Best Automotive Subwoofer – Top 6 Reviews and Buying Guide

The EVL-65 D4 achieves big bass performance through thoughtful engineering. The stitched paper cone moves plenty of air for a 6.5″ driver while maintaining control even during demanding passages. The surround allows long excursion while centering the cone.

The 2″ copper voice coil winding and 39 oz. magnet structure supply the muscle to drive the cone with authority. This robust motor assembly generates powerful electromagnetic field forces, resulting in tight, responsive bass that superbly keeps up with the beat.

At just 3.56” deep, the woofer is easy to install in all but the tightest spaces. This gives you many more placement options compared to bulky traditional subs. Stealth bass that packs a punch is now very attainable.

Installation

Thanks to its ultra-slim profile, the Skar Audio EVL-65 D4 fits where few subs can. Cut an opening 5.83” wide and at least 3.56” deep for the woofer to mount flush. It can be installed in the factory location of rear 6.5” speakers or virtually any other adequately sized cavity.

Power the sub with any amp capable of delivering clean power within its 200W RMS rating. Given minimal clearance requirements and broad mounting location compatibility, the EVL-65 D4 makes achieving thunderous bass from a stealthy footprint easy.

Pros

• Ultra-slim 3.56” mounting depth
• 400W peak / 200W RMS power
• Dual 4 ohm voice coils
• Quality paper cone and surround
• 2” high temp voice coil
• Hard-hitting bass performance from a shallow 6.5” driver

Cons

• Doesn’t dig as deep as larger subs
• Lower sensitivity requires more amp power

The Bottom Line

Skar Audio EVL-65 D4 6.5" 400 Watt Max Power Dual 4 Ohm Car Subwoofer

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Don’t let its compact design fool you – the Skar Audio EVL-65 D4 packs a punch way bigger than its size suggests. With authentic low end thump in a stealthy footprint, this little sub is big on bass.

4. Planet Audio AC8D 8 Inch 1200 Watts Car Subwoofer

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Planet Audio AC8D 8 Inch Car Subwoofer - 1200 Watts Maximum Power, Dual 4 Ohm Voice Coil, Sold Individually

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Overview

Planet Audio aims to shake up the car audio scene with the AC8D – an affordably priced yet robustly constructed 8″ sub. Rated at an impressive 1200W peak power handling, the AC8D can pump out boomacious bass perfect for hip hop, EDM, dubstep and other low end intensive styles.

Utilizing proven subwoofer building blocks like a polypropylene cone, foam surround, and dual 4 ohm aluminum voice coils, the AC8D hits well above its pay grade in terms of performance and longevity. If you seek window-rattling bass on a budget, the Planet Audio AC8D warrants a close look.

Key Features

• 8″ subwoofer with 1200W peak power handling
• Dual 4 ohm voice coils
• Polypropylene cone and foam surround
• Aluminum 2″ voice coils
• Stamped steel basket
• Frequency response: 23Hz – 3kHz

Sound Quality

Combining raw output capability with impressive bass quality, the Planet Audio AC8D brings the boom. It digs satisfyingly deep down to 23Hz when properly powered and enclosed. Bass lines and beats benefit from added punch and fullness.

From subtle low end fill to ear splitting dubstep drops, this woofer impresses. The polypropylene cone and foam surround work in concert for excellent transient response and minimal distortion even at high SPLs. You’ll be blown away by what this budget-friendly beast can do.

Design

While affordably priced, the AC8D utilizes proven materials and construction techniques for reliable performance. The polypropylene cone provides resilience against breakup and deformation even under demanding use.

The foam surround offers excellent flexibility for increased excursion capabilities. Stamped from thick steel, the rigid basket further adds to structural integrity. Overall build quality far exceeds the low price point.

Installation

Installing the Planet Audio AC8D subwoofer is a straightforward process like any traditional 8″ sub. Just cut an appropriate sized hole to allow the 9″ diameter driver to mount flush. At 4.5″ deep, a minimum of 5″ of clearance depth is recommended.

