18 best subwoofers in the car

For this "napolnik" the main problem is the price - the difference with the Pioneer, which has the same 8-inch speaker, is quite noticeable, while the sound, in fact, is no different. Interesting ZTSU-M80 is primarily focused on the head devices without a separate tunable output to the subwoofer - its built-in amplifier connects directly to the RCA outputs of the right and left channels of the radio pre-amplifier, and directly to its end through a separate connector.

All subwoofer settings are made on a separate remote control, connected to the device through a separate connector. On its oval (and, we note, very handy in hand) case, there are volume, cutoff and phase control knobs.

Next in the ranking of the best compact active subwoofers - a model from JBL. For installation under the driver's seat, this subwoofer can be recommended only after fitting. The fact is that all the connectors are located along the long side of the case, so the wires go straight to the sled, which even with sufficient space will require additional attention from the installer.

The 200-millimeter speaker, coupled with a Class D amplifier, is surprisingly not bad in terms of sound for such a compact class. Of course, this is not a full-bodied device with a long-stroke diffuser, capable of competing in a roar with a 152-mm cannon, but the bass is picky and energetic, does not merge into the symphony of a bubbling and squeaks of the body. The manufacturer has provided the ability to connect the subwoofer to the line-out and to the high-level outputs of the radio, so you can safely put JBL a sure "plus" for universality. A filter setting is also provided - the cutoff frequency varies from 35 to 120 Hz. If desired, the subwoofer can be supplemented with an external GTO-RBC level regulator, although in most cases, the level will most likely be unscrewed to the maximum during installation and will remain so.

Compared with the old Kicx ICQ 300BA, the subwoofer has changed little in appearance - the same case is a “closed box”, the same 12-inch speaker in appearance. And, alas, the same purely symbolic grill, which practically does not protect the diffuser.

However, the speaker is not really the same - sensitivity increased from 89 to 90 decibels, and the internal volume of the subwoofer box increased. The amplifier remained the same - with one hundred and twenty "fair" watts, high-level inputs and, alas, a primitive phase switch without smooth adjustment. If you directly compare the old model (also, by the way, previously included in our rating) and updated, then the “three hundred first” sounds more pleasant - the bass added in density, but did not lose in detail, got rid of excessive sharpness. Of course, the subwoofer never got a special musicality - but in the end, we are talking about a fairly budget model.

It is worth noting that another “sore” from the old model migrated here: an amplifier that does not have developed passive cooling fins and especially active cooling, in the summer in the trunk can overheat at high volume.

The externally bright bass-reflex subwoofer “Ural” should not be recommended using the trunk for its intended purpose - the cellulose diffuser is not closed with anything. But 93 dB of speaker sensitivity in combination with four hundred watts of nominal amplifier power provide decent sound pressure, the benefit and the speaker of the “right” twelve-inch diameter.

The subwoofer allows you to connect a remote volume control, but it was cheated with precise adjustments: only the volume and LPF are adjusted smoothly, the boost and phase are controlled discretely. There are high level entrances. Amplifier - class AB, with low efficiency, but decent heating - after all, a class D amplifier would be more appropriate here, they have long learned to produce high-quality sound with a significantly higher efficiency.

Complete cables for connection are not bad, except, what is funny, the thinnest, which serves for remote power management - it is even too thin, such a cheap economy looks ridiculous. But, be that as it may, if the main thing in choosing the active subwoofer for you is loudness, then you can safely take the Ural.

Alpine offers a very curious compact subwoofer with an 8-inch speaker (let's not forget about the owners of small car), built-in amplifier which produces an honest one hundred watts of power and is controlled by a stylish remote control. Plus, it is possible to connect both the "high-voltage" and the "low-voltage" terminals of the recorder.

When developing, Alpine engineers clearly expected to be installed in urban hatchbacks - in such a body a subwoofer, separated from the body volume by a light shelf, is really well revealed. In larger bodies, especially with a closed trunk, the “speaker + amplifier” tandem will only suffice for sounding up - so look carefully at the characteristics and match them with your requirements, “so as not to be excruciatingly painful.”

A phase-inverter subwoofer with a 12-inch speaker is “paired” with an amplifier having a nominal power of 300 W - despite its decent size, it will not allow dubstep to wake up half of the area. For what you purchase will be thanks from the neighbors, and the probability of landing a brick on the hood will drop to the average. But with the organization of the space in the trunk will have to be careful: here traditionally saved on the grill, the diffuser is completely open. This is hinted at by the manufacturer, who, instead of grilling, puts in a kit ... a handbag for all kinds of triumph so that it does not fly on the bumps on the trunk. For originality "five", but still we would prefer a solid grill. The wires from the standard kit should also be changed to better ones - well, everything is in the tradition of the budget segment.

But the sound here is worthy of recommendations. Again - we talk about subwoofers as a means of subsounding the lower part of the spectrum, and not as a rear-seat spinner or an essential accessory to three-strip pants. In the “right” plan, the Edge works confidently and does not even suffer from the excessive harshness that one would expect from an inexpensive phase inverter. In addition, we write down the presence of a high-level input in addition to the linear: for a budget car equipped with a radio tape recorder without a separate output to the subwoofer, this is quite an interesting option for purchase.

