Gregs///M]

Ported enclosures by design are larger than sealed enclosures. A specific sub woofer will always require more ported volume than sealed volume. There are many pro and cons to each type of box. That information is all over the internet. Generally ported boxes are louder at a tuned frequency range and sealed boxes are generally easier to make and provide tighter bass output.

However, a well designed and built ported boxes will always sound better than a sealed box with the same woofer. All of the high end home audio sub woofers all have ported boxes.

But being specific to the E34, there is a ski boot between the back seats that you can remove with a hammer or your foot. Its a breakaway metal panel from BMW. Just remove the leather covering it and you will see that it can be removed. When I installed subs in e34's, I always suggest the ski boot be opened. This will allow the bass generated in the trunk to enter the cabin. Its the same concept as ported through the rear deck lid with much much less work.

If you are looking for a lightweight sub woofer solution, remove the ski cover, build or buy a fiberglass box, a quality lightweight sub woofer and you will be OK. If you are looking for earth shattering bass, there are no light weight solutions for that. Since bass additions or fill in bass can be accomplished with lightweight boxes and subs.

I meant fiberglass sealed enclosure.Ported will always be larger and heavier.

[Lord DRIFT]

Ok I know about the benefits and drawbacks of both , and I plan to remove the ski hole cover. I wanted to know anyon'es experience with a small sealed sub in the e34. Was it sufficient? Again Its just for me in the canbin ..not me and the guy next to me.

[tonyroc14]

didnt read the whole thread. But i run a 12inch sub in a sealed enclosure. But i have the ski-pass cut out, venting the trunk. I have the sub facing the hole, and i seem to get the best SQ, and volume out of this setup. You will have a louder sub with a ported, and better SQ with sealed, but that's just barely touching the surface as to the diffrences vs similarities

[Stir Fry A Lot]

I really doubt that you'd hear it. I have 2 ported 10" in mine and you can't really hear it outside. It's fairly loud inside though. Nothing jaw breaking though like some 10" setups I've heard in other cars with similar output.

edit: most of this post is in reference to the interior. you really won't hear much in the cabin with a small sealed enclosure even with the hole exposed.

[tonyroc14]

I really doubt that you'd hear it. I have 2 ported 10" in mine and you can't really hear it outside. It's fairly loud inside though. Nothing jaw breaking though like some 10" setups I've heard in other cars with similar output.
thats for sure, our cars contain sound very well. Although the highs seem to escape my car pretty well. But, there isnt very much bass outsidethe car, aside from the occasional rattle

[Lord DRIFT]

thats for sure, our cars contain sound very well. Although the highs seem to escape my car pretty well. But, there isnt very much bass outsidethe car, aside from the occasional rattle

I dont want bass outside.

I should rename the thread Sealed Vs ported IN THE E34:shifty

[attack eagle]

just do it...

go get an id12, (or that round solobaric someone was selling here for $75) build a small sealed enclosure, and load it (seal it) to the cabin thru the ski pass.


been done forever and ever and ever in the e34.

bonus, since the trunk isn't pressurized you don't get the "drug dealer coming!" trunk rattle-buzz

[Lord DRIFT]

just do it...


bonus, since the trunk isn't pressurized you don't get the "drug dealer coming!" trunk rattle-buzz

Yes!! DO NOT WANT:nono

Plus my license plate frame rattles when I close the trunk. fail..

[Analog]

You guys don't get any rattle?!

Maybe it is just my over kill sound system.

It's painful at times :stickoutt

[Lord DRIFT]

I spend the rattle money on the ht rig. Sub 6hz bass that literally u cant hear but u know its there because your chest gets tight and the the house moans. Luv it:D did someone say U-571. :alright

[attack eagle]

u 571... good audio... so-so movie.

how about Das Boot?

or


Apollo 13 (dts edition). Saturn V launch will give those subs a workout.

or


telearc recording of 1812 overture (cd).
there is some 10hz cannon fire in that one.

[Lord DRIFT]

u 571... good audio... so-so movie.

how about Das Boot?

or


Apollo 13 (dts edition). Saturn V launch will give those subs a workout.

or


telearc recording of 1812 overture (cd).
there is some 10hz cannon fire in that one.

I'll do u one better. Appolo 13 w/uncompressed PCM. I'd love to hear it in dts-MA for sure!

[calypsoe34]

omg i would loooooveeee no trunk vibration. in my red e34 i have a diamond d615" with a PPI amp class A, B. great amp. the fucking roof flexes the front bumper will rattle at times. ughz. so when i got my blue e34, i went with something that stays in the cabin just like you are looking for. i got an older jl audio 10" w3 sub with a jbl 175w amp. put it in a nice custom ported box, i havent even taken out the ski hole yet, but seriously that little ten is so clean and it hits very nicely with all the songs i listen too. mainly rock, linkin park. 3 days grace, bands like that. not soo much hip hop sometimes tho and it holds up. if you are looking for something for you and not the person next to you at a red light, go with a ten but pop out the ski hole for better sound for sure. i am going to just too lazy lol. let us know what you end up with.

[IamCatman]

telearc recording of 1812 overture (cd).
there is some 10hz cannon fire in that one.

IIRC it is in the 4-6hz range.:eek:

>^..^<

[wan]

Im running a dual voice coil 10" Kicker CVR10 at 2 ohms in a sealed box and its great. I have the ski pass open and the cabin fills with bass but the neighborhood doesnt. Trunk rattle is somewhat rare but it really comes down to the type of music being played and how loud you have the woofer at. I'm running a class D mono amp at 500watts RMS to it.

[1991BMW525i]

Kicker makes a very nice ported Comp VR12 truck box that is small and sounds good. I used it in my buddies E46 powered by a Kicker 400.1 amp. Lots of bass and doesn't rattle the trunk panels. It did rattle the license plate a little (any amount of bass will do that), but that was easily and cheaply fixed by using a piece of Dynamat on the back of the plate. I have a picture of the setup at home I can post up later.

EDIT: Found a pic on google

http://cdn.overstock.com/images/products/L10580510.jpg

[sqitis]

just do it...

go get an id12, (or that round solobaric someone was selling here for $75) build a small sealed enclosure, and load it (seal it) to the cabin thru the ski pass.


been done forever and ever and ever in the e34.

bonus, since the trunk isn't pressurized you don't get the "drug dealer coming!" trunk rattle-buzz

Hello, that'd be me and I lowered the price to $50. I won world championships with those subs and they are bad to the bone in the RIGHT box. The ID12 is a wonderful sub as well either one in the right box with some good power will heard and felt if facing through the ski hole. Just my 2 cents.

Jayson

[pushpins]

just do it...

go get an id12, (or that round solobaric someone was selling here for $75) build a small sealed enclosure, and load it (seal it) to the cabin thru the ski pass.


been done forever and ever and ever in the e34.

bonus, since the trunk isn't pressurized you don't get the "drug dealer coming!" trunk rattle-buzz

I need to do that. In my old car the sub was really loud. Now it makes now sound at all.. :(

Btw, have anyone used the parcel shelf (isnt that a word?) with a port? I often have people in the back, so the ski pass wont be the best.. It might looks ugly though?

[Ace_of_Spades]

it sounds like you want a 12" sealed sub

[sqitis]

And I have the perfect sub for that. Small sealed enclosure is what my solo-baric calls for.

[catseye]

it sounds like you want a 12" sealed sub
I agree....and don't skimp on the electronics.