Top 10 most powerful subwoofers for cars for 2022

A subwoofer or simply a subwoofer is an integral component of a car audio system for those who love high-quality sound of their favorite compositions.

Subwoofer ESX SXB 302

Only if you make the right choice of subwoofer, installing it in the car in full accordance with the instructions and rules, will you be able to achieve the desired result.

This element of the speaker system operates at low frequencies in the range from 5 to 200 Hz. It serves as a device for creating clean and powerful bass, without which listening to modern music turns into a rather dull process.

There is a fairly wide variety of subwoofer models that differ in terms of design and performance. To choose the best device option for yourself, you should study the proposed devices, study their features and draw appropriate conclusions. It is preferable to trust installation to professionals.

Supra SRD-T30A

Rating: 4,2

Price: 6,500 rubles

Supra SRD-T30A perfectly reproduces sound and bass in the car interior. It copes perfectly even with ultra-low bass, which is impossible for classic audio systems. The 12-inch body allows you to make the sound of music deeper and more elastic. It also has a built-in amplifier for added clarity.

Advantages:

• high-quality sound;
• Beautiful design;
• bass reflex housing made of MDF material;
• absence of freezes, overloads and sudden independent shutdowns.

Flaws:

• may sometimes be susceptible to low temperatures.

How to choose the right subwoofer

1. Speaker potential. Some people forget that even the highest quality sub will look out of place if it does not match the main acoustics. If the speakers are compact and cannot produce frequencies below 70 Hz, then a budget model will suffice. For top-end acoustics, you will need a premium subwoofer with Hi-Fi sound.
2. Design features. Compact solutions with 8-inch paper speakers are suitable for desktop use. But for a home theater it is better to buy a sub with a metal driver of at least 10-12 inches.
3. Additional functions. Any device will offer basic settings. But the more expensive ones can boast of wireless connection, remote control (including a smartphone application), and an advanced equalizer.
4. Device type. There are active and passive subwoofers. The latter have several disadvantages, the main one being the complicated connection. But the price of such models is lower. Active subwoofers are more expensive, but offer more settings, their own amplifier and easy matching with the main acoustics.
5. Case material. Wood, MDF, plastic. The last option is the most affordable, but is subject to vibration and sound distortion. Wood provides better sound, but is expensive (various innovative materials can be used as an alternative). The optimal choice in terms of price/quality is MDF.

Pioneer TS-WX1210A

Rating: 4,1

Price: 9,300 rubles

Pioneer TS-WX1210A is a truly high-quality device, which is clear even from the name. It is easy to install because the manufacturers have thought through absolutely everything down to the smallest detail. The kit also comes with detailed instructions that will help you understand the settings in a matter of minutes. There is a separate wire for the remote control, which is very convenient.

Advantages:

• easy installation;
• simple and intuitive interface;
• stylish design;
• durable body.

Flaws:

• Sometimes the sound can "vibrate".

MTX Audio Terminator

Rating: 4,5

Price: 9,410 rubles

If you've been looking for a subwoofer that won't break the bank and will last you a long time, then the MTX Audio Terminator is definitely for you. Ensures stable operation of speakers and reproduces bass perfectly. In addition, it also has high performance.

Advantages:

• no sound distortion;
• stable operation without interruptions and shutdowns;
• ventilation with linear drive.

Flaws:

• heavy weight.

MYSTERY MBP-3000

Rating: 4,1

Price: 9,600 rubles

MYSTERY MBP-3000 is a 12-inch subwoofer that provides high-quality reproduction of any bass. It has a plexiglass insert and mirror panels in the internal structure. The kit includes detailed operating instructions.

Advantages:

• neon lights;
• wear-resistant housing made of MDF;
• dark carpet covering;
• gold plated connectors.

Flaws:

• relatively high cost.

Samsung SWA-W700

Rating: 4,8

Price: 2,3450 rubles

Samsung SWA-W700 provides deep and low bass sound at various frequencies. Has a monolithic body. When working with it, you can hardly hear any sound distortion due to the high-quality stabilizer in the internal system.

Advantages:

• high-quality sound;
• no distortion or blackouts;
• stable work;
• stylish design.

Flaws:

• overpriced;
• heavy weight of the device and components.

Which brand's subwoofer is better?

