7 Best Ported Subwoofer Box Design For Optimal Sound & Deep Bass
Subwoofers are responsible for the heart-thumping and energy-pumping bass at concerts and parties. Still, the amount of bass the subwoofer delivers doesn’t just come from the woofer itself. The best ported subwoofer box design will also make a big difference.
Your subwoofer should be contained inside a secured enclosure for the best performance. This will ensure that the bass will be deep, full, and more than enough to satisfy the most meticulous bass heads in the crowd.
So what does a subwoofer box do? This enclosure doesn’t cancel the low frequency that emanates from the speaker. Also, it protects the subwoofer drivers from potential damage, much so if the unit is being transported regularly.
It’s also important to get a subwoofer of the right size. And since building your own subwoofer box can be tricky, many manufacturers are now selling their designs commercially.
However, it’s important to remember that not all sub boxes in the market are worth the money. Some are poorly constructed and will fall apart after some time, especially when installed with a powerful woofer.
Below, we reviewed the top 7 subwoofer box designs we recommend. See which one matches your subwoofer and your budget. We also discussed a guide to help you pick from these options in case you’re new to sub boxes.
For a quick overview, you can check our table below of our top 3 picks:
If you’re looking for the best ported subwoofer box design, you should definitely get the Bbox E112DV Subwoofer Enclosure. This is available in 10, 12, and 15-inch versions – all of which are already carpeted and ready for installation.
Moreover, this sub box is pro-tuned for optimal bass response. It’s also made for high-power subwoofers and guaranteed to deliver hard-hitting low frequencies.
This is designed with CNC miter & dado for an air-tight construction. It guarantees a rattle-free sound experience, even on high-volume bass sounds.
Aside from that, this subwoofer box design has an aliphatic wood glue that seals the ¾-inch MDF material well. Also, there’s a second glue application on all the internal joints for added durability.
To ensure that this ported subwoofer box is made to last, it’s also equipped with pneumatically applied brad nails. This holds the MDF parts tightly together, so there would be no leak even on changing temperature and weather.
On the outside, the BBox subwoofer box has OEM-grade charcoal carpeting. It’s also equipped with a durable spring terminal for ease of setup.
Overall, this subwoofer box design has a 5.5” mounting depth and 11.125” sub-cut-out. Its dimensions are 15.25” (height), 48” (width), 5.25” (top depth), and 8.5” (bottom depth).
The only thing I noticed is that the MDF is a bit on the low side, but it’s not really a biggie. The box also had a strong smell when it arrived, so make sure that you air it out first in an open spot.
Other buyers complain of air seeping on the connector ports side. Nevertheless, it’s easy to fix and not really a deal-breaker.
Pros
Thick MDF material
Double-glued sides to avoid leaks.
Equipped with pneumatic brad nails for air-tight edges
Carpeted and ready to use
Available in different sizes
Cons
The MDF material isn’t very premium.
It has a strong smell, so make sure you air it out.
If you’re not a fan of carpeted sub boxes, I highly recommend the Q Power Vented Speaker Box. Instead of carpeting or felt, this one has a bed liner spray for a matte and clean look.
Moreover, this box has 1.8 cubic feet of air space, complete with a singular vented chamber. This is engineered to deliver the deepest bass and fullest sound. Aside from that, this box has screw-down terminal cups to prevent leaks.
The Q Power Speaker Box is made with high-grade MDF, which is thick enough to last long. Overall, this box measures 31.5” x 14” x 13 with 11.1” openings. It’s suitable for most cars, even Mustang and Lexus models.
Also, this sub box has excellent construction, but it’s not made to fit big magnet speakers. If you have large subwoofers, you should consider other options here. Nevertheless, this box holds up well on high-powered subs, but you have to be very careful with the sizing.
One thing that buyers mention is that this ported subwoofer box design doesn’t have insulation. Other than that, it remains good for the money, especially if you want a durable box for your woofers.
Also, it’s tuned slightly higher, so it doesn’t rattle your car seat or mirrors. These are bad boys and will soon get your car flexing some hard-hitting bass.
