The best subwoofers for home and car: from budget to the loudest

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They say happiness has no price - but if we had all the money in the world and the ability to spend it on a hi-fi system, we would find it.

We decided to do a little detective work and find the most expensive speakers ever made - and some of the price tags were literally eye-popping. Most of the items on this list won't be affordable to many buyers, but there's nothing wrong with looking at giant shiny cases with crazy technology inside them.

Narcissistic? Maybe. Extravagant? Without a doubt. Expensive? Still would. Here is the complete list in ascending order of price.

Final Audio Opus 204 – $450,000

We first saw these stunning speakers weighing 800 kilograms at an exhibition in Munich in 2013. Final Audio is a Japanese company founded, owned and operated by Kanemori Takai from 1972 until his death. Unfortunately, he died just a year after the release of Opus 204.

Takai believed that it was possible to get the best sound from these speakers by installing them in the house before it was completed, and then building walls around them. This is what maximum attention to hi-fi means.

The speakers use ultra-thin aluminum cones filled with sand, each of which weighs like a feather - 8 grams.

Which brand is better to choose a subwoofer for home?

The niche of acoustics manufacturers in the global market has long identified its leaders. These are giants that have won the trust of specialists in this field and ordinary buyers. The best subwoofers for the home were presented by the following companies:

• Sony is a Japanese multinational corporation founded in 1946. A large share of the work is aimed at creating amateur and professional electronics, various game consoles and set-top boxes. Sony is considered one of the largest media conglomerates in the world, as it has its own record labels and film studios.
• Onkyo is a consumer electronics manufacturer founded in Japan since 1946. Engaged in the production and sales of audio equipment and home theater systems. The name “onkyo” literally translates as “acoustics of sound” or “harmony of sound.” The company is remembered for being one of the first to release a system of individual audio components.
• Yamaha is a Japanese multinational company founded in 1887. It is the largest manufacturer of acoustic systems, musical instruments, and audio equipment. Closer to the 60s of the last century, the range was supplemented by Hi-Fi products, as well as professional sports equipment.
• Jamo is a world-famous acoustics brand that began its history in Denmark in 1966. By the 30th anniversary of the company's activities, the presented products began to be sold with tremendous success in more than 80 countries around the world. Today this name is associated with high-quality materials, unique design, and innovative technologies.
• Heco is a German company with a rich history, specializing in the production of speaker systems. Founded in 1949. The brand received its name from Hennel & Co. In the last century, many loudspeaker models were recognized as the best of their time. Today this name is big on the world market, as it is among the leaders in its industry.
• JBL is an American company engaged in audio equipment and acoustics since its founding in 1946. It is part of the Harman International Industries association, where many well-known manufacturers in this industry are located. It was possible to gain enormous experience and the trust of all countries thanks to the fact that the manufacturer stood at the origins of the creation of audio equipment.
• Paradigm is a Canadian company and one of the most respected loudspeaker manufacturers in the world. The entire production process has been concentrated in Canada from 1982 to the present day. Scientific knowledge and advanced equipment help create high-tech and unique devices.
• Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) is a private British company, named after the founders John Bowers, Roy Wilkins. Founded in 1966. With nearly 50 years of research experience behind us, each new model is a true engineering masterpiece. Today, the market within this industry offers a wide range of Hi-Fi acoustics from mid-range to top-end.
• APart is a Belgian company that started a series of innovations in the audio industry. Founded in 1993. The audio equipment offered today is distinguished by its affordability, functionality, and reliability. The company uses innovative digital technologies, high-tech materials, and ultra-modern components.
• Wharfedale is a British company founded in 1932. She confidently entered the history of the Hi-Fi industry as one of the first creators of Hi-Fi audio. Since the end of the twentieth century, another division was founded - Wharfedale Pro, which creates professional audio equipment.
• American Audio is a well-known company that produces special equipment for DJs and musicians. Founded in 1985, then it was a tiny company, and today it is a huge corporation. Currently, 5 divisions are open - American DJ lighting installations and equipment, Elation Professional software, Acclaim Lighting equipment for special effects, Duratruss additional equipment for concerts, ADJ speaker systems, turntables, mixers and accessories.

