How to choose the right subwoofer for a car

Car audio is one of the priority parameters for car owners. A decent sound of your favorite compositions is achieved by selecting high-quality acoustics and proper placement of acoustic elements in the car interior. The subwoofer in the speaker system is responsible for the lows; it can make even the most ordinary track sound bright and new.

How to choose a subwoofer for a car is determined by everyone based on their own priorities. For some, a compact element under the seat is enough, while others need a powerful installation that occupies the entire trunk. Most motorists prefer to choose an inexpensive but good sub, which does not take up much space in the car and produces high-quality low frequencies.

Types of devices

There are two types of subwoofers:

Active. An active subwoofer is a full-fledged acoustic system, which includes a speaker in the housing and a built-in power amplifier. Almost all models of compact active subwoofers use 8-inch speakers. Standard devices are most often produced in standard sizes of 10 and 12 inches. Prices for such devices range from 3 to 12 thousand rubles.

An active subwoofer looks like a big cylinder
Passive. This category has a fairly large selection of subwoofers, the differences of which lie in their characteristics and designs. The usual speaker sizes in this segment are 10 and 12 inches. The cost of such devices is from 2 to 40 thousand rubles, and in the last price category the most powerful subwoofers are usually presented, having two speakers at once.

Passive subwoofer resembles a hexagonal prism
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The main differences between active and passive subwoofers:

An active subwoofer has a built-in amplifier, while a passive subwoofer must be connected to external sound amplifiers.
An active subwoofer is easier and faster to set up.
If the system is configured with maximum precision and of sufficient quality, then the passive subwoofer produces a more voluminous and dense sound. It is rare to achieve the same effect with an active system.

The best passive subwoofers

Pioneer TS-WX306T

A budget model of a passive subwoofer from the famous Japanese brand Pioneer. Made in a cylindrical body to avoid distortion in bass transmission. Hidden inside is a 12-inch speaker that reproduces sound at frequencies from 20 to 125 Hz. The maximum power of the device is 1200 W.

The body of the device is made of thick MDF, painted black. The developers boast of their own cooling system, which reduces the running time of the moving part and increases its response to dynamic parts of the composition.

The most surprising thing about the model is its price. The Russian buyer will get the Pioneer TS-WX306T for less than 8 thousand rubles. The kit will include straps for securing the subwoofer in the trunk.

Price: RUB 7,790

Mac Audio STX 112 R Reference

A well-known manufacturer of car acoustics from Germany is also trying its hand at budget markets. STX 112R is one of the manufacturer’s inexpensive models. In Russian retail, a subwoofer costs about 11 thousand rubles.

For this money, Mac Audio engineers offer a device with a power of 2000 W. The 12-inch speaker reproduces frequencies from 18 to 500 Hz. On the front panel of the subwoofer there are two strips that serve as a protective grille. At the top there is a small window closed with bolts. Through it you can see the insides of the case.

A bonus is blue lighting, which is critical if you want to leave the subwoofer in the cabin. However, if you place the device in the trunk, the color of the backlight will not matter much. But the dimensions of the device may make you think - with a weight of 19.5 kg, the ribs of the subwoofer are 50 and 40 cm, respectively.

Price: ₽ 10,400

Design features of devices

To understand what parameters to use to choose a subwoofer for your car, you need to thoroughly understand how it works. By design, subwoofers are divided into four types:

Closed, with a sealed housing. The subwoofer is mounted in a box of a given volume. It dampens the closed sound wave behind the speaker. However, devices with a closed design are not the best subwoofers for cars. They are rarely used due to low efficiency. A closed subwoofer box extinguishes a closed sound wave
Bass reflex. These are closed boxes with a tunnel (bass reflex) of a certain size. Thanks to the tunnel, increased pressure is created on the speaker used, which allows you to raise the sound level at a given frequency in the range from 50 to 120 Hz. The enclosed space increases the pressure exerted on the cone, which reduces the likelihood of sound distortion. The occurrence of mechanical damage to the speaker is also excluded. In this case, the phase inverter corrects the rise in the frequency response (amplitude-frequency characteristic) and relieves the diffuser from excess pressure. All this leads to a significant increase in the efficiency of the subwoofer. Bass reflex box reduces sound distortion
Stripes. These are subwoofers with speakers tucked inside. The most complex type of device, it requires additional space. This is explained by the need to combine the features inherent in the closed-type design and the bass reflex. The basis for the product is a box with a bass reflex tunnel. A speaker is installed inside, which also acts as a partition. Thanks to this design, there is a closed, sealed space behind the speaker, which adds rigidity to the cone. A volumetric compartment is formed in front of the speaker, which has an output due to the presence of a bass reflex.

Subwoofer bandpass requires additional space
Subwoofers with a passive radiator, having a second passive speaker designed to reduce the resonant frequency. The installation of such systems is practiced in E-class cars (for example, Mercedes-Benz E-class).

Passive subwoofer driver reduces resonant frequency

The main advantages of using closed subwoofers in cars:

simple calculations of the volume of the structure;
low probability of speaker overload;
high level of low frequency reproduction.

