Is there a large difference in Downward firing vs Outward firing?

Especially in cases where the room has normal carpet as opposed to tight burber.....or am I just splitting hairs at this point?

Thanks

Is there a large difference in Downward firing vs Outward firing?

Especially in cases where the room has normal carpet as opposed to tight burber.....or am I just splitting hairs at this point?s

The carpet will make no difference, according to Scott at Outlaw (of course the subs they sell are all down-firing). Down-firing subs may have a slight advantage for ease of placement (e.g. very close to a wall) and perhaps less audible "chuffing" from the port. There may also be less "directionality" when the sub is placed very close to the seating position, but there are some who will say that's baloney. (It's not; a sub plays up to the crossover which could be 80-120Hz. You can definitely identify the direction this is coming from, especially if a sub is firing right at you.)