5 Benefits of Subwoofer in Car

You leave your driveway looking forward to a relaxing drive when suddenly heavy bass from a passing car rattles your vehicle violently. Upgrading your car’s basic sound system with a subwoofer provides an entirely new dimension of deep, rich audio while driving. An aftermarket sub enhances music, movies, podcasts, and navigational instructions with a more dynamic range and impactful delivery.

This in-depth guide covers how subwoofers operate, ideal placement considerations, integration options, must-have features, popular brands, and long-term advantages of adding serious bass sound to your daily commute. Soon you’ll appreciate the benefits of subwoofer in car.

How Car Subwoofers Work

Understanding the basics of how subwoofers produce booming bass aids in selecting the optimal setup to supplement factory speakers. Unlike standard car speakers designed to handle mid to high-frequency sound reproduction, subwoofers are specially engineered for intense low notes.

Subwoofers feature oversized cones surrounded by flexible suspensions enabling exaggerated vibrational movement and pumping out heavy bass. Powerful magnets drive substantial air displacement from significantly larger speaker surface areas than regular car speakers can match. This yields thunderous vibrations noticeably felt as well as heard when the car subwoofer system performs.

Placement Considerations

Where you decide to install subwoofers directly impacts the sound quality and available space remaining in your vehicle. Determining optimal positioning requires balancing acoustic desires with practical necessity.

Here are prime subwoofer mounting locations in cars and SUVs:

• Trunk – Typical place offering ample air volume to resonate produces loud bass but eats up valuable cargo space. Enclosed trunk-mounted subs sacrifice some sound isolation.
• Under Seats – Provides robust bass while retaining flexible legroom and luggage capacity although bass notes may leak inside the cabin.
• Behind Side Panel – Utilizes wasted negative space without hindering cargo or passengers thanks to custom fabrication although this costs extra.

Spare tire well and custom kick panel installations also integrate the subwoofer seamlessly when designed and wired correctly. How much bass presence you desire and existing interior dimensions dictate ideal build locations.

Powered Subwoofers

Determining sufficient amplification represents another vital component when reaping the benefits of subwoofer in car audio reproduction. Self-contained powered subwoofers simplify installation using integrated amplifiers streamlining upgrades.

Powered subwoofers amplify and project bass notes from the built-in sub cleanly without overtaxing standard head units. All-in-one enclosure designs require less expertise connecting but offer less customization flexibility. Make sure the built-in amplifier provides enough wattage to drive subwoofers efficiently in pre-fab boxes.

High Pass Crossovers

To optimize performance balance, adding a high pass crossover when incorporating a subwoofer in a car prevents distortion from standard car speakers trying to handle notes beyond their range. Crossovers divide frequencies between sub and full-range speakers according to what they handle best.

Common high pass crossover points for passing mid to high frequencies to standard car speakers while reserving lower register content for subwoofers range from 80Hz to as high as 200Hz. Adjustable crossovers permit customization based on sub-efficiency and capability of existing speakers present.

Must-Have Subwoofer Features

When evaluating subwoofers for purchase, prioritize models flaunting these performance-enhancing characteristics for maximizing the benefits of subwoofer in car:

• High Sensitivity – Subs with higher sensitivity ratings convert amplifier power more efficiently requiring less wattage for ample volume.
• Voice Coils – Dual voice coils handling separate signals significantly extend power handling doubling acoustic output.
• Progressive Spider Designs – Exotic spiders with unique geometry improve suspension linearity and travel distance.
• Extended Pole Pieces – Allow greater excursion before distortion for cleaner bass notes farther from the subwoofer body.

While ultra-cheap subs still augment sound presence over stock speakers, investing in quality engineering maximizes the enjoyment of thunderous beats while cruising.

Reputable Car Subwoofer Brands

With so many manufacturers touting loud subwoofers, determining leaders producing innovative car audio technology aids car subwoofer selection. Based on proven performance benchmarks and reliability ratings, these brands rank among the top car subwoofer makers:

• JL Audio – Renowned pioneer in car subwoofer equipment thanks to patented innovations like W7 design. Their Slash Series excels in providing thunderous bass without requiring excessive amplification.
• Alpine – This venerable car audio brand leads innovating ultra-compact subwoofers like their Type S and Type R lines, continuing to push bass potential in smaller enclosures.
• Rockford Fosgate – From their economical Prime Series to advanced Punch Subs, Rockford manufactures tremendously musical and efficient car subwoofers accessible across budget ranges.
• Kicker – Delivering tremendous bang for the buck across single and dual subwoofer models, Kicker engineers affordable high-output woofers making aftermarket upgrades easy.

Benefits of Subwoofer in Car

Supplementing factory audio systems with aftermarket subwoofers instills numerous advantages appreciable during short trips around town or long drives out of state. Here are the top benefits of installing a subwoofer in car:

1. Improves Bass Presence – Deeper more powerful low notes fill out music adding essential warmth and realism to entire frequency spectrum reproduction.
2. Increases Perceived Loudness – Adding a dedicated subwoofer permits turning overall volume levels down while retaining visceral listening excitement.
3. Reduces Distortion – Keeping sub frequencies separated from standard mids prevents distortion and overdriving smaller speakers rated for higher ranges.
4. Expands Customization Options – After upgrading speakers all around and still finding bass lackluster, adding a subwoofer completes the system enhancing all music including intricate acoustic songs.
5. Optimizes Available Space – Compact powered bandpass boxes mount conveniently in tight spaces benefiting listeners, not cargo capacity.

Installing even a modest subwoofer transforms the driving experience, making commutes more motivating through dynamic audio. Picking reputable car audio brands ensures benefiting long-term from enhanced bass when cruising around town.

Conclusion

Evaluating suitable placement planning powerful amplification and utilizing high pass crossovers ensures seamlessly integrating the best benefits of subwoofer in car audio reproduction. Investing in a quality solution from established car subwoofer manufacturers guarantees impactful bass for years motivating endless adventures. Soon you’ll marvel at how such thunderous, clean low-end emanates from smartly designed compact enclosures amplifying your in-transit entertainment satisfaction.

Bask in the blending warmth of amplified low notes with custom car subwoofer installation options benefiting all passengers.

Also read:

Best Automotive Subwoofer – Top 6 Reviews and Buying Guide

FAQs about Benefits of Subwoofer in Car

Q: Do cheap car subwoofers sound decent?

A: Basic inexpensive car subs still enhance bass output considerably over stock speakers although name-brand subs engineered using innovative materials and suspension components fair much better in the long run.

Q: Can I install a subwoofer myself in car?

A: Ambitious DIYers can successfully install car subwoofer with ample research although custom fabrication may require professional auto sound technicians.

Q: How much space is needed for car sub box?

A: Compact bandpass boxes containing 8” or 10” subs require just 1-2 cubic feet while ported boxes housing 12” subs demand 2-4 times that volume.

Q: What’s better sealed or ported sub box?

A: Sealed boxes offer better protection in trunks optimizing smaller dimensions. Vented ported boxes bump louder maximizing available air space but require careful calculation to tune properly.

Q: Is a 1000-watt subwoofer overkill in a small car?

A: Not necessarily since power indicates maximum limits, not constant requirements. Quality 500W sub paired with a good amplifier suffices even in expansive SUV cargo areas.