What are the problems with bandpass?

[CheapPyramidStuff 10+ year member]

What are the problems with bandpass? I've heard that they aren't as clear, and you can't hear them distorting, but are there more? What causes these problems? Thanks.

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[<natem33>]

I'll give you the best answer that I can. Bandpass boxes can sound quite good if they are tuned properly to the speaker. Most genericly built bandpass boxes will work, just not as well. A bandpass box sounds 'boomier' and the bass notes aren't as defined. Also, a bandpass box generally won't hit as low as a sealed box. As for distortion, it may be drowned out a bit more, but just watch how hard you push your amp to avoid distortion.

 

[ramos 5,000+ posts]

The main problem I have with them is they tend to be one note wonders. This is due to the way they are tuned. Output at the tuning frequency is amazing. An octave or two Above or below the tuning frequency the output is almost non-existant.

 

[BigAudioJoe 10+ year member]

Generally people who buy low quality speakers buy bandpass boxes but I'm not stating that bandpass boxes are bad the are usually used to drown out the distortion or to bring out the boom in your subs though your clarity usually lacks and it's not as defined as a sealed box . Sealed boxes are used to bring out the clarity and also a lot of the boom but if u got good speakers you can use both. There might be on the specifications on your subs how it works in each kind of box and the length and width of what it sounds the best in. So try looking for that.

 

[ramos 5,000+ posts]

A well designed ported enclosure can be a very good median between sealed and bandpass. They have greater output than sealed, and offer "tighter" bass than bandpass. If your into sound quality sealed or aperiodic is the way to go. If your into spl or just who can be loudest bumpin down the street I would go with a ported enclosure