If you don’t want your car music to sound like it came from a tin can, you will need a subwoofer for your car audio system. The subwoofer’s main purpose is to provide you the low-frequency bass that many people love feeling in their chests when they play loud music. At home, you can get a huge subwoofer that can play really thumping bass that’ll rock your windows. That’s not always easy to do with your car audio system because you’re limited by the inherently small space available. Thus, you need a good car subwoofer for your audio system if you want great bass with the limited space. Here are the best car subwoofers you can consider buying.
The Best Car Subwoofers
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1. Rockford Fosgate R165X3 Prime 6.5-Inch Full-Range 3-Way Coaxial Speaker (Pair)
This isn’t really a subwoofer at all. It’s a pair of speakers. Its presence here (especially on top of the list) is because quite a few people blame their subwoofers when the bad sound is coming from a pair of tinny stock speakers. This is one of the bestselling factory replacement speakers around, so they’re worth a look.
Impedance is at 4 ohms, and the frequency response is from 52 Hz to 20 kHz. The RMS power is rated at 45 watts, with a maximum of 90 watts. The sensitivity is at 91dB. The grill/trim ring is already included.
Pros
- They’re very affordable.
- The sound clarity is much better than your average stock speaker.
- It handles loud volume quite well.
Cons
- There’s really not much bass to it since it’s not a subwoofer.
- Installing it can be complicated if you do it yourself.
2. BOSS P156DVC 15 Inches 5000W Car Subwoofers Subs, Dual 15 Inches Sub Box Enclosure
Now, this is what we’re talking about. It’s an “off the shelf” solution” as it already has an enclosure, but since this measures 15 inches then you may want to make sure that it fits inside your car.
The RMS power rating for each subwoofer is 1250 watts, so since you have 2 then it’s 2500 watts for the pair. The maximum power is 2500, so it explains the 5000W listed in the product name. This uses dual 4-ohm voice coils, which makes it more flexible when it comes to wiring.
You can use a 4000-watt 2-channel amp with this, and it will sound just as great as another audio system that costs thousands of dollars. The most important thing to remember here is that you must break this in gently. Some people crank it up to the maximum volume they can find that’s still clear, and they discover to their horror that they’ve blown their subs as a result.
Pros
- It comes with an enclosure already.
- The bass really thumps. The vented enclosure offers a lot of volumes.
- It’s very affordable at just a couple of hundred bucks or so.
- It even looks nice.
Cons
- If you don’t break them in gently, you’ll just break them.
- You have to make sure that it fits your car. It’s huge.
3. MTX 12″ 1200W Dual Loaded Car Audio Subwoofers with Box Enclosure Package
This is an MTX package, and it’s perfect for those who want to install or buy a terrific bass system without worrying too much about the details. This contains a mono amplifier as well as the complete installation kit with all the wires and other tiny things you need.
This package features a pair of subwoofers in a dual-sealed enclosure. They have polypropylene dust caps that are lightweight so they move with less power, and durable so they can last long placed inside a car trunk. The subwoofers are power rated at 200 watts RMS so that’s 400 watts RMS total and the maximum is at 800 watts.
The enclosure uses Spider Plateau Venting that helps cool the subwoofer by venting the heat generated by playing music for a long time. The enclosure itself is made from ⅝-inch MDF that’s thicker and stronger than the standard half-inch MDF in other enclosures.
Pros
- The package comes with every part you need to install the subwoofer and play your music. That includes all the wires you’ll need.
- The bass is deep and punchy.
- Even though it even comes with a mono amplifier and enclosure, it’s still very affordable.
Cons
- You’ll want to replace the amplifier with a stereo amp.
- Unless you know what you’re doing for the installation, you better call a pro to set this up for you.
