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You can survive with just a regular set of speakers. You strictly do not need a sub. But you can not believe the difference that someone will make it. It is not only the inevitable increase of the low point that comes from one of the best subwoofers of good quality; it is the overall richness of the sound. In this guide, we have reviewed the best subwoofers for this year, regardless of your budget or the size of your room. For more background information about subwoofers, see our comparison table and buying guide under the picks.
List of the best subwoofers
ELAC Debut 2.0 Sub3030
ELAC’s super-impressive debut 2.0 line includes a subwoofer that we think is The Best at the moment. For most people, this subwoofer will be everything they will ever need, regardless of the size of the room. At 500 watts RMS and 1,000 peak (full breakdown of those terms is in our purchase advice, below), the SUB3030 delivers more than enough grunt, and the bass it produces is robust and muscular. It meets the question of whether you are watching movies, series, or games.
Instead, an Android and iOS app gives you access to all the functionality you need, including software that lets you fine-tune the sound to your listening environment. The music is not as deep or powerful as the PB16 Ultra, below, but is more than rich and detailed enough to pave the way to the top of this list. ELAC has produced a truly brilliant product here, and for a very affordable price. We never expected to get a subwoofer for as good as $1000, but they were more than delivered. If you want to give your home theater a kick-up on the back, this is one of the best subwoofers on the market right now.
Pros:
- Value for money
- Decent sound quality
Cons:
- Not much loud
ELAC Debut 2.0 SUB3030 1000 Watt Powered Subwoofer, Black
$799.98 in stock
1 used from $979.97
Features
- POWERFUL SUBWOOFER - SUB3030 is the perfect complement to the Debut 2.0 loudspeakers, adding powerful bass to music & soundtracks. A 12-inch custom bass driver, 1000-Watt Peak BASH amplifier & 12-inch passive radiator create stunning realism.
- ADVANCED BLUETOOTH & AUTOEQ - Advanced Bluetooth control and AutoEQ let you operate the SUB3030 from your smartphone. The subwoofer can optimize room EQ automatically, utilizing eight parametric curves. Full manual EQ is available as well.
- BRACED MDF CABINETS - The MDF cabinets are larger and internally braced for greater stiffness & strength, reducing cabinet vibrations. Plus, the compact design allows placement in almost any part of your room.
- REDESIGNED FROM THE GROUND UP - The original Debut Series changed the game & now it’s changed again with the Debut 2.0 Series. Redesigned from the ground up, they sound more remarkable than the speakers that sparked a revolution in high-end sound.
BIC America F12
If this sub looked a bit better and sounded, it probably ranked first on this list and challenged the ELAC for the best place. As it is, it loses to the above model in both the total wattage and the sound quality. It has a slight dip in detail and a lower RMS wattage than the ELAC. However, it is still one of our top choices of the best subwoofers, which means that it must have something that goes for it. That something is the fantastic price-quality ratio you get when you buy this specific subwoofer.
If it were offered at twice the price, we would not be surprised. Only because the sound quality is not as good as the other models does not mean that it is terrible. It still delivers a profound, extensive, powerful bass effect and complements the holes in a home theater system. For our money, this is The Best subwoofer of less than $300, and although BIC America has a teeth-grinding flat house style, like many sub-manufacturers, including Monoprice, below, they make some good stuff.
Pros:
- Decent Sound
- Cheap
Cons:
- Dull looks
BIC America F12 12-Inch 475-Watt Front Firing Powered Subwoofer
Features
- Powered subwoofer with 12-inch injection molded long throw woofer; BASH designed amp
- Patented BIC "Venturi" vent eliminates port noise
- Adjustable crossover, adjustable volume control, automatic signal sensing
- Inputs for both Dolby Pro Logic and Dolby Digital/DTS
- Backed by 5-year warranty
Monoprice 9723
In the audio world, no company needs more company outings than Monoprice. There is absolutely nothing wrong with them that a few joint joints and some powerful would not heal. This is a company with such a lack of imagination that they do not even bother to give a part of their product name. This is called 9723. But simply because a company has a boring identity does not mean that they make boring stuff.