The best subwoofers for the car

CAT MBX Powered Speakers – $500,000

CAT claims its MBX systems have sold for more than $16 million! The custom-built 3.6-metre speakers, weighing five tonnes each, feature 55cm subwoofers, 23cm woofers, 14cm midrange drivers and 3cm tweeters. The walls of the cases, which are more than 20 centimeters thick, are made using a proprietary lamination process, the technology of which is kept secret by CAT.

If you decide to buy yourself a couple of MBXs, head over to the California Audio Technology office and pick your configuration. The list of materials includes HDF, Corian, Avonite, MBX105, marble, granite, concrete, aluminum, stainless steel and titanium. You can install up to 10 speakers per channel. Expect to shell out between $500,000 and $16 million, and be sure to tell the company you're from What Hi-Fi?

Backes & Muller BM 100 – $550,000

What is this - a column or a refrigerator? We're still in the $500-something thousand dollar range. With a height of 230 centimeters, this Backes & Müller BM 100 model needs a spacious room. One of the most impressive design features is the large midrange horn, extending 2.3 meters in height and with a frontal area of ​​1.75 square meters.

The woofers frame the speakers and form a wall of sound, in which acoustic waves up to 10 meters long propagate across the entire height of the cabinet. The sound is appropriate.

Rating of car subwoofers

Volumetric and all-consuming sound, mesmerizing in its quality! What else could the owner of a modern car who loves speed, smooth roads and vast open spaces dream of? Good music on the road makes the trip easier and more enjoyable!

It’s no wonder that automakers are installing more and more advanced and high-quality music systems in modern cars, and are constantly improving the sound quality inside the car. The only problem is the limited space of the car, which cannot be wasted on installing powerful sound sources. Therefore, active car subwoofers must remain compact without losing power and playback quality.

Which subwoofer is right for your car? What should you buy to improve your musical sound without upgrading your car? We offer our rating of these acoustic devices to make your search and selection easier.

Blaupunkt GTb 8200A

Compact subwoofer with precise phase control and excellent efficiency. The declared power is 75 W, although in practice it is almost three times higher. Frequency range - up to 200 Hz. For lovers of quiet but high-quality sound, this is the optimal choice. Cons: no installation cables included and poor speaker protection. Price - 4500 rubles.

Mystery MBV-251A

A popular professional model with a power of 150 W, a frequency range of 25-800 Hz and “thick” bass. To adjust the acoustics, the controls can be brought into the cabin. Cons: labor-intensive installation and minimal equipment. Price 5000 rubles.

KENWOOD KSC-SW11

This baby has powerful bass and is easy to set up. There is a remote control and a durable metal case. Cons: difficult to install under the seat, not all control buttons are on the remote control. Price 7000 rubles.

JSUPRA SRD-304A

12-inch subwoofer with 180 W power, stylish design, transparent front panel and bright backlight. Provides high-quality amplification and powerful sound. Easy to install and comes with a complete installation kit. It has no serious shortcomings. Price 6700 rubles.

Ural AS-D12A

A domestic subwoofer model with a power of 400-1100 W, good volume and a nice design. Cons: the amplifier is weak, installation will require effort, poor-quality connecting wires. Price 6700 rubles.

Pioneer TS-WX300A

One of the best brands producing car acoustics that does not need advertising. Compact (12 inches) and powerful (1300 W), reproduces a wide range of sound, comes with a high-tech amplifier, and is easy to install. Cons: more suitable for small sedans, but rather weak for cars with good sound insulation. Price 7000 rubles.

KENWOOD KSC-PSW8

A large representative of the subwoofer family (20 inches) with good equipment. Produces powerful bass and holds mids well. Can be connected from the high voltage output. Cons: Weak and short wires included. Price 10,500 rubles.

Pioneer TS-WX130DA

With impressive dimensions (20 inches), it looks compact. Assembled from high-quality materials, equipped with a powerful amplifier and remote power control. Convenient settings, high sound quality without peak performance. Cons: installation is designed to fit under the seat, but not every car has enough space for the device. Price 8250 rubles.

