Wanting to know more about powered subwoofers is what brought you here. So sit back, read through the reviews, and trust in us to tell you about the 5 best powered car subwoofers.
It is never an easy decision, adding more elements to your car. Pricing and the features the various models offer plays a big role in your decision making. Not only should the subwoofer you choose match your preferences, but you should also be happy with the one you pick.
Thus, to help you choose the best one, here are our top 5 picks with their pros and cons. It will help you weigh out your options and ultimately select the one you desire the most.
5 Best Powered Car Subwoofers to Look Into
Kenwood KSC-SW11
Exceptional sound quality. A booming sound. A compact design.
The Kenwood KSC-SW11 offers this fantastic 3-in-1 deal. With a 75-watt built-in amplifier, Kenwood provides its customers with only the best with this product.
Looking for a subwoofer that is not visible, making it less likely to get stolen, is a difficult task. However, the Kenwood KSC-SW11 has been made with a compact design. It is small enough to fit under your car seat, taking up the least amount of space and becoming practically invisible.
This not only prevents thefts and loss of space, but it also increases the sound quality and volume. Though most subwoofers come with a built-in amplifier twice the rating of the Kenwood KSC-SW11, this problem is solved with the size and positioning.
Placing it under the car seat helps enhance the sound. It gives a clearer, richer, and louder sound. It also comes with a remote control making it easier to use and extremely convenient to install.
It has an aluminum exterior, making it tough, durable, and heat absorbent. It comes with a frequency range of 50Hz to 120Hz, allowing you to choose your preferred frequency. It is 11 inches wide and 7.5 inches deep but only 2.75 inches tall.
The other features it comes with is a speaker level input cable that is 14 inches long, a power harness sturdy enough, a security bar for the cable, a hook and a loop fastener with their own adhesive. This allows it to be packed with everything that you could possibly need for an easy installation.
Pros
- Tough and durable aluminum enclosure
- Compact design
- 75-watt built-in amp
- Remote control for easy use
- Easy installation
Cons
- A comparatively lower performance
Verdict
Overall, if you are looking to invest in an affordable, compact subwoofer, then this is the product for you. It is long-lasting, comes with remote control for easy use, and is a good quality product from a reputed company.
Kicker 11HS8 Hideaway
Standing at about 3 inches tall, the Kicker 11HS8 Hideaway can be fitted in practically any corner of your choice. But don’t be fooled by its small design, it has a built-in amplifier of 150-watt RMS.
This choice may be slightly more expensive but it is definitely worth every penny. It enhances the bass but it has not forgotten about those low notes, which it hits just right with its 8-inch woofer.
It comes with a remote control that allows you to control and change the bass as per your preference. Making it easy to install, it has nylon straps that are fitted with velcro creating an easy and quick connect-disconnect system.
It may be one of the smallest subwoofers out there but packs a punch with its high-quality sound and hard-hitting bass. Having both high and low-level inputs, it is compatible with almost all car systems.
It has a smaller than most, 8-inch cone which reduces its performance. However, for the price and size, it hardly makes a difference. It also comes with a tough and durable aluminum enclosure.
Pros
- 150-watt built-in amp
- Remote control for easy use
- Small and compact design
- Aluminum exterior
- Compatible with aftermarket car speakers and factory car speakers
- Easy installation
Cons
- 8-inch cones
Verdict
This is the product to go for if you are looking for a subwoofer that will deliver the right bass and not take up too much car space. It will improve the quality of the music and is perfect for those in need of a power-packed, compact subwoofer.
Rockville RW10CA
Rockville has once again lived up to its expectations with the Rockville RW10CA. With a powerful 800-watt built-in amp, it provides the customers with a loud and clear sound. It also has a 1-inch cone that deepens its bass and a 98dB sensitivity, performing even with low power.
It is 2.7 inches high which makes it easy to install under the seat and does not take up a lot of space. It has an enclosure made of a heavy-duty plastic housing which enhances the sound quality and makes it long-lasting.
To make it extremely easy for the customer to install, it comes with high-level inputs and has placed the inputs as well as the outputs on one side. These also come with a bold marking to prevent any confusion.
Along with high-level inputs, this subwoofer also has smart circuits. These automatically switch the radio as well as the amplifier on and off whenever they sense a signal or the lack of one.
It also includes features such as volume level control, bass boost, phase control, and a subsonic filter which removes the frequencies that are not audible to the human ear.
