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I'd like to know what the difference is when you see a sub in a box facing up, or when you see a sub facing down, with the magnet up. What is the difference? Why one way over the other? Also, as far as a ported box, or sealed. Why one over the other?
I'm trying to figure out what would be better for me, with my type of music, for the space in my car, etc.
Ported boxes are generally "tuned" for a specific sweet spot in the frequency range. If set up properly can play lower (read 18-24hz) than sealed boxes. Again these are generalities. Ported enclosures are usually bigger enclosures (.6-.8 sealed vs 1.2 to 1.5ft^3 for ported same woofer)
Sealed enclosures are generally more accurate in reproduction, do not play quite as low and usually play slightly higher (80-100hz range) better due to better soundwave/excursion control/linearity.
I'd like to know what the difference is when you see a sub in a box facing up, or when you see a sub facing down, with the magnet up. What is the difference? Why one way over the other? Also, as far as a ported box, or sealed. Why one over the other?
I'm trying to figure out what would be better for me, with my type of music, for the space in my car, etc.
There is no difference whether the sub is facing out or in.
Having the magnet outside the box will not take up any box volume so the box interal volume would be less. It is also done when the magnet depth is too great for the box. Finally, it is done to show off the magnet.
Sealed boxes are more forgiving. Both in internal volume and power handling. They are also considered the best for SQ.
Ported boxes can give you more SPL but the box AND port must be accurate. You also need a subsonic filter so no frequencies below the tuning freq of the port is seen by the subwoofers.
IMO, sealed is the way to go.
there is also one other reason for having the woofer mounted upside down.. it is also possible to have two woofers (out of phase) bolted together. This will allow putting the sub in a box that is half the recommended volume. (if memory serves me right) but with all these new woofers that have such small requirements you rarely see this anymore (to my knowledge)
You are correct, it is called isobaric. I did four JL Audio 15W5's in this fashion in my Talon TsiAWD.
You also are correct on the fact that you just don't see them mounted like that anymore. The Kicker Solobarics were the first speakers to directly take on the isobaric configuration saying that their one speaker would do what two other drivers would do in an iso configuration