Sealed vs Vented enclosures

While not disagreeing with the above, I find that vented can sound good in the bass, but it depends on the trade-offs made by the designer. But more importantly for me, I find mid-priced vented speakers usually breathe (pardon the pun) better in the midrange - ie. voices and instruments sound less strained.

Like all else in this hobby, everybody has their favorite, and wonders why anyone else would like something different than their personal ideal. You'll HAVE to make up your own mind through experience, and there are no shortcuts to experience.

Generally, I prefer a sealed enclosure over vented. However, for either type, it all depends on how well the designer has executed his/her design, and how well the apes in production can stick to the blue print. Sealed enclosures are usually more forgiving of small variations in woofer/enclosure parameters. A LOT depends on the particular "Q" chosen for the design for either type. Like Carl says...listen for yourself. Now how about a WELL executed transmition line enclosure......? (check your furnace filters because there could be a lot of flying fur on that topic)

My guess is that the quality of the upstream electronics has about as much or more to do with the quality of the bass than the enclosure type. Here's why. I was nuts for acoustic suspension for about 20 years straight. Yep, it made shopping easy. In the last ten however the highest quality, most truly amazing bass I've ever heard has come from ported types. Since I made the switch I realize I've never heard an acoustic suspension speaker with extended highs. Rolling off the high end makes for long term relaxed listening and really is quite pleasurable. But if you want it all, ported is the only place I've ever come close. The moral is, that in my effort to compensate for the sealed enclosures shortcomings, the whole system got better, so now it gets the most out of ported types. My advice? Select the Hype and the Look that suits you, then listen. Get an amp rated at the top of your choice's power handling capability and you're on your way. There is no substitute for the journey.

I am also looking at up-grading my system. All the speakers on my short list are ported- Montana KAS, JMlab Utpoia, the Sonus Faber. I have owned Maggies, transmission line and sealed speakers. The listening room has a lot to do with the correct speaker type. If you buy from a local dealer, get a 7-10 day return policy and try it out. I agree with some of the previous comments relative to synergy among the components, cables and speakers. Trust your own ears and experiment. Good luck and buy what YOU like.