21 best subwoofers for a car: active and passive - Rating 2021

• 2 Focal subwoofer review

  2.1 Features

Compact subwoofer for car

A compact subwoofer for a car has become very popular these days. It's no secret that practicality and saving space in the car is a very hot topic today. A conventional passive subwoofer, built into a large housing, takes up a lot of space. On the contrary, compact active subwoofers for cars will take up as little space as possible and will allow you not only to fully use the trunk, but also to install the woofer directly under the car seat. Simple and convenient.

Advantages and weaknesses of an underseat bass driver

Active compact subwoofer in car

Let's discuss the topic of compactness a little before we move on to describing subwoofers. Let's consider the important points:

• As a rule, the usual volume of a woofer is 90-100 liters. What does it mean? And the fact that in this case you can say warm regards to the trunk. It will be necessary to place various things here in limited quantities.

Note. A woofer volume of 30-60 liters can be considered more humane (in terms of luggage transportation). This one won't take up much space.

• But the compactness of a modern speaker is not limited to this. Boxes are also available for 15-20 liters, or even 10-12. They can already be hidden in a secluded corner of the trunk. But subwoofers are even smaller in size and easily fit under the driver’s seat;
• Such a woofer is usually called a super-compact or “form factor”. Such speakers are made in the form of a flat rectangle, like an amplifier;
• The material of the speaker housing is also important, which is usually cast from an aluminum-magnesium alloy. For example, with a case height of 7-8 cm, if the case material is made of MDF, then the walls will account for 3-4 cm, which is half. As it becomes clear, such a situation cannot be called correct;
• Secondly, the design of the box itself provides for installation on a plane. The head should be directed upward, but in no case horizontally or at an angle.

Note. Interestingly, 8-inch drivers are most often used in underseat subwoofers. They are almost always made in a “slim” design, otherwise they would not fit into a box with such thickness. On the other hand, designs with emitters measuring 165 and even 250 mm are also known.

• Now about the sound. Let us note right away that the average compact bass player is not capable of playing too loudly. Moreover, it cannot be free from nonlinearities. But it is capable of providing good support for front speakers in the mid-bass. And at the same time, as mentioned above, such a bass driver takes up practically no space;

Underseat woofer

• As for quality, “underseat” bass speakers, as super-compact subwoofers are also called, have advantages over conventional “luggage” speakers. They almost completely eliminate the problem associated with bass localization.

Note. For example, you can choose, based on individual auditory sensations, the low-pass filter cutoff frequency within a wider range.

• The ultra-compact “underseat” woofer is capable of reproducing bass with impeccable accuracy, although without infrasound;
• In addition, compact bass speakers will be able to show themselves in a more favorable light inside the car. One can even assume that these subwoofers (see How to make a subwoofer: practical tips) are aimed more at B or C class cars. There is nothing surprising in this, since in large cars it will not be difficult to find a place for a regular “luggage” bass driver;

Active subwoofer for car

• As for the design options for compact bass drivers, the situation here is much simpler. This is an exclusively closed box. The question arises, why not a bass reflex? The fact is that the box for FI will be more voluminous. But the main thing is not even this, but what length the pipe should have to get a 40 Hz setting and where to place it under the seat.

Note. Several versions have been put forward regarding this situation. So, you can, in principle, try to use a passive speaker, but no one has done this yet.

• By definition, the “underseat” bass drivers should be active subwoofers. After all, it would be at least strange if a subwoofer the size of the amplifier itself was connected additionally;
• The built-in amplifier in such active subwoofers is mostly pulsed. Among its advantages are low energy consumption, dimensions and heat dissipation. It’s not surprising that such indicators are very important under the seat, no;

Compact bass player for the trunk

• Finally, the equipment of the “underseat” bass units is not much different from the “luggage” options. Devices without a bass regulator are much more common in the line of such subwoofers than among large-sized bass speakers;
• Also, high level inputs are the norm here. This can easily be explained by the fact that this is not an option that needs forcing, much less one that can withstand it.