Alpine SWE-815

Compact (8 inches) and, undoubtedly, decent acoustics with a high-quality design and precise assembly (does not make noise or rattle). There is a remote control. Cons: short and weak wires for a subwoofer of this power. Price 8800 rubles.

Pioneer TS-WX70DA

Compact (6 inches) and powerful (104 dB) subwoofer with high-quality sound, bright melody and impactful bass. Each frequency can be heard well, the sound detail is very fine and transparent. No deficiencies found. And even the high price is justified by impeccable quality and durability. Price 16,800 rubles.

In conclusion, we note that our list does not include all the best active subwoofers. We did not take into account the acoustics of little-known brands, although they also have outstanding models that may cost less than those listed above. When choosing, be sure to study the technical specifications according to the product data sheet, check the installation kit and take into account the features of your car - there should be enough free space to place a subwoofer.

Moon Audio Signature Titan II – $550,000

With a list price of $520,000 per pair, the limited-edition Signature Titan II speakers are the first in a series of “ultra-limited editions of functional acoustic art,” according to Moon Audio. Each pair is signed by the developer, and the "limited edition" sticker isn't something to be taken lightly: one of these is rumored to have sold for $2 million.

The speakers are, of course, handmade. With a height of 1.83 meters, each weighs more than 1.2 tons. The body is made primarily of aircraft-grade aluminum and white steel, and houses two subwoofers, two midrange drivers and one tweeter capable of operating at ultrasonic frequencies up to 90 kHz. And if you are interested in compatibility, we inform you that they support a two-cable connection.

Advantages of a car subwoofer

Whether you listen to rock, jazz, hip-hop, pop or even classical, a good subwoofer can make a huge difference in sound quality.

Why? First, standard car stereo speakers are too small to produce loud enough sound, and second, they lack the power needed to generate the low frequencies (20 Hz to 80 Hz) that make music sound better.

In other words, no matter the brand or cost of your car speakers, they will never deliver that deep, low, clear bass with the clarity that even an inexpensive car subwoofer can produce.

As you know, subwoofers can reduce noise in the sound, which has a good effect on the overall sound quality. Your favorite music albums that you have listened to more than a dozen times will take on a completely different sound.

Wisdom Audio Infinite Wisdom Grande – $700,000

This model begins a serious climb up the price ladder. According to Wisdom Audio, these mighty speakers, with a total weight of almost two tons, are intended, no less, for “multi-level rooms in the most spacious houses and palaces, great halls and ballrooms.”

Each speaker consists of separate blocks for mid- and high-frequency drivers, as well as for woofers. The latter, 243 centimeters high, includes a battery of as many as twenty-four 30-centimeter woofers. Six quasi-ribbon/planar magnetic drivers measuring 7.5 x 190 centimeters are built into a four-meter frame of the midrange/high-frequency unit. Together, they create sound pressure exceeding 120 dB.

Magico Ultimate III – $600,000

For a pair of Magico Ultimate III they ask for 600 thousand dollars, and five-way systems with horn design are hidden in aluminum cases with a height of 230 centimeters. They reportedly require 10 amplifiers, and in terms of technical innovation, it's worth noting that each horn houses a high-sensitivity compression driver at the throat.

In addition to the CNC-milled horns, each speaker is equipped with six ALE compression drivers and four custom mid/bass and low-frequency drivers, the signal for which is prepared by an active crossover with DSP control. They weigh approximately half a ton each and take 18 months to complete. Please consider both of these factors when placing your order.

Wilson Audio WAMM Master Chronosonic – $850,000

WAMM stands for Wilson Audio Modular Monitor - and, as you might have guessed, Master Chronosonic speakers are made up of several modules. Their synchronization can be adjusted in steps of five microseconds. Precisely position the speakers according to your listening position and, according to Wilson Audio, the result will be much more realistic sound.

Measuring over 210 centimeters in height, each speaker's cabinet is crafted from aerospace-grade aluminum, and the open speaker architecture is designed to minimize stored energy. Each pair takes about 10 weeks to make, so it's no surprise that Wilson Audio only produces 70 pairs per year. Looking for something more affordable? Try Chronosonic XVX for 330 thousand.

