10 best subwoofers for your car 2020

A high-quality speaker system in a car is every man's dream. The automotive electronics market is developing very intensively, therefore, sound equipment is presented in a very wide range. But if before choosing a good active or passive type subwoofer was simply due to weak competition from manufacturers and a lack of choice, today it is much more difficult to find a suitable model. Sensitivity, impedance, frequency range - many parameters can be combined in a wide variety of combinations, so it's easy to get lost in them. Our review of the best car subwoofers will help you understand the world of car acoustics of the year, which has collected the best devices of both active and passive types.

Which car subwoofer company is better?

There are not so many manufacturers in the car speaker market, but the competition, unlike in the late 90s, has become much higher. Alpine used to be the main “trendsetter” in subwoofers. A smart, reliable assembly of devices, high-quality metal and plastic elements, a wide frequency range, many additional settings - you can simply endlessly list the advantages of this company's products. Along with it, Pioneer and Sony show themselves worthy of themselves, which produce top-end active and passive type subwoofers with excellent sound. There are also devices from Mystery, Supra, JBL and Kicx, but they are noticeably inferior to their more eminent competitors.

Manufacturers may vary, so don't compare subwoofers by brand alone. It is important to follow a few criteria to help you find the best speaker:

1. Frequency Response Range... For extremely low-frequency devices, it ranges from 20-40 to 120-150 Hz, for devices of a wider profile (i.e., also operating with high frequencies) - up to 800-1500 Hz.
2. Standard size... Usually it varies from 20 to 30 cm. It is best to select the size of the place where you plan to build the device.
3. Crossover presence... If this device is provided with a speaker system, the sound will be of the highest quality, but it does not matter at all if this device is not available: a high-quality subwoofer will cope with the task without it.
4. Sensitivity... The more sensitive a subwoofer is, the more micro-vibrations it perceives. This allows the sound to be lifted and natural and clear.

Best active subwoofers

The most popular type of subwoofer is active. It is considered the easiest to install and operate, since all the elements necessary for its full operation are already provided for by the structure of the device. In other words, an active type subwoofer has a built-in amplifier and a separate filter. It connects to a special output of the radio, immediately outputting low-frequency sound.

1. Pioneer TS-WX210A

The review should certainly start with the best active enclosed subwoofer available from Pioneer. The device is a nice compact active subwoofer (only 8 inches), which at first glance even seems unpretentious. In fact, it has an excellent double-wound strontium magnet woofer that reproduces sounds very cleanly.The sensitivity of the Pioneer subwoofer is simply excellent: at 101 dB, even subtle frequencies will add incredible melody and clarity to songs.

Advantages:

• frequency range - from 40 to 150 Hz;
• fantastic sound;
• crossover with frequencies from 50 to 125 Hz;
• bass adjuster;
• power - up to 150 W (only low frequencies).

Disadvantages:

• no speaker cable included;
• can only be attached to the floor.

2. Alpine SWE-815

Alpine, once the single best car subwoofer manufacturer, continues to be hugely popular in the market. The SWE-815 is a compact 8-inch device that perfectly reproduces both low and high frequencies for enhanced sound. Moreover, with a sensitivity of 91 dB, there is no need to complain about the sound quality. The woofer is great because the double-wound magnet allows it to pick up low frequencies effectively. And, of course, one cannot but say that the subwoofer case with a bass reflex, which allows you to convert one sweat of sound into two, spreading them as wide as possible (up to 180 °).

Advantages:

• excellent low frequency sounds;
• high-voltage input for increased power (up to 100 to 300 W);
• the widest frequency range (from 34 to 1500 Hz);
• high build quality;
• the presence of a strong protective grill;
• original design;
• bass adjustment.

Disadvantages:

• too thin wires included;
• not everyone is comfortable using a wired remote control.

3. SUPRA SRD-T30A

This unusual rim-like device is one of the more interesting budget active subwoofers with a 30cm cone on the car speaker market. Supra for just offers an excellent range of operation, allowing you to pay the most attention to low frequencies - from 28 to 250 Hz. The presence of a crossover is an indisputable plus, since hardly anyone can dislike live surround sound. Curiously, an active subwoofer with a remote control is a rarity today, but Supra gives customers the opportunity to make control as convenient as possible.

Advantages:

• good power (180 W);
• crossover frequencies - from 40 to 250 Hz;
• excellent work with low frequencies;
• low price;
• chic build for a small price.

Disadvantages:

• starts to make noise at high volume.

4. Mystery MTB 300 A

The Mystery company entered the segment of acoustic systems for cars relatively recently. Nevertheless, in terms of price-performance ratio, the MTB 300 A subwoofer is one of the best in the rating. Such high ratings of the device are explained by its excellent low bass, which, due to their purity and naturalness, allow you to enjoy music as much as possible. The 12-inch diffuser seems a bit big, but after that it actually looks very harmonious in almost any car. For its fairly average price in the subwoofer is just perfect.

Advantages:

• good frequency range - from 40 to 250 Hz;
• phase-inverter body;
• smooth bass control;
• when set up correctly, fits well in the trunk.

Disadvantages:

• not enough power (nominally - 180 W, in fact - less);
• difficult to adjust.