Rating TOP 10 best active subwoofers for cars

Having carefully analyzed the market for products of this type, we have compiled the corresponding most objective rating:

• Blaupunkt GTb 8200A.
• Ural AS-D12A Red Hurricane.
• JBL GT-12BP.
• Pioneer TS-WX130DA.
• JBL Stage 1200B.
• Pioneer TS-WX210A.
• Pioneer TS-WX300TA.
• Blaupunkt GTT-1200 SC.
• Mystery MBB-306A.
• Alpine SWT-12S4.

Let us consider each of the presented models in more detail, paying attention to individual technical parameters.

Blaupunkt GTb 8200A

The Blaupunkt GTb 8200A compact active subwoofer for a bass-reflex type car with a 200 mm driver provides clear sound, free of extraneous noise and wheezing. Thanks to a low-pass filter with a range of up to 122 Hz, the device emphasizes the bass of the sound, filtering out interfering high frequencies.

The built-in amplifier is an excellent addition that does not require financial investment in the purchase of related power elements. The key feature of the equipment is the double winding, which has significantly increased the power of the device, reducing the maximum power consumption.

Price: from 5,885 to 6,706 rubles.

Blaupunkt GTb 8200A

Advantages

• metal speaker protection;
• remote bass control;
• maximum set of wires (USB and mini Jack cable).

Flaws

• There are no fastening elements (you will have to create it yourself).

Recently, the need arose to “strengthen” my car with a gadget that was recommended by friends. To be honest, I don’t like playing music at full volume, but many friends have these in their cars, so I thought, why not get one for myself. I bought it and don’t use it often, but when, for example, we go on vacation with my family, I turn on the music. The equipment has really good quality, crystal clear sound and sensitive bass. It can be installed in literally an hour, without requiring any special skills (you can assemble it using the manual included in the kit).

Ural AS-D12A Red Hurricane

The active car subwoofer Ural AS-D12A RED HURRICANE is ready to boast of advanced technical equipment and high-quality components that provide the discerning music lover with truly deep bass. The device has a speaker made of coated cellulose. The body of this model is equipped with a bass-reflex acoustic design; it is covered with a carpet with soft short pile.

The front side of the acoustics is equipped with a Kevlar-type protective coating. The kit includes an external bass control and cables for connecting a subwoofer. The device can be used in conjunction with any car radio without the need for modification or replacement. This active type model also has a built-in power amplifier.

Price: from 7,029 to 8,345 rubles.

Ural AS-D12A Red Hurricane

Advantages

• external control panel;
• stylish red and black body;
• protective Kevlar coating.

Flaws

• not found.

An excellent device that fully justifies the investment in it. The impedance of the device is four ohms, and the sensitivity is at 91 dB. The range of reproduced frequencies is from 20 to 250 Hz. The rated and maximum power indicators are 300 W and 950 W, respectively. The body, decorated in black, is complemented by spectacular red inserts. I think even the most experienced critics with knowledge in this area will like the sound of the model. By the way, the device has a built-in special limiting filter, which not only removes extraneous noise, but also “straightens” the audio track, I recommend purchasing it.

JBL GT-12BP

The JBL GT-12BP car subwoofer, assembled in a ventilated casing, is a model from one of the leading audio equipment manufacturers. The subwoofer, the main structural element of which is a 300 mm single voice coil, is capable of providing high quality sound in a car with any type of body. The rated power of the device is truly impressive: the value is 300 W. The maximum power of the equipment is four times higher - 1200 W.

The model is characterized by a minimum playback frequency of 45 Hz. The design of the product is decorated using a classic color scheme - black. The front side of the device is decorated with the manufacturer’s logo, recognizable by many millions of users. The width, height and length of the model’s body are 390, 412 and 475 mm, respectively. The package includes a detailed instruction manual and a power cable.

Price: from 4,885 to 6,059 rubles.

JBL GT-12BP

Advantages

• long 7-meter power cord;
• black laconic color;
• The kit includes a full set of fasteners.

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Disadvantages

• not found.

A similar car subwoofer was created using a bandpass layout. This means that it has both a bass reflex and a closed acoustic chamber. Thanks to this, it is possible to make the sound of the device very deep and rich, while simultaneously preventing the occurrence of resonance. The peak power of the device reaches 1200 W. Thanks to this, it can be used to play music from a wide variety of genres. The rigid polypropylene driver prevents interference when working with shock staccato bass and other low-frequency sounds. The speaker is located in an insulated plexiglass sound chamber, which protects it from any external influences.

