Ask him why the sealed box needs to be "loaded" while the vented one does not.
My opinion, since I know you want it [img]tongue.gif[/img] , is for the vented box (surprise!) as it will most likely have more output and a lower resonance than the sealed [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]
Try to make a deal with this confident, learned fellow and tell him to build the vented box and you will try it, and then you will try a generic sealed box as Rob suggested, and you will pay for the one you like better. They should have no problem with this - provided they believe what they say