Monoprice has been hugely successful, and listening to this subwoofer will tell you why. It may not have the brute force of the ELAC Debut 2.0 SUB3030 or even the BIC America F12, but it delivers excellent sound quality, with tremendous, throbbing energy, but makes it a lot bigger than it is. And by removing all design frivolities, Monoprice can offer this jewel of a subwoofer for an absolute price. If you have a limited budget, this is undoubtedly one of the best subwoofers you must go for.
Pros:
- Good sound quality
- Fairly priced
Cons:
- A bit dull design
Monoprice 9723 150 Watt Powered Subwoofer, Black (109723)
Features
- 12" High Performance Powered Subwoofer.Waterproof : No
- 150 Watts RMS, 200 Watts Peak
- 50 ~ 250 Hz Frequency Response
- The splitter has an operating range of up to about 30 feet (10 meters)
SVS PB16-Ultra
It is very tempting to put a five-digit sample here. There are many possibilities, including the loud JL Audio Gotham. But the model we choose also has to deliver bang-for-buck, and in our opinion, no other subwoofer does more than the SVS PB16-Ultra. We have never received a piece of audio equipment such as the Ultra. To begin with, two people were needed to bring the thing to our living room. With a weight of 175lbs, this is not a device that you store unnoticed, and it is the first one we encounter that contains unboxing instructions!
It is excellently built, with a beautiful, comprehensive app and clear, simple instructions. And the sound, well, it is not only that it is loud – although it shakes glasses at the highest volume and avoids image frames and evokes visits from the landlord. It is that the bass is clear, robust, different, with a level of depth and details that should not be possible in a sub. With 1,500 watts of power (continuous – the peak is a dazzling 5,000), powered by a stunning set of internal electronics, this is one of the best subwoofers for those looking for premium options.
Pros:
- Incredible volume
- Great audio quality
Cons:
- Heavy
- Expensive
SVS PB16-Ultra 1500 Watt 16" Ported Cabinet Subwoofer (Piano Gloss Black)
Features
- Front-firing 16" driver
- Protective non-resonant steel mesh grille
- 1500 watts RMS continuous power (5000 watts peak dynamic power)
- Auto-On/On switch with "green" standby mode
SONOS SUB
The biggest drawback of the SONOS SUB is that you can not use it with equipment from other manufacturers. Do you have an existing home cinema setup? You, my friend, are unlucky. The subwoofer only works with other SONOS devices, and while the company is committed to ensuring that the setup process and ease of use work properly, you may want to avoid this if that lock-in is a problem. But still, this is one of the best subwoofers out the re.
The advantage is that, if you like to use only SONOS equipment, you will be rewarded with excellent sound quality. Although the subwoofer gives a little bit of light to statistics, it hardly matters: the cross-over point does not need to be set when it is automatically tuned to all other speakers. So you can always guarantee natural, clear, and deep bass (see our Advice section below for more information about crossovers and how they work). We also love the design so that you can place the subwoofer in almost any position – a blessing for small spaces.
Pros:
- Decent sound quality
- Fairly priced
Cons:
- Compatible only with SONOS devices
Sonos Sub - The Wireless Subwoofer for Deep Bass - Black
2 used from $729.00
Features
- The wireless subwoofer for deep bass.
- Hear and feel the difference when you wirelessly connect Sub to your Sonos system.
- Stand it upright, place it on its side, or tuck it under the couch.
- Experience pure bass with zero buzz, rattle, or vibration. Power supply - Auto-switching 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz AC universal input
- Pair with Sonos Beam, Playbar, or Playbase for incredible home theater and add rear surrounds for immersive sound.
Klipsch SPL-120
We love the Klipsch SPL-120 because of its clear, defined sound. The bass it produces makes optimum use of the lightweight 12-inch woofer; Klipsch has made a name for itself with their floor standing and bookshelf loudspeakers, and they have long translated that expertise into the design of subwoofers. 120 is an affordable, reliable option for any home theater, and it is worth it to pick it up.