The classic "budget" with a polypropylene 12-inch cone on a rubber suspension and a rated power of 250 W at 90 dB sensitivity. Such acoustics cannot be called music lovers: the volume of the box is small, and the resonance at a frequency of 24 Hz immediately hints at the possibility of using it as a vibratory massager for the rear seats.

At the peaks of the volume, there is clearly a shortage of volume, an unpleasant “dolbezh” and compression appear in the sound. The sound detailing is average, a subwoofer should not be recommended for complex instrumental music - its task is simply to “make loud” synthetic bass. In general, a typical application for a budget subwoofer.

Continues ranking of the best passive subwoofers in the car Alpine SBG-1244B. Here, marketers Alpine clearly counted on fans to listen to music with an open trunk. Who else might need a built-in light (and, of course, blue)? We grumble "it would be better to put a normal grill" and move on to the sound.

The body here is solid and durable, and even the concerns about acrylic transparent inserts in practice have no appreciable grounds. So “play out” the 12-inch speaker Type-G is where. It is interesting that, despite the apparent similarity with the SBE-1244BR (everything seems to be the same, but without illumination), here the speaker is different for the better.

It does not hit the characteristics of maximum power, so that the subwoofer is better suited in the first place to cars with a relatively small cabin volume. The slotted port gives a peak frequency response in the region of 40 Hz, near the dynamics of the point of resonance is also not infrasound - about 65 Hz.As a result, we get an interesting and non-blurry bass, the ability to play energetic passages. Except for the low sensitivity, we expect more from Alpine.

The SBE-1044BR budget subwoofer may be of interest in small sizes (which are primarily due to the use of a 10-inch speaker) and the possibility of muffling the phase inverter - it is quite able to survive a sharp change in musical tastes.

Alas, the used loudspeaker, although not bad by its possibilities (without noticeable distortion, the salon and the street will sound when the trunk is open), but frankly cheap: the plastic noticeably dubes in the cold, and if you want, you can easily play music in full in winter to harm. We advise you to keep this in mind if you are interested in this particular subwoofer.

Speaker for those who collect a subwoofer for sound, not monstrous numbers of peak sound pressure. The diffuser itself attracts attention, for subwoofers it is absolutely unconventional - it flaunts ... mmm ... flax fibers? Yes, it is fiberglass reinforced linen. One involuntarily wants to experience what such an original design is capable of. Although this is not typical for us - do not forget that the French designed the speaker.

And we must admit that what the engineers of Focal conceived in this dynamic was implemented excellently. Low level of distortion, excellent elaboration of the nuances of the sound - and we all talk about the subwoofer dynamics, from which only the volume of plump is usually expected (put emphasis on taste). You can forgive even a little impressive 85 dB of sensitivity - Focal is worth it to splurge on the appropriate amplifier.

Worthy "dvenashka" to build your own subwoofer. The cellulose diffuser promises high-quality sound processing, and the rejection of the basket bells is implemented, though “head-on,” but effectively with rubber-coating. The optimal volume of the closed box for him is around 30 liters, so, as the Soviet newspapers would say, “it was created for a wide range of motorists”. At the same time, the non-uniformity of the frequency response with a competent box assembly is very decent, and a relatively light mobile system gives high sensitivity: it means that there is no particular moodiness to the characteristics of the amplifiers.

We especially recommend this speaker to lovers of sound of closed boxes: in the phase inverter cabinet, Hertz demonstrates a clear dependence on the volume of the box and the design of the phase inverter itself. So, not only the box itself will have to do more (minus utility), but you will also have to experiment with the port, seeking better sound.

This 12-inch speaker with an impedance of 4 ohms and a rated power of 250 W feels best in the bass-inverter package, and for its “buildup” you should choose a more powerful amplifier - the sensitivity of 90 dB should not be called a record one. The diffuser is composite: its concave sphere consists of fiberglass, and the conical traverse under it is cellulose. The suspension is traditionally rubber.

The volume of the body dynamics is desirable to provide more. For the closed box, the manufacturer recommends a volume of 25-34 liters, for a phase inverter circuit - from 32 to 55 liters. But in practice, the best closed box will work if it is made forty-liter, but in the phase inverter scheme there will be enough fifty, less than the top ceiling specified in the documentation.

The distortion level with a correctly assembled case is not the lowest, but there is really nothing to complain about. In the spectrum, both the second and the third harmonic are approximately equal in volume. The speaker handles low frequencies well, prefers “synthetics” to instrumental music - this is worth considering when choosing.

Inexpensive speaker size 12 inches suitable for subwoofer assembly without any frills. Although the manufacturer did not stint on loud numbers (sensitivity as much as 96 dB, 1300 W of power at the peak and 350 W of “nominal”), in practice it cannot be called a record for sound pressure - this is also indicated by the fact that the body volumes recommended are relatively small .

The diffuser is polypropylene, which becomes the main stumbling block: of course, you can try to pump “a lot of bass” into the subwoofer, but the distortions will become too noticeable, and few will be satisfied with such a sound. At moderate loudness, the sound is legible, although it has a pronounced emphasis at the very bottom - an amateur option. The sharp peaks of the volume again make you feel not the best rigidity of the diffuser, it begins to bring its own hue to the sound.