5. Kicx ICQ 300BA

Closes the segment of the rating of active subwoofers, a high-quality and sensitive model from Kicx. With such a device, the low bass in the car will always be at the level, since the power of the device is 250 W, and the frequency range starts from 28 Hz. The sub also works well with high levels, the frequencies of which can reach 800 Hz. The excellent 89dB sensitivity allows you to capture all the smallest sounds, creating a wonderful live sound together. The woofer itself also works gorgeous, which, among other things, due to its impressive size (30.5 cm), makes the car a real music center.

Advantages:

• high voltage input;
• impedance 4 Ohm;
• small body size;
• ease of tuning and bass adjustment.

Disadvantages:

• weak protection (terminal block too small);
• poor quality switches and regulators.

Best passive subwoofers

It's hard to say that passive subwoofers are much worse than active ones. The main difference is the lack of a built-in amplifier. Simply put, the meaning of the work is to convert the frequencies going to the speaker into lower ones. On the one hand, the secondary signal processing makes itself felt: the sound quality of passive subwoofers is slightly lower than that of active ones. But the frequencies can be slightly lower - from 20-30 Hz. In addition, the price plays for such devices: for example, between the top-end Pioneer active and passive types with approximately the same parameters, the difference is .

1. Pioneer TS-WX305B

Opens an overview of passive speaker systems, the most powerful subwoofer in the rating. Pioneer offers a high-quality bass-reflex enclosure, a 30-inch speaker and a low frequency threshold that reaches 20 Hz (with a maximum limit of 125 Hz). The device justifies the title of the strongest subwoofer with a maximum power of 1300 W (with a nominal 350 W). All these factors, brought together, form an excellent sounding and excellent purity of the melodies being played, which are a pleasure to listen to.

Advantages:

• excellent sound quality;
• compact body made of composite material IMPP;
• value for money;
• interesting design.

Disadvantages:

• the case at high volume rings a little.

2. Alpine SBE-1244BR

The second place in the ranking is occupied by the best passive subwoofer offered by Alpine. The device is perfectly balanced in terms of both sound and technical components. The sensitivity of the device of 93 dB is one of its main advantages, which allows you to catch all the smallest sounds and saturate the melody with them, making it more lively. It is worth noting that the company offers a very powerful passive subwoofer, as it is capable of operating in the range from 200 to 650 watts. An interesting detail distinguishes the device from competitors: it is equipped with a decorative plug for the phase inverter port. It allows you to convert the device from a box subwoofer to a phase-inverter subwoofer and vice versa.

Advantages:

• large and high-quality 30 cm speaker;
• frequency range - from 30 to 500 Hz;
• versatility and functionality;
• compactness;
• good protection with special grilles.

Disadvantages:

• sensitive to low temperatures;
• flimsy plastic protection.

3. Pioneer GXT-3604B

Pioneer offers great subs, and the GXT-3604B is no exception. A large 12-inch woofer, a great 1300 W maximum power at a nominal 300 W, low frequencies from 20 Hz - what could be better for the lover of cool bass? The device demonstrates excellent clarity and clarity of sound, which are achieved largely due to the sensitivity of 95 dB. And for those who like to listen to music in low frequencies at maximum "revs", the manufacturer has reserved an additional amplifier in the kit.

Advantages:

• great sounding;
• reliable closed case;
• range - from 20 to 220 Hz;
• complete with amplifier;
• quality of terminals and connection wires;
• composite diffuser.

Disadvantages:

• not found.

4. Mystery MBP-3000

The review of the best passive models is continued by a worthy subwoofer from the Chinese company Mystery. Very loud sound is achieved not only by 800 watts of power, but also by the Band-Pass body, made on the so-called "trapezium", which allows you to cover most of the trunk area, which allows the sound to be evenly distributed. The device belongs to the best budget passive subwoofers also because at a price of the increased sensitivity of 103 dB is an impermissible luxury.

Advantages:

• range - from 25 to 140 Hz;
• double winding stronze speaker;
• gold plated contacts;
• stylish original design;
• great sound.

Disadvantages:

• the real power is slightly lower than the declared one;
• rather large dimensions.

5. JBL GT5-12

The review ends with the most inexpensive passive type car subwoofer that can only be found on the car electronics market.The device fits quite well in the trunk even with a 12-inch speaker, which is very practical. In terms of maximum frequency, the system is a little less than Pioneer's, but 1100 W is a very good indicator. The power rating is also good at 275 watts, so there won't be any problems with volume and gain. Despite the price tag in This quality Free Air subwoofer (no enclosure) also boasts a sensitivity of 93dB for a great music experience.

Advantages:

• excellent speaker and sound from it;
• excellent range from 23 to 450 Hz;
• versatility;
• decent build quality.

Disadvantages:

• no critical remarks were found.

Which subwoofer is better to buy for a car

Finding a decent acoustics model for your car is difficult only at first glance. To quickly find the device of your dreams, you need to pay special attention to a number of selection criteria, your own needs and capabilities when choosing the best subwoofer for your car. If you do not have a large budget, buy passive options, but at best, we would recommend purchasing devices with amplifiers as they allow you to increase the dynamic range thereby improving sound quality.