The problem? Although it is indisputably an excellent subwoofer, it does nothing to distinguish it from the models that have been placed before or something to put it in the topmost regions of this list. It has no particularly high power and does not offer flexible app operation, such as the ELAC Debut 2.0 SUB3030. Given that the latter is only for a dollar more, it is a no-brainer that you can buy. This is undoubtedly one of the best subwoofers, and we think it works well, but it is not our first choice.
Pros:
- Dynamic audio quality
- Reasonable price
Cons:
- Not much loud
Klipsch SPL-120 12-inch Powered Subwoofer Bundle with Klipsch WA2 Wireless Adapter - Ebony
Features
- This Bundle Includes (1) SLP120 12-inch Ebony Powered Subwoofer, and (1) Klipsch WA2 Wireless Adapter
- 24Hz - 125Hz, Maimum Acoustic Output 114dB, 600 Watts
- Allows for powerful bass extension with fewer wires
- Hassle-free setup with plug ‘n play functionality
- Maximum efficiency for maximum output
REL Acoustics T-Zero
REL Acoustics markets this as a subwoofer for small spaces. Although we think it was defeated by the Monoprice 9723, this is not only cheaper, but it also offers more power. This produces a dynamic, entertaining sound quality and several very decent functions. It crushes the Monoprice in terms of design and styling – it looks just as good as it sounds. And it sounds excellent, with a sound quality that is far better than the price tag of less than $500 would suggest.
The 6.5 “woofer is only suitable for 100 watts of power, which means that it struggles in larger rooms, but is perfect for a smaller setup if you want to take your audio to a higher level. If you have only a small space to play with, this should be your first option, and if you like the way it looks and sounds, but want something more significant, the company offers several more powerful subs. Overall, this is one of the best subwoofers that you can buy right now.
Pros:
- Decent Sound
- Compact design
Cons:
- Nothing special about it
Rel Acoustics T/Zero MKIII Subwoofer, 6.5 Inch Down-Firing Driver, High Gloss White
Features
- Experience home theater and music as the artist intended with the most award winning high end subwoofer brand, REL Acoustics. The Tzero MKIII enriches modest systems with deliciously sumptuous natural bass, high quality construction, and gorgeous finishes. Features high quality long throw drivers and powerful, reliable amplifiers. Makes music and cinema sound more natural with enhanced spatial resolution. Increases the soundstage depth and imaging for a truly high end experience.
- Perfect for stereo or home theater systems. Matches well with smaller more modest systems. Use a single Tzero MKIII for rooms 100-200 sq. feet or a Stereo Pair for rooms 200-400 sq. feet
- Closed Box, down-firing 6.5" long-throw steel chassis driver, 100 watt Class D amplifier with High Level Neutrik Speakon, Low Level single RCA, and .1/LFE RCA inputs, -6dB @ 37Hz in room frequency response.
- No assembly required. Comes with manual, power cord, and 10M (33 feet) High Level Speakon connector
- WARRANTY: 3 years parts and labor on new products. Covers all REL products and parts that are defective in material and workmanship. We will, at our sole option, repair or replace any defective parts free of charge. The warranty is no transferable.
Polk PSW505
There are lots of websites that have discussed the PSW505 as one of the best subwoofers out the re, and we have no idea why. It is not that it is not good. It is excellent – delivers clear sound in a decent package. It is just that it is not nearly as impressive or impressive as it was invented. For example, you could pay much less for a BIC America F12 and get a much better package, with much better value.
Again, we must emphasize that the PSW505 only misses it in comparison. And perhaps even saying that it lacks a reliable explanation. It is simply not as impressive as other models on this list. You still get a decent sub, with many useful features (such as an adjustable crossover), packaged in a reasonably attractive housing, for not a large sum of money. If the BIC is a bit difficult to trace, then this is certainly something that you should check.