Which subwoofer is better to buy for home?

All 12 nominees in the review demonstrate modern capabilities that meet the requirements of different buyers. Based on reviews, indicated advantages, disadvantages, it is easier to choose which subwoofer is better and what is worth buying. These models can be connected to a PC, home theater, and music equipment. The comparative analysis showed the following results of the comparative analysis:

• Yamaha YST-FSW100 is the best budget closed-type model;
• Jamo J 10 SUB – high-quality assembly, 5 colors to choose from;
• Onkyo SKW-770 is an affordable model with Standby mode to save energy;
• Sony SA-CS9 is the best offer for the home with good sound quality;
• Heco Victa Prime Sub 252 A – advanced miniature sub with overload protection;
• APart CMSUB8 – miniature model for installation in the ceiling;
• Wharfedale Pro Delta 15B - high protection that can withstand transportation;
• American Audio Sense 18B – great potential, modern capabilities;
• JBL JRX218S - the highest power rating for a concert audio system.

A home subwoofer is most often used to enhance the sound of games, movies, and music. How powerful, high-tech, advanced it should be is a purely individual question. You need to rely on the criteria named by experts, as well as the possibilities of your own budget.

Cessaro Horn Acoustics Omega I – $1,000,000

The top model from horn specialist Cessaro Horn Acoustics stands 2.8 meters tall and weighs 4.5 tonnes. According to the company's website, the Omega I system is not intended for ordinary living rooms. Haven't had time to buy it for yourself yet?

Six 40cm woofers are loaded onto front horns, which can be ordered in any color of your choice. A wide range of veneer options are also available for cabinets and side panels. How about Pterocarpus gabonis?

Which is better, active or passive subwoofer?

Before answering the question of whether an active or passive subwoofer is better, you need to understand each of them. In fact, this is one of the main characteristics of this equipment that everyone should pay attention to. This parameter affects how the device will operate in the future, what characteristics it will have, how the connection will be made, etc.

A passive subwoofer is a fairly simple device that receives a signal from an amplifier. A subwoofer consists of a housing and one or more low-frequency drivers. In fact, this device cannot work without an amplifier; after purchasing it, you must carefully select an external amplifier and connect it correctly. If the connection is made correctly, the sound quality will be at a very high level, the sound will be better than that of the active version. Often this model is chosen by professionals who know how to configure acoustic equipment.

An active subwoofer is a device that already has an amplifier inside. It is enough to provide a weak signal, it will be amplified and reproduced the way the user wants it. This is an independent device, it has a higher cost, is heavy, and requires separate power. An active subwoofer has linear inputs and outputs and allows you to fine-tune the sound. If a high-quality active subwoofer is used, it has an extended frequency range, which is reflected in the quality of the sound.

There is a lot of debate as to which device is better, with different reviews reporting different results. Some are delighted with their expensive active subwoofer, while others saved money and preferred a passive one, but did not notice the difference. In fact, the active one will be a more advantageous option, but its price will be higher. In general, we can highlight the following main differences between the two types of audio equipment:

• An active subwoofer already has its own amplifier, no need to purchase an external one.
• Connecting an active subwoofer will be much easier.
• However, the sound will be inferior to a passive subwoofer if the setup was done by a professional.

Kharma Grand Enigma – $1,000,000

The Dutch high-end audio manufacturer's Exquisite Extreme Grand Limited Edition 25 may seem quite expensive with a list price of £318k per pair, but the Grand Enigma aims higher. Worked only once, the system is rumored to have been created in a huge cellar in Belgium, and its price in dollars ends with six zeros.

For this reason, there is no other information about her; From the moment this photo was taken, it continues to be shrouded in secrecy.

Moon Audio Opulence – $1,100,000

The second Moon Audio model on this list seems even more pretentious than the first. It was limited to just 10 pieces, priced at $1.1 million per pair, and features spooky Dark Star technology.

According to the company, it provides "a second way to listen to music that is independent of the speakers of the speaker system and allows music to be transmitted directly to the listener's brain, bypassing the ears." We don’t know how it works – but we are sure that ears will not become obsolete for a long time.

