Car subwoofers come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you’re looking for a car subwoofer that will really make your car’s engine go boom or one that will give you that deep synth bass line at the club, we’ve got it! Read on to find out how to choose the best powered car subwoofers for your needs.
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Passive subwoofers are powered by an external amplifier or AV receiver of sufficient power and sound only when they are sending out signals through wires connected to them. A passive subwoofer acts as a bridge between your main set of speakers and the bass frequencies they cannot produce on their own.
Powered or active subwoofers are different from passive subwoofers in that they can amplify low-frequency sounds for you. Active subwoofers have built-in amplifiers, which means that you don’t need to find a separate power source.
The main advantage of a powered subwoofer is its ability to increase the volume of the bass sounds, especially at lower frequencies. An active subwoofer is also more powerful than a passive one because it has a built-in amplifier.
There are many reasons to consider powered subwoofers for your car. First of all, they allow you to feel the sound through a more powerful bass. This helps you to experience better clarity and crispness in your music or movie, allowing you to hear the details and emotions that you don’t normally hear.
Secondly, most powered subwoofers are usually very easy to install, especially when compared to other types of amplifiers.
Lastly, active subwoofers are usually compatible with all types of car audio systems, including factory or aftermarket car stereo systems.
If you’re looking to add more bass to your car and will like to use a powered subwoofer for that purpose, there are many factors to consider. The size of the enclosure, power handling, sensitivity, and placement are all important considerations before making a choice.
If you want to select the most suitable powered car subwoofer that satisfies your needs, then you must consider these factors when planning for your speaker system.
If high-quality sound is what you’re after, then look no further. Here is our list of the 15 best powered car subwoofers in the market.
The Rockville ROCKGHOST Active Powered Car Subwoofer will give your music that deep, rich sound you crave. For unbelievable audio quality, this reliable 8” subwoofer with a single voice coil will surely give you the bass you need.
It comes with a built-in PWM MOSFET amplifier power of up to 800 watts that’s controlled by a remote bass level control, or you can adjust it manually for more control over the bass level. The amplifier runs at less than half the distortion of other amplifiers so you get the best sound possible. There’s also a reverse mounting design and RCA input and outputs for left and right speaker out.
For durability and longevity, this unit’s enclosure is built with cast aluminum. This ensures it can withstand the bumps and bruises of daily use in your car. Furthermore, the enclosure features a ‘plug and play’ design so all you have to do is cut small holes in your car to connect the RCA outputs. In addition, the subwoofer comes with a wired 20-foot dash remote for seamless control of bass boost, a low pass crossover filter, and phase control from the driver’s seat.
An advanced thermal management system keeps your bass booming for hours without overheating. If the subwoofer does reach an excessive temperature, the protection circuit turns it off to prevent further damage. The speaker houses a 200 watt RMS power amplifier that will ensure you get the most out of your music. In addition, the single voice coil helps reduce distortion and maximizes your bass response.
Finally, you’ll be glad to know that this powered subwoofer works seamlessly with your factory radio so you don’t have to worry about your current system becoming obsolete right from the start.
Devmo Gelf is a high-quality 8-inch subwoofer that fits in the back seat of your car without taking up much space. It has two functions: serving as a car amplifier and loudspeaker at the same time, and its super long cables and control wires allow for easy installation. The Devmo Gelf’s frequency response ranges between 20Hz – 150Hz and it features an ultra-thin profile with a thickness of 2.7 inches, strong and elastic low frequencies, and a powerful 400-watt amplifier. It is tuned by a senior sound engineer and features a control knob on the back of the enclosure which allows for easy adjustments while driving.
Devmo Gelf is an affordable solution for anyone who wants to install a car subwoofer. The two-in-one configuration allows you to take advantage of its loudspeaker function while driving, without having to turn it off when you get out of your car, and also to listen to music with speakers attached to your phone or laptop.
