The Best Powered Subwoofers For 2024
The Rundown
1. Best Overall: Polk Audio PSW10 10" Powered Subwoofer - Power Port Technology
Take your home theater system to the next level with the PSW10 powered subwoofer. It features a 10" woofer and 100 watts of built-in amplifier power to deliver powerful low-frequency sound. The Power Port Technology eliminates distortion so you'll enjoy bass that's crisp and clear, even at full volume or when running on a low battery. Read Review
2. Runner Up: Rockville RW10CA 10" 800Watt Slim Low Profile Active Powered Subwoofer
Take your bass to the next level with this slim, low-profile 10" powered subwoofer from Rockville. It features a powerful, 800-watt peak power and 200-watt RMS power for unmatched sound quality. The PWM MOSFET technology is what makes this such a great choice for any car or home audio system. Read Review
3. Best Comfortable: Klipsch R-12SW 12" 400W Subwoofer
Experience powerful sound with the Klipsch R-12SW 12" 400W Subwoofer. This subwoofer features a powerful 12" copper-spun front-firing woofer and an equally impressive 400 watts of dynamic power. It's a great choice for both listening to music and watching movies. The brushed black polymer veneer cabinet has satin painted plinth and offers low pass crossover and phase control to ensure you get the best performance possible. Read Review
4. Best Sound Quality: Monoprice 12 Inch 150 Watt Powered Subwoofer, Black
The Monoprice 12 Inch 150 Watt Powered Subwoofer is a high-performing powered subwoofer that is ideal for adding bass to the sound of any space. Featuring a 12" cone, this subwoofer provides amazing performance and over 150 watts of RMS power at maximum volume. Read Review
Subwoofers are commonly used to produce low-frequency sounds when a large amount of bass is needed, such as in dance clubs or live music performances. They’re also useful for creating effects such as thunder and explosions in movies. Subwoofers are often called subs or subsets, and they can be small or large depending on the size of your room and how much bass you want to reproduce.
They operate by generating low frequencies that extend beyond human hearing, which means you will need to connect them to a pair of powered speakers if you want to hear them. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best powered subwoofers.
Our experts have determined the models that would be the greatest fit for your requirements, specifically Polk Audio PSW10 10" Powered Subwoofer - Power Port Technology, after doing extensive study and analysis over a considerable time. Consider Rockville RW10CA 10" 800Watt Slim Low Profile Active Powered Subwoofer as an alternative if you're still undecided. Other suggestions on this list are worth considering, and we've put up a useful shopping guide to help you decide!
RELATED: Have you found most powerful subwoofers hard to select? Our personalized shopping guides help you compare and choose right products.
Our Top Picks
- LOUDER CLEARER SOUND EVEN AT HIGH VOLUME – Enjoy a thrilling yet balanced music experience with rich, deep sound, even at low frequencies. BLENDS EASILY WITH ANY SPEAKER and plays the most demanding nodes effortlessly without any distortion
- A sleek detachable grille on the front, speaker and line-level inputs as well as speaker-level outputs on the back, and a Phase Toggle Switch for multiple subwoofers, make this sub cohesive and complete
- DOUBLE THE AMPLIFIER POWER TO 100 Watts of Dynamic Power with its in-built 50-watt RMS amp. Sophisticated engineering with best in class resonance-free driver materials make this sub highly durable and FIT FOR EXTENDED USE
- POWERED SUBWOOFER FOR EXTRA BASS & PUNCH – A 10-inch Dynamic Balance woofer & a uniquely configured directed port provides accurate bass with added depth that brings your music and movies alive. A perfect solution for your small-to-mid size room
- EASY TO INTEGRATE WITH EXISTING SYSTEMS – Hook up this sub to the receiver and upgrade your music sound instantly. Features continuously variable 80-160 Hz crossover and 40-160 Hz (-3dB) frequency response
- Thermal Protection Circuit, Short Protection Circuit.
- Rockville RW10CA 800 Watt 10" Slim Car Subwoofer.
- Adjustable Input Sensitivity. Soft Delayed Remote Turn-On.
- Subwoofer Level Remote Control. Built in Subsonic Filter @ 29Hz. Frequency Response: 20Hz - 150Hz. Sensitivity: 90dB @ 1w / 1m.
- Overload Protection Circuit. Phase Switch: 0° or 180°.
- Low Level RCA Input. High Level Inputs with Auto Turn-On Technology.
- 800 Watts Peak / 200 Watts RMS. PWM MOSFET Power Supply.
- Note: Kindly refer User Manual before use
- Low Pass Filter: 50Hz - 150Hz. Bass Boost: 0 - 18dB @ 45Hz.
- Maximum Power RMS: 200 Watts. Impedance: 2 Ohm. Dimensions: 12.4 x 13.4 x 2.7 (L x W X H) Inches.
