Why do no programs seem to show changes in port area?

So in a typical bass reflex enclosure, you'll often hear people say stuff like a larger port gives a peakier response or something like that.

All of this is assuming identical tuning and volume.

But for some reason on every program ive tried to graph this you get absolutely no change except for port velocity when changing port area. not even a 1/10th of a db across the band, no cone displacement change. NOTHING

Heres some photos in BBP comparing a 4" port and 8" port in a 4.5cf reflex using the same tuning.

Red is the 8" Purple is the 4". As you can see the red overlaps so perfectly you can't even see the 4" port anymore excluding port velocity.
 
Does port area actually affect frequency response? Hornresp can simulate it.

Assuming it does: box simulation software relies on assumptions and simplifications. If parameters are taken to the extreme, these may not hold and the prediction may be off.
 
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It's my understanding from numerous posters over the decades that BBP isn't a very good program, at least by today's standards, especially for how much they [use to?] charge for it.

Hornresp and similar programs I've tried [LspCad, AkAbak and I forget the others] do it, but need to keep in mind that the driver's specs/cab alignment has a big impact on how much gain BW difference there is.

Historically, Av = Sd was the largest acceptable reflex vent area and even then it's restricted to Fb = Fs tuning, so if a program is going to factor this in, then you should see an obvious difference regardless of specs, assuming they're suited for reflex alignments.

GM