Here are our top picks for the best subwoofers that deliver the tightest and deepest bass response and are perfect for home audio and music.
If you are looking for a subwoofer for your home audio system or home theater setup, these are the subwoofers that you should check out. We are passionate about bass – our experts have tested over a hundred subwoofers to determine which ones are the best and deliver great value for money.
These subwoofers are capable of delivering earth-shattering low-end frequencies and can also integrate with 5.1 or 7.1 systems to transform your home audio into a cinematic listening experience with a deep low end thump. They also add weight and punch to the overall music experience, making watching movies or listening to music a truly enjoyable experience.
Be sure to check out our top picks for the best subwoofers of 2020 below!
#1 Best Overall: Polk Audio PSW10 10” Powered Subwoofer
The Polk Audio PSW10 is one of the best subwoofers for home audio that delivers very powerful bass with a solid low-end frequency punch. The subwoofer comes with a built-in high-current amplifier and a 10” polymer composite dynamic balance cone driver for deep bass reproduction. The amplifier has a continuous power of 50 watts and a dynamic power of up to 100 watts. The entire subwoofer is housed in a non-resonant MDF enclosure construction with 0.75” baffles and internal bracing to reduce bass resonance and create a tighter bass impact. The enclosures are tuned for distortion-free low frequencies and eliminate standing waves to create a solid bass impact. The entire subwoofer is capable of delivering sound output at high volume levels without any distortion; the subwoofer comes with a resonance-free dynamic balance driver that remains stiff and moves fast for a much fuller bass impact. It also comes with professional-grade line and speaker inputs and outputs for easy connection to any home theater system. Overall, the Polk Audio PSW10 is one of the best subwoofers that we have tested that delivers really good low-end frequency sound and we highly recommend them.
The Polk Audio PSW10 performs very well for an entry-level subwoofer and pumps out solid bass impact that really adds a sonic boost to the overall sound performance. The bass response that we got from the subwoofer was deep, tight and punchy and sounds great in a home theater system. Watching movies with this subwoofer makes you feel as though you are sitting in a real life cinema with deep surround sound effects. It adds a layer of texture to the dialogue and sound effects that really elevates the whole listening experience. Car chasing scenes sounded much more thrilling with deep sound effects and impact that allows you to really visualize the sound. It literally made the entire living room shake. For a subwoofer that only has 50 watts RMS, it really performs above expectations and delivers thunderous sound that surpasses what you can expect from a subwoofer of this compact size. When we paired the Polk PSW10 with our 5.1 setup, it integrates really well into the entire home theater setup and works very well as a dedicated subwoofer for a lower-end frequency punch.
The Polk PSW10 has a solid and minimalist appearance. It has a nice volume and power knob which you can use to adjust the bass output and turn up the bass while watching movies. We liked the fact that the subwoofer comes with both line-level and speaker level inputs which allow you to easily connect this subwoofer to soundbars or integrate into a 5.1 or 7.1 home theater setup. The subwoofer also comes with an adjustable low-pass subwoofer and a phase switch. It has a built-in circuitry that turns the subwoofer on and off when you switch on the sound system. The subwoofer woofer features a floor coupled downward firing port that provides maximum bass impact while allowing the subwoofer cabinet to look as low profile as possible. The subwoofer compression circuitry limits distortion at extreme volume levels which means that you can really crank up the bass on this subwoofer and experience clear and smooth sound, although we would recommend keeping the volume below 85 dB. The PWS10 has a solid and durable construction and comes with an entire MDF cabinet enclosure to eliminate standing waves and reduce bass leakage. Overall, it has a really clean design that blends in well with modern home interior décor.
The Verdict? If you are looking for one of the best subwoofers to add superb bass impact to your overall home audio listening experience, the Polk PSW10 subwoofer is definitely the one to get. The subwoofer is equipped with a 10” polymer-composite balance cone driver that delivers punchy and deep bass impact for movies, TVs and games. It also comes with speaker-level inputs and outputs for you to connect the subwoofer to your speaker system or home theater setup. It has a power rating of 50 Watts RMS and amplifier dynamic power of 100 watts peak and delivers solid bass with very little or no distortion at high volume levels. It comes with a really solid and well-designed MDF cabinet to reduce bass resonance and standing waves; the subwoofer measures 14” x 14.38” x 16.12” and looks relatively unobtrusive when placed in the living room. It also features an adjustable low-pass crossover and phase switch with subwoofer volume controls to adjust the bass output. If you are looking for one of the best subwoofers that delivers great sound performance and value for money, the Polk PSW10 is definitely the subwoofer you should check out.
#2 Best Subwoofer for Music: Yamaha YST-SW012 8” Subwoofer
The Yamaha YST-SW012 is one of the best subwoofers that deliver very tight bass response with a high 100 watts of dynamic power. The subwoofer has a really good frequency response between 28 Hz to 200 Hz and is designed as a front-firing active subwoofer. It is relatively easy to integrate this subwoofer in a home theater setup and it receives subwoofer signal via the RCA port or cable from an amplifier, receiver or center channel soundbar; the subwoofer has its own active power using the power plug and only requires a subwoofer signal to hit the ground running. The SW012 also comes with a linear port for minimize extraneous noises and comes with a built-in 8” multi-range driver with magnetic shielding so you don’t need to worry about TV wiring and cabling interfering with the sound signal. The bass that the YST-SW012 subwoofer produces is deep, powerful and tight, and really elevates music listening experiences with deep low-end sound effects. Overall, it’s one of the best subwoofers you can find that really delivers incredible sonic performance, so don’t forget to check it out!