Pros
- Powerful bass
- Loud and clear sound
- Easy installation
- Compact design
- Simple sound and bass control
Cons
- Mounting feet are not as sturdy
- Does not hit the low notes as good
Verdict
It delivers a powerful sound and bass that is reasonable for its price. It comes with an easy installation guide and has adjustable sound control features. All the features that are mentioned above make the Rockville RW10CA worth the money and are a good investment.
Rockford Fosgate P300-12
If you know powered car subwoofers, then you know Rockford Fosgate. Making great products since 1973, the Rockford Fosgate P300-12 is no exception. Slightly more on the pricey side, this product provides a loud and hitting bass.
It has two models, the 10-inch and the 12-inch. Both come in a tightly sealed but sturdy box with a 300-watt built-in amplifier. The sealed box enhances the bass and the product is one that you can depend on to give high performance.
It has close to no distortions no matter how hard you push the subwoofer. It also has a smart sensor that turns it on or off, depending on the presence or absence of a signal. It has adjustable controls with the help of a variable low-pass crossover, bass boost, and a phase switch.
It is compatible with all car systems due to the presence of both high and low-level inputs. It also comes with knobs to control the bass as per your preferences and is quite budget-friendly.
It comes with a 300-watt class D amplifier. This provides the product with an ample amount of power without overheating the system. It has a closed-loop design which helps the amplifier and woofer work together in harmony.
Being larger than other models, it needs more space. This is the right subwoofer to choose for larger vehicles and trucks.
Pros
- Dependable performance
- 300-watt built-in amplifier
- No distortions
- Enhanced sound quality
Cons
- Larger in size
- Higher price range
- Difficult access due to a fully sealed box
Verdict
With additional features such as thermal protection, over-voltage protection, smart sensor, and a high-quality sound, the Rockford Fosgate P300-12 provides you with only the best for your car.
JBL GT-BassPro12
JBL is one of the most recognized names out there. One of their best powered car subwoofers is the JBL GT-BassPro12. It adds the most bass to your music and makes an unforgettable difference to your music experience.
The product comes in a ported box. This allows more air to get in and out, enhancing the bass. Though it has a 150-watt built-in amplifier, the ported box makes a huge difference in increasing the quality of sound and bass.
It is a 12-inch subwoofer that provides you with deep bass and a distortion-free experience. It has a remote control that allows for the easy control and adjustment of the subwoofer. Being on the bulkier side, you have to ensure that you have enough space to accommodate this product.
Pros
- Deep bass
- Sleek design
- Lesser power required
- Ported box enhances bass
Cons
- Expensive
- Bulky
- Good for only bass enhancement
Verdict
If what you are looking for is only a deep bass, then the JBL GT-BassPro12 is the right product for you. It is more expensive than others and caters to that niche that is looking to enhance their bass.
Few Things To Keep In Mind While Buying A Powered Car Subwoofer
It is important to know the dimensions of the subwoofer you are looking for. If space is an issue, then you should go for a smaller subwoofer but if you have plenty of space or a larger vehicle, then a bigger subwoofer will do the trick.
Look at the power the built-in amplifier can handle. More power equals enhanced sound quality and more bass. So if you are looking for a system that can handle a higher power rating, the subwoofer should have a higher RMS reading.
The kind of enclosure the subwoofer comes in also makes a difference. It could be fitted into either a sealed box or a ported box. A sealed enclosure is better for smaller spaces while a ported box, being bulkier, is better suited for larger spaces.
Sensitivity is also an important factor. Sensitivity and power are indirectly proportional. It is better to get one which is more sensitive as they require less power. The frequency range is yet another thing to be aware of while buying your ideal subwoofer.
Conclusion
After looking at all the options, the one subwoofer that stands out the most is the Rockford Fosgate P300-12. However, each powered subwoofer is designed to cater to certain needs. Looking through all the features that they offer while keeping in mind your own requirements is the best way to choose the best subwoofer.
It is also important to keep the above-mentioned things in mind while choosing your subwoofer. All designs have their pros and cons but shortening the list to your top 5 or your top 3 helps in making the decision of choosing just one much easier.
After having gone through these reviews, it is safe to say that you have much more information about these models than before and will already have a preference. Whatever that preference may be, do your research on it, wait no further and enjoy your ride with your new powered subwoofer!