In terms of low-end bass that may be felt as a lot as it may be heard, We have chosen SVS’s SB16 Extremely as the very best decide. With its outrageously {powerful} amp and classy attractiveness, it can fill a room with bass you’ll be able to really feel deep in your bones. It is so good, we gave it an ideal 5 out of 5 in our evaluate, one thing that hardly ever occurs.
Our workforce has greater than 50 years of shopper and professional audio expertise, and far of that point — thousand of hours — has been spent listening to house theater gear, together with subwoofers. Whereas the Extremely is our selection, we have additionally collected an inventory of options, every with its personal particular strengths from auto installations to saving on house with out giving up the bass.
Invoice Roberson/Digital Developments
SVS SB16 Extremely
One of the best subwoofer
Execs
- Attractive design
- Extremely deep, {powerful} bass
- Easy and articulate
- Does the work of two subs
- First-class management app
Cons
- May very well be giant for some rooms
Why you can purchase it: It is our favourite subwoofer ever, constructed to excel in any and all circumstances.
Who it’s for: Those that need a {powerful}, versatile subwoofer that cuts no corners.
Why we picked the SVS SB16 Extremely:
We have had the SB-6 Extremely in our testing chambers for a lot of months now — not as a result of we’re too lazy to maneuver it out (although it does weigh in at a hefty 122 kilos), however as a result of we have not discovered something worthy to take its place. This subwoofer has turn into our measuring stick, which could really be unfair to the competitors — it is that good. Beneath a glossy, fashionable subwoofer field, the cubic SB16 homes a monstrous 16-inch Extremely driver with an 8-inch, edge-wound voice coil, and a ridiculous 1,500-watt steady Sledge amplifier with discrete MOSFET output that tops out at 5,000 watts peak energy.
All of that is to say: Regardless of the way you’re utilizing theSB16, it impresses. Gunshots and explosions in movies register with a hefty thump to the chest, and the sub manages low-end instrumentation fantastically, permitting acoustic bass to bounce easily whereas digital bass and kick drums shake the foundations of your private home. For our cash, that is the very best subwoofer you should purchase, interval.
SVS SB16 Extremely
One of the best subwoofer
Dayton Audio SUB-1200
One of the best price range subwoofer
Execs
- Reasonably priced
- Pretty compact
- Nondescript design blends with something
Cons
- You will not get the identical bass accuracy as different fashions
Why you can purchase it: It is compact, dependable, and extremely inexpensive.
Who it’s for: Those that need to add some thump on a budget.
Why we picked the Dayton Audio SUB-1200:
It is okay should you’re brief on money or simply on the lookout for a help subwoofer to place within the bed room (or workplace, or no matter your secondary leisure house could also be) as a result of viable and inexpensive choices are on the market. For our cash (and yours), you will not go incorrect with the Dayton Audio SUB-1200, which is far more inexpensive than a lot of our different picks. It is deceptively {powerful}, regardless of its 12-inch body, able to producing full bass that by no means sounds tinny or boomy.
So nondescript that it’ll match comfortably into most rooms with out drawing undue consideration, it strikes a pleasant stability aesthetically and functionally. Sufficiently big to rattle some hardwood, however not rickety sufficient to make bass go off the rails. That is why it is nice should you’re an off-the-cuff viewer or listener on the lookout for a price range sub to spherical out your system.
Dayton Audio SUB-1200
One of the best price range subwoofer
MartinLogan Dynamo 800X
One of the best compact subwoofer
Execs
- Compact 13-inch body
- Deep, forceful bass
- Saves on flooring house
Cons
- Whereas it is spectacular, larger fashions will nonetheless produce larger bass
Why you can purchase it: This pint-sized cupboard belies some severe energy.
Who it’s for: Those that need a small sub with exceptionally {powerful} and articulate bass.
Why we picked the MartinLogan Dynamo 800X:
The Dynamo 800X has larger siblings, however it holds its personal as a formidable piece of tech when it punching above its weight. Regardless of its comparatively small body — 13.7 by 12.4 by 13.1 inches, 30 kilos — its 10-inch driver and amplifier can hit a peak of 600 watts. That is fairly modest on paper, but the bass sound popping out in observe is impactful whereas powered by the Class D amplifier.
It produces a deep, forceful bass that actually comes out particularly moments when watching a giant film or listening to music. Fastening the legs tightly can face up to any vibration or rattling from the casing, and it largely avoids any distortion whereas rumbling alongside. At its value, that is good worth for what you get in a subwoofer — particularly when it does not want as a lot flooring house to do its factor. If you need the very best bass from the smallest field, the Dynamo 800X provides you that.