Devmo Gelf will help you create the right sound for your app or device. It will allow you to simulate 100% of the human hearing range as well as create an extremely low bass. Moreover, there’s no need for DSP (Digital Signal Processing) algorithms to cancel out noise. You can get the perfect sound every time from this quality product.
The Rockford Fosgate P300-12T is perfect for car audio systems that need a lot of power and volume for their sound systems. It offers 300 watts max power handling, an adjustable 12db/octave crossover, a slim design enclosure, and an optimized low-frequency response, so your music will sound great, whether you’re listening to rap, rock, or classical music.
The adjustable 12db/octave crossover lets you customize the bass output for your specific sound system. With its remote bass level control, it’s easy to tweak this subwoofer’s settings, for example, you can customize it for any location in your car. It has a sealed enclosure, so it will emit solid bass without rattling or vibrating loose. This subwoofer’s AWG input terminals allow both connectivity with your car stereo and power wiring with ease.
The Rockford Fosgate P300-12T has a slim design enclosure, so it’s great for installation in tight spaces. It’s perfect for trucks because it features an easily removable power/ground cable. If you’re looking for a subwoofer that has 300 watts max power handling, this unit is perfect. It also features 12 watts RMS of power handling and is very light, weighing just 32 pounds.
Like noted earlier, this subwoofer is best used for car audio systems that need a lot of power and volume. It is not recommended for home theater systems because home theater systems don’t need the power offered by the Rockford Fosgate P300-12T.
For an 8″ subwoofer, the sound from the PWE-S8 is nothing but amazing. The durable construction allows you to install it anywhere in your car with ease. This subwoofer can produce some of the loudest bass among subwoofers of its size. The level knob gives you power to control the sound output from your music and movies. The wired remote allows you to adjust the subwoofer without getting up from your seat.
This quality product is ideal for all those who love to listen to music or watch movies in their car. Your sound-loving friends will appreciate you forever if you offer them the PWE-S8 as a gift.
The 120W RMS delivers convincing bass output in practically any vehicle. This sub can be installed under or behind seats in a truck, in a sedan’s trunk, or in an SUV’s hatch. The cast aluminum enclosure measures just 13.5” L x 9” W x 3” D and is equipped with both RCA and auto-sensing speaker level inputs.
The Alpine Electronics PWE-S8 is the perfect addition for any car that needs to sound better sonically while still retaining its clean styling lines without occupying a lot of precious cargo space like many of its contemporaries in the market.
The Sony XS-AW8 powered subwoofer is designed to fit in tight spaces in your vehicle and offers the high-performance that is perfect for car use. Both the amplifier and the speaker are able to handle high levels of power, meaning you will enjoy great sound when you connect them together. The speaker is well-suited for both an under-seat installation as well as a location in your trunk or even by your rear seats.
The Sony XS-AW8 has a width of 344mm, a height of 78mm, and a depth of 250mm. It comes with a maximum peak power output of 160W peak or 75W RMS as well as a matched class A/B amp that allows you to adjust the frequency response level for a natural, distortion-free sound, even at high volumes. The amplifier also features a variable low-pass filter that allows you to transform your music performance with just a press of a button. You can adjust the frequency range of the amplifier to compensate for your car’s system.
This powered car subwoofer can be connected to your car audio system via terminal connections on the back of the subwoofer. Simply connect the speaker outputs to your car or aftermarket stereo system and experience the power of music as never before.
This product will prove to be a great investment for your vehicle as it is engineered with the latest technology to give you great sound quality. For instance, it comes with multiple layers of MICA material that work together to provide you with excellent sound that is unparalleled in this class of car audio systems.
With its 11-inch featherlight fiberglass IMPP woofer cone, you’ll get a deep bass output from the RECOIL RST11 Powered Active Car Subwoofer. This subwoofer is equipped with a solid 1″ MDF, and high power 200W RMS Class D amplifier built right into the chassis mainframe. The remote control allows you to adjust the volume of the bass, and over-temperature protection to ensure the car subwoofer does not get too hot while playing.
