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If you are an audiophile, then you know that having a great playlist with some prominent bass lines can make a long drive more exciting. However, your factory speakers may be too underpowered for the low frequencies, and the bass may not appeal to the bass head in you. This is common in almost all vehicles since most vehicle manufacturers don’t prioritize the audio system when designing the vehicle.
We recommend upgrading your sound system with a high-quality, powered subwoofer. It’s also known as an active subwoofer since it has an internal amplifier that enhances the power being delivered to the speaker. We have got you covered with a detailed active subwoofer buying guide.
Benefits of Powered Subwoofers
- Better bass. Powered subwoofers perform better than subwoofers that rely on an external amplifier (passive subwoofers). A subwoofer speaker that’s configured with an amplifier delivers better low-frequency sound that fills your car with rich, full bass.
- Get more power. Subwoofers need more power in comparison to other speakers. Having a built-in amplifier means that the speaker will have enough power to maintain the low frequencies, and consequently, produce deep booming bass without exhausting itself.
- Save space. A powered subwoofer typically has a self-contained amplifier, and both units are housed in the same compact enclosure. This saves you the time and mounting space needed for an external amplifier.
- Easy to set up. Finding an amplifier that’s rated for your subwoofer can be a bit of a challenge. A mismatch in your audio system may result in blown speakers. It’s much more convenient to buy a powered subwoofer since the correct amplifier is already included in the set-up, and most come with speaker enclosures.
Types of Subwoofers
Active Subwoofer
An active or powered subwoofer is driven with an internal amplifier that’s built into the subwoofer enclosure. The amplifier’s power matches the power needs of the speaker. This is done to resolve inadequate power or power mismatch issues when installing subwoofers. Another benefit of this design is that the head unit’s amplifier can have enough “juice” to drive the other mid-range speakers and tweeters.
Passive Subwoofer
A passive subwoofer is driven by an external amplifier. If you already have a dedicated amplifier for your sound system, and it pushes out enough power to drive a low-frequency speaker, then it’s easier to find a passive subwoofer that matches the power rating of the amplifier. It will also be cheaper than buying an active subwoofer.
Top Brands
Rockville Audio
Rockville Audio is an audio and lighting equipment manufacturer that has been around since 2012. It’s headquartered in Inwood, N.Y. Although it’s a bit new in the audio industry, it has hit the ground running with some of the best speakers for cars, off-road, and marine equipment. If you are looking for a compact subwoofer, consider installing the Rockville RW10CA Powered Car Subwoofer.
JBL
JBL is a subsidiary brand of Harman International that specializes in designing high-end audio equipment, including car speakers, wireless speakers, headphones, and loudspeakers. It was founded by James Bullough Lansing in 1946, and is headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif. Some of its best-powered subwoofers include the JBL BassPro Powered Subwoofer and the JBL 550P Powered Subwoofer.
Alpine
Alpine is a Japanese-based manufacturer of audio and navigation systems for automotive and home applications. It was founded in 1967. It’s a subsidiary brand of Alps Electric, and has manufacturing facilities spread out in China, Thailand, Hungary, Mexico, and Brazil. The Alpine Electronics PWE-S8 Powered Subwoofer is one of its best-rated car subwoofers.
Kenwood
The Kenwood KSC-PSW8 Powered Subwoofer is a reliable powered subwoofer from Kenwood, which is a Japan-based designer of car and home audio equipment. It also designs dash cameras and navigation equipment. It’s under the umbrella of the JVC Kenwood Holdings Inc., and was founded by William Kasuga in 1946.
Powered Subwoofer Pricing
- Under $150: Getting a powered subwoofer within this price range doesn’t necessarily mean that you will be compromising on having a quality product. While they may not be as durable as the higher-priced options, they also have advanced features such as customizable sound settings on the subwoofer box. They are also compact and can fit in tight spaces.