Pros:
- Decent sound
- Good price
Cons:
- Not much loud
Polk Audio PSW505 12" Powered Subwoofer - High Precision Bass with Extreme Power & Wide Soundstage | Up to 460 Watts | Big Bass at a Great Value
Features
- HEART-THUMPING MUSIC WITH DEEP, POWERFUL BASS – Polk's 12-inch Dynamic Balance Woofer sounds better because it is built better. Make your movies, music & sports experience thrilling
- ACCURATE SOUND REPRODUCTIONS – Be it delicate, melodious string music or solid blasts and booms from bombs and bullets, this subwoofer picks the subtleties between different kinds of sound correctly and reproduces them with absolute perfection
- DRIVEN BY IMMENSE 460-WATT POWER, the PSW505 gives HIGH PERFORMANCE IMPACTFUL SOUND WITHOUT ANY DISTORTION. While it blends with any speaker, it works best with Polk's Signature Series Speakers. Highly recommended for your home theater
- VERSATILE & FULLY LOADED – The front grille is detachable, and the back has a magnetically shielded LFE-input for noisy signal aversion, line- & speaker-level inputs and outputs, and a Phase Toggle Switch designed for running multiple subwoofers
- EASY TO INTEGRATE WITH EXISTING SYSTEMS – Hook up this sub to the receiver and upgrade your music sound instantly. Features continuously variable 60-120 Hz crossover and 25-125 Hz frequency response
Yamaha NS-SW050
If you have less than $200 to spend on a subwoofer, we strongly recommend that you pick up the Yamaha NS-SW050. It certainly will not win any awards for appearance, and its functionality is simple – more about this in a moment. But it has enough to recommend, including absolutely colossal sound. Yamaha’s advanced YST II tuning, meaning you get ultra-clear, clear bass even at high volumes. The small rooms, or for those who demand a lot from their low end, this is one of the best subwoofers right now.
Yet it would have been nice to see some extra features. For example, you can not change the crossover at all. It is set to about 200Hz, which means you have to pair it carefully with your other speakers. There is also no car-on / auto-off, which is a bit annoying. Yet, as a basic package, this little Yamaha surpasses. It replaces the old YST-SW216BL sub earlier in this list and is no longer available.
Pros:
- Clean bass
- High volumes
Cons:
- Can’t adjust the crossover
Yamaha 8" 100W Powered Subwoofer - Black (NS-SW050BL)
Features
- New twisted flare port contributes to clear and tight bass
- Advanced YST II (Yamaha Active Servo Technology II)
- 8” cone woofer
- Stylish addition to any room
- Dynamic Power: 100W (5 ohms)
Acoustic Audio PSW-6
Usually, we would say that you should avoid any subwoofer at a price of less than $100. They do not have the juice or the quality to compete. The Acoustic Audio PSW-6 is one of the few exceptions – a remarkably small number that is worth it. You certainly do not go against the SVS and Power Sound Audios of this world, or even the Yamaha and Polks, but for small spaces, it goes well. Part of the reason for this is the decent level of technology packed inside.
The subwoofer uses a so-called extended excursion cone, which means that the driver is made of treated paper to increase sensitivity. This results in a sound that is a lot better than you would expect, especially for this price. We do not know what the continuous/RMS wattage of the sub is, but we do see that it peaks at 250 watts, which is pretty solid. And if the 10 “model is too small for you, you should choose a larger version – Acoustic Audio has several to choose from.