Among the benefits of this product include its lightweight design that makes for easy installation and its quick-release feature for fast installation and removal of the subwoofer from your vehicle. The over-current protection will ensure safety when driving.
It also contains two sets of wires for power and controls plus two sets of RCA cables. The cables are all hidden in the chassis out of sight for easy access during installation and maintenance. With the fast-release design, there is no worry about wiring becoming loose or damaged after long periods of use. The plug-and-play installation feature allows for quick setup to enjoy convenient sound without the delays involved in waiting for the wiring to be properly connected to your vehicle’s wiring system (if applicable).
This powered car subwoofer is truly a pleasure to use and a great product to have in your vehicle. Installation requires neither a special bracket nor socket. It can be easily installed in the trunk of your vehicle with the earlier mentioned quick release feature. Its design and features make it a must-have car audio accessory for drivers.
The RW8CA 8″ 600W Low Profile Under-Seat Active Powered Car Subwoofer has a unique PWM MOSFET power supply and the amp is equipped with an overload protection circuit to protect the unit from unexpected surges. The phase switch allows you to select either 180 or 0 degrees so the subwoofer can be placed in either manner.
This powered subwoofer comes with an 8-inch woofer, a 2.7-inch thick driver, an RMS of 150 watts, a peak power of 600 watts, and a frequency response of between 20Hz – 150Hz. The bass boost can be set from 0 through 18 dB at 45 Hz for maximum output. The low pass filter runs at 50Hz and 150Hz and lets you select between SVC (subsonic filter) and LVC (low pass filter).
Not only does the RW8CA car subwoofer come with a thermal protection circuit, short protection circuit, overload protection circuit, and phase switch but also includes an adjustable input sensitivity with a soft delayed remote turn-on technology, and auto turn-on technology, among others. Hook-up is easy with high-level inputs, low-level inputs, and PWM.
If you’re in the market for a powered car subwoofer, look at CERWIN-VEGA VPAS10. You can now afford to have a 10-inch powerhouse at your disposal along with other impressive features and a sleek design. This bass solution comes with a fully integrated amplifier encased in a cast aluminum heatsink along with the subwoofer. The heatsink ensures that heat is dissipated quickly so that your music never sounds distorted or crackly. This unit is made with high-end materials that will provide you years of reliable service, under any conditions.
The CERWIN-VEGA VPAS10 is an amazing product that also includes remote subwoofer control; RCA outputs; variable bass boost of 0 – +12 dB; variable low-pass filter of 85 – 150 Hz; constant subsonic filter at 35 Hz; selectable phase 0 or 180 degrees; custom-fit look for most vehicles; a power handling peak of 550 watts, and RMS of 200 watts.
With its unique design and petite size, the VPAS10 will fit under any seat. You can connect your favorite devices through RCA inputs or high-level inputs for maximum performance. This powered subwoofer also features a constant subsonic filter that’s been optimized to work with the 10-inch driver to provide crystal clear sound from all angles.
The Kicker 11HS8 is the ultimate compact subwoofer for tight locations. With 150 watts of RMS power, an ultra-compact design, and plug-and-play performance, this 8-inch sub will deliver all the low frequency output you need. This means that if you’re looking for a powerful bass sound from a unit that won’t take up much room in your car or truck’s cabin, then this is just what you need.
There’s nothing to install with this Kicker because it has velcro fastened nylon straps and features a quick connect power plug. Remote turn on and remote bass control is possible with the flip of a switch. And if you want to fine-tune the bass levels with an adjustable crossover, that is available too.
Featuring a plug-and-play design, you won’t have to worry about any kind of installation either. You’ll be able to fasten this device in the trunk of your car if it has one or somewhere in the backseat. No matter where you mount it, though, the Kicker 11HS8 powered subwoofer will provide the low-frequency output that will make your music sound incredible.