• Yamaha. The legendary Japanese brand, which is the largest manufacturer of musical instruments. The company has also achieved no less success in the market of audio equipment and acoustic systems.
• JBL. A brand owned by Harman, which, in turn, has been a division of the South Korean corporation Samsung since the beginning of 2022. Great sound quality at a reasonable price is the main advantage of JBL.
• DALI. The Danish nonsense DALI does not have as long a history as its largest competitors. But this brand has achieved incredible success in the market, which is the merit of the company’s engineers who develop unique drivers.
• Jamo. Another manufacturer comes from Denmark. For more than half a century, this company has been creating unique acoustic systems in both sound and appearance. Moreover, the price of Jamo products can be called quite affordable.
• Bowers & Wilkins . The history of B&W began in the same year, 1966, as the Danish journey. However, the British achieved much greater success. Today, B&W accounts for the bulk of acoustics exports throughout Foggy Albion.

Kicker tcwrt 82

Rating: 4,5

Price: 14,315 rubles

Kicker tcwrt 82 is a model that has incredible build quality and provides excellent bass sound. Due to its stylish design, it looks nice in the salon and has a universal color scheme. Compact model measuring only 8 inches. The subwoofer power is about 600 watts.

Advantages:

• easy installation;
• separate remote control;
• detailed and clear instructions;
• optimal device size.

Flaws:

• Sometimes the sound may freeze.

Classification by type of construction

But the previous information will not be enough to answer the question of which subwoofer is best to choose for your car and what additional characteristics you should pay attention to.

All subs offered on the market are divided into several categories according to their design features. In many ways, motorists pay attention to this when making a choice in favor of one or another subwoofer installed in the car. A well-chosen device will provide soft bass and pleasant sounding music in all frequency ranges. If the pair is paired with a high-quality speaker, the driver will certainly be satisfied with the performance of his audio system.

Those who decide to choose a suitable subwoofer for their car should take into account the difference between the designs of the proposed equipment options.

1. Open. This is a powerful low-frequency speaker that is mounted directly into the car panel. Adjustment of the frequencies at which the device will operate is carried out through the use of special filters. But if you choose such a subwoofer and put it in your car, you won’t have to count on deep bass up to 100 Hz. You can choose a good option among open models, but this is definitely not an option for those who install a powerful audio system. For the average motorist and music lover, the option is quite acceptable.
2. Closed. There is also a closed cabinet version of the car subwoofer, which is a low-frequency speaker. It is installed inside a special housing. Such products are purchased separately or made according to the terms of an individual order, where specific parameters and characteristics are taken into account. Such a subwoofer is considered the optimal choice for most motorists who strive to get deep bass in the lower audio frequency range.
3. Car subwoofer with a sealed housing. Or simply hermetically sealed devices. Here the speaker is located inside a closed box with a strictly specified volume. The sound waves closed behind the speaker are damped directly in the housing itself. A correctly calculated calculation of the volume of the case plays a big role here. Advantages include relatively simple sizing procedures, almost complete absence of speaker overload, and extremely high-quality low-frequency sound. At the same time, the consumer receives an excessively low efficiency factor. This drawback largely predetermined the low popularity of the design.
4. Bass reflex car subs. A bass reflex is a special box with internal labyrinths, the parameters of which are carefully calculated and the required dimensions are selected. This allows you to increase the sound pressure on the amplifier. This refers to the sound at certain frequencies in the range from 50 to 120 Hz. Due to the tightness of the housing, it is possible to create a diffuser pressure with a reduced likelihood of inaccuracies during playback. The bass reflex itself corrects the amplitude-frequency characteristics, relieving the diffuser from excessive pressure. All this allows you to significantly increase the efficiency of the audio system.
5. Strip models. While sealed subwoofers act as filters for the high frequencies of the audio, bandpass subs filter the low and high frequencies. It is recommended to install such speakers between the partitions of the chambers in the car, so that the two sides of the diffuser work with a partially closed volume or not fully. This is where the concept of symmetrical load arises. Such speakers should be matched to the original housing in the car. When assembling the model, the manufacturer clearly takes into account all the nuances and subtleties so as not to disrupt the calculation of a suitable bandpass. Otherwise, if you make a mistake, you will have to reassemble the system.
6. Compact devices. The compact car subwoofer is distinguished by its corresponding small size and low cost. Such units are well suited for small cars. They prefer to install subwoofers themselves in the cabin near the passenger seat, or in the luggage compartment. Despite all its advantages in the form of price and ease of installation, the sub provides average sound quality. But if the car owner is not a music lover and does not place high demands on the subwoofer, the capabilities of the compact device should satisfy him.

Having studied the types of devices, the motorist is as close as possible to the answer to the question of how to correctly and competently choose a new subwoofer for his car.

Having previous experience in purchasing such systems certainly won’t hurt. But even in its absence, car owners sometimes manage to draw the right conclusions and make a rational purchase without professional help and advice.