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Specifications

When purchasing a subwoofer, you should pay attention to the following characteristics:

peak power (W). It is with the help of peak (maximum) power that buyers are attracted. After all, car owners first of all want to know whether the system can “rock” the car with bass in order to attract the attention of others. Peak loads indicate at what level the speaker can operate most efficiently. Most often, they are approximately 3 times higher than the indicators that are optimal for long-term operation, however, devices with such characteristics are often at the very top of the rating of subwoofers for cars;

Table showing the dependence of the peak powers of subwoofers on the volume of the premises
rated power (W). The manufacturer tries not to focus on the rated power - this indicator is not as impressive as the previous one. But it is this information that tells the buyer what level of sound the selected speaker can produce without distortion. At the same time, it can operate at higher powers in optimal mode. Most car enthusiasts who decide to purchase a subwoofer are not looking for high power. Therefore, the optimal devices are those for which this indicator ranges from 200 to 300 W;
By the way, for expensive high-quality speakers there is no significant difference between peak and nominal loads, which cannot be said about cheap models. This is explained by the fact that a high-quality speaker has the ability to reproduce high-quality bass even at very high powers. This means that its rated loads are close to peak values. At the same time, the peak power of inexpensive speakers can be even higher than that of higher quality speakers. However, the rated power will certainly be lower.
sensitivity (dB). The speaker's sensitivity determines its volume. However, we should not forget about the negative impact of volume on sound quality;
range of reproduced frequencies (Hz). The frequency range of speakers used in subwoofers ranges from 20 to 200 Hz. The depth of bass that interests the car owner directly depends on what the lower value is. In addition, the housing used to house the speaker and the volume in which it is located are of great importance. It is these indicators that determine how the subwoofer will reproduce certain frequencies;

The diameter of the subwoofer diffuser is an important technical characteristic
diffuser diameter (inches). Another important parameter is the diameter of the diffuser. This is what many users associate with the power of a subwoofer. The most popular sizes are 8”, 10”, 12”, 15”. True, one cannot deny the presence of some scatter to a lesser or greater extent. The presence of a small diffuser means that the power of the bass output will not be very high.
There are sizes that are recognized as optimal, that is, they allow you to produce a sound that suits the majority of car owners. So, 10” is the best option for those who like not very powerful bass, and 12” is for those who like it “hot”.

Comparison table of the best subwoofers for cars

Name	Main characteristics	Price
Supra SRD-251A	Speaker 10 inches, power 160 W, subwoofer, frequency range 28 - 800 Hz.	₽ 6 490
Ural AS-D12A	Speaker 12 inches (300 mm), frequency range 21-240 Hz, maximum power 1100 W.	₽ 6 883
Pioneer TS-WX306T	A 12-inch speaker that reproduces sound at frequencies from 20 to 125 Hz, the maximum power of the device is 1200 W.	₽ 7 790
Mac Audio STX 112 R Reference	Power 2000 W, 12-inch speaker reproduces frequencies from 18 to 500 Hz.	₽ 10 400
Pioneer TS-W106M	The 10-inch speaker reproduces frequencies from 20 to 160 Hz, maximum power is 1100 W, the speaker coil resistance is standard, 4 ohms.	₽ 2 250
Pioneer TS-W126M	The speaker is slightly larger, 12 inches, power 1300 W, the frequency range has been adjusted down and is now from 20 to 125 Hz.	₽ 3 089

How to choose the right subwoofer for your car

In order for the selected subwoofer to sound high quality and look organically in the interior of the cabin, it is enough to follow a few rules:

The power characteristics of the subwoofer must match the operating parameters of the low-frequency amplifier. In this case, it is necessary to take into account all output channels of the amplifier. That is, if it has 3 channels with a power of 100 W each, then the subwoofer should have at least 400 W. In addition, both rated and peak power must be taken into account.
The equivalent volume of the subwoofer is calculated taking into account the power of the speakers. However, the car interior has volume limitations, which means that before purchasing speakers it is necessary to calculate their maximum allowable dimensions. It is also very important to choose the right location for installing the device.
When choosing the type of subwoofer, you should take into account the desired level of sound quality and the parameters of the head unit. If it has enough power to drive it, a passive speaker system can be used. If the power is not enough, it is recommended to use active options, or you will have to use an additional amplifier.

Location of the subwoofer in the cabin

For proper operation of the subwoofer, it must be installed taking into account the specific body type:

In station wagon cars, the subwoofer should be directed with the bass reflex and speaker towards the rear of the car.
If the body is a hatchback, it is best to position the device so that it is directed towards the roof of the car or the trunk door. If directed towards the back of the seat, loss of sound quality may occur.
The sedan body assumes that the subwoofers are directed towards the rear seat. In this case, the gap between the subwoofer and the seat should be at least 8 cm.

The best built-in subwoofers

Pioneer TS-W106M

One of the most popular subwoofers sold without a housing. The 10-inch TS-W106M speaker reproduces frequencies from 20 to 160 Hz. Maximum power - 1100 W. The coil resistance on the speaker is standard, 4 ohms.

The subwoofer cone is made of seamless IMPP composite material. This makes the speaker basket super durable and delivers powerful, rich bass. All this together gives a good, dense sound in small cars, especially if you enclose the subwoofer in a closed housing according to the instructions.

In addition to the price of 3 thousand rubles, users highlight the compactness of the model. Even in a closed case, the TS-W106M does not take up very much space in the trunk. For those who still have little space in the back (and for those who like to garden), it is possible to embed a subwoofer speaker into the rear parcel shelf. True, because of this, passengers may tremble and vibrate a little in particularly assertive places in the composition.

Price: ₽ 2,250

Pioneer TS-W126M

More powerful brother of the previous model. The speaker is slightly larger, 12 inches. The power is slightly higher, 1300 W. The frequency range has been adjusted down and is now from 20 to 125 Hz.

But the price remains the same. Pioneer TS-W126M can be bought in Russia for 3 thousand rubles, just like the TS-W106M. Of course, these devices are designed for different cars (read more about this above). The older model is better suited for spacious and family cars. Whether you mount the speaker into a rear shelf or flush-mount it into a cabinet, the TS-W126M delivers smooth, precise bass.

Users, when comparing two devices, are inclined to choose the younger one, since it performs better in mass-produced cars. “Big Brother” is better suited for those who have no doubts about the size of the car or are already disappointed in 10-inch speakers.

Price: RUB 3,089