Pros:
- Decent sound
- Price under $100
Cons:
- Not much loud
Acoustic Audio PSW-6 Down Firing Powered Subwoofer (Black)
Features
- HOME THEATER POWERED SUBWOOFER - Standard RCA inputs easily connect to your home theater receivers dedicated Subwoofer Output. Save power with the added Signal Sensing Auto ON/OFF feature
- 250 WATTS PEAK POWER - Integrated high efficiency power amplifier, 30 - 250 Hz with 96dB at 8ohm, Auto ON/OFF and 0 - 180 degree Phase control switches, Gain and 50 - 150 Hz Crossover control knobs
- 6.5 INCH DOWN FIRING WOOFER - Long throw woofer with high rigidity PVA Treated cone, bottom slotted port, Bass Reflex cabinet design with vibration absorbing feet, high quality MDF with added internal bracing and black ash finish
- SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS - Standard US 110V grounded wall plug, any home theater receiver with dual or single RCA dedicated Subwoofer passive output, home receiver or stereo with raw wire outputs. Use for home theater and surround sound systems
- WHAT'S IN THE BOX - Acoustic Audio by PSW-6 powered subwoofer, 6 foot dual RCA cable, RCA "Y" adapter, instruction manual - Standing sub with feet size is (H x W x D) 11.1" × 9.25" × 10.04" - NOT LFE Compatible
Things To Know Before Buying The Best Subwoofers
Audio Quality
The sound quality should be the biggest concern because subwoofers can become expensive, so you do not want to waste money on something that does not meet your standards. There are several factors that you can consider to determine if the sound quality of a subwoofer is the limit. These are the most important things to look for before buying The Best subwoofers:
- Frequency response: the frequency range determines how deep the audio will be, so if you like hard bass, consider getting a subwoofer with a low range of Hz.
- Power supply: The more power a subwoofer has, the louder it can produce bass. About 300 watts is high because it brings a soothing bass that can quickly fill a room. However, if you want more earth-shaking bass, you can get extra wattage, but make sure your amp or stereo can handle it.
- Drivers: The used drivers play a significant role because they determine how well the audio will sound. A great way to know if the drivers are producing impressive-sounding music is to go to a well-known brand. This is because they have years of research and development compared to other companies.
- Built-in EQ: A built-in EQ can be a significant advantage because you can control the music yourself and make it sound the way you want it. So if you prefer songs with a bass boost, this feature is a must. However, if you do not adjust the subwoofer correctly, the bass may sound distorted and ruin the experience. And if the subwoofer you’re interested in does not have a built-in EQ, do not worry, because you can tune the drivers by using the stereo.
Size
Size is a big problem because subwoofers can become large, and if you do not have a place where they can be placed, they tend to get in the way. You can make a spot for the subwoofer in advance, but note the size in the product description to make sure it is not too big. Usually, The Best place is next to the TV, because the speakers of the television are near the subwoofer and the audio comes from one direction, which makes it feel more natural.
Brand
The speaker’s brand can tell you a lot, as some brands offer consistent quality in all their subwoofers. Going with a more popular brand is almost always better because they have built a reliable company with a follower. You can view online ratings to see if the subwoofer is worth the asking price, so you can find out if you want the subwoofer before it arrives. Besides, most subwoofers have videos that contain unboxes and contain a lot of information that can be used to make an informed purchase decision.
However, buying a famous brand is not always The Best option because smaller brands can offer comparable quality at a lower price. Before you place the order, you have to make sure that you research to see if the subwoofer meets your requirements.
Durability
It would be frustrating if your subwoofer broke shortly after purchase, so you have to look at sustainability. View the materials that are used because they can tell you how long the subwoofer will work. Some subwoofers use metal parts with a plastic cover, which helps ensure a long-term product. Also, we recommend purchasing a subwoofer with multiple warranty years, as this will ensure that you get a replacement in case your subwoofer breaks down. In most cases, however, you must pay extra if you want to have a warranty agreement that is valid for more than two years.
Connectivity
The connection method used plays a significant role because some options are better than others. Here are 2 of the most popular connectivity methods:
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth is one of the easiest ways to quickly connect your device to the subwoofer. This method is useful because you only need a smartphone and a playlist of songs. Make sure that the subwoofer uses the latest version of Bluetooth (4x +) as it ensures stable connections throughout the listening period.
- Stereo: Connecting to a stereo system is one of the best ways because it allows you to connect multiple speakers to one device. Depending on your stereo system, you can also use numerous connection methods such as discs, SD cards, AUX, and Bluetooth. However, setting up the subwoofer on your stereo system can be difficult if you have never done this before because you need to connect cables.
Conclusion
In this list, we have mentioned the best subwoofers that are great for any home music setup. Each subwoofer has been carefully selected because we want our viewers to get the best available products. Each subwoofer is different, and they offer unique advantages. If you understand the buying factors you wish to pay attention to, you can make a simple purchase decision.