When you first start upgrading your car’s audio output system, the wide array of equipment available might seem a little overwhelming. Considering the fact that you are looking for the best 8 inch subwoofers instead of the more high power bigger sizes, hints at the amateurity you have in the field. But props to you for at least landing on a star product. Just in case you do not know what subwoofers do, here is some insight.
To put it into words easier to comprehend, and I wish someone had explained it to me in this manner, subwoofers essentially add more bass to your sound output and get rid of the unwanted and quite honestly annoying, excessively high or low pitched sound outputs. It regulates the audio and makes it sound fuller. Like any other equipment though, there are numerous variations of the same product available with varying powers. The size of a subwoofer dictates the amount of power that it carries.
There are a ton of sizes of subwoofers available in the market and the 8 inch ones belong to the smaller category. These are ideal for initial upgrades or smaller cars that do not necessarily need a very heavy bass to avoid distortion of sound. Smaller subwoofers are also way less expensive in comparison to ones that are bigger which make them ideal for people who have just started upgrading their car sound system.
That being said since these subwoofers are less expensive, they exist in a bigger market space due to the obvious high demand.(in comparison to bigger, more expensive subwoofers) This makes picking one and being confident in your choice a lot more difficult. So to make things easier for you, listed below are some of the best, most loved and renowned 8 inch subwoofers you can find.
Top 4: Best 8 inch Subwoofers for Cars
CT Sounds Meso
We are going to start off strong as there is a lot of misinformation that goes around about subwoofers and their power. Yes, the power of a subwoofer is dictated by its size but that in no way means that you can’t find your desired power in smaller sized subwoofers. Some 8 inch subwoofers can have greater RMS Power than some 10 or 12 inch subwoofers.
In the end, it all boils down to what you are looking for in a subwoofer. And if it is power and bass that you are looking for, this product is just the right one for you. This beast has a RMS Power (consistent power output rate) of 800 watts and its peak power sits at a massive 1200 watts. I have spent my fair share of time looking through subwoofers of various sizes and powers and I can say this quite easily and with a lot of conviction, this subwoofer can beat a lot of 12 inch subwoofers in terms of power.
You will find later on, as we progress into other subwoofer descriptions, that this subwoofer is quite notably superior in comparison to other 8 inch ones and not just by an inch. Moving on to the construction of the subwoofer and its components, the exterior is made of a heavy duty, stamp steel basket. The stronger exterior, the better, following the simple logic of the external construction protecting the inner components.
It also boasts of an enlarged voice coil(2.5 inches in diameter) which helps make the subwoofer more versatile and have greater sound clarity. The hard hitting bass makes it especially ideal for smaller car owners that cannot necessarily fit larger subwoofers in their car but still want to go for a bass heavy subwoofer. Coming to the downsides, one of the major downsides of the subwoofer is its impedance.
This subwoofer has an impedance of 2 ohms on a dual voice coil. You can easily find 8 inch subwoofers with a 1 ohm impedance. Higher impedances lead to system overheating which may eventually lead to audio cuts. This subwoofer does have an air flow cooling system in place which helps with the heating but you can never be too sure when it comes to system cooling tactics.
Another con has to be the price of the product. This subwoofer is ridiculously expensive for an 8 inch subwoofer. There are multiple 15 inch subwoofers you can buy for the same price with greater power. However if space is an issue you have to deal with, this subwoofer is perfect. Overall if you need a high power 8 inch subwoofer, this product is definitely worth the money.
An overview:
- High power
- Strong exterior
- Dual voice coil
- Overheats (X)
- Expensive (X)
American Bass VFL8D4
Following the concept of high power performance grade subs, here is another beast. With a RMS Power of 400 watts, this little subwoofer delivers a performance equivalent to that of a bigger subwoofer. It has a peak power of about 800 watts. While this is significantly less than the last listing, this subwoofer has immaculate sound quality and amazing bass deliverance.
What makes the beat sound a hundred times better is indefinitely the dense foam surround that is used in the construction of this subwoofer. Foam surrounds are what make or break a good subwoofer. All of its components sit in a cast aluminium basket which in turn leads to an increase in the overall durability of the subwoofer. It can take a lot of wear and will last you a pretty long lifetime so it is technically a smart and practical buy.