This 150 watts RMS of power enables this small subwoofer to put out a lot of bass, and it will maintain this characteristic whether your personal music preference tends more toward rock or rap or any other music genre. The most eye-catching feature of this Kicker is that it’s absolutely tiny. If you’re shopping for a subwoofer in your vehicle and want something small enough to put in the backseat, this is going to be one of your best options when it comes to value.
Kicker has dimensioned this product in such a way that it will fit in nearly any vehicle without occupying a lot of space or requiring any serious modifications.
Kenwood is no stranger when it comes to manufacturing quality products. The Kenwood KSC-PSW8 Powered Car Subwoofer is a sleek powerhouse of a sub that will fit under the seat in most vehicles, and still deliver impressive bass. With 150 watts RMS (250 watts maximum) from an integrated amplifier, this sub doesn’t need any additional power from the car stereo to produce earth-shaking low frequencies. And with a wired remote, you can turn up the volume without having to fumble with cables or crawl around trying to find the volume knob on your stereo head unit.
The RCA input connections have harnesses with 16.25′ lengths of 14-gauge power wire, 18-gauge turn-on lead, and 5′ dual 18-gauge ground wire. The amplifier comes with a rotary volume control and frequency response of 35Hz to 150Hz.
The Kenwood KSC-PSW8 is powerful, produces excellent bass from an 8-inch woofer, and is compact in design. Crossover control lets you tailor the sound to your particular vehicle and musical tastes. Built-in rotary volume control gives you precise control over the volume level.
The sub is housed in a durable enclosure that eliminates rattles, and it can be used either horizontally or vertically. Its rigid enclosure minimizes resonant distortion, for clean, powerful bass. And, three external handles make it easy to transport this sub from one vehicle to another.
Make your car sound great with this powerful sub! The MB Quart RW-108A Powered Car Subwoofer comes with 8-inch drivers mounted into an aluminum enclosure, 600 watts of power, 4-ohm impedance, a .75-inch voice coil, metal grille, volume controls for bass and midrange, a wired bass remote. and more. This compact and powerful speaker system is perfect for improving the sound in your car’s trunk, whether you want it to be more fun and exciting or louder.
The RW-108A is equipped with a built-in amplifier that has independent volume control. Adjust the volume of your system easily from anywhere in the vehicle and keep the quality at its best. This system delivers high power to overcome any road noise while providing crisp clear sound.
The wired bass remote means that you can change your bass frequencies from anywhere in the vehicle. This sub is built with a protective diaphragm that protects the amplifier in the event of a collision in your vehicle.
Made with high-quality materials, including aluminum, the MB Quart RW-108A is easy to install and delivers crisp sound when you need it. With this car subwoofer, you can listen to your favorite songs for hours on end with greater clarity and less fatigue, thanks to its top-notch features. The MB Quart RW-108A produces low-frequency bass notes through feedback cancellation and other special techniques to ensure precise phase coherency between the driver and the amplifier.
The Cerwin-Vega VPAS12ST Powered Car Subwoofers come with a plug-and-play design that eliminates the need for an external amplifier and offers superior electrical performance with less power consumption than most competing offerings. The 12-inch model packs 250 watts RMS at 4 ohms at 100Hz and can be boosted up to 600 watts max power. It offers an impressive bass boost of 0-12 dB and features a low pass filter of 30Hz – 150Hz as well as a 0° or 180° phase switch. It is a well-built robust unit that will perform well no matter how hard you push it.
The VPAS12ST features an all-new solid cast aluminum heatsink that helps to cool the subwoofer down, thus improving its performance. The innovative Spare Tire Application Product offerings create a custom-fit look for most automobiles. Hence, you’ll experience a quick and easy installation of the sub without the need for cutting or trimming parts of your car’s interior for fitment. The remote bass control, phase switch, and remote subwoofer control enable you to adjust things like bass, frequency response, and directionality with ease. The multi-band crossover filters allow you to customize the subwoofer to your liking.