The sound output from the YST-SW012 is tremendously powerful – we were quite surprised at how clear and impactful the bass sounded considering that it comes with an 8” driver. The bass can literally shake your entire living room and fill it with thunderous sound quality; the bass reverberates through the entire room and you can hear and feel it from any corner of the room. You can easily connect the subwoofer to your home audio receiver output and use it as a dedicated subwoofer for your 5.1 or 7.1 home theater setup. Watching movies with the YST-SW012 subwoofer was a really enjoyable experience and the bass impact hits hard without sounding muddy or overwhelming. It gives movie sound effects a really good added layer of texture and a nice low-end kick which makes it feel as though you are sitting in a real life cinema while watching movies. You can really crank up the volume on the YST-SW012 and expect to hear minimal distortion which is really good. Music performances sounded crisp and punchy – we liked how instrumental music sounded with this subwoofer and the drum beats could literally be felt in the entire room. The frequency response on this subwoofer is 28 Hz to 200 Hz and we were quite surprised that it could hit several low tone notes that are only heard in more expensive setups. We liked the fact that you can also adjust the bass output from the bass knob located at the rear of the subwoofer depending on your musical preferences.
The Yamaha YST-SW012 has a pretty sleek and durable design. It is primarily a front-firing active subwoofer that projects bass out into the room and is ideal for corner placements. The subwoofer integrates well into 5.1 or 7.1 home theater setups and you can connect the subwoofer directly to the receiver via an RCA input jack. That being said, the only downside to this subwoofer is that it only accepts RCA signal inputs and no other types of hook ups; this is something to bear in mind with the YST-SW012. This subwoofer works very well regardless of the type of music genre that you throw at it and delivers lots of deep bass impact that can be tailored according to your music preferences by adjusting the bass knob or receiver crossover. The subwoofer uses an 8” multi-range driver and is magnetically shielded which means that you can run wiring around the subwoofer without any magnetic interference. It also comes with a built-in linear port to reduce extraneous noise and standing waves. Apart from the limited input options as it only accepts RCA inputs, the subwoofer really delivers in terms of bass quality and quantity and provides a superb listening experience for music and home theater.
The Verdict? The Yamaha YST-SW012 is one of the best subwoofers for music that is highly value for money. The subwoofer comes equipped with an 8” multi-range driver and a linear port design that delivers really tight and punchy bass response. It is primarily designed as a front-firing active subwoofer although you can place the subwoofer anywhere in the room due to the omni-directional nature of bass. The frequency response on this subwoofer is 28 to 200 Hz and you can adjust the bass settings through your receiver or by tuning the bass on the subwoofer using the bass knob. The entire subwoofer can produce a high 100 watts of dynamic power and plenty of volume which is great for home theater and audio listening. Listening to music with the SW012 was a really enjoyable experience and the subwoofer really adds a nice layer of texture and low-end thump. It’s one of the best subwoofers that you can find in terms of sound performance and we highly recommend them.
#3 Best Subwoofer for Movies: Pioneer SW-8MK2 Powered Subwoofer
The Pioneer SW-8MK2 is one of the best subwoofers for movies and home theater – it is capable of pumping out a solid 100 watts of power for deep bass impact. The SW-8MK2 delivers controlled bass output at any volume level and maintains consistency in the quality of the low-end frequency thump. It comes with a built-in 8” long throw woofer that reproduces much lower frequency ranges than conventional woofers; it has a frequency range of 38 Hz to 150 Hz and a power requirement of 120V/60Hz. The subwoofer also comes with crossover and phase adjustments to blend the subwoofer with your speaker or home theater system and provide a customized listening experience. It also comes with speaker level and line level inputs for installation using speaker wire or a subwoofer cable. The Pioneer subwoofer has a vented enclosure for extended deep bass performance and can be placed virtually anywhere in the room. Overall, the SW-8MK2 is one of the best subwoofers you can find for movies and home theater setups, and is definitely worth a closer look.
The sound quality from the Pioneer SW-8MK2 was really impressive. When we first tested out this subwoofer and connected it to our Onkyo 5.1 channel home theater receiver, we were blown away by how powerful the subwoofer sounded. It can produce thunderous and wall-thumping bass that can shake your entire room. The bass maintains a consistency frequency range and does not sound muddy nor does it overwhelming the midrange frequencies while watching TV and movies. We did not expect an 8” subwoofer to produce that much bass but this subwoofer really delivers. It has a maximum power output of 100 watts and you can really crank up the volume and bass output on the Pioneer SW-8MK2 without hearing any distortion. The subwoofer really elevates the entire listening experience from movies to music soundtracks – we also played a couple of classical and instrumental music pieces through this system and the subwoofer really adds a good level of depth to the soundstage and other frequencies. It has the perfect balance between bass and treble ranges and you can also use the crossover and phase adjustments to blend the subwoofer with your speakers.