Like the one from Bbox, this unit from Q Power also has a strong smell upon arriving. I think it has something to do with the coating spray they used. Also, the smell gets intense when it’s hot, but it goes away after some time.
If you only have one subwoofer, I highly recommend the Q Power Single Side Ported Speaker Box. This one bears the same bed liner spray instead of carpeting. That way, the coating doesn’t peel off, and it also lasts long.
Moreover, this single-side ported speaker box has deluxe terminal cups to avoid air leaks. It has 1.8 cubic feet of air space for the most hard-hitting bass you can hear in your car or room.
Your purchase of this ported subwoofer box comes with a 2-year warranty for any manufacturer defect.
Even if it’s smaller than other options, the Q Power Single Side Ported Speaker Box is one of the loudest I’ve heard. It’s also a great choice for prefab work if you’re looking for an affordable box to work on.
Just remember that the port of this box is slightly high-tuned at 38 Hz. This will result in a higher bass sound, which scrapes off some level of punchiness. But overall, this Q Power speaker box still delivers satisfying audio.
I also noticed that the cup terminals of this bass need to be secured more to prevent it from falling off. Also, I want to warn you about the smell since this uses a bed liner spray. I suggest airing it out in your garage for a few days before you start the installation.
Overall, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly sub box, this one from Q Power will not disappoint. Its construction is rock solid, which is something unbeatable for this price range.
Pros
2-year warranty
Made of durable MDF material
Satisfyingly loud, which is surprising for its size
Reasonable price range
Perfect for prefab projects
Cons
Tuned slightly higher, but it’s still a champ for powerful subwoofers.
The terminal cups need to be fixed better, but not really a deal-breaker.
If you’re on a budget and looking for a trusty sub box design, you should consider the American Sound Car Audio Subwoofer Box. This 12” design works with almost every woofer brand in the market.
Moreover, this is made of 5/8” MDF, which is slightly thinner than most in the market. But since it has a lower price, this is already a reasonable trade-off.
Aside from that, the American Sound Car Audio Subwoofer Box is liquid nailed, physically nailed, and then sealed to prevent air from leaking. After that, it’s wrapped with charcoal carpet for added aesthetics.
Also, this sub box has spring-loaded terminal cups that deliver a reliable connection. While it’s not the most premium in terms of appearance, it delivers excellent bass sound.
Other users claim that this sub box was able to shatter their rear window mirrors due to how loud it is. With that, you should keep your windows down if you plan to crank up your subwoofers.
If you want your car to get loud on a budget, this might be the best box you should get. They also have excellent customer service, which is hard to beat considering the low cost of this box.
The only potential downside you may notice is that this sub box is slightly light and will likely move around inside your trunk. Other than that, this ported subwoofer box design is good for the buck.
And just like other sub boxes in this review, the common complaint is the smell straight from the package. It’s important to air this out first, or your car will smell like construction chemicals.
Pros
Budget-friendly subwoofer box
Spring-loaded terminal cups that guarantee a reliable connection
Satisfyingly loud
Carpeted for aesthetics
Cons
It has a slight rattle
The smell coming from the MDF material is quite strong at first.
The Skar Audio Single Subwoofer Box is a 10-inch, single design with 1.40 cubic feet of internal air space. It’s also tuned to 38 Hz for the right bass sound without rattling your windows and mirrors.
Moreover, this is tuned at 38 Hz together with a 1.5” kerf port to lower port noise. This way, you’ll have loud bass without the annoying buzz.
Aside from that, this Skar Audio ported subwoofer box has a bed liner finish for those who don’t like the dusty downside of carpeting or felt.
Its hole diameter is 9.375”, and the mounting depth is 9”. Overall, you get a lot of air space inside, which means better sound and deeper bass.
This box is also pre-wired with a 14-gauge speaker-ready wire. Overall, it works well with almost every subwoofer brand you can find in the market.
While this is just a single and small sub box, it’s an explosive enclosure by design. It’s also well-built and can take the pounding of hard-hitting bass for hours on end. The only downside here is that you need to brace it well, so it doesn’t slide and move around your car.