Pioneer TS-WX130DA

Active car subwoofer Pioneer TS-WX130DA is a compact model in a black case with a built-in D-class amplifier, equipped with one speaker with a diameter of eight inches. Designed to reproduce sounds in the frequency range of 20-200 Hz, the device will not be difficult to mount in the trunk of almost any car.

Providing a rated output power of 50W and a maximum power output of up to 160W, it is a great addition to your car's audio system. Characterized by high-quality transmission of low-frequency sounds, the device is equipped with a speaker based on a strontium magnet.

The advantage of the model is digital bass control, thanks to which you have deep, dynamic, controlled bass. The operating mode is controlled using a wired remote control, which is convenient to use from both the driver’s and passenger’s seats.

Price: from 9,988 to 11,437 rubles.

Pioneer TS-WX130DA

Advantages

• the built-in amplifier can increase the power of the device in just a couple of seconds;
• smooth adjustment of the frequency range;
• wired remote control included.

Flaws

• not detected.

This subwoofer will definitely provide high-quality sound with rich bass in your car. Rated power of 50 W and a built-in amplifier allow you to listen to your favorite tracks at maximum volume, and a crossover with a cutoff frequency of 20-200 Hz guarantees a clearer playback picture with a wide range of frequencies without noise and interference. The device is equipped with an RCA audio input for direct connection to the linear output of the radio using a cable. Thanks to its compact size and stylish design, the device can be placed not only in the trunk, under the seat, but also on the rear parcel shelf of the car.

JBL Stage 1200B

The JBL Stage 1200B car subwoofer has a housing that is a closed box made of MDF. The model is compact and can be placed in a car with not too much free space. The subwoofer can be mounted in the trunk or in another part of the vehicle body.

The buffer is characterized by a maximum power of 1000 W. The rated power of the subwoofer is 250 W. The frequency range is supported from 34 to 200 Hz. The device is equipped with a 12-inch speaker. It is worth noting its stylish appearance, which has a silver color. With an “open” installation, the subwoofer will delight you with its design all the time.

Price: from 5,109 to 6,978 rubles.

JBL Stage 1200B

Advantages

• sealed multilayer housing;
• sound propagation in all directions;
• digital bass control.

Flaws

• not found.

The JBL car subwoofer will fit perfectly into your car's system, making it complete. It blends harmoniously with the front and side speakers and delivers deep, clear bass. The driver with a diameter of 30 cm and a resistance of 4 Ohms conveys all the rich musical shades. The compact MDF case is resistant to chips and scratches, it is convenient to mount in a luggage rack, and it practically does not get dirty. If desired, you can install two devices working in tandem.

Pioneer TS-WX210A

The Pioneer TS-WX210A active car subwoofer is a functional device in a black “closed box” housing. High acoustic characteristics and operation in a wide frequency range distinguish the model from a number of similar devices. In addition, installation does not require much space due to the compactness of the device.

The subwoofer can be placed under the seat or in the trunk, both horizontally and vertically. It has a built-in MOSFET amplifier that provides powerful and rich bass. By reinforcing the case with an aluminum radiator, the unit guarantees interference-free sound.

Access greatly simplifies remote control of device tasks. The subwoofer operates in the frequency range of 40-150 Hz, thanks to which it copes equally well with high-quality sound reproduction at low and high tones.

Price: from 11,244 to 14,541 rubles.

Pioneer TS-WX210A

Advantages

• excellent sound without extraneous noise;
• Possibility of self-installation according to the instructions included in the kit;
• powerful low frequency bass.

Flaws

• not found.

This subwoofer is installed in a closed housing made of dense MDF. This prevents resonance from distorting the sound of the speaker system, even when the volume level is high. The device is equipped with a built-in amplifier with a bass boost function. Thanks to this, it is possible to make the sound of the car audio system rich and realistic. The speaker is created using a rigid driver made of injection molded polypropylene and an elastic butyl rubber surround.