The Pioneer SW-8MK2 has a really sleek and nice looking design that fits in well in a living room or home theater environment. It has a dimension of 12-3/16” x 14-3/16” x 12-3/16” and has a rather compact design. It comes with speaker level and line inputs for easy installation and is compatible with either speaker wire or a subwoofer cable. It comes with a 100 watt internal amplifier and you can adjust the bass output using the volume knob at the rear of the subwoofer. The Pioneer subwoofer easily connects to your receiver in a 5.1 or 7.1 home theater setup or a stereo setup provided that the amplifier supports subwoofer output. It comes with a vented enclosure which minimizes standing waves and provides a cleaner bass performance. The 8” woofer works like a charm and can produce thunderous low-end frequencies with a range of 38 Hz to 150 Hz. For the best bass performance from this subwoofer, we would recommend placing it near a corner at the rear or front of the room where the bass can reflect off the walls of your living room.
The Verdict? We were highly impressed with the overall sound quality and bass output from the Pioneer SW-8MK2. It’s one of the best subwoofers for movies and home theater, and can be easily hooked up to your home theater receiver for deep bass response. The bass response that we got with the subwoofer was tight and punchy and really elevates the entire movie listening experience. We liked the fact that the subwoofer comes with crossover and phase adjustments which allow you to blend your speaker output with the subwoofer. The Pioneer subwoofer has a maximum power output of 100 watts and a power requirement of 120V/60Hz. It also comes with speaker level and line level inputs for various installation options. The entire subwoofer is pretty compact and comes with nice rubberized feet to eliminate any vibrations from the low-end thump. Overall, it’s one of the best subwoofers available for movies and we highly recommend them.
#4 Best Subwoofer for Bass: Polk Audio PSW505 12” Powered Subwoofer
The Polk Audio PSW505 is one of the best subwoofers for bass and can produce enough bass output to literally shake your entire living room. It is a 12” powered subwoofer that comes with a high-current 300 watt continuous (460 watt dynamic) power amplifier for tremendous bass output. The subwoofer features an adjustable low-crossover, phase switch and volume control that help to blend the subwoofer sound with your speaker system or home theater setup. The PSW505 has a really high quality design and has real wood veneer finish with a slot load venting design that improves overall bass output. The entire cabinet is constructed of solid MDF which suppresses the enclosure panel resonance for distortion-free bass and reduce standing waves – the 12” long throw driver delivers better excursion and linearity in the low-end frequency output. The cabinet also has a wide and long slot load vent which lessens turbulence and distortion. We liked the fact that the subwoofer comes with an auto on/off function which automatically turns on the subwoofer when it detects signal from your sound system. Overall, the Polk PSW505 is one of the best subwoofers for bass and works really well together with high-end home theater setups.
The sound performance of the Polk PSW505 is one of the best we have heard among all the subwoofers we tested. It has a really good frequency range of 23 Hz to 160 Hz and can reproduce the low end bass notes with incredible clarity. The frequencies below 35 Hz are accurately reproduced and we did not experience any port noise with this bass – the bass stays where it should be and does not muddy into the midrange frequencies. We hooked up the subwoofer to our Onkyo receiver in our 5.1 home theater setup and the low-end output that this subwoofer produces can be literally felt throughout the entire large room. Watching movies with the PSW505 hooked up to the 5.1 system was truly a game-changer – you get bass that hits hard and really adds depth and impact to the overall music quality. Movie scenes sounded extremely real life and cinema like with very little distortion when we turned up the volume knob close to maximum. Music performances with this subwoofer sounded clean and well-defined; it adds a low end touch to the sound that does not feel overpowering. The adjustable low-pass crossover also helps with tuning to sync the subwoofer together with your surround sound speakers for optimal sound performance.
The Polk PSW505 has a pretty clean front-facing design and a nice sleek wood finish that blends in easily with modern home décor. The subwoofer inputs consist of speaker level 5-way binding posts, line-level and LFE inputs, together with speaker level outputs. It feature a high excursion 12” polymer composite cone with hi roll surround and delivers a tighter bass response together with slot load venting. The cabinet has a compact design and a dimension of 16-1/8” x 15-1/8” x 18-3/16”. The cabinet is also magnetically shielded so that you can place the subwoofer next to a TV or wiring witout static interference. The long slotted vent design reduces turbulence and standing waves which makes the bass sound much more full from the cabinet. It also features an adjustable low pass crossover network and phase switch for tuning. The auto on/off function works very well so that you don’t have to constantly turn on or off the subwoofer after watching the TV – it automatically switches off 15 minutes after no signal is detected. In terms of overall design and quality, it’s difficult to go wrong with the Polk PSW505.
The Verdict? The Polk PSW505 subwoofer is one of the best subwoofers you can get for very impactful bass output. The subwoofer has a high current of 300 watts of continuous power amplifier and a frequency response between 23 Hz to 160 Hz that produces very deep and solid bass output. We were really impressed by how powerful the bass from this subwoofer was – with solid deep lows that hit hard and really add an extra punch to the overall listening experience. The subwoofer comes with a 12” long throw driver for longer excursion and better bass reproduction, together with an adjustable low pass crossover for tuning with your main speakers. The entire subwoofer cabinet has a really high quality wooden construction finish with a solid MDF construction to reduce bass resonance and standing waves; the subwoofer does not shake while producing bass and stays firmly on the floor without any vibrations. We also liked the fact that it comes with 5-way binding posts for speaker inputs and outputs which make connecting this subwoofer to your receiver in a home theater setup really easy and straightforward. Overall, it’s one of the best subwoofers available that will surpass your expectations on bass performance and we highly recommend them.
