7 Best Subwoofer for Car in 2022: Top Picks & Buying Guide

The Subwoofer is not a brand-new invention. They were initially developed in the 1960s to give movie soundtracks a little more bass.

The best subwoofer for car is like putting a live band in the back seat, with a rhythm section you can feel even when the music is low. In order to listen to your music more often and as loudly as you like, a great subwoofer will make you want to take a long way home. Which should you purchase, though?

Car subwoofers are available in a wide range of styles and price points. Be at ease; we are here to assist. Check out the market’s top picks in the list below.

Best Subwoofer for Car: Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Rockville RW10CA
2. Best Value: MTX Audio Terminator Series TNE212D
3. Great Quality: Skar Audio EVL-1X12D2
4. Best Bass: JBL BassPro 12
5. Best Compact Loaded Subwoofer Enclosure: JL Audio CS110LG-TW1-2 2-ohm 10″ TW1-Series Subwoofer with Compact Enclosure
6. Best Quality Audio: Kenwood KSC-SW11 150W
7. Also Consider: Rockford Fosgate P300-12T

You May Also Like: Best Car Scratch Remover

Best Subwoofer for Car: Reviews 2022

1. Best Overall: Rockville RW10CA

Pros

CEA-2006 compliant
Built-in subsonic filter
Adjustable input sensitivity

Cons

Included wiring kit is poor quality

The Rockville RW10CA is a 10.0-inch subwoofer that has been named by our review team as the Best Overall Car Subwoofer on the Market. Its power output is 800.0 watts peak and 200.0 watts RMS (root-mean-square), with an impedance of 2.0 ohms. This subwoofer has impressive features, including a built-in subsonic filter and an adjustable input sensitivity.

The frequency response and sensitivity of the Rockville RW10CA are respectively 20.0 Hz and 150.0 Hz and 90.0 dB. This Rockville subwoofer model complies with CEA-2006, so you can be sure that it is as potent as it claims to be. The Consumer Electronics Association independently tests products under the voluntary CEA-2006 standard to ensure that their ratings are accurate.

2. Best Value: MTX Audio Terminator Series TNE212D

Pros

1200.0 watts max
Polypropylene woofer cone
Rubber surround

Cons

Only a single voice coil

The MTX Audio Terminator Series TNE212D is a long-lasting model made of medium-density fiberboard (MDF). This car subwoofer’s impedance is 2.0 ohms, and its frequency response ranges from 10.0 to 150.0 Hz. This subwoofer won’t overheat thanks to its sealed enclosure, which was created for ideal venting. With a max power of 1200.0 watts and a RMS power of 400.0 watts, the speaker system has excellent power handling.

This Terminator Series model has a polypropylene cone and a 2.0-ohm voice coil. It also has a rubber surround. The single voice coil in the car subwoofer should be mentioned as it is not stated explicitly in the product description. The dust cap also sports the MTX Audio logo. The subwoofer’s response ranges from 37.0 to 150.0 Hz in terms of frequency.

3. Great Quality: Skar Audio EVL-1X12D2

Pros

High-roll surround
Single simper/two-layer spider
166.0-oz double-stack ferrite motor

Cons

Included amplifier isn’t powerful

Among the top subwoofers available in 2022 is the Skar Audio EVL-1X12D2. This feature, which has a 2.0-ohm dual voice coil, enables users to fully utilize the capabilities of their amplifier. This car subwoofer has an RMS power of 1,250.0 watts and a peak power of 2,500.0 watts. You won’t have to worry about a challenging installation process because the subwoofer is preloaded into the enclosure.

The single simper, two-layer spider suspension system used in Skar Audio’s EVL series subwoofers allows for incredibly accurate and responsive bass reproduction. This car subwoofer can play low frequencies with ease thanks to a High-Roll Surround. This subwoofer has exceptional power handling thanks to a 166.0-oz double-stack ferrite motor.

4. Best Bass: JBL BassPro 12

Pros

Slipstream port
Remote control
450.0 watts peak power output

Cons

Amplifier can overheat at highest volumes

The JBL BassPro 12 is able to match woofer performance with a peak power of 450.0 watts thanks to a polypropylene subwoofer with an integrated amplifier. The 12.0 inch (305.0 mm) size of this car subwoofer makes it big enough to produce the ear-splitting bass that audiophiles adore. Customers who buy this product can anticipate receiving the actual subwoofer, an owner’s guide, and a remote control.

The speaker system can handle producing a wide range of sounds thanks to the subwoofer’s frequency response, which ranges from 35.0 to 120.0 Hz. Even at high output levels, the slipstream port’s ability to eliminate port noise results in distortion-free bass.

5. Best Compact Loaded Subwoofer Enclosure: JL Audio CS110LG-TW1-2 2-ohm 10″ TW1-Series Subwoofer With Compact Enclosure

Pros

Small size
Eliminate resonance
Enclosure is finished off with a steel mesh grille

Cons

Not powerful

Subwoofers for cars are great, but occasionally they can be so big that they just take up too much space in the trunk or don’t fit behind the seats of your truck. Let us introduce to you the CS110LG-TW1-2 from JL Audio. Measuring only 15″ W x 11-3/4″ H x 5-1/2″ D, it adds the impact that your current system sorely lacks while taking up very little valuable space.