Pioneer TS-WX300TA

The Pioneer TS-WX300TA car subwoofer is equipped with a multifunctional 12-inch speaker. The original design (cylinder shape) will delight lovers of non-standard-looking equipment. Despite the relatively small volume of the case, the device has an impressive level of technical characteristics: the rated power of the subwoofer is an impressive 350 W.

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The maximum power is almost four times higher: 1300 W. The equipment is characterized by a minimum playback frequency of 20 Hz. The subwoofer is a bass reflex type. The length of the audio device is 663 mm. The model comes with all the necessary accessories. The case is decorated with an impressive inscription informing the user about the “authorship” of the device: this is the product of the legendary manufacturer of car acoustics Pioneer.

Price: from 9,291 to 11,046 rubles.

Pioneer TS-WX300TA

Advantages

• automatic shutdown system;
• deep sound quality;
• quick-release power connector.

Flaws

• not detected.

The Pioneer TS-WX300TA subwoofer will become a “key figure” in the musical accompaniment of the trip. It will make the speaker system perfect and allow you and your traveling companions to enjoy the work of your favorite artists. The bass reflex inside the cabinet creates increased sound pressure, which further enhances the bass. Thanks to high sensitivity, compositions are reproduced loudly and clearly, without extraneous noise. Buying an inexpensive active subwoofer for your car turned out to be incredibly easy.

Blaupunkt GTT-1200 SC

Our rating included a passive subwoofer - the Blaupunkt GTT-1200 SC will appeal to true music lovers for its build quality and sound. A special plug for the main port allows you to turn its bass reflex housing into a closed one. There is no need to compromise with the equipment - you can make a choice between sound detail and bass richness, depending on the genre and the characteristics of a particular composition.

The digital amplifier of the device is located under the metal grille. It not only protects the device from shock, but also helps dissipate heat, preventing overheating. Achieving perfect sound is easy - you don't have to open the trunk or doors. The wired remote control allows you to change the bass volume, low-frequency cutoff level and subwoofer power phase.

Price: from 2,871 to 3,996 rubles.

Blaupunkt GTT-1200 SC

Advantages

• an interesting solution - a felt body;
• compactness (340×340×480 mm);
• reliable titanium diffuser.

Flaws

• not found.

My friends gave me this active subwoofer for my car under the seat so that I could enjoy the incredibly high-quality sound of my favorite music. I consider the main advantages of the device to be its reliable metal construction and titanium alloy inserts. In appearance it does not cause disgust; on the contrary, it even attracts. In nature with friends, there will be no shame in opening the trunk of your car. The sound is clear, there is no noise, there are various adjustments (bass, frequencies, power, etc.), I recommend it for purchase.

Mystery MBB-306A

A good active subwoofer for the Mystery MBB-306A car in black has a housing made like a closed box. This model is ideal for those who are not satisfied with the standard car sound system and want to supplement it with powerful sound. One speaker with a diameter of twelve inches, operating on a strontium magnet with a double winding, will be able to fully function in the frequency range from 25 to 200 Hz.

The unit is equipped with an external crossover, as well as a built-in power amplifier, which removes the low frequency load from the system. The sound power of this audio system varies from 250 to 550 W with an impedance of 4 ohms. The body is made of MDF wood plates, and the sensitivity of the Mystery subwoofer speakers reaches 93 dB.

Price: from 6,903 to 7,847 rubles.

Mystery MBB-306A

Advantages

• strontium magnetic speaker;
• remote control;
• metal frame speaker protection.

Flaws

• not found.

This inexpensive active subwoofer in the car is installed in a bass reflex housing, due to which it creates a deep, rich sound that significantly improves the experience of listening to music of a wide variety of genres. The high power of the device allows you to avoid sound distortion even at high volume levels. The body, made of dense MDF and upholstered with felt, eliminates resonance. The built-in amplifier allows the user to set the required sound parameters, adapting the subwoofer to the acoustic characteristics of a particular car.

Alpine SWT-12S4

The ultra-modern active passive car subwoofer Alpine SWT-12S4 will flawlessly cope with its task of reproducing beautiful low and ultra-low bass in your car. It is necessary if you like such sounds, since ordinary audio speakers are not able to cope with such a task. The maximum power the device can handle is 1000W and the rated power is 300W.