Use thick speaker wire to connect the dual 4 ohm coils to your amp at the desired final impedance. Custom enclosures can be built to unlock the AC8D’s full potential, but pre-fabricated boxes also work well if space is limited. Bass that belies the budget price is now attainable.

Pros

• 1200W peak power handling capability
• Dual 4 ohm voice coils
• Quality polypropylene cone
• Foam surround for increased excursion
• Rigid stamped steel basket
• Huge bass at an affordable price

Cons

• Only mid-level sensitivity
• Looks a little generic

The Bottom Line

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Planet Audio AC8D 8 Inch Car Subwoofer - 1200 Watts Maximum Power, Dual 4 Ohm Voice Coil, Sold Individually

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Delivering tremendous bass bang for the buck, the Planet Audio AC8D 8″ sub hits with authority well beyond its budget-minded price tag. Seeking reasonably priced thunderous lows for your ride? The AC8D brings the boom without breaking the bank.

5. BOSS Audio Systems CXX8 8 Inch 600 Watts Car Subwoofer

BOSS Audio Systems CXX8 8 Inch Car Subwoofer - 600 Watts Maximum Power, Single 4 Ohm Voice Coil, Easy Mounting, Sold Individually

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Overview

BOSS Audio tore apart the blueprint for affordable car subs and rebuilt it from the ground up for the CXX8 8-inch subwoofer. Pushing 600W max power in a budget-friendly package, the CXX8 proves you don’t have to spend big bucks to add big bass.

The proprietary ExtraXtra configuration equips the CXX8 with features usually found in pricier competitors. A polypropylene cone, rubber surround, stamped basket and stout single voice coil add up to pumping bass that bests many subs even at twice the price.

Key Features

• 8″ subwoofer with 600W max power handling
• Polypropylene cone and rubber surround
• Stamped steel basket
• Single 4 ohm voice coil
• Frequency response: 49Hz
• High excursion capabilities

Sound Quality

Capable of loud yet controlled bass, the BOSS CXX8 provides impactful thump to any music genre. It blends nicely to reinforce lower frequencies without muddying the mids. The robust polypropylene cone and flexible rubber surround keep distortion low even when cranking the volume.

Thanks to its high excursion design, the CXX8 excels at producing deep bass. It sounds right at home digging down to the 40Hz-50Hz range that contains the fundamental notes of kick drums and bass guitars. For the price, you’ll be blown away by how great this woofer sounds.

Design

While maintaining a budget-friendly cost, BOSS didn’t cut corners constructing the CXX8. The polypropylene cone provides resilience against deformation even under stressful use. The rubber surround allows generous linear excursion for clean, distortion-free output.

Stamped from heavy-duty steel, the rigid basket resists flexing and allows optimal alignment of the voice coil within the motor gap. Altogether, build quality and component choices exceed expectations for this reasonable price class.

Installation

Installing the BOSS CXX8 car subwoofer is straightforward like most traditional 8″ subwoofers. Just cut a hole 7.25″ across to permit the driver to mount flush. At 3.78″ deep, allow at least 5″ depth for proper clearance.

Use thick speaker wire to connect the 4 ohm coil to your amp channel of choice. Sound deadening your hatch or trunk area can further enhance bass performance. For budget-minded consumers, the CXX8 delivers genuine value.

Pros

• 600W max power handling
• Quality polypropylene cone
• Flexible rubber surround
• Rigid stamped steel basket
• 4 ohm single voice coil
• Deep bass capabilities
• Great value subwoofer option

Cons

• May not look visually appealing for some users
• Only average sensitivity

The Bottom Line

BOSS Audio Systems CXX8 8 Inch Car Subwoofer - 600 Watts Maximum Power, Single 4 Ohm Voice Coil, Easy Mounting, Sold Individually

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With the BOSS Audio CXX8, you can stop compromising sound for affordability. This woofer proves you don’t need big bucks to attain big bass. If you want loud low end on a lean budget, the CXX8 packs a serious punch.

