1. The Best Subwoofer Box:
Sealed Vs Vented Vs
Bandpass

2. When it comes to subwoofers, most people do their
research and spend ample amounts of time figuring out
which sub is best for them. Fewer people spend the
same amount of time considering something just as
important as the subwoofer and that is the box that the
sub requires. There are a wide variety of subwoofer
boxes or enclosures on the market today. They come in
different styles and sizes, are made from different
materials and made by many manufacturers. Many
audio enthusiasts even choose to build their own boxes.
Although such a large selection is available, there are
essentially three types of boxes. The two most popular
types of subwoofer enclosures are sealed and vented. A
third option is a hybrid of the first two called a bandpass
box.

3. Sealed
A sealed subwoofer box is exactly what it sounds like. The
speaker faces outward from the box and the rest of the
box is sealed so that no air can escape. This is probably
the most common type of box. Due to the fact that no
air can leak in or out of the box, a sealed box produces
very accurate sound and can handle very low
frequencies better than most boxes.
One disadvantage of a sealed box is that it typically
requires more power than a vented box. However, a
sealed box is a good choice for anyone who wants a
real high quality sound from their subwoofer.
A sealed box can be purchased at any good electronics
store or it is possible to build your own. There are
numerous websites and/or videos available on the
internet with plans to help you with the construction.

4. Vented
Vented boxes are also known as ported boxes. These
types of boxes contain a small vent or port in the
enclosure that allows air to escape from the box. These
boxes produce a very loud sound using less power to
drive the woofer but they are also less accurate and
will deliver lower-quality sound than a sealed box.
Vented boxes are tuned to a certain frequency range
determined by length, width and diameter of the vent.
There are several different variations of vents. For
example, a vent could be round or it could be long and
narrow, more like a slot. Every subwoofer has a specific
frequency that it is designed to run at for its maximum
output. By modifying the vent, the subwoofer can be
tuned to different frequency ranges.

5. Bandpass
Another option that is often overlooked when people are
discussing which type of subwoofer box is best is the
bandpass box. This is a type of hybrid box that is
essentially a combination of a sealed and vented box.
Bandpass boxes are extremely efficient. A subwoofer is
mounted inside a dual-chambered enclosure. One
chamber is vented and the other is sealed. The bass
from the speaker travels out from the sealed chamber
and then continues out through the vent in the outer
box. This produces deeper sounding bass and requires
less power than a sealed box alone. However, not all
subwoofers will work in a bandpass box so one needs
to do their research when contemplating a bandpass
box. They are also quite difficult to build. If you are
thinking about building your own box, it may be easier
to go with a traditional sealed or vented box.

6. As with many decisions in life, the choice as to which
subwoofer box is right for any given individual will
come down to that individual and the factors impacting
their choice. It really depends on so many different
factors that no one can say which box is best overall.
Factors like size, cost and sound quality will all play a
part in the decision. The good news is that no matter
the combination of factors, there is sure to be a
subwoofer box out there that fits all your needs.

7. Sources:
http://www.hifisoundconnection.com/Shop/Control/fp/cat/106186/SFV/30046/set_num/2
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Best-Subwoofer-Box:-Sealed-Vs-Vented-VsBandpass&id=5470747