- Equally impressive with music and movies; Brushed black polymer veneer cabinet with satin painted plinth
- Line/LFE inputs for compatibility with most receivers
- Low pass crossover and phase control
- Powerful 12" copper-spun front-firing woofer
- All-digital amplifier delivers 400 watts of dynamic power
- 150 Watts RMS, 200 Watts Peak
- 12" High Performance Powered Subwoofer
- 50 ~ 250 Hz Frequency Response
- The splitter has an operating range of up to about 30 feet (10 meters)
- 500 WATTS PEAK POWER - Integrated high efficiency power amplifier, 24 - 250 Hz with 98dB at 8ohm, Auto ON/OFF and 0 - 180 degree Phase control switches, Gain and 40 - 140 Hz Crossover control knobs
- 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
- 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
- 12 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
- WHAT'S IN THE BOX - Acoustic Audio by PSW-12 powered subwoofer, 6 foot dual RCA cable, RCA "Y" adapter, instruction manual - Standing sub with feet size is (H x W x D) 13.8" × 13.4" × 14.6" - NOT LFE Compatible
- Included components: 1 Powered Subwoofer Speaker, 1 Dual RCA 6 Foot Cable, 1 RCA "Y" Adapter, Instruction Manual
- All-digital amplifier delivers 300 watts of dynamic power
- Line/LFE inputs for compatibility with most receivers
- Low pass crossover and phase control,Dimensions:14(H) x 12.5(W) x 15.7(D) Inches
- Powerful 10" copper-spun front-firing woofer
- Equally impressive with music and movies
- This is an 8" powered subwoofer capable of producing 60 watts (RMS) output. The subwoofer has a frequency response range of 50 to 250 Hz with a lowpass crossover filter, which can be adjusted from 50 to 150 Hz. Gain and frequency knobs on the control panel allow you to adjust the crossover filter and the power output for the optimum blend and balance of bass output with your stereo or surround speakers.
- High-level inputs accept a full-range signal from the amplifier's stereo speaker outputs. When connecting the unit as part of a 5.1 system, these would be taken off the Front Left and Front Right outputs in parallel to the standard pair of front speakers. The subwoofer provides its own power and includes impedance matching circuitry, so this will not reduce the power output to the front speakers or affect the overall impedance load on the amplifier.
- Additionally, the subwoofer has a set of right/left Line Level inputs. If using a standard stereo system, without a special subwoofer output, you can connect these to the left and right line level outputs on the amp. The subwoofer will then combine the signals to process the mono bass signal it needs to drive the speaker. If you are using an amplifier with a single mono subwoofer line level output, simply use an RCA "Y" cable to split the output and send it to the two line level inputs on the subwoofer.
- The subwoofer has multiple input options, which allow it to be used with any existing stereo or 5.1 (or greater) amplifier system. For each input there is a corresponding output.
- The subwoofer is housed in an attractive black wood cabinet that measures 13.75" x 11.75" x 11.75" (H x W x D). The driver and a 2 3/4" sound port are located on the front, covered by a black cloth speaker grill.
- 10” cone woofer
- Stylish addition to any room
- Advanced YST II (Yamaha Active Servo Technology II)
- New twisted flare port contributes to clear and tight bass
- Constant Subsonic Filter: @ 35Hz Selectable Phase : 0 or 180 degrees
- Variable Bass Boost: 0 - +12 dB Variable Low-pass Filter: 85 - 150 Hz
- Power Handling: Peak: 550 watts RMS: 200 watts
- Delayed Soft Remote Turn On Adjustable Input Sensitivity
- PWM MOSFET Power Supply/Thermal Protection Circuit Remote Subwoofer Control Included RCA and High-Level Inputs
- Fuse Rating: 25A x 1 Dimensions: 13.60" L x 9.60" W x 2.60" H (approx)
- Now includes a 10-inch sub model, along with the 8-inch
- Remote bass control included
- 180 Watt amplifier drives the HS10; 150 Watt amp the HS8
- Ultra-compact at just more than three inches high
- Minimal parts and quick-connect Molex plug and harness
What to Look For in a best powered subwoofers?
It may take a long longer to make the best shopping decision. As a result, we are accessible to assist you with your best powered subwoofers issue at any time of day or night!
There are some highlighted features of best powered subwoofers you should be aware of before make decision:
Subwoofer Box Material
Active Vs Passive Subwoofer
Wired Or Wireless
A wireless subwoofer is usually equipped with a transmitter that plugs into any receiver's subwoofer outputs.
Low-frequency audio signals are transmitted by the transmitter to the wireless subwoofer from the receiver connected to home theater. The wireless receiver integrated into the subwoofer powers the amplifier, which produces the low-frequency sound.
Maximum SPL
The curve shown in the figure illustrates that different frequencies and sensitivity levels are found within the human ear. Human hearing is identical to this up-and-down curve, which indicates a variable sound pressure level.