6. Skar Audio IX-10 D4 10″ 400 Watt Car Subwoofer

Skar Audio IX-10 D4 10" 400 Watt Max Power Dual 4 Ohm Car Subwoofer

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Overview

When only genuine, old school bass will suffice, the Skar Audio IX-10 D4 10″ subwoofer delivers. Blending vintage style with modern performance, the IX-10 D4 gives you crushing bass in a classic package. This is what woofer design looked like in the glory days of car audio.

With 400W max power handling, a beefy 2” voice coil, and heavy duty motor structure, the IX-10 D4 pumps out bass that hits hard and digs deep. The rigid stamped steel basket and tough paper cone allow you to crank things up loud without worry of distortion or damage.

Key Features

• 10″ subwoofer with retro styling
• 400W peak / 200W RMS power handling
• 2″ voice coil on rugged 40 oz. motor
• Paper cone and foam surround
• Frequency response: 28Hz – 325Hz
• Vintage aesthetic, modern

Sound Quality

Thanks to its robust motor assembly and capable paper cone, the Skar Audio IX-10 D4 subwoofer delivers dynamic, punchy bass with vintage appeal. It exhibits excellent transient response for keeping up with complex low end rhythms. Notes start and stop on a dime.

From subtle accompaniment to head banging boom, this old school woofer impresses. It digs reasonably deep when enclosed, providing pleasing extension down into upper subwoofer territory. If you want bass with authority that also looks fantastic, the IX-10 D4 brings the best of both worlds.

Design

Skar Audio nailed the aesthetic with the IX-10 D4, blending retro flair with performance legitimacy. The classic paper cone and accordion surround look like they came straight from an 80s-era kicker comp, yet benefit from modern engineering.

The rigid stamped steel basket provides a rock solid foundation while looking good doing it. Altogether, the IX-10 D4 melds iconic style with new school functionality for a wholly unique subwoofer.

Installation

Given its traditional 10” size, installing the Skar Audio IX-10 D4 follows similar steps as any standard woofer. Cut an opening 9.13” across for a flush mount fit. With 4.85” mounting depth, leave at least 6” clearance to allow proper excursion.

Use thick speaker wire to link the dual 4 ohm coils to your amp. Building a custom box tuned appropriately for the IX-10 D4’s parameters can maximize performance. However any solid aftermarket enclosure will also let this retro sub shine.

Pros

• Iconic old school aesthetic
• 400W max power handling
• Rigid stamped basket
• Paper cone and foam surround
• Strong performance from a vintage design

Cons

• Not as “showy” as some modern subs

The Bottom Line

Skar Audio IX-10 D4 10" 400 Watt Max Power Dual 4 Ohm Car Subwoofer

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Combining brute power, impressive low end extension, and gorgeous retro styling in one awesome package, the Skar Audio IX-10 D4 provides a uniquely supreme bass experience. When traditional coolness and jaw dropping bass come together, the result is magical.

How to Choose the Best Automotive Subwoofer

Adding a subwoofer to your car audio system can transform the listening experience, providing deeper, more impactful bass to music, movies and games. However, with so many subwoofer models on the market ranging widely in size, power handling, features and price, picking the right one for your needs can feel overwhelming.

As an experienced car audio installer and enthusiast for over 15 years, I’ve listened to subwoofers of all shapes and sizes in just about every enclosure configuration imaginable. In this guide, I’ll share my expertise on the key factors to consider when selecting an automotive subwoofer. Follow these tips to choose a woofer that delivers the pounding yet accurate bass you crave.

Size Matters

One of the first decisions when choosing a sub is settling on the right driver size for your particular vehicle and goals. In car audio, common subwoofer sizes include:

• 8 inch subwoofers
• 10 inch subwoofers
• 12 inch subwoofers  
• 15 inch subwoofers

Larger subwoofer diameters can generally move more air, allowing for louder volumes and deeper bass extension. A 15″ woofer playing a 30Hz tone will sound significantly louder and fuller than an 8″ woofer producing that same low frequency. Bigger subs excel at really rumbling your ride with bowel-shaking bass.