The design of the presented model includes a 12-inch speaker, which is made in a trendy and versatile black color. Due to the fact that a neodymium magnet is installed in the device, the speakers, despite their small dimensions, are capable of creating a strong magnetic flux. The bass-reflex housing allows air to burst out of the speakers as sharply as possible, which creates especially low bass.

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Price: from 5,882 to 7,900 rubles.

Alpine SWT-12S4

Advantages

• high-quality built-in Serious Super amplifier;
• compressed cellulose diffuser;
• crystal clear sound.

Flaws

• not detected.

The device is small in size, which greatly facilitates its installation in compact cars. It has a high-voltage input that allows you to connect the device to radios that do not have RCA connectors. The subwoofer's closed acoustic design prevents resonance, which can significantly reduce sound quality. The driver, made from tough injection molded polypropylene, also reduces interference.

Focal subwoofer review

Active subwoofers for cars

The best, so to speak, leader among analogues of “underseat” bass drivers, is considered to be the Focal bass driver. In all respects, a well-assembled speaker that surprised many experts in terms of the value of nonlinearity.

Note. As a rule, “seat holders” have natural problems in this regard. This has been discussed in detail above. The Focal bass player has no problems with nonlinearity.

Peculiarities

Among the features of the Focal bass player are the following:

• The woofer is equipped with high-current clamps that can accept cables up to 6 mm in diameter. The subwoofer comes with an original expansion cable, which has pass-through ISO connectors and a special tap for connecting to high-level inputs. This makes it possible to connect to the standard system in a few minutes;
• The subwoofer's bass control is set to an optimal boost of 18 dB/60 Hz;
• The filter cutoff frequency adjustment range is from 50 to 150 Hz;
• While similar “under-seat” type subwoofers have functionality such as the one described above, the Focal subwoofer has automatic switching on.

Note. Such an innovation certainly does not exist in any super-compact speaker known today.

Question answer

Which wires are best to use to connect a subwoofer?

It is recommended to use special speaker cables with an elastic sheath, equipped with a screen to protect them from external interference (for example, radio waves or from the operation of vehicle electronic systems). The wires should not be connected by twisting; special terminals must be used.

What to make a subwoofer housing from?

To install the product, you need a container made of particle board with carpet lining. Dimensions and design features are specified by the loudspeaker manufacturer; the casing should not vibrate under the influence of low frequencies. There are ready-made designs that are selected depending on the diameter of the speaker and its characteristics.

What power value should you pay attention to when choosing a subwoofer?

Peak output reflects the product's ability to produce a signal without distortion for several seconds. At the nominal setting, the speaker reproduces sound for a long time without distortion.

What should you look for when listening to the operation of a cabinet subwoofer when purchasing?

It is recommended to play music from different genres to evaluate the bass response. Listening indoors should be done from one point, since the sound picture depends on the person’s position relative to the speaker. Please note that the subwoofer takes a few minutes to warm up, after which the volume automatically increases and the bass becomes clearly audible and clear.

Review Pioneer TS-WX11A

A very powerful and compact bass driver that will add lively, bright and energetic lows to the car’s acoustics. To ensure guaranteed power, the Pioneer subwoofer includes a die-cast aluminum heatsink, an oval driver woofer, and, of course, a built-in Mosfit FET amplifier.

Peculiarities

• Power (at peaks) – 150 W;
• Power (nominal) – 50 W;
• Work with frequencies – 54-200 Hz;
• Sensitivity – 101 dB;
• Typical size – 20 cm;
• Built-in and adjustable low-pass filter;
• There is a remote control that operates at 6 meters.

Model comparison table

For a more clear comparison of the models presented above, we use a comparative table of characteristics.

Review of Ground Zero GZUB 1000XACT

Active subwoofer in car

Flat type woofer, easy to fit under the seat. The sound quality is good, but the price is a little surprising - 17 thousand rubles!

Peculiarities

• Power (at peaks) – 210 W;
• Power (nominal) – 150 W;
• Operating frequency range – 30-100 Hz;
• LF crossover frequency range – 50-100 Hz;
• Signal to noise ratio – 60 dB;
• Speaker size – 10 inches;
• There is a high-level input with automatic activation;
• Aluminum diffuser;
• There are RCA inputs.