#5 Best Budget: Acoustic Audio PSW-6 Powered Subwoofer
The Acoustic Audio PSW-6 is one of the best subwoofers you can find on a budget. It’s a 6.5” down firing long throw subwoofer that punches above its weight and is a great addition to small speaker systems or living room setups. The subwoofer has a power rating of 125 watts RMS and a maximum power of 250 watts; it comes with a digital drive high efficiency amplifier that can pump out enough power to produce solid bass response. The subwoofer has a frequency range of 30 Hz to 250 Hz which is not bad considering how compact the PSW-6 subwoofer actually is. We liked the fact that the subwoofer also comes with line level and speaker level inputs for maximum connectivity options. It also has signal sensing on/off switch which automatically powers the subwoofer on when it detects a signal, as well as bass level/gain control for you to adjust the bass settings according to your preferences. It also comes with advanced RFL bass reflex cabinet design which reduces distortion and standing waves for better bass output. Overall, the Acoustic Audio PSW-6 is one of the best subwoofers you can find on a budget, so don’t forget to check them out!
The bass from the PSW-6 subwoofer, while not the loudest that we have heard, really packs a punch in smaller scale home theater setups. The subwoofer does perform on par with higher-end subs that we tested and really adds a layer of deep bass to the overall music performance. The subwoofer comes with a 6.5” woofer which uses a long excursion cone for deeper and more accurate bass response. The MDF bass-reflex enclosure also comes with internal bracing to maximize the bass impact and deliver a really solid thump. The frequency response of the subwoofer is 30 Hz to 250 Hz which covers a good deal of the low-end frequency spectrum. In terms of bass performance, the subwoofer hits hard and the bass does not sound bloated or muddy into the midrange frequencies. The bass output that we got from the subwoofer was solid and strong, and makes watching movies or listening to sound effects a much more enjoyable sonic experience. We liked the fact that you can really turn up the bass on this subwoofer and it will produce little to no distortion at high volumes, which is really good performance for such a compact and small subwoofer.
In terms of design, the Polk PSW-6 has a really nice down-firing design and a solid MDF cabinet that helps to reduce distortion and standing waves. It has an elegant black ash wood finish with looks pretty sleek and blends in nicely into modern home décor. The MDF bass-reflex enclosure is internally braced and damped to eliminate internal standing waves and distortion; it has a specially tuned and directed port to efficiently produce maximum bass impact. At the bottom of the subwoofer are sleek triangular feet which reduce the subwoofer vibrations while placed on the floor. It also features accessible line and speaker level inputs with speaker level outputs for easy connectivity with home theater setups and speaker systems. At the rear of the subwoofer are bass gain and level controls as well as phase control switch for tuning and variable low pass frequency control. It also comes with automatic on/off function with signal sensing. The entire subwoofer is really small and compact and you can easily conceal it in a corner of your living room. The low-profile design of the Polk PSW-6 makes it a really convenient subwoofer to have especially in small and cramped areas.
The Verdict? The Acoustic Audio PSW-6 is one of the best subwoofers you can find on a budget that delivers really good sound performance. It has practically all the functionality that you need to ingrate the subwoofer into your home theater setup and comes with line and speaker level inputs and speaker outputs. The subwoofer features a 6.5” long excursion high rigidity PVA treated cone for accurate bass response; the cabinets are made with solid MDF material with bottom slotted bass ports to efficiently produce bass impact. We also liked the wood finish which creates a sleek and elegant appearance and blends the subwoofer into modern home décor nicely. The bass performance that we got from the subwoofer surpassed our expectations – the bass sounded rich, detailed and tight without muddying into the midrange frequencies. The subwoofer has a built-in amplifier that runs on 125 Watts RMS and 250 watts maximum which provides plenty of power without producing any to very little distortion at high volume levels. While the Acoustic Audio PSW-6 is not the most powerful subwoofer we have tested, it is one of the best subwoofers you can get on a budget and we definitely highly recommend them.
#6 Best Performance Subwoofer: Definitive Technology ProSub Powered Subwoofer
The Definitive Technology ProSub is one of the best subwoofers that deliver really high performance bass output. The subwoofer is equipped with a high-definition 10” woofer with polymer cone coupled to one 10” infrasonic radiator for deep extended lows. The subwoofer has an incredible frequency response between 18 Hz to 150 Hz which is very deep – it can produce bass that will literally shake your entire living room while watching movies or listening to music soundtracks. The ProSub features a 300 watt amplifier that delivers a lot of power and bass output – you can really crank up the bass performance on this subwoofer without any issues. The subwoofer also comes with automatic signal sensing and powers on or off depending on whether any signal is detected. The rear of the subwoofer also features high level inputs and outputs with two pairs of 5-way binding posts including one LFT input. It comes with a high-pass crossover for non-variable 6 dB/octave at 80 Hz and a low pass crossover for 24 dB/octave from 40 Hz to 150 Hz. It’s a reasonably compact subwoofer with a dimension of 12” x 17-7/8” x 14-7/16” and has a weight of 31 lbs. If you are looking for a subwoofer that will deliver high performance bass output, the Definitive Technology ProSub is the one you should check out.