However, smaller subwoofers like 8″ or 10″ models can still provide satisfying low end punch and extension when properly powered and enclosed. The main benefit of compact subwoofers is their smaller mounting footprint, improved power response, and quicker transient response. For applications where space is tight but you still want enhanced bass, a moderately-sized woofer is likely your best bet.

I recommend considering these factors when choosing subwoofer size:

Enclosure Size – Measure clearance to see what diameter drivers will physically fit in your desired mounting location. Remember to account for enclosure wall thickness and port dimensions if applicable.

Low Frequency Extension – Generally, larger woofers will play lower and louder at frequencies under 40Hz. Smaller subs still provide solid mid-bass punch but won’t dig as deep.

Power Handling – Make sure your amplifier can safely deliver the RMS power the subwoofer needs for target output levels. Match your components properly.

Transient Response – Smaller cones provide quicker transient response and tighter rhythmic bass. Larger woofers usually have more boominess and slower decay.

Once armed with those considerations, you can zero in on one or more properly-sized subs to choose between. Trust your ears – if a 10″ sub in a well designed enclosure sounds awesome to you, then performance is meeting your expectations regardless of woofer diameter.

Power Handling

A subwoofer’s power handling denotes how much amplifier power it can receive before damage or failure may occur. Pay close attention to these ratings when choosing a woofer:

Peak – Maximum power the sub can handle in short bursts.

RMS – Amount of power the sub can continuously handle for prolonged periods.

Always match your subwoofer’s RMS power handling to a suitable amplifier. Providing clean power at or under this rating will let the sub perform optimally. Too much amp power risks damaging the woofer when pushing it past limits.

Additionally, factor in your listening habits and volume preferences when assessing power. For example, if you frequently play bass-heavy tracks at high volumes, choose a more robust sub that can handle some abuse.

As an experienced car audio installer, I normally recommend an amplifier power matching 80-90% of the sub’s RMS rating. This provides headroom for occasional dynamic bursts while avoiding potential damage from sustained overpowering.

Properly pairing your components based on power handling ensures your subwoofer will sound awesome at the volumes you prefer while maintaining longevity. Check manufacturer specs to match amps and woofers accordingly.

Enclosure Type

The enclosure or box surrounding your subwoofer plays a huge role in bass performance and sound characteristics. The three most common automotive enclosures types are:

Sealed – Completely closed enclosures offer limited space, tighter bass response, and high efficiency. Excellent transient response makes sealed boxes well-suited for hard hitting kick drums and fast rhythmic bass. They exhibit a rolloff around the tuning frequency.

Ported – Enclosures using an added port or vent have increased low frequency extension compared to sealed but sacrifice some transient speed. The port boosts output at the tuning frequency. Ported designs work great for EDM, hip hop, or when you want to really rumble.

Bandpass – Combining properties of both sealed and ported boxes, bandpass enclosures offer a targeted boost within a narrow frequency band. Bass is louder at the box’s resonance but rolls off more sharply on either side.

Test subwoofers in different enclosures to hear which you prefer. Sealed boxes typically provide tighter, more musical bass while ported/bandpass designs excel at loud low end thump and rumble. I advise using manufacturers’ recommended enclosure guidelines as a starting point when tuning your setup.

Sensitivity Rating

A subwoofer’s sensitivity or efficiency rating indicates how loud it will play when powered by a 1 watt amplifier input. Efficiency is measured in decibels of sound pressure level (dB SPL). Typical ratings range from mid 80s to low 90s dB SPL.

In simple terms, higher sensitivity means the sub will reach a given output level with less amplifier power. Efficient woofers allow you to use a lower powered, less expensive amp while still attaining your desired volume.

Conversely, lower sensitivity woofers like some pro audio designs require much more amplifier power to achieve the same loudness as more sensitive drivers. If choosing a lower sensitivity sub, make sure your amp can provide plenty of clean power.

As a general rule of thumb, I suggest an amplifier with 50-100 watts RMS on tap for every 1 dB lower than 86 dB SPL the sub’s sensitivity rating is. This properly matches amp power to inefficient woofers.

