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A truck’s stock speakers have decent sound quality, but they may be missing something. Perhaps they can’t produce the low frequencies that give your music that extra punch you can feel in your gut. Truck subs are designed to reproduce the extra-low frequencies from your audio system. Check out our selection of the best truck subwoofers in the buying guide below.
Benefits of Truck Subs
- Better sound. Installing an aftermarket subwoofer will let you achieve better sound quality by using better quality equipment than stock.
- More control. The sound system in your car is designed to achieve a decent sound that will appeal to the vast majority of people. Aftermarket subwoofers give you more control over the sound to customize it to your taste and music preferences.
- Accurate sound. A subwoofer is a dedicated speaker to the lower spectrum of tones. This allows it to have better accuracy in the sounds that it produces. Instead of trying to achieve several levels of sound, its components are designed for a small subset.
Types of Truck Subs
Component
This is the stand-alone speaker that you’ll need to install into a subwoofer box for correct operation. You’ll also need to buy an external amplifier. If you’re looking to design a completely custom system from the ground up, then this is the way to go. You’ll find they range in size from 8 to 15 inches and can function on low to high power.
Enclosed
These subs come pre-mounted in a subwoofer box. This makes for easier installation since it takes a step out of the process for you. The downside is that you’re stuck with the options that are on the market, and they may not work for your particular vehicle. You’ll also still need an external amp for power.
Powered
Powered subs come with the box enclosure and the amplifier built-in. This makes installation even easier since everything is built into one unit. They also tend to be quite compact in size, which makes finding a place in your vehicle to accommodate it even easier. The downside is that they may not produce that big, heavy thumping bass that you’re looking for. They’re better suited as a factory add-on piece than a custom system component.
Vehicle-Specific
Some subs are manufactured with a specific vehicle in mind. They can come either powered or unpowered. You’ll find that they go in a specific place in your car. They’ll be color-matched and designed to fit seamlessly into your vehicle’s interior. They may not be as powerful as the component subs, but they’ll deliver plenty of bass and work for most car owners.
Top Brands
Rockford Fosgate
Founded in 1973, Rockford Fosgate has changed the audio industry by leading its competitors in design and engineering. The company’s enhanced systems are known for revolutionizing the sound systems available for cars and trucks. Check out the best in the industry with the Rockford Fosgate 10-Inch Shallow Loaded Enclosure for your truck.
Pioneer
Pioneer has been a leader in audio and visual products since its founding in 1938 in Tokyo, Japan. The company produces and develops audio technology for both homes and automobiles. The Pioneer 10 inch Shallow-Mount Pre-Loaded Enclosure will enhance the sound in your truck.
Kenwood
Founded in Japan in 1946, Kenwood is a household name in audio technology. A major segment of its product line is car audio. The company develops products that will enhance the sound quality in your truck. The Two Kenwood 12″ Subwoofer is a perfect addition to your sound system.
Alpine
Another Japanese company, Alpine, was founded in 1967. It produces top-quality audio and navigation equipment. The company’s main focus is to drive mobile media innovation through research and development. The Alpine Electronics PWE-S8 Restyle Compact Powered 8-Inch Subwoofer is an example of the company’s commitment to excellence.
Kicker
Kicker was founded in 1973 and has developed a reputation for living loud ever since. What began as a two-man operation has grown into an influential company producing audio equipment that brings concert-quality sound to your vehicle. Experience the excellence for yourself with the Kicker CompC 8″ Dual Component Subwoofer.
Truck Subs Pricing
- Under $50: You can find stand-alone component subwoofers in this price range. You can also find empty enclosures in this price range. The car speakers are 10 inches and under, from reputable companies, and come with basic functionality.
- $50 to $100: In this range, you’ll find smaller speakers with greater functionality and larger speakers with basic functionality. You’ll also find dual subwoofer enclosures.
- $100 to $500: These speakers range in size but have more features and refined performance. You’ll also find all-in-one units that have the subwoofer and amplifier contained inside the housing. As you move higher in this price range, you’ll find better-quality subs.