Best inactive subwoofers (without amplifier)

The inactive version of the subwoofer is distinguished by the absence of an amplifier, that is, if necessary, it will have to be connected separately.

A passive subwoofer has a simple design in the form of a speaker, but at the same time requires a correct and complicated connection to the radio.

Inactive subwoofers have their own list of positive or negative characteristics for each model, but in general they are united by better sound quality due to the use of higher quality materials when connecting.

In total, there are several options for a car that can suit any car owner.

JBL Stage 1200B

The JBL Stage 1200B passive subwoofer is considered the optimal solution for car speaker systems. Its responsibility relates to the reproduction of clear, deep bass without distortion. The model has several features, including a case design and the presence of increased sound of low-frequency musical fragments.

The increased strength of the case allows you not to worry about mechanical damage or chips. If necessary, two devices can be installed at once, in particular by mounting them in luggage-type shelves. The model has a relatively simple connection that does not require a large number of wires and additional elements.

Pros of JBL Stage 1200B:

1. Clear sound at any frequency.
2. Low cost.
3. Compact size and can be placed anywhere.
4. There are no special preferences for manufacturers of radio tape recorders and other elements of the musical acoustic system.

Cons of JBL Stage 1200B:

1. There is no protective grille.
2. Requires configuration when joining the system.
3. There is no fuse.

Alpine SBG-1244BP

The SBG-1244BP passive subwoofer is used in acoustic systems of any level. A distinctive feature is the possibility of increased bass sound. The closed case has a reinforced version with the head located inside the wall of the box.

The subwoofer is purchased by lovers of loud, clear sound, as well as connoisseurs of design, which is distinguished by the presence of spectacular lighting.

Pros of Alpine SBG-1244BP:

1. High quality and durable nature of the build.
2. Attractive design and lighting.
3. Powerful and spacious sound.
4. Possibility to integrate into an acoustic type system from any manufacturer without additional elements.

Cons of Alpine SBG-1244BP:

1. Takes up enough space.
2. Requires correct setting, as otherwise there will be a sound delay or hum.
3. Lots of weight for a subwoofer.

Each model has a number of positive qualities or disadvantages, according to which any car owner can make the best choice specifically for their preferences and budget.

Transmission Audio Ultimate – $2,000,000

Transmission Audio is proud of its Ultimate model. According to her, comparing the AC to sports cars, one could say that it “combines the characteristics of Ferrari, Mazerati and Koenigsegg in one package.”

A complete set with amplifiers is not cheap, since this two-channel system is not short of components: four dipole subwoofers, each equipped with ten copies of 38-centimeter Ultra Class elements; two dipole woofers (one per channel) with 24 pieces of 20-centimeter full-range woofers with ultra-low distortion; four MF/HF dipole tape panels (two per channel), each containing 14 meters of five-centimeter tape; two dipole high-frequency panels (one per channel), with two meters of 2.5 cm tape.

It is not surprising that housing of 2.1 meters in height was required to accommodate all this wealth.

Enclosure types: closed box, bass reflex or bandpass

The type of car subwoofer housing plays a huge role in the operation of the device.

There are three main types of cases, each of which is presented below. After reading their main characteristics, it will be easier for you to decide which type is right for you.

Closed box

The closed box is suitable for lovers of tight bass and rich, rich sound. It is a sealed housing, which ensures good performance of the subwoofer. However, we should not forget that such a housing requires more energy than a bass reflex, which will be discussed below.

Bass reflex

Bass reflex speakers have vents in their housing that allow air to move in and out of the housing to produce low and loud bass.

This type of enclosure allows for louder, more vibrating bass to be generated than closed boxes. The bass reflex is ideal for listening to heavy music, including rock, metal and rap.

However, keep in mind that bass reflex boxes tend to be much larger in size than closed boxes.

Bandpass

And finally, a bandpass, which, in fact, is a subtype of a bass reflex.

Here the subwoofer is installed inside a two-chamber box, which allows it to produce very loud sound in a narrow frequency range.

This case is best suited for fans of aggressive music, such as heavy metal or fast rap.