The bass performance of the Definitive Technology ProSub exceeded our expectations in almost every single aspect. The bass that we got from the subwoofer was extremely tight, punchy and very clean. The subwoofer goes very low down to 20 Hz and you can literally feel the bass in your chest at around 60 to 70% volume. Watching movies with this subwoofer feels as though you are sitting in a real life cinema theater and you can literally hear and feel the bass in the entire room. We particularly liked the fact that the subwoofer actually harmonizes with the rest of your entire system via the crossover network and you can pick out specific notes in the sound, such as drum beats, bass tones and subtle beats that you might not have noticed before. The bass from this subwoofer is not overpowering but yet extremely tight – it stays exactly where it should be as bass and creates that impactful punch that you will not forget. The sound effects and level of depth that you get with the ProSub is pretty incredible; your music will sound very crisp and delightful to listen to. Electronic dance music sounded off the charts incredible, and it really makes you feel as though you are sitting in a real life disco performance.
We have no doubt that the Definitive Technology ProSub is one of the most well-constructed subwoofers we have tested. It comes with a built-in high-current amplifier with a good crossover network to deliver really sharp sound with very little distortion. The 12” cone is designed to be ultra-stiff and low-mass and joined to a butyl rubber surround and long-throw voice coil for fast bass response. The subwoofer also comes with a continuously adjustable low-pass filter control which allows you to select a high frequency roll-off from 40 Hz to 150 Hz. This roll-off allows you to blend the subwoofer with your main speakers and eliminate muddy midrange tones from the subwoofer. It also comes with a separate low-level direct LFE input for Dolby Digital which bypasses the crossover network. The subwoofer level control is mounted to the side of the subwoofer for easy reach. The entire subwoofer comes in a solid cabinet that is made of high-density MDF fused together. The front and rear baffles are constructed to be extra thick and incorporate multiple internal braces to provide a solid and durable construction throughout. Overall, the subwoofer has a really well-constructed cabinet and the quality is apparent in the weight of the subwoofer.
The Verdict? The Definitive Technology ProSub is a high-performance subwoofer and one of the best subwoofers we have tested. The bass response from the ProSub needs to be heard to be believed – it punches extremely low and makes watching movies feel as though you are sitting in an actual real life cinema. The subwoofer features a high-definition 10” woofer coupled to one 10” low bass radiator which work together to deliver a deep low end response – it has a frequency range of 18 Hz to 150 Hz. The subwoofer also comes with a really powerful amplifier with a power rating of 300 watts. Furthermore, the subwoofer is equipped with a high pass crossover and low pass crossover network, as well as high level inputs and outputs for multiple connectivity options to the speaker system. It also has an automatic on /off signal sensing function which turns on the subwoofer when it detects a signal from the receiver. It also comes with a solid MDF cabinet construction which reduces distortion and standing waves. It is one of the best subwoofers we have tested with really good bass performance and we highly recommend them.
#7 Best Subwoofer for Home Theater: Onkyo SKW204 Powered Subwoofer
The Onkyo SKW204 is one of the best subwoofers for home theater that really pumps out a stunning amount of bass performance while watching movies. It is essentially a 230W bass reflex powered subwoofer with a 10” cone that delivers thunderous bass performance and integrates nicely into a 5.1 or 7.1 channel surround sound system. The subwoofer comes with a crossover control and a phase invert switch which allows you to tune the bass output to suit your sound system. The subwoofer has a really good frequency response of 25 Hz to 200 Hz and a sensitivity of 140 mV/20 k-ohms. The subwoofer comes with a frequency knob which you can use to select any frequency between 50 Hz and 200 Hz with a phase switch which you can adjust to produce a much louder bass sound output. It also comes with a volume knob to adjust the subwoofer volume output and a line input jack which should be connected to the subwoofer output of your home receiver. On the whole, the Onkyo subwoofer delivers a lot of functionality and deep bass response and is one of the best subwoofers to have in a full dedicated 5.1 home theater setup.
The bass output from the Onkyo SKW204 goes really deep and adds a layer of depth to the entire music listening experience. We liked the fact that you can adjust the volume and frequency tone of the subwoofer on the rear of the subwoofer. When we hooked up this subwoofer to our 5.1 system, we were quite surprised at how much power this subwoofer actually had. The 230W of power really delivers thunderous bass performance that you can feel; watching movies with the SKW204 subwoofer felt as though we were sitting in a real life theater. Car chasing scenes felt very impactful and memorable, with deep sound effects that really pack a punch. The sound effects and layers of detail are reproduced with incredibly precision and the bass feels tight throughout; listening to instrumental music was also a very enjoyable experience and you can hear the drum beats and cymbals clearly. This subwoofer does not produce bass that sounds overwhelming or muddies into the midrange frequencies – you can hear the other frequencies from the speakers with pristine clarity while the subwoofer complements the overall sound performance. The bass from this subwoofer can get really powerful if you turn up the volume and fill up your entire room with deep sonic sound.
The Onkyo SK204 has a really solid and well-constructed design with a nice front-firing bass opening. The subwoofer is supported by four feet take minimize any vibrations in the subwoofer cabinet. We liked the wooden finish exterior that blends in nicely with modern home interior décor and fits in well with our 5.1 home theater setup. The subwoofer has a built-in amplifier that delivers 230 watts of power together with a 10” cone. We liked the fact that you can change the frequency of the subwoofer from anywhere between 50 Hz to 200 Hz depending on how you want to fine tune the entire system. The subwoofer also has an auto-standby mode which turns off the subwoofer when no signal is detected. It has a line input jack at the rear of the subwoofer which you need to connect to your home theater receiver; the subwoofer has its own power and will need to be connected to an AC power outlet separately. We liked the fact that you can really get a tonne of bass out of this subwoofer; you can crank up the volume knob on this subwoofer and it will not produce any distortion which is great. The subwoofer has a really durable and solid construction and weighs around 26 lbs which indicates that it is constructed of quality materials. For optimal bass response, we would recommend placing this subwoofer nearer to the corner of your room for the bass to reflect off the surrounding walls.