4. KICKER 10TC104 10″ 300W TC104 Loaded Car Audio Subwoofer + Sub Box Enclosure
The 10-inch subwoofer with 4-ohm impedance is rated for 150 watts RMS, and a peak power rating of 300 watts. The frequency response ranges from 30 Hz to 500 Hz, while the sensitivity is decent enough at 89dB. It only comes with a single voice coil, but that shouldn’t be a problem.
It also comes with a wooden enclosure already, and it’s covered with dense carpeting with a carbon fiber front baffle. It’s ported to produce more volume. It has a very slim profile, though, so it’s great for trucks and others that don’t have enough depth space for their subwoofers.
Pros
- The slim profile of the enclosure makes it suitable for trucks and motor homes.
- It’s actually quite powerful, and the bass is very punchy and tight. It can really improve the quality of the music.
- The box is very well-built too.
- The price is very low.
Cons
- It’s much better for trucks than it is for cars.
- Some have even used it for their boats. However, it is not marine-rated so the box can get soft due to the moisture.
5. VM Audio Encore 15 Inch 4000W DVC Competition Car Audio Power Subwoofer | ECW150
So you want to have a better car audio system than your friends in your neighborhood parking lot? If you’re that competitive, then this may be for you. This offers 2,000 watts of RMS power, with the maximum at 4,000 watts. The subwoofers are also 15 inches in size with dual voice coils measuring 3 inches.
The frequency response is from 23 Hz to 340 Hz, with an astounding sensitivity of 97dB. This means you don’t need as much power to produce the same amount of sound as you would from another subwoofer with lower sensitivity.
Pros
- The sound is quite pure, as it features a deep piston cone diaphragm, a high-excursion wide surround, and advanced lateral mechanical suspension.
- The voice coils are protected by a large magnet surface area, direct air contact, and ferrofluid
- The subwoofer also has a die-cast and rust-treated stamped steel basket that prevents any annoying buzzing, and the basket also protects the subwoofer from moisture.
Cons
- You’ll have to build or buy an enclosure for this.
- You really have to break it first, especially if you plan to play really loud music.
- The response time may be a bit slow for very fast remixes or dubstep, but it’s perfect for rock music.
6. Skar Audio Dual 12″ 1000 Watt Complete Subwoofer Bass Package
This is another all-in-one subwoofer package for those who don’t want to bother with the smallest details need to get their audio system going. The dual 12-inch subwoofers are already wired in and loaded in its enclosure. The ported subwoofer enclosure produces a lot more volume than you’d expect.
It also comes with a Class D amplifier with a remote bass knob, and the package also includes a 4-gauge wiring kit.
So all you need are the tools to put them all together. If you lack the experience or the knowledge to do so, then a pro should help you out. This is wired to 1-ohm final impedance, so without ample break-in, you’ll just blow them if you play music really loud right away.
Pros
- It’s a complete package with amp, enclosure, and wiring installation kit.
- It even comes with a remote bass knob.
- The ported enclosure allows for higher volumes.
- The price is surprisingly low. It’s like you’re paying for the enclosure for just a few dollars if you buy this package piecemeal.
Cons
- Without breaking this thing in, it won’t last a few days at all.
- The sound is good enough for most, but not exactly competition-grade.
7. Rockford Fosgate Prime R2D2-12 12-Inches 500 Watt RMS Power Dual 2 Ohm Car Audio Subwoofers
Here’s another subwoofer package for those who want everything included. The dual subwoofers come with a sealed enclosure so you get deep and accurate bass. It also comes with a wiring kit with 14-gauge speaker wire, spade terminals, and screws to mount the enclosure to your car.
With this, you get a pair of 2-ohm subwoofers, rated at 500 watts RMS and 1,000 watts maximum. For those who know their way around car audio systems, the assembly and installation are straightforward enough.
It doesn’t come with an amp, though. With the right 1,000 watt amp, it will hit hard with fantastic clarity of sound.
Pros
- It’s reasonably priced.
- For the price, the sound sure is great with superb hard-hitting clarity.
