Which subwoofer type is better: The bass reflex, or the band-pass?

Question

I want to build a Subwoofer, and I don't know which method is better!

Answer 1

This is a complicated question. The previous answer was sorta correct. Band Pass is not necessarily lower, usually they are made to boom, have a very exaggerated peak so they stand out. That peak is usually not the lowest point that speaker could play if it wasn't in a band pass box. That doesn't necessarily mean the best sound if you are looking for accurate music reproductions.

It's all about design. If you have lots of time download or go get a speaker box design program. You can then get the speaker specs from many manufacturers web sites. Most speaker manufacturers suggested boxes are made to boom.

If you want the best sound at the very high end you almost always end up with a sealed box design. These almost always produce the flattest curve. If you mess around with ports you can boost the lower end of a driver. A port usually gives a 3db boost to the frequency it's ported to. Most manufactures port to a spot that the driver already has a peak at making a big boom.

I try to build the flattest response curve for a given driver, flat meaning +or- 3db over a given frequency range. If I port then I port it at the low end where the frequency rolls off to the -3db point. This boosts the bottom end. Word of caution about ports, below the port frequency a speaker response tends to roll off fast than it would without a port. The speaker must also be designed to be in a ported or band pass enclosure

There is also multi chamber, tube, multi chamber ported, etc it goes on and on.

To keep it simple stick with ported or sealed boxes.

Clear as mud, this is still not a great answer as ther is a lot to building speaker boxes. Too much for yahoo answers

Answer 2

Bass Reflex Subwoofer

Answer 3

It depends on what you're listening to and what kind of bass you want. If you want the higher bass for stuff like techno and rock, you should get a bass reflex. If you want lower bass for rap or movies, you'd be better of with a band-pass.

Answer 4

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