The Verdict? The Onkyo SK204 is one of the best subwoofers for home theater and integrates really nicely into 5.1 and 7.1 home theater setups. It is a very powerful subwoofer that can pump out 230 Watts of pure power and produce very deep bass with its 10” cone woofer. The frequency range on the subwoofer can go down to 25 Hz which is pretty impressive. We also liked the fact that the subwoofer comes with crossover control and a phase invert switch which allows you to fine-tune the bass output to match your surround sound speaker setup. The subwoofer also comes in a very durable and well-constructed MDF cabinet that looks really sleek. We had no issues hooking up the Onkyo SK204 to our home theater receiver via the subwoofer output channel and it works straight out of the box. You can also crank up the volume on this subwoofer close to 70% and it will produce enough bass to make the walls of your living room vibrate. Overall, the Onkyo SK204 is one of the best subwoofers we have tested and are confident that it will perform on par or above expectations in your home theater setup.
#8 Best High-End: SONOS Subwoofer
The SONOS Sub is one of the best subwoofers in the high end range that delivers extremely deep and powerful bass response. The SONOS Sub is capable of delivering bass that sounds highly detailed and dynamic with its built-in woofers; the sub also comes with an opening in the middle to move more air and deepen the bass response. It’s a great subwoofer to have if you intend to use the subwoofer for your home theater system and connect them with other SONOS speakers including the SONOS Playbar or Play 3 or Play 5 speakers. You can also leave the SONOS sub to stand or lay it flat on the floor depending on your preference; the sub is also equipped with rubber feet for stability and to reduce sonic vibrations. The SONOS sub is equipped with two force cancelling drivers positioned face to face with each other to reduce cabinet vibrations and rattling noises. It also features a simple one button set up and works extremely well straight out of the box. If you are looking for one of the best subwoofers in the high end range for your living room, the SONOS subwoofer is definitely a great choice.
The sound performance of the SONOS sub is incredible. We were surprised at how such a compact subwoofer could produce that much bass – enough bass to literally shake your entire home or apartment. The subwoofer does pack a huge punch and adds a dynamic bass presence to your movies and music; it does not cause any rattling when placed on the floor and has a very clean sound. The bass that the SONOS sub produces is earth-shatteringly low and you can feel the bass – it will make everything from your walls to the windows vibrate. The bass is very clear without any distortion at high volumes; watching movies with the SONOS sub feels as though you are plunged into the actual movie itself with powerful sound effects and permeate through the entire room. It really adds depth and flavour to the whole home theater experience. Listening to music with the SONOS sub was also a very enjoyable experience, and music performances sounded very crisp with a layer of depth to the bass and midrange tones. The bass does not overwhelm the midrange of muddy into the other frequency ranges – it stays where it should be as tight bass. If you want very good bass in your home living room setup, the SONOS sub will not disappoint.
In terms of connectivity, the SONOS Sub connects wirelessly to other SONOS speakers to create a full 5.1 or 7.1 setup depending on your musical preference. The subwoofer works well with the Play 1, Play 3, Play 5 speakers, including the SONOS Playbar and the SONOS connect amp. It comes with a very sleek and unique design that blends in nicely with home interior décor, and also has a unique opening in the middle to move more air and increase the overall bass impact. The subwoofer also comes with nice rubberized feet that reduce vibrations; the subwoofer does not rattle the floor when you turn up the volume close to maximum. We liked the fact that the subwoofer is really easy to setup and comes with a one touch setup button that you can use to easily connect the subwoofer to the other SONOS Playbar and speakers. You can also use the SONOS connect app to configure the subwoofer settings and adjust the volume EQ and bass output on the go. That being said, the one downside of this subwoofer is that it lacks adjustability; you have to control everything from the SONOS app which may be a hassle as you need to access your smartphone whenever you want to tweak the EQ and sound settings.
The Verdict? We have no doubt that the SONOS Sub is one of the best subwoofers in the high-end range that delivers a truly immersive and powerful sonic experience. Coupled with other SONOS speakers, you can create a 5.1 or 7.1 home theater setup that will truly impress you – movies sounded extremely lifelike with this sub and the deep sound effects really feels cinema-like. The bass from this subwoofer is earth-shatteringly low and it can really vibrate the walls and windows of your living room; the bass also adds a good layer of depth and detail to music performances. Listening to music with the SONOS sub feels as though you are listening to a really powerful sound system; the bass reproduction is detailed, smooth and not overwhelming. While the bass hits hard, it does not muddy into the midrange and muddy into other frequency ranges – it sounds really clean. The SONOS sub also has a really sleek and durable looking design; the middle opening gives the subwoofer a really unique appearance that blends in well into the living room. On the whole, the SONOS sub is one of the best subwoofers you can find in the high end range and we definitely highly recommend them.