A downside however is the susceptibility of the subwoofer to overheating. The 4 ohm impedance is what causes the occasional overheating. While the overheating in itself is pretty rare, for the amount you are paying, you could easily get a subwoofer that does not constantly give you anxiety over it overheating. Something that works in its favour, however, is the strong magnet that sits at its core. It has a double stacked 100 ounce magnet that ensures maximum power while maintaining minimum sound distortion. All in all, this is an absolute star product and is an easy purchase for literally anyone.
An overview:
- High power
- Dense foam surround
- Durable construction
- Double stacked magnet
- High impedance (X)
Skar Audio VVX-8v3 D2
Skar audio has been a known and loved brand for as long as any bass enthusiast can remember and for a good reason. They have always delivered nothing but the best and the brand never compromises in terms of quality. This little masterpiece is no exception to that. The low price point that the subwoofer comes at is not the only attribute that attracts people to it, however it does play a big role in doing so. This is easily of the more high power versions of 8 inch subwoofers with a RMS power of 400 watts and a peak power of 800 watts.
This makes it an easy choice for people who want a subwoofer that is heavy on the bass without totally emptying their bank account. This comes with a relatively low impedance of 2 ohms on a dual voice coil. The voice coil is 2 inches long, longer the coil, the better the subwoofer is at audio translation. Along with being long, the voice coil can also take a decent amount of heat and wear, making the subwoofer not only good quality in terms of audio quality but also in terms of make.
Most subwoofer related issues start with a coil meltdown, which makes the high temperature resistance a widely desired feature. This subwoofer features a high roll foam that helps in producing a fuller, more bass heavy sound. The sleek, signature look of skar audio subwoofer is only an added benefit, that a lot of people have appreciated in the past. A feature that has received the tiniest bit of criticism is the noise sensitivity.
The noise sensitivity of this subwoofer is 82.3 db which is comparatively lower than most subwoofers, big and small alike. This sensitivity is considered to be too low by some but it is only significantly noticeable if you know your way around subwoofers and are used to a certain degree of sensitivity. All things considered, the Skar Audio VVX-8v3 D2 is one of the very few reliable, good quality and affordable speakers available in the market, as of now.
An overview:
- High power
- Low impedance
- High roll foam
- Relatively low noise sensitivity (X)
Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8
This subwoofer is definitely not a powerhouse, not by a stretch. However, if you want a sub that is inexpensive and a space saver, you have got a gem at your hands. With a RMS power of 150 watts and a peak power of 300 watts, this will not nearly blow your wig off but it will definitely be an upgrade to the inbuilt system that comes with your car. This is for people who are just starting to make upgrades in the car’s audio output system. Cherry on the cake? The price of the subwoofer. This is easily one of the most inexpensive 8 inch subwoofers you can find literally anywhere.
The subwoofer is especially perfect for people with smaller cars. Not only is it smaller in terms of the length of it, it is also shallower than most 8 inch subwoofers. It fits in all small spaces and does not need a lot of wiggle area to pump out clear and powerful beats. The construction of the sub is also pretty smart and plays a big role in selling units.
The Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 has a ventilated frame to avoid overheating and to facilitate the flow of air. The cone is also something that makes this product unique. Most subwoofers use pressed paper cones, however, the Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 uses anodized aluminum cone. All of these factors make up for a pretty solid frame that is not only reliable but also good at what it does. It has a dual voice coil and an impedance of 2 ohms. This further eliminates the odds of a system shutdown due to the system overheating.
The installation can be a bit tricky for most beginners as there is sort of a design flaw which causes all of the holes to not line up with your average enclosure. Besides that obvious downside, which can easily be fixed by either an added panel or drilling a bunch of holes, there is almost nothing disappointing about this subwoofer. Overall, it stands to be a star product for most beginners and this sub will easily last you a couple of years. A total bang for your buck.
An overview:
- Smaller than most subwoofers
- Strong and practical construction
- Inexpensive
- Features a dual voice coil
- Low impedance
- Tricky installation (X)
Conclusion
The ever evolving and growing market can be quite a confusing and overwhelming place to be, especially when you do not know your way around it. Considering the fact that any kind of audio output device will set you back at least a couple of hundred bucks makes the decision seem even more daunting. This is where most people chicken out. So to give you a clearer perspective and help you pick a product that will not regret buying late, is all that this whole article sets out to do.
There are a lot of things that need to be taken into consideration while buying a subwoofer to get the best possible outcome. This may include your budget, the size of your car, the kind of amplifier you use, etc. This can be difficult to list down and work with all by yourself. Hopefully, this article works like a manual of sorts and helps you make the best possible pick so that you get the most out of your money and actually feel like you made a justified upgrade/ purchase.