MartinLogan Dynamo 800X
One of the best compact subwoofer
Sonos Sub
Greatest sub for Sonos customers
Execs
- Simple setup
- Deep, wealthy bass for films and music
- Customizable sound with the Sonos app
Cons
- Can solely use it with a Sonos system
- Costly
Why you can purchase it: You possibly can simply add bass and impression to any Sonos speaker, or audio system, or create a strong encompass sound system.
Who it is for: Sonos fans who need to broaden what their Sonos system can do.
Why we picked the Sonos Sub:
For those who’re already been the proud proprietor of some Sonos Wi-Fi audio system and have been inquisitive about including a Sonos Sub to both enhance the oomph of your music or create a encompass sound system on your house theater, then we’re in all probability not the primary to let you know that this can be a nice thought. Whereas it’s kind of on the costly aspect at $750, what you are getting is a few spectacular deep bass sound that not solely provides well-blended room-filling low finish to your tunes but additionally impression and chest-pounding depth to films.
Be sure you warn your neighbors first as a result of the Sonos Sub can get loud. Suitable with any Sonos speaker (new or outdated), together with One, 5, Transfer, and Roam, in addition to the Beam and Arc soundbars, including a Sub (or a number of Subs) to your setup is simple with the Sonos app — and cable-free! You possibly can then use the app to configure your sound, fine-tune the EQ and mix stage, and even tweak it to particular rooms with the Trueplay software program that measures acoustics and units the sound accordingly. Music is evident, the bass is tight and by no means boomy, and you may just about place the Sub wherever fits your decor or furnishings state of affairs — even underneath media stands.
However the place Sonos fans is perhaps most intrigued is how straightforward it’s to create a encompass sound setup by combining a Sub with different Sonos audio system — for instance, the Sonos Beam or Dolby Atmos-capable Arc soundbars within the entrance with a pair of stand-mounted Ones as rears is a great-sounding configuration that is straightforward to do. You possibly can even purchase an entire set, able to go, for just below $1,700. The low-end rumble and environment added to films and sports activities is a game-changer.
Sonos Sub
Greatest sub for Sonos customers
Paradigm MilleniaSub
One of the best hideaway subwoofer
Execs
- Might be mounted in lots of locations
- Twin 14-inch cone woofers
- Very low distortion
Cons
- Costly
- Some might not like the trendy look
Why you can purchase it: Its skinny profile permits for handy concealment.
Who it’s for: Anybody involved in regards to the aesthetic of their leisure house.
Why we picked the Paradigm MilleniaSub:
Sure, the MilleniaSub seems to be like an outsized router, and no, it will not work underwater (regardless of the identify). Its bizarre form is the principle motive we have included it on our listing. The thin MilleniaSub might be mounted in your wall, however we see its svelte design as a possibility to beef up your private home theater’s bass with out busying up your dwelling house.
The MilleniaSub matches neatly behind couches, chairs, and tables, and the extruded aluminum housing means it weighs simply 24 kilos. Again-to-back 14-inch “bipolar” polymer cone woofers are pushed by 300 watts (as much as 900 watts at peak) for pure low-end rumble, they usually’re organized in a way that just about eliminates distortion altogether. The $1,500 value isn’t any small ask, however should you’re actually on the lookout for a cultured, concealable subwoofer, begin right here first.
Paradigm MilleniaSub
One of the best hideaway subwoofer
Polk Audio PSW10 Subwoofer
The darkish horse subwoofer
Execs
- Reasonably priced
- Very, very compact
- Works with present techniques
- Good for small setups
Cons
- Low wattage in comparison with different fashions
Why you can purchase it: It is moderately priced, surprisingly efficient, and versatile in addition.
Who it’s for: These on the lookout for the absolute best efficiency at a cheaper price.
Why we picked the Polk Audio PSW10 Subwoofer:
These on the lookout for a extra inexpensive subwoofer that also delivers will discover this 10-inch Polk speaker a perfect answer: It gives a easy, sturdy design with a removable subwoofer encloser, together with speaker and line-level inputs in addition to speaker-level outputs, a low go filter, and a part toggle swap on the again. It additionally has a built-in 50-watt RMS amp for bass enhance you can allow for an general 100 watts of sound energy. It gives 80-160Hz crossover and 40-160Hz frequency response.
The Polk Audio Subwoofer is designed to work with any present system (together with sound techniques put collectively by aspiring musicians), however you’ll be able to select to bundle it with a centra channel speaker should you favor essentially the most compatibility potential.
Polk Audio PSW10 Subwoofer
The darkish horse subwoofer
Klipsch Reference Sequence 12 (R-12SW)
One of the best engaging subwoofer
Execs
- A subwoofer you’ll be able to exhibit
- 400W Class-D amplifiers
- Reaches lows with out rattling
Why you can purchase it: Any house theater seems to be higher with it, and its worth and efficiency are price each penny.