#9 Most Versatile: Polk Audio PSW111 Subwoofer
The Polk Audio PSW111 is one of the best subwoofers that are highly versatile and compact enough to be integrated with other surround sound speakers for your home theater setup. The subwoofer features a single 8” woofer with compression circuitry to reduce distortion. It can be matched with other soundbars and surround sound speakers to create a dynamic 5.1 or 7.1 system. The PSW111 comes in a non-resonant all-MDF enclosure construction with internal bracing which help reduce standing waves and rattling. It is rated to 150 watts of continuous power with a peak power of 300 watts; all the woofers feature a floor coupled downward firing port which enhances the bass impact makes the subwoofer look unobtrusive. The subwoofer is relatively compact and has a dimension of 12-1/8” x 11” x 13”. You can place this subwoofer virtually anywhere in your living room and it will easily blend in with its low profile design. Overall, the Polk Audio PSW111 is an extremely versatile subwoofer and one of the best subwoofers we have tested that delivers really good sound performance.
When we hooked up the Polk PSW111 to our home theater receiver, we were very impressed by the depth and impact of the bass that this subwoofer could produce. It easily fills up the entire room with impactful bass response with very good tonal clarity; the bass feels very clean and well-defined. The subwoofer comes with a nice crossover range that is continuously variable from 60 to 160 Hz. The subwoofer also comes with an adjustable power control for you to optimize the bass impact for your room environment. The subwoofer is rated up to 150 watts of continuous power and this becomes apparent when you listen to movie soundtracks and music with the PSW111 subwoofer. Movies sounded extremely realistic as though you are sitting in a real life cinema with real-time sound effects that punch very deep. Music performances particular the electronic dance music genres were unbelievably enjoyable to listen to – with deep punchy and powerful bass that feels like you are in a disco party. The bass impact from the PSW111 hits hard and stays exactly where it should be as bass without clouding the midrange frequencies. We would best describe the sound performance of this subwoofer as clean and pure. That being said, do note that you might have to adjust the power level and crossover to optimize this subwoofer for your other speakers.
The Polk PSW111 has a really sleek and compact design; it comes in a non-resonant MDF enclosure that looks very durable and solid. The internal enclosure also has internal bracing which strengthens the entire enclosure as a whole and reduces sonic vibrations and resonance. The 8” subwoofer produces very deep bass and you can crank up the volume on this subwoofer and expect to hear very little to no distortion. The integrated amplifier works really well in driving this subwoofer with 150 watts RMS of power; it also automatically conserves power by switching to standby mode if no signal is detected. The subwoofer comes with multiple hook up options including LFE, line and speaker level inputs which allow easy connection to any speaker system. The subwoofer also has an optimized woofer motor structure, voice coil alignment and suspension to produce very good bass performance. The woofers feature a floor downward firing port which gives the subwoofer a pretty low profile design. We liked how compact the PSW111 actually is; you can easily place it by the corner or conceal it easily due to its small size.
The Verdict? The Polk PSW111 is one of the best subwoofers that is really versatile and is compatible with most speaker systems. The subwoofer comes with versatile LFE, line and speaker level inputs which provide easy connection to any sound system. The subwoofer is rated at 150 watts RMS of continuous power with 300 watts peak, which provides very powerful bass reproduction for your home and living room space. The bass that we got from the PSW111 was very tight and punchy, and it does not muddy into the midrange frequencies. It really adds a layer of depth and flavour to movies and music, and provides a really good home theater listening experience with cinema-like bass output. We liked the fact that the PSW111 comes in an all-MDF enclosure and has a really compact design which means that you can easily conceal this subwoofer around your home. We did not experience any rattling with this subwoofer when the volume is cranked up to maximum which is great. Overall, the Polk PSW111 is one of the best subwoofers that is dynamic, versatile and really compact and is a great choice if you need a subwoofer to integrate with your audio sound system due to its multiple connectivity options.
#10 Most Compact: Audioengine S8 8” Powered Subwoofer
The Audioengine S8 is a really compact subwoofer that delivers very good bass performance for its size. It’s one of the best subwoofers we have tested that really produces excellent bass performance for music, movies and games; it provides a good sonic bass extension for Audioegine powered speakers or as a dedicated subwoofer in your home theater setup. The entire subwoofer has a really compact dimension of 11.2” x 11.2” x 11.2” and is relatively unobtrusive which means you can place it virtually anywhere in your home environment without anyone noticing it. The subwoofer is solid hand-finished and has a front-ported MDF cabinet that reduces vibrations and standing waves. The S8 has dual-line level inputs (RCA and mini-jack) together with LFE inputs for a wide variety of connectivity options. Despite the Audioengine S8’s size and 8” woofer, it has a really deep bass response frequency range from 27 Hz to 180 Hz with plenty of volume to go around. You can also pair the S8 with Audioengine’s wireless audio adapter for a full wireless surround sound experience. Overall, the S8 is one of the best subwoofers we have tested that has a really good size to bass production ratio and we highly recommend them.
We were really surprised by what the Audioengine S8 subwoofer had to offer. The S8 can easily power your home audio system or home theater setup with extremely tight and punchy bass response. It can produce bass all the way down to 27 Hz with no roll-off and distortion which is enough to rattle your entire living room and windows. Despite the S8’s small size and 8” woofer, the bass that we got from this subwoofer sounded as though it came from a much larger woofer. Watching movies with the S8 hooked up to the audio receiver was an incredibly enjoyable experience – it brought clarity to the bass frequencies in the movies and sound effects. You really get the deep low end rumble that you can feel and hear while listening to the S8 subwoofer – movie sound effects felt cinema-like and very impactful. When we tested the S8 with music soundtracks, we found that the S8 produces very clean and full bass effects on electronic dance music, rock and jazz music genres. Instrumental music was really crisp and the deep low end rumble from the drums and bass can be clearly heard. You can even hear the tiny bass after-effects from the cello and violin and it really adds a layer of depth and complexity to the overall music listening experience.