- $150 and up: Most subwoofers within this price range have a higher wattage of about 500 watts to improve the bass output of the speaker. They are also housed in durable subwoofer boxes with either a carpeted or a powder-coated finish. Since they deliver loud and more controlled sound, they are best installed in large trucks and SUVs.
Key Features
Size
With subwoofers, a larger cone size almost always translates to better and deeper sound. However, going for a large speaker may not always be a good choice since it mostly depends on the amount of space you have in your vehicle for an extra speaker. This is why you need to prioritize speakers from the top brands who have taken the time to make the subwoofers compact enough to fit under a car seat without compromising the audio quality.
Power Handling
Since powered subwoofers come with built-in amplifiers, you don’t have to worry about matching the speaker’s power to the driver. However, if you want a powerful bass that makes your car windows vibrate, then choose a speaker with a high wattage of about 1,000 watts if your budget allows it.
Sensitivity
In simple terms, a speaker’s sensitivity is a measure of how well it converts the supplied wattage from the amplifier into loud, acoustic sound. It’s measured in decibels. The higher the sensitivity, the more efficient the speaker is in converting low power into accurate sound. Therefore, you should prioritize subwoofers with a high sensitivity of about 80 to 90 decibels.
Other Considerations
- Enclosure Type. When choosing subwoofer enclosures, you can either go for a sealed or ported subwoofer. Sealed enclosures do not allow much air to move around and, therefore, produce accurate bass. Ported enclosures have built-in air vents that optimize airflow to provide a fuller sound without needing much power.
- Placement. Ensure that you have enough mounting space in your vehicle to fit the speaker you intend to buy. If you want it seated near the other speakers on the car door, then be sure to get one with a small profile. Otherwise, a large speaker will have to go under the car seat or in your trunk.
Best Powered Subwoofer Reviews & Recommendations 2021
Best Overall
Rockville RW10CA Powered Car Subwoofer
Best Value
Sound Storm Laboratories LOPRO8 Car Subwoofer
Honorable Mention
Alpine Electronics PWE-S8 Powered Subwoofer
Honorable Mention
Cerwin Vega Active Subwoofer
Honorable Mention
Rockville SS8P Powered Subwoofer
Honorable Mention
Rockville 12-Inch Powered Subwoofer
Honorable Mention
Kenwood KSC-PSW8 Powered Subwoofer
Honorable Mention
JBL BassPro Powered Subwoofer
Tips
- Even if you choose a large subwoofer and get enough space for it in your trunk, you should know that you also need to upgrade the other speakers in your vehicle so they blend seamlessly with the larger speaker.
- The genre of music you listen to can help determine the type of subwoofer you choose. If you are a hip-hop or hard rock fan, then you need a large subwoofer with a ported design for better sounding beats. However, if you prefer soft music, you can get a small and compact subwoofer with decent bass.
- Disconnect your battery’s negative cable to avoid getting shocked when installing the subwoofer. Alternatively, you could hire a car audio expert to install it for you.
FAQs
Q: What is a powered subwoofer?
This is a self-contained subwoofer that’s designed with an internal amplifier that can efficiently supply its power needs. It’s also encased in a speaker enclosure.
Q: What is the difference between an active subwoofer and a powered subwoofer?
There’s no difference. An active subwoofer is also known as a powered subwoofer since it has a built-in amplifier that powers the speaker. It’s different from a passive subwoofer, which relies on an external amplifier for power.
Q: What is the best powered subwoofer?
Our review features some of the best-powered speakers on the market that deliver a powerful bass that’s guaranteed to optimize your car listening experience. However, if you are looking for the overall best, we recommend the Rockville RW10CA Powered Car Subwoofer.
Final Thoughts
We chose the Rockville RW10CA Powered Car Subwoofer as our best overall product because its slim design makes it easy to install in almost any vehicle. It also provides a rich, full bass. If you are looking for an affordable speaker that still offers an enjoyable entertainment experience, consider the Sound Storm Laboratories LOPRO8 Car Subwoofer.