Who it is for: Anybody who needs {powerful}, tight, and musical low finish in a beautiful package deal.
Why we picked the Klipsch Reference Sequence 12 (R-12SW):
Klipsch has carved out a reasonably strong repute within the house theater house, which might be why we should not have been stunned at how superior the Reference Sequence 12 is. This subwoofer is accessible at a discount as of late, coming with a 12-inch driver powered by 400W Class-D amplifiers. Klipsch managed to construct this gorgeous mild in weight at solely 30 kilos, however what’s inside is inflexible, making it potential to succeed in deeper into the lows with out rattling its cage.
Your choices for placement are additionally extra assorted due to the subwoofer’s seems to be. Klipsch features a material grille to cowl the entrance, however the copper cone seems to be so a lot better when uncovered. It does lack in additional options, so what you are getting is a workhorse that sticks to 1 job. It is simply nice that the Sequence 12 seems to be so good doing it each time you play some music or watch a film. The mix of seems to be, efficiency, and value will not have you ever regretting the acquisition.
Klipsch Reference Sequence 12 (R-12SW)
One of the best engaging subwoofer
Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12
One of the best automotive subwoofer
Execs
- Excellent for outfitting automobiles
- 1,200W of energy
- Anodized aluminum voice coils for sturdiness
Cons
- Just for severe automotive upgrades
Why you can purchase it: It provides extra-powerful bass to automobile sound high quality.
Who it is for: These severe about outfitting their automobile with the very best sound system.
Why we picked the Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12:
In case you are seeking to outfit a automobile with the very best sound system potential, you will want a formidable subwoofer that is additionally designed to be used in a automotive — and meaning turning to Rockford Fosgate. This {powerful} 12-inch, twin 4-ohm subwoofer is assured to pump issues up, and the anodized aluminum voice coils will make sure the speaker lasts with out struggling an excessive amount of from put on, tear, or warmth. It is also designed in each approach to be straightforward to put in in automobiles, with a rubber over-mold and protecting magnet cowl to protect towards mud.
With the 600-watt RMS, the P3D4-12 can attain 1,200 watts of max energy. Oh, and all the things comes with a full one-year guarantee if something goes incorrect with the sealed subwoofer. There is not any higher approach to get actual bass supply on a automobile system that is prepared for the very best tailgating expertise on this planet.
Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12
One of the best automotive subwoofer
Often Requested Questions
Are larger subwoofers higher?
They are often. Bigger woofers can produce extra correct, room-filling bass with an even bigger “shake” issue than smaller fashions. However that is just one consideration. A poorly constructed giant subwoofer might rattle an excessive amount of, for instance, whereas smaller fashions with loads of energy can nonetheless do an awesome job.
Does my speaker system want a subwoofer?
It is a actually, actually good thought. Dwelling theater techniques are typically designed with a subwoofer in thoughts. So are the most recent film audio requirements.
Can I exploit two subwoofers directly?
You possibly can, though it is not widespread in house setups. Simply make it possible for your receiver can deal with two subwoofer connections. Some individuals favor utilizing two smaller woofers that they’ll strategically place of their theater to get the very best multi-directional bass.
Wait, is there a distinction between a woofer and a subwoofer?
The phrases are often used interchangeably. Historically, a “woofer” can discuss with a driver that has the next frequency response than a subwoofer, much less devoted to pure bass sound, and extra prone to be a part of a speaker than a standalone unit.
How do you take a look at?
We run the subwoofer for a number of hours earlier than starting any vital analysis. Whereas there’s a lot debate over whether or not the “break-in impact” is actual, we favor to get that issue lined so it does not play a job in our analysis a technique or one other.
Our subwoofer checks happen in not less than two completely different rooms, any of which we’re intimately acquainted with, and we typically take a look at the subwoofer in three places that we all know provide the absolute best response inside these rooms. Testing materials contains all the things from take a look at tone sweeps to blockbuster films and a collection of music from a number of genres. We search to find out how deep a sub can play, how visceral the low bass response is, how nicely it may be adjusted to combine with each small and enormous satellite tv for pc audio system, and the way musically correct it’s able to enjoying.
We hope for a flexible subwoofer, which cannot solely belt out the massive bass notes wanted for a high-impact motion film, however one which might additionally keep tight and tuneful when enjoying acoustic upright bass, or reproducing the basic Fender P-bass tone. A superb subwoofer will keep away from tubby, boomy sound that lacks definition, and as an alternative combine itself seamlessly into a bigger audio system, calling consideration to itself solely throughout cases during which its pure muscle cannot be ignored.
For those who’ve already made your selection, verify our subwoofer setup information to get all the things put collectively appropriately and our calibration information to assist maximize efficiency in any listening house.
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