Some users have to sand the openings first to fit their subwoofers. Overall, this is just a minor niggle and something that you’ll encounter for prefab speaker systems. After all, this one from Skar doesn’t have a universal fit, which is understandable for its price.
Pros
Equipped with a kerf port to reduce noise
Large air space for better bass response
Finished with bed liner spray instead of carpet that’s prone to dusting
Pre-wired and ready to use
Tuned at 38 Hz for hard-hitting bass
Cons
It will rattle and slide inside your car if you don’t brace it properly
It may need a little sanding, depending on the subwoofer you’re using.
If you have a small subwoofer, I highly recommend that you consider the Skar Audio 8-Inch Universal Subwoofer Box. This has a universal fit and is made of competition-grade materials.
This subwoofer box has 1 cubic foot of air space and is tuned at 40Hz. While small, it packs a punch in terms of sound quality and bass response.
Moreover, the subwoofer hole cut-out for this box is 7.25,” and it has a mounting depth of 12.5”. It’s also fitted with premium push terminals complete with speaker wires. With that, this subwoofer box is ready to use straight from the package. However, I wish that they had made the wires long for easier installation.
Overall, this is a pretty solid ported subwoofer box design with glued edges. It uses black carpeting, which doesn’t peel off easily. However, it sure gathers dust, which is something to keep in mind.
If you’re looking for a sub box that looks good and sounds good, you won’t go wrong with this unit from Skar. It’s also priced reasonably, which is already affordable for a prefab box of this quality.
This sub box is 12” tall, 16” wide, 13.25” deep at the top, and 15.25” deep at the bottom. The opening may need a little sanding to fit most subs in the market.
As with other subwoofer boxes, you have to be aware that this unit has a strong smell at first. If you don’t air it out first, the adhesive smell will stink inside your car. But other than that, it’s hard to beat the value this sub box gives.
Pros
Tuned at 40 Hz
Solid carpeted design
Made of high-grade materials
Pre-wired for easy setup
It comes in a branded box.
Cons
It has a strong adhesive smell that needs to be aired out first
For those who are in the market for a three-slot sub box, the Skar Audio Triple Subwoofer Box would be a great buy. This is a 10-inch design with three independent chambers.
Aside from that, each chamber of this box has an advanced port to ensure a maximum bass response. It also has an angled and rear-firing design to ensure that your woofers will hit hard.
Overall, this box has an internal air space of 4.80 cubic feet. It’s tuned at 38 Hz and with a subwoofer cut-out hole of 9.375” and a mounting depth of 7.25”. Overall, this is a competition-grade and guaranteed to deliver top-notch performance.
The Skar Audio box is well-built, though it’s not really made for the heaviest subs in the market. Also, this box may not fit on all vehicles, so it’s important to measure up and check.
In addition, this sub box is 18.25” x 37” x 15” in dimensions. It’s also carpeted and has poly-fill material inside, so it’s ready to use straight from the package.
Take note that this box is wired at 1.3 ohms and sounds really good. Still, the chambers aren’t the same, so there might be a slight tuning discrepancy for each one. Overall, it isn’t very important.
Some buyers complain about the material being similar to a corkboard. However, with proper care, this box will last long. After all, you’re getting three slots for a very reasonable price.
Overall, this sub box is far from shabby. Sure, I have some niggles, but the sound output remains impressive, much so for this box size.
Pros
Advanced port design for maximum bass
Large internal air space
Carpeted and wired, ready to use
Poly-fill material already included inside
Reasonable price
Cons
There’s a slight tuning difference in every chamber
The material looks like a corkboard.
How to Choose the Best Ported Subwoofer Box Design
While subwoofer boxes may appear like typical housing for speakers, it actually bears specific configurations. This is to ensure that your subwoofer’s power matches the box design well.
This makes selecting one quite challenging, much so for those who are new to speaker systems. If you’re one of those, the following points will help you choose the best ported subwoofer box design for the money:
Enclosure type
You should first consider the enclosure type you’re planning to buy. You’d usually choose between a ported and a sealed type for subwoofers.
Ported subwoofer box designs have an opening where the air is allowed to escape. This allows the bass to have a louder and bigger sound.