- It’s not all that difficult to install, though a pro for newbies is still recommended for the setup.
Cons
- You better pick the right amp for this. At least a 1,000-watt 2-channel amp should be okay.
- It doesn’t come with a screwdriver either, so you need your own.
8. 4 New PLANET AUDIO AC12D 12″ 7200W Car Audio Power Subwoofers Subs Woofers DVC
If even a pair of subwoofers isn’t enough for you, then this package of 4 subwoofers should do the trick. Each one can deal with 900 watts of RMS power, so that’s a total of 3,600 watts. The peak is at 1800 watts, so with 4 subs, that’s 7,200 watts.
The impedance is at 4 ohms and the diameter of the voice coil is at 2 inches. The frequency response ranges from 32 Hz to 3 kHz. The efficiency is at 88dB.
It doesn’t come with its own enclosure, though the manual says you need either a ported or sealed box. It also requires an amp that should be from 4000 to 6000 watts, although you may have to turn it down. With 1500 watts, you can probably go full blast after a suitable break-in period.
Pros
- The price of these 4 subwoofers is surprisingly low.
- At this price range, the sound quality is excellent.
- It can get very loud too.
Cons
- Just be careful with the amp, as you may put in too much power that the subs can’t handle.
- The customer support is a bit suspect.
9. VM Audio EXW15 Elux 15″ Competition Car Audio Power Subwoofer Sub 2600W DVC
More often than not a single large subwoofer is enough. That’s especially true when it’s 15 inches and rated as “competition-grade”. This one can handle 1300 watts RMS, with a peak at 2600 watts. It also features a lightweight IMPP (injection-molded polypropylene) cone, a huge poly-cotton spider, and a high-excursion mechanical suspension system.
This should last you for a long while, as it uses nickel-plated wire connections, a custom stamped steel basket, and a durable rubber surround. To deal with the generated heat, it has a large surface area for cooling, an aerodynamic direct voice coil surface-cooling system, and an extended thermal cooling vented pole piece motor structure for direct air exposure.
It’s also easy enough to install if you have the experience. It can go with ported or sealed enclosures, and it comes with dual and single impedance configurations.
Pros
- The bass is very clear and responsive.
- It’s very durable and resistant to rust, dust, and moisture.
- It should be easy enough to install for knowledgeable car owners.
Cons
- To make full use of this, you’ll need an amp with at least 1,000 watts RMS.
- Install this the wrong way (or if you don’t break it in) and you’ll burn it out.
10. JL Audio 12W1v2-4 12-inch Car Subwoofer Driver
Sometimes you really don’t have much space, so you’re really limited in your car subwoofer options. But at least you can get this JL Audio subwoofer at a very reasonable price, as it’s designed with a shallow mounting depth and it works with compact enclosures. This can work with a 1.25 cu. ft. sealed enclosure or a 1.75 cu. ft. ported enclosure.
The subs are rated for 300 watts RMS and 600 watts maximum. These are great ratings considering how small this is. The impedance is at 4 ohms and the efficiency is at an acceptable 86.81 dB.
Pros
- It works with very small enclosures.
- At moderate power levels, the sound quality is terrific.
Cons
- You can’t really expect to play loud music with this without any problems.
- This needs an amp with power ranging from 75 to 300 watts. Anything more and you’re going to blow the sub.
Conclusion for The Best Car Subwoofers
With these options, you have a wide range of possibilities for your car audio. You have single subs, packages of 4 subs, with or without enclosures, and some even with the installation kit.
But it all boils down to the fact (not an opinion) that you absolutely need a subwoofer for your car. Whether you want to impress your friends or you just want to listen to good music while you drive, a good quality subwoofer enhances the sound quality and the music-listening experience. There’s no good reason not to have one since we’ve listed subwoofers here that offer high-quality sound and bass at very affordable prices!
More Tips for The Best Car Subwoofers
How to Install a Subwoofer and Amplifier in a Car