Impedance

Subwoofer impedance, measured in Ohms, indicates the electrical resistance presented to the amplifier driving it. Low impedance places more current demand on the amp, while high impedance draws less current.

Many car audio subwoofers have dual voice coils allowing wiring options like:

• 4 ohms single voice coil (SVC)
• Dual 4 ohms voice coils (DVC)
• Dual 2 ohms voice coils (DVC)

With DVC woofers, voice coils can be wired together to present different final impedances like 1 ohm or 8 ohms.

Amplifiers are also rated by the minimum speaker impedance load they can safely drive. Match your subwoofer’s wiring impedance to a compatible amp.

I recommend shooting for final impedance between 2-8 ohms when wiring subwoofers. Extremely low 1 ohm loads risk damaging amplifiers and some 2 ohm configurations may pull more current than your alternator can provide.

While there are no hard rules, I typically wire for a final 4 ohm or 8 ohm load at the amp for stability. Just ensure your amp is compatible with the subwoofer wiring scheme you intend.

Cone & Suspension Materials

The cone and suspension play a big role in controlling woofer excursion and distortion. Key characteristics to compare when choosing speakers are:

Cone Material – Paper, polypropylene, aluminum and exotic composites all have varying benefits. Look for rigidity, low mass, and resilience against deformation.

Surround Material – Rubber, foam and cloth surrounds differ in flexibility, damping, and durability. Consider excursion capabilities and break-in requirements.

Build Quality – Well assembled woofers with robust frames, tight tolerances and quality adhesives will outlast cheaper designs. Listen for rattles and feel for smooth motion.

Higher performing subwoofers typically utilize proprietary blends of synthetic composites or metals for impeccable rigidity. I suggest listening closely for any distortion or unwanted resonance when evaluating woofers. Quality components sound superior.

Additional Features

Beyond the basics above, some other great bonus features to look for when choosing a subwoofer include:

Durable Construction – Aircraft grade adhesives, heavy duty voice coils, rugged surrounds and robust frames prolong life. Check specs and inspect build quality.

Advanced Motor & Cooling – Big magnets, beefy motor structures, and ventilation provide powerful, distortion-free performance. More motor force equals better dynamics.

Innovative Design – Unique woofers like shallow mounts, bandpass models, and exotic materials can enable exciting new setup options while providing awesome sound.

Brand Reputation – Reputable brands typically indicate higher quality components, assembly, testing, and customer support. Research reviews and forums for insights.

While not strictly necessary, these extras can lead to better sounding, longer lasting woofers. I always favor speakers with innovative engineering and rock solid construction.

Review Budget & Settle on Features

With so many subwoofer options on the market, prices range from under $50 into the thousands. Consider your budget needs and willingness to spend when making your selection.

Inexpensive subwoofers can still provide good performance, especially when paired with quality amplification in a proper enclosure. Just temper expectations on maximum loudness and longevity. For most enthusiasts chasing louder volumes with extended bass, I recommend a mid-range woofer in the $100-300 range.

Here’s an example budget shopping scenario:

• Strictly Budget-Limited – Opt for cheaper woofer with 500+ watts max power handling. Focus on rated features, not brand reputation.
• $100-150 Budget – Good performing entry level 10″ or 12″ subs available. Stick with well-reviewed budget models.
• $200+ Budget – Opens up better sensitivity, components and power handling. Gain more volume, low end extension and longevity.
• Unlimited Budget – Shoot for exotic materials and extensive engineering. Chances to experiment with giant 15+ inch builds or costly pro audio subs.

Make your selection of the best automotive subwoofer based on available funds and desired qualities. With the right components and tuning, even budget subwoofers can sound great. Allow your musical tastes to dictate priorities beyond basic budget needs.

Armed with this knowledge, you’re now ready to shop smarter, avoid pitfalls, and zero in on exactly the right sub to achieve your ideal car audio bass.

Also read:

Best Underseat Subwoofer for Car – Top 8 Reviews