We must not forget that choosing a subwoofer installed in a car in order to obtain soft bass is a multi-stage procedure. We need to act step by step. Only in this way will the purchased speaker be able to fully perform the functions assigned to it and satisfy the needs of the motorist himself in terms of sound quality. Therefore, it is best to choose a suitable subwoofer for your car, starting not just from the design features, but also from its technical characteristics.

JBL BassPro SL

Rating: 4,3

Price: 14,000 rubles

The JBL BassPro SL2 active subwoofer will add powerful bass to any audio system. At the same time, its compact size allows it to be placed under the seat in most cars. Thanks to flexible equalizer settings, the sound of BassPro SL2 will harmoniously fit into an already assembled audio system. The Class D digital amplifier uses energy economically and does not heat up even under heavy load. BassPro SL2 delights listeners with deep bass and does not take up much space in the cabin.

Advantages:

• high-quality sound reproduction;
• clear interface;
• compact device.

Flaws:

• high price.

Key nuances of choice

It is important to understand that each motorist has his own requirements for the sound quality of music in his car. Some people want to get powerful acoustics in their car, while others want to just slightly improve the sound on a standard system without investing a lot of money.

Therefore, it is wrong to think that you need to choose only the most expensive subs from leading manufacturers. Sometimes the capabilities of budget devices are completely enough to satisfy the needs of the car owner.

The average motorist who does not have a musical education and cannot boast of perfect pitch is unlikely to understand the difference in the sound of low-frequency devices.

To understand how to choose the right subwoofer for your car, you need to carefully study their varieties, capabilities, properties and distinctive characteristics. It’s not for nothing that even experts call the selection itself a labor-intensive and responsible undertaking. The complexity is explained by the wide range and large list of nuances that you should pay attention to. The essence of responsibility is that if you make a mistake in your choice, you can practically waste a decent amount of money.

You should wisely manage the financial aspects of installing an audio system in your car. Experts recommend starting from 20% of the cost of the vehicle itself. The total price of the acoustics should not exceed this mark if you are not going to take part in special car audio competitions. Otherwise, investing hundreds of thousands of rubles in some old VAZ is pointless.

Polk Audio

Rating: 4,5

Price: 15,500 rubles

Polk Audio is almost as good as any subwoofer. It has a unique device, stable operation and user-friendly interface. The speakers reproduce even ultra-low bass.

Advantages:

• high-quality sound;
• stylish design;
• MDF body;
• high performance.

Flaws:

• overpriced.

Bass reflex (FI)

In a bass reflex, the internal volume of the box communicates with the surrounding space through a tunnel containing a certain mass of air.
The size of this mass is chosen in order to, in combination with the elasticity of the air inside the box, create a second oscillatory system that receives energy from the back of the diffuser and radiates it wherever needed. This effect is achieved in a not very wide frequency range, but within its limits the efficiency increases significantly. The bass reflex has one more advantage - the presence of a hefty hole in the housing can restrain the movement of the diffuser and near the tuning frequency the amplitude of oscillations is significantly reduced. In the operating range, the bass reflex creates optimal conditions for the speaker. At the tuning frequency, the vibration amplitude is minimal, and most of the sound is emitted by the tunnel. The permissible power is maximum, and the distortion introduced by the speaker is minimal. The bass reflex is capricious in the choice of parameters and settings, since three parameters are taken into account: the volume of the box, the cross section and the length of the tunnel. The tunnel is often made so that its length can be adjusted by changing the tuning frequency.

GT5-12

Rating: 4,6

Price: 4,150 rubles

GT5-12 from the American company JBL is a single-coil subwoofer with a cone diameter of 300 mm, a peak power of 1100 W and a frequency range of 27 to 450 Hz, thanks to which an incredibly dense and powerful bass sound will reign in the interior of your car! The speaker cone is made of polypropylene, due to which it is particularly rigid and has high output with a low output power of the amplifier.

The protective rubber casing contains powerful dual magnets and its stylish design complements the GT5-12's rear panel perfectly.

Advantages:

• great sound;
• clear interface;
• strong body design.

Flaws:

• heavy weight.

Which subwoofer is better to buy?

In the rating, we looked at the best subwoofer options available on the market today. Among the presented options, B&W, DALI and JBL boast the best sound. Yamaha performed on par with the top solutions of its competitors, and when using a subwoofer of the Japanese brand together with branded acoustics, the buyer will be able to enjoy perfect sound in films, games, and music. If your budget is small, then buy the Audio Pro Addon Sub, and we award the prize for perfect appearance to Harman/Kardon, which can communicate with speakers wirelessly.