Whether in a vehicle or otherwise, subwoofers are dedicated to handling low frequencies. This leaves the rest to the other speakers, allowing each component to handle what it is best at. Regardless of the type of music you like or the volumes at which you listen to it, a good subwoofer can improve the sound quality and overall listening experience. We’ve put together this car subwoofer buyer’s guide to help clarify the process of choosing the right one for your needs.
Types of Subwoofers
Component Subwoofer
A component subwoofer is the speaker itself. This needs to be mounted inside of an enclosure in order to perform properly as well receiving power from an external amplifier. Component subwoofers can range in size, typically from 8-15 inches. They have a wide variety to choose from when it comes to size, impedance, voice coils, and box installation options. If you’re building a custom system, this is the best choice.
Enclosed Subwoofer
This is a car subwoofer that already comes in an enclosure, but still requires an external amplifier for power. Although this limits you when it comes to the number of speaker and box type choices you’ll have, it makes the process just that bit simpler for those who aren’t concerned with building a custom setup.
Powered Subwoofer
A powered subwoofer is essentially a subwoofer kit that comes with everything you need. This is when you purchase a subwoofer that comes in an enclosure with a built-in amplifier. These subwoofers tend to take up very little space in your car, but offer no real options for customization, and won’t always produce the best bass output possible.
Vehicle-Specific Subwoofers
These subwoofers are designed to fit in certain vehicle models, with the idea in mind of saving as much space as possible. They are often designed to fit in a vehicle-specific unused space, allowing them to be installed without intruding much into the interior room. These aren’t always the best choice when you’re looking for the best performance, but it varies from model to model.
Subwoofer Terminology
Enclosure
Subwoofers require an enclosure in order to move air effectively. An enclosure or “box” allows for air pressure to build, creating stronger sound output. There are two main types of enclosures, sealed and ported. Sealed enclosures tend to deliver more precise and accurate bass while ported enclosures are especially good for high volume performance.
Power
The power of a subwoofer is rated in RMS wattage which measures the amount of power the subwoofer can take before risking damage. The idea is to make sure that the RMS wattage rating of the subwoofer and the RMS wattage of your amplifier (measured in terms of how much power the amp can produce) match each other as closely as possible.
For example, if your subwoofer has a rating of 200 watts, your ideal amplifier would have a power output rating of 200 watts. This ensures the safety and longevity of all of your components.
Impedance
Measured in ohms, impedance refers to the resistance of a circuit to the flow of electricity. Most subwoofers are rated at 4 ohms, but 2-ohm, 8-ohm, and others are becoming more popular. Without needing to understand electrical concepts, just keep in mind that like with the power rating, you want the subwoofer and the amplifier to match as closely as possible.
Voice Coils
Voice coils are what make the subwoofer diaphragm actually move, moving air and creating sound. Subwoofers typically have a single voice coil, but dual voice coil subwoofers are increasing in popularity amongst those seeking wiring flexibility for their custom systems.
Frequency Range
Measured in Hz, frequency range tells you what sort of sounds a subwoofer is capable of producing. The most important number to look at is the low end; the lower the number is, the more the subwoofer can do deep bass.
Size
While most people focus primarily on the size of the car subwoofer, it is not the most important factor to consider. However, after considering the type of subwoofer, the enclosure, and the power that you want, size does come into the picture.
When you have the space, bigger is usually better; however, a correctly-installed small subwoofer can add a tremendous performance upgrade. It’s usually much better to stick with a higher quality subwoofer that is smaller, as opposed to getting the largest you can afford/fit into your vehicle.