The sound of 80dB at 1000Hz is almost identical to 120dB when you listen at 20Hz. This difference amounts to 40dB. The threshold for hearing is 80dB at 20Hz. However, the sound itself is extremely faint and barely audible.
This is why subwoofer parameters must include the maximum sound pressure level. The human ear cannot sense low frequencies and needs to hear a higher sound pressure to feel slight differences. Mix it up if the voice of your subwoofer is too low.
Diaphragm Material
They have different prices and properties. It is difficult to determine who is better or worse. Choose paper or wool pots if you enjoy orchestral music. Polyethylene cones are best for metal music. Paper cones and wool cones shouldn't be used in humid environments. They absorb moisture easily and can change the sound quality.
Frequency Response
Don't worry too much about the frequency limit. It is generally acceptable to use a subwoofer at 160-200Hz. Why? Why? Because the frequency above 120Hz is where most of the midrange woofers are. This indicator can't be altered and is established when the subwoofer has been designed, manufactured and shipped to the factory.
If you are able to find a subwoofer that has a dive of around 20Hz for a reasonable price, it is difficult for consumers.
Some entry-level subwoofers with low-end features have a dive of 40Hz or less. The frequency that is too low can cause serious distortion. It is a sign that there are not enough dives. The foundation may not be reliable and all parameters will become meaningless.
Sealed Vs Ported Subwoofer
The hole is accessed by the ported subwoofer, which leads the radiation wave through it. The port is generally circular in shape and has one. Some subwoofers can have multiple ports, which allows users to adjust their output energy and enhance the listening experience. A subwoofer port may even have a bar design to allow for greater integration and aesthetics.
Subwoofer Size & Number
The Frequency Response element explains that subwoofers must have sufficient power to produce high frequencies and push air around enough to be heard by the ear. The maximum sound pressure that a subwoofer can achieve is directly related to its size and quantity. The unit's configuration is the best way to determine the subwoofer's strength.
FAQs
What Is A Crossover?
A crossover is an electronic circuit which routes frequencies to the subwoofer at a particular point. The crossover routes all frequencies higher than that point to the subwoofer, main and center speakers, as well as surround.Most subwoofers, as well as AV receivers, have variable crossover frequencies that allow you to adjust the sweet spot. Others are set at around 100 Hz.
Is There A Difference Between A Woofer And A Subwoofer?
These terms are often interchangeable. A "woofer" is a term that refers to a driver with a greater frequency response than a Subwoofer. It's less focused on pure bass and will be more common to be part of speakers than an individual unit.Where Is The Ideal Subwoofer Placement?
You have greater freedom than normal speakers which can be very directional. Your subwoofer will also fit more easily. My guide to placing home cinema speakers in the right place is a great starting point.Subwoofers can be difficult to place in rooms. They must be near a power outlet, as powered speakers. They will also have to be connected to an AV receiver, which distributes the signal to the other speakers in the setup.
These are just some of the factors you should keep in mind when placing your subwoofer. You'll need to experiment with subwoofer positions, and listen to the sound each produces from different locations in your home.
Are Bigger Subwoofers Better?
You can. They can be. Larger woofers produce more precise, space-filling bass and a greater "shake factor" than smaller models. This is just one aspect. For example, a large, poorly built subwoofer can rattle excessively, while smaller, more powerful models may still be able to do an excellent job.Are Wireless Subwoofers Worth It?
It's not ideal to connect a sub to an AV receiver. You may need to conceal a part of the cable, or find a shorter one to place in the right spot. Let's be honest, it's not fun to crawl on your knees and lay cables. !There are many subwoofers that work wirelessly. However, they must still be connected to an electrical socket. This is how it works: instead of plugging in a cable to your AV receiver you attach a transmitter.
Without the need for an audio cable, the transmitter box sends the signal directly to the sub. Some manufacturers include the accessory with their subs, others make it available as an option.
You don't have to worry about it not being wireless, as you can purchase a universal wireless kits that will transform most subs into wireless units.
Does My Speaker System Need A Subwoofer?
This is a great idea. A subwoofer is a key component of home theater systems. The latest standards in movie audio are also applicable.Can I Use Two Subwoofers At Once?
Although it's not common for home installations, you can. Make sure your receiver is capable of handling two subwoofer connections. To get multi-directional bass, some people like to use two smaller woofers.How Much Bass Is Enough?
Your viewing habits will determine the power you require from your subwoofer. A larger subwoofer with greater power will be needed if you watch a lot of action films and listen to music. In this case, a 12-inch sub is ideal.If you watch sports or comedy, however, the subwoofers can be used in a smaller room. A smaller subwoofer is sufficient for a large room.
We will keep the list of best powered subwoofers up-to-date once there are new technology and information available. Please check our website frequently to see the most up-to-date information by our editor.
Do you have any questions or comments regarding best powered subwoofers that you'd like to share with us? We will try to attain even greater comedy as a result of your efforts.
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