Aside from that, the ported part of the box extends the subwoofer’s output, thanks to the openings’ resonant frequency.
On the other hand, sealed subwoofers, as the name suggests, have an enclosed design. The entire subwoofer is enclosed inside and has a smaller profile than the ported type.
The good thing with sealed subwoofers is that you don’t have a port to tune. Also, you can place it anywhere without worrying about adjusting the room’s décor.
So which one is the best choice? Here’s a quick comparison of each type:
Ported subwoofer box design
Pros
Louder and bigger sound. Since the port allows sound to escape the box, it will emit a louder and bigger bass. Basically, the woofer and the port move the air, which creates this effect.
Reduced distortion. This type of subwoofer box reduces the possibility of cone excursion and distortion of the sound.
Requires a smaller amplifier. The good thing with ported subwoofers is it requires a smaller external amplifier compared to sealed types.
Subwoofer longevity. The port of the sub box allows proper airflow that will help cool the subwoofer. In the long run, this will help extend the lifespan of your speaker system.
Cons
Sensitive to climate change. Due to the opening in the sub box, this design is more prone to changes brought by temperature, humidity, and so on.
It’s not suitable for all music. Some type of music won’t do well with the vent design that ported subwoofer boxes have.
Difficult to build. Unlike sealed types, ported subwoofer boxes require a lot of support to ensure that they can handle loud and extreme bass. And since it takes longer to build, it’s also more expensive.
Sealed subwoofer box design
Pros
Predictable response. Sealed subwoofer boxes have a more predictable response that’s easier to control. This makes the sealed type more suitable for all types of music.
Better accuracy. There’s no need to tune a sealed subwoofer so that accuracy won’t be a problem. This is why beginners prefer these over ported ones.
Smaller profile. When it comes to form factor, sealed subwoofer boxes are more compact than ported types. This is more suitable for vehicle use and sound systems in small rooms.
Easier to build. Sealed subwoofer boxes are more straightforward than the ported design, so it’s easier to build. This makes it cheaper and easier to come by.
Cons
Less volume. Due to its enclosed design, sealed subwoofer boxes have lower volumes than ported counterparts. In return, it requires a bigger amplifier to compensate for the loss.
Size
Whatever subwoofer box design you choose, make sure that you’re getting the right size.
For this part, you have to check the subwoofer that you currently have. Most manufacturers will have a recommended size to ensure optimal sound production.
For example, a 12-inch subwoofer will need a box volume of 1.25 cubic feet. Meanwhile, a 10-inch subwoofer will need a volume of 0.625 cubic feet.
Overall, the larger the subwoofer, the more volume it will need inside the box. However, you should avoid getting a very large box as this will flatten the bass and make your music sound bland.
On the other hand, a box that’s too small for your subwoofer will limit the woofer’s capacity. It will also wear out your speaker faster as the excess vibrations damage the driver.
Mounting depth
Another thing you have to consider is the mounting depth of the ported subwoofer box design. There should be a gap between the interior surface and the sub itself for optimal air movement. If not, your bass will sound flat, and the subwoofer’s driver will get damaged easily.
Also, you should know that very minimal mounting depth can cause the subwoofer to overheat. Make sure that you measure for this, whether you’re buying or building your own sub box.
Material
The material of the subwoofer box will dictate how durable and long-lasting it will be. In general, you’ll find options in the market made in MDF, fiberglass, standard wood, or plywood.
Overall, buyers prefer MDF or medium-density fiberboard. It’s cheaper while remaining durable. Just make sure that the MDF material is at least half an inch thick to endure regular wear and tear.
However, MDF doesn’t hold up well when exposed to changing humidity and temperature. In this case, you’re better off investing in fiberglass boxes. However, it usually comes at a higher price tag.
Whatever material you choose, make sure that it’s built well, much so for ported types. The edges should be properly sealed to prevent the sound from leaking or the material from falling off.
Also, the woofer box should be covered in carpet or sprayed with a bed liner. This material absorbs the vibration, so the box remains stable wherever it’s placed or mounted. It also adds an aesthetic touch, especially if you want to match the box on your car or room décor.