If you need one, we have a few 300-watt monoblock subwoofer amplifiers that work perfectly with this 2-ohm enclosure. The enclosure is crafted from 5/8″ MDF (medium density fiberboard) to help eliminate resonance and wrapped in a durable black automotive-grade carpet with “JL Audio” stitched in white on the top. To help shield the subwoofer from outside objects, the enclosure is finished with a steel mesh grille.

6. Best Quality Audio: Kenwood KSC-SW11 150W

Pros

the useful size and quality construction.
The price is very reasonable.

Cons

Some people won’t find the bass sound to be loud enough.

Not everyone wants a subwoofer that will literally blow their brains out. Some people only need a bass boost to generally improve the sound of their current setup. This subwoofer might be exactly what you need if that’s what you want.

produced by Kenwood, a company well known for its high-caliber audio products. 1946 saw the creation of Kenwood. It was given the audiophile moniker Trio after being renamed in 1960, but later went back to being known as Kenwood. In 2008, it united with JVC, a different audio juggernaut.

7. Also Consider: Rockford Fosgate P300-12T

Pros

Remote Punch Level Controls
On-board bass boost EQ
Class-D integrated amplifier

Cons

Shallow mounting depth

The Rockford Fosgate P300-12T has an integrated amplifier and can deliver thunderous bass in any factory-installed or aftermarket speaker system. A 12.0-dB adjustable low pass crossover, an internal phase switch, and an internal bass boost equalization (EQ) are also included with the subwoofer. Your subwoofer will be covered by a one-year warranty if you purchase it from a Rockford Fosgate authorized retailer like Amazon.

Rockford Fosgate included a Remote Punch Level Control so you can adjust your speaker system from the comfort of your driver’s seat for more bass control. The integrated amplifier has a Class-D topology for increased efficiency and a RMS power of 300.0 watts. For the best acoustical qualities, each of these components is housed in a sealed MDF enclosure.

Best Car Subwoofer Buyers Guide – Finding the Best Car Subwoofer

There are some questions you’ll need to ask yourself in order to determine exactly what you want—and the majority of us will want slightly different things.

Power

What quantity do you require? This will affect the overall sound in a few ways. Most of the time, but not always, the louder and deeper the bass will be, the more powerful it is.

Select large, powerful subwoofers if you want a sound that will push trucks aside. Less power is required if all you want to do is improve the bass on your car stereo. Let me issue a word of caution: don’t be overly impressed by extravagant volume claims. You should be concerned with the RMS rating.

Frequency Range

It’s always a good idea to have a wider frequency range. It demonstrates the soundness and potential at both ends of the spectrum. With a wider range, it should be able to produce the top and bottom ends of the bass sound more effectively.

But that is only a portion of the overall picture. Sound quality will also depend on the cabinet’s efficiency and design.

Types of Subwoofer Cones

The majority of subwoofers have polypropylene cones, but this particular component of a speaker system can be made from a surprising variety of materials. The different kinds of subwoofer cones are listed below.

Treated paper: One of the most frequently used materials for making subwoofer cones is this. Paper responds to movement the quickest because it is lightweight. But in order to increase the cone’s durability, a coating is added.
Polypropylene: Polypropylene is lightweight but more rigid and long-lasting than paper, making it by far the most popular material used to make a subwoofer cone.
Aluminum/magnesium: Aluminum and magnesium are frequently used in speakers and amplifiers, but because of their high pitch resonance, they work best in a subwoofer.
Kevlar: This material is undoubtedly tough and is most frequently used in bulletproof vests. The strengths, flexibility, and light weight of Kevlar® are its main advantages.
Carbon fiber: Carbon fiber is typically used for performance bicycles, but it also functions well as a subwoofer cone. The robustness, flexibility, and longevity of the material are to blame for this.

Number of Voice Coils

Single voice coils and dual voice coils are the two different options available for voice coils. Each has strengths and weaknesses.

Single voice coil: One piece of copper wire is wrapped around the former to create a single voice coil. There are two terminals on this kind of voice coil, one positive and one negative.
Dual voice coil: With two positive and two negative terminals on each piece of copper wire, a dual voice coil is created. The main distinction between this kind of coil and single voice coils is that it offers more wiring and customization options for your speaker system.

Our Verdict

Are They Really Necessary? If you want the best possible sound in your car, the answer to that is, yes. Car stereo speakers can always use some assistance and never produce high-quality low frequencies. What matters is how much assistance you provide.

Our best choice is Rockville RW10CA for its built-in subsonic filter and adjustable input sensitivity. If you are looking for the best value, we recommend MTX Audio Terminator Series TNE212D.

What Size Sub is Best for Bass?

10 inch subs are great in delivering accurate bass and not taking up too much space. 12 inch subs are great for deeper bass and have more power.

Is a Heavier Subwoofer Better?

The laws of physics dictate that a massive subwoofer driver has the potential to produce greater SPL and deeper bass than a smaller subwoofer driver.

What to Know Before Buying a Subwoofer?

You should consider the power, sensitivity rating, and enclosure type. Choose the largest subwoofer you can if you want the system to play loud, low music and you have enough room. Do not undervalue the tiny subwoofer.