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Choosing an Enclosure

A guide to choosing between sealed and ported subwoofer enclosures, and their tradeoffs.

Updated July 29, 2026 1 min readEnclosures
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Skar Audio identifies two primary enclosure styles: Sealed and Ported (Vented), each serving different audio preferences.

Sealed Enclosures

Sealed enclosures offer space efficiency and specific tonal characteristics.

  • Choosing a sealed enclosure will allow you to use less airspace, making your enclosure more space-friendly within a vehicle
  • Produces a more accurate, punchy sounding style of bass
  • Ideal for listeners prioritizing precision and compact installations

Ported Enclosures

Ported designs demand more careful planning.

  • You typically are going to be needing more airspace than a sealed enclosure for the same subwoofer as you have to consider displacement for the port(s)
  • The size and length of the port determine a tuning of the enclosure
  • Improper tuning will decrease the overall effectiveness and performance of the subwoofer
  • Louder output potential when properly tuned

Selection Philosophy

The selection of the style of the enclosure is highly subjective and based upon the end goal. Consider your priorities regarding:

  • Sound quality preferences
  • Space constraints
  • Installation complexity
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