Aesthetics
While this is just a bonus, an aesthetic ported subwoofer box design will surely give you the best value for your money. You’d surely want a presentable woofer box that will complement the décor of your room. If being used for vehicles, make sure that the color of the box matches the interior.
Most of the time, buyers look for carpeting or covering that matches the area of installation. Nevertheless, this part can always be customized based on your liking.
Overall, the appearance of the subwoofer box shouldn’t be your top priority. After all, there’s no use for an aesthetic box if it doesn’t have the proper acoustic design.
Price range
Lastly, you should check the price range of the ported subwoofer box design you’re going to buy. Overall, the box shouldn’t be more expensive than the woofer itself.
But if you want a sub box that will last for years, it’s always recommended to invest in a durable and premium option. Your choice of price range depends on the budget you can afford.
Take note that very cheap sub boxes are often made of substandard materials. It’s prone to warping and won’t last longer than premium options.
FAQs About Ported Subwoofer Box Design
Q: Do subs hit harder in a ported box?
A: Subwoofers deliver a louder and richer bass when installed in a ported box. Just make sure that the tuning of the port matches the capacity of the subwoofer so that it won’t limit the low frequencies. Ported types are also more efficient in terms of amplifier power. Overall, ported boxes need smaller amplifiers compared to sealed enclosures.
Q: What happens if a ported box is too big?
A: As much as ported boxes are good options, you should ensure that it’s not too big. A very big box will not match the mechanical limits of your subwoofer. Nevertheless, a slightly big box shouldn’t be a problem as it will allow you to increase the woofer’s output.
Q: Does it matter where the port is in my subwoofer box?
A: The location of the port doesn’t really matter when using ported subwoofer boxes. However, you have to ensure that there’s enough space in front of the box port. This way, the low frequency won’t hit the wall, which will make the sound buzzy and muffled.
Q: How do I make my subwoofer hit harder?
A: To make your subwoofer hit harder, I recommend using a ported box design instead of an enclosed one. You should also adjust the amplifier to match the capacity of your subwoofer. Above all, you should ensure that your subwoofer has enough capacity to hit hard in a specific room size.
Q: Can you install two different subwoofers in one box?
A: Yes, you can put two subwoofers in one box as long as you make the proper cut-outs. You can do this even if the woofers are of different sizes. This way, you no longer have to buy a second woofer box.
Q: Can you add a port to a sealed box?
A: Technically, you can add a port on your sealed subwoofer box. You only have to drill and cut a hole into the material. However, make sure that you factor in the net cubic air space. After that, you have to check what frequency you want the new port to be at. This is so your subwoofer will hit as hard as possible.
Q: Do subs hit harder facing down or up?
A: In the car, subwoofers placed in an upward position give a better sound quality. The sound will also come out crisper as compared to subwoofers in a downward position. Also, it will prevent the bass from rattling your vehicle.
Q: Is a round port better than a square port?
A: Round ports tend to be better when getting a subwoofer box design. This is because round ports have the lowest surface area per unit volume. It delivers better efficiency since the port will have less air friction. Nevertheless, slot or square ports can still dampen any unwanted distortion below the tuning frequency.
Q: What’s the sound difference between a ported and sealed subwoofer box?
A: A ported subwoofer box design delivers a boomier and louder bass. Also, it doesn’t require much power, though the accuracy of tuning is a bit tricky. On the other hand, sealed subwoofer boxes deliver a more accurate bass sound, though it needs more power to emit a louder volume.
Last words
The best ported subwoofer box design will give you the most satisfying bass response on your speaker system. It’s made with the right tuning, material, and construction to ensure that your woofers will perform well. However, make sure that the box of your choice matches the size of your subwoofers.
If you’re a certified bass head, I recommend that you invest in a premium sub box. This way, your speaker system will last longer and will have the best sound output you can ever imagine.
In the long run, spending a few more bucks on a quality subwoofer box will pay for itself.
Music is the lifeblood of my veins. I love to listen, play and write music. Being a music band manager is what I love to do mostly because I love working with artists on their personal branding and brand building while helping them find the next level of success.