This powered car subwoofer is great, both in terms of high-performance bass with power and compact size. It’s perfect for the person who wants to make the most of their vehicle’s sound system but who doesn’t want to compromise on performance, size, or style.
Do you seek an extremely compact, yet powerful subwoofer system for your car? Then the NBF609A is a possible solution. This subwoofer system is designed to provide powerful bass sound and easily fit into many places or spaces. The 8-inch subwoofer features a built-in MOSFET amplifier with 120 watts RMS power and 1000 watts peak power. The frequency response is 34Hz – 400Hz, the low pass crossover is 50Hz – 150Hz and the bass boost can be adjusted from 0 dB or 6 dB. It has an input sensitivity of 0.5V/10V (speaker level input), 0.1V/5V (RCA input), or 2V/7V (XLR input). The remote knob lets you adjust the bass level, and wiring terminals to accept 0.5, 1, or 2-ohm speaker level input.
Because this powered car subwoofer system doesn’t include an enclosure or grille, it can be installed in many places. It’s perfect for under-seat installation in vehicles such as passenger cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, and vans. The compact size also makes it ideal for trucks with tight cargo areas. The NBF609A is designed to run on an existing car stereo amplifier or receiver with a subwoofer output
For many applications, this subwoofer will provide the best performance at a very affordable price. With its high power capability, it can be used with an amplifier that doesn’t produce much output at low frequencies to capture the driver’s full potential. A low pass filter can be added to eliminate potentially boomy frequencies that are only present at low frequencies but not needed for the quality of sound.
This powered subwoofer can also be used in conjunction with an equalizer. The equalizer adjustment knob allows you to adjust the overall volume output without affecting the gain of the amplifier. It is recommended for use with high-frequencies only, and not necessary for bass performance.
The ZOOTEK Powered Car Subwoofer is easy to install, uses unobtrusive wiring, has no need for additional amplifiers, and has an RMS of 180 watts per channel at a max output power of 600 watts. It is blocked with a low-frequency sound filter which keeps out the lower frequency sounds that are usually heard inside a car. This 10-inch super slim size can install directly under the driver’s seat.
The unobtrusive wiring makes for easy installation without having to modify your vehicle. It is made with an impedance of 4 ohms which is the impedance level found in most speakers. This level of impedance prevents any unwanted sound interference when installing your new car subwoofer, thus making for great quality sound in your vehicle.
ZOOTEK Car Subwoofer is made to fit the car with minimal existing space. It is designed with a ported enclosure to minimize amp power consumption and also to provide a high-performance bass sound for the driver. It has a bass boost value of 0-12dB, which does not always give the exact intended bass volume.
The designed volume is controlled by a high-level input sensitivity of 0.9V and a low-level input sensitivity of 300mV which means they will be able to pick up any signal when plugged into your car radio or devices like CD players, MP3 players, and others.
If you want to make your car audio output efficient but have a tight budget, then check out the BLAUPUNKT GTHS131 Powered Car Subwoofers. These 10-inch subwoofers are compact and come with an aluminum die-cast heatsink and a built-in MOSFET monaural amplifier for increased efficiency. They have a 200-watt peak power handling capacity and can be mounted under any seat in your vehicle, or even hidden away in any discreet location.
The amp’s built-in variable crossover control (50Hz – 150Hz) allows you to select different frequencies depending on what kind of sound you want for your system. The low pass filter lets you adjust the cutoff frequency so you can also adjust the bass levels on the speakers according to your preferences.
The BLAUPUNKT GTHS131 Powered Car Subwoofer system is a great product as far as I am concerned. These gadgets are built to last and sound great. Moreover, since they are powered car subwoofers, they have a smaller footprint than non-powered car subwoofers so they won’t take up as much space as regular subwoofer systems and can be hidden away in any discreet place in your vehicle (or even under a seat). They also come with RCA level inputs which allow you to connect them to your car stereo.
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