- Over $500: These are specialty component subs that are designed for someone wanting to create an entire sound system from the ground up. These speakers are typically an unnecessary investment for the average truck owner.
Key Features
Power
If you’re looking for a system that has that teeth-rattling boom, then you need plenty of power. Look for the RMS rating and not the peak power rating. This will tell you the continuous power capabilities of the subwoofer and not what it can handle in power spikes. This is a more realistic measure of the output you can expect.
Sensitivity
After looking at power, you need to compare it to the subwoofer’s sensitivity rating. If the sub is more sensitive, then it needs less power to produce the same sound that a model with a lower sensitivity rating would need. This means you can increase sensitivity and lower your power needs.
Frequency Range
This is the range of sounds that the sub can produce. It will tell you how low in tone the sub can go. But keep in mind that this is a subjective measurement. A lot of other variables will affect the performance of your sub and can limit this range. For example, the enclosure type can affect this.
Other Considerations
- Enclosure Type. A sealed box will give you the most accurate sound and enable you to achieve the deepest tones. A bandpass or ported box will give you more volume to the sound. The one you choose is about personal preference and the sound you’re aiming to achieve.
- Size. Ultimately, if space isn’t an issue and you want the loudest and deepest, then go for the biggest—but don’t get hung up on size. Smaller subs can produce plenty of bass if given the proper enclosure, supplied with the correct amount of power, and they have the right sensitivity.
- Impedance. You need to match your sub and amplifier in both power and impedance. A standard impedance rating is 4 ohms, but it’s becoming more common to see ratings of 2 ohms and 8 ohms. This measurement is the amount of pressure or load the electrical system can handle. You don’t want to over or under load your sub from the amplifier output.
Best Truck Subs Reviews & Recommendations 2021
Best Overall
Dual Electronics BP1204 illumiNITE Enclosed Car Subwoofers
Honorable Mention
Kenwood KSC-PSW8 Under-Seat Powered Subwoofer
Honorable Mention
Rockville RW10CA Active Powered Car Subwoofer
Honorable Mention
Rockville Rws12ca Car Subwoofer Enclosure
Honorable Mention
Kicker 44TCWC104 Vented Thin-Profile Subwoofer Enclosure
Honorable Mention
Rockford Fosgate R2S-1X10 Prime R2S Shallow Mount Subwoofer
Honorable Mention
JBL BassPro SL Under-Seat Compact Subwoofer Enclosure System
Tips
- When shopping for a truck sub, take measurements of the space where you will put it. If you’re going to build your own sub enclosure, take backspacing into account as well as speaker diameter.
- A speaker’s peak power rating isn’t what it can constantly reproduce. The peak power rating is a speaker’s ability to produce instantaneous punches. The power output that a speaker can handle is known as its RMS (Root Mean Square) rating and is typically about half of its peak power rating.
- Pay attention to magnet size when shopping for a truck sub. Question a high peak power rating if the speaker has a small magnet.
FAQs
Q: Can I mix and match components when building a stereo system?
A: Yes. You can buy a matched kit from a single brand, or you can piece your truck’s stereo system together with components from a number of brands.
Q: Do I need a crossover with a subwoofer?
A: Yes. Subwoofers are designed to produce sound in a specific frequency range. Forcing them to produce sound outside of that range can damage them. Most modern amplifiers have a built-in crossover or band-pass filter to keep highs and midranges from ruining your subwoofers.
Q: Do all truck subs come with an amplifier?
A: No. You can buy individual component truck speakers by themselves all the way up to complete truck subwoofer systems that come with the amplifier, subwoofer, and installation wires.
Final Thoughts
Car audio enthusiasts will appreciate the great sound of the Dual Electronics BP1204 illumiNITE Enclosed Car Subwoofers, which helps a car audio system deliver all the bass it can.
The Rockville 8″ Slim Under-Seat Truck Subwoofer, our choice for the best value truck sub, is an excellent powered and compact subwoofer that will deliver decent sound from under your seat.