your not necessarily doing to lose SQ in a ported box, just dont tune it to like 20hz hehe. if designed and built right, a ported box will sound just as good as a sealed, but as you said, could possibly differ on sharp burps such as metal.
yes actually.
yes, yes a ported box will
always sound different. well. i should not say always, because a 6th order bandpass is technically a ported box.
so in rudementry format, lets contemplate.
sealed; usually exibits a smooth rolloff at lower octaves and little to no peaks in the frequecny response. in theory, usually can play lower frequencies without causing the driver harm. so in total, usually a better blend to any stereo. but not suited for efficent SPL in a daily driver.
ported; usually exibits quite large peaks around and above Fb. rolls off quite a bit faster at lower octaves starting just below Fb. in theory, below Fb, driver is not capable of lots of power because the excursion can (and usually will) hit its limits, and will not play these frequencies very loud. thus the need for a subsonic filter. these boxes get louder than sealed.
so thats why - IN A NORMAL DAILY DRIVER - (excluding all abnormal conditions\people\weird ideas to be brought forth) a sealed box will yield better
SOUND QUALITY
because sound quality is not JUST how good it sounds to you, but how good it sounds to pink noise and a RTA. flat response = sq, peaky response = spl.
there you have it.
ported box = peaky response = suited for people who like more bass than anything and spl
sealed box = smooth low end rolloff = suited for a balanced stereo = easier for sq
THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS - but we are talking about a f
ucking alpine type r. so get over it.