The Audioengine S8 comes in a really compact design that blends in easily into modern home décor; it is small enough to go unnoticed and you can hide it in indiscrete spots in your living room. The volume control on the subwoofer works very well and at 50% volume you get enough bass to fill up your entire living room easily. The S8 subwoofer has 4 pointed feet at the bottom of the subwoofer which reduce vibrations and rattling that you get when the subwoofer is placed on the floor. The solid MDF cabinets look really sleek and durable; they are designed to reduce distortion and standing waves from bass output. At the rear of the subwoofer are dual line-level inputs (RCA and mini-jack supported) with LFT inputs. We liked the fact that the subwoofer also features an automatic sleep power saving mode which turns off the subwoofer when no signal is detected. The S8 subwoofer integrates very nicely with other Audioengine satellite speakers and is also compatible with Audioengine W1 wireless audio adapter for wireless surround sound setups.
The Verdict? The Audioengine S8 is one of the best subwoofers with a compact design and superb bass performance. The subwoofer has a deep frequency response between 27 Hz to 180 Hz and produces enough power to literally fill up your entire living room with thunderous bass performance. Watching movies and listening to music with the Audioengine S8 was a really breath-taking experience, with very deep sound effects, stunning bass and punchy beats that add a layer of depth and complexity to the sound. The bass is something that you can not only hear but literally feel on your chest; turning up the subwoofer to 50% volume alone is enough to rattle your room. The bass from this subwoofer is surprisingly tight and punchy considering the subwoofer’s compact size and 8” woofer – it really sounds as though you are listening to a much larger subwoofers. We liked the fact that the S8 comes with LFE and line-level inputs for various connectivity options. The auto-sleep power saving mode is useful for conserving power when no signal is detected. It integrates nicely with a 5.1 or 7.1 home theater setup without any issues. If you are looking for a really sleek and compact subwoofer, the Audioengine S8 is one of the best subwoofers you can find that will deliver really impactful bass with an unobtrusive and minimalist appearance.
#11 Best Design: JBL LSR310S 10” Powered Subwoofer
The JBL LSR310S is one of the best subwoofers with a really sleek and modern looking design with phenomenal bass output. It comes with a JBL patented slip stream port which works in concert with the subwoofer low-frequency driver to deliver very deep and dynamic bass response at all volume levels. It also comes with an XLF extended low frequency setting which emulates bass tuning for disco clubs and produce cinema-like lows. The LSR310S has a custom-designed driver that delivers low frequency response down to the 20 Hz region with a 113 dB peak output – you can crank up the bass volume on this subwoofer at full power without worrying about any distortion. The subwoofer also comes with professional balanced inputs and outputs with ¼” inputs and XLR inputs and outputs to connect to a wide variety of music systems. It also has a selectable input sensitivity of -10dBV/+4 dBu which provides compatibility with a wide range of signal sources and helps the subwoofer blend in with your home theater setup. Overall, the JBL LSR310S is one of the best subwoofers you can find with a stunning design and a broad range of compatibility options for your sound system setup.
The bass from the JBL LSR310S subwoofer goes really deep and punchy. It can fill up a large living room with solid and tight bass that you can feel. The bass response goes down pretty deep and reaches the 20 Hz frequency ranges easily without any issues. It connects easily to your home theater setup or 5.1 channel receiver with subwoofer output and punches really deep. Watching movies with the JBL LSR310S was a really enjoyable experience, with very detailed sound effects and bass effects that add a nice layer of texture to the music experience. Listening to music with this subwoofer was an incredible sonic experience – electronic dance music sounded off the charts punchy and detailed, while rock and pop music sounded really deep and powerful. We liked the fact that you can really crank up the bass on the JBL LSR310S can get very little to no distortion; at 70% volume the bass is enough to literally shake your entire living room. It’s a really good subwoofer to have that complements home theater setups and allows you to fine tune the sound for an optimal listening experience.
The design of the JBL LSR310S is incredibly sleek and modern, and it blends in nicely with home interior décor while being relatively unobtrusive. It features a 10” 250mm down-firing high excursion driver that maximizes the overall bass impact, and hits hard down to 27 Hz easily. The subwoofer has a max peak SPL of 113 dB and uses a Class D 200W amplifier to power the subwoofer. It has a crossover setting of 80 Hz XLF for blending with your surround sound speakers. It also has multiple inputs including two XLR and two TRS balanced inputs. The subwoofer also comes with a -10Dbv/+4 dBu sensitivity switch which provides compatibility with a broad range of signal sources. The subwoofer comes in a full MDF cabinet enclosure which minimizes standing waves and distortion, and sits on 4 rubberized feet to reduce vibrations while pumping out deep bass. The subwoofer also works very well to complement existing JBL LSR305 speaker systems. Overall, the JBL subwoofer provides very consistent bass output across the entire audio spectrum and adds a nice layer of texture to the music that makes it really enjoyable to listen to.
The Verdict? The JBL LSR310S is one of the best subwoofers you can find with an extremely sleek and modern looking design. The subwoofer comes with a 10” high-excursion driver that delivers really good bass response; it also has a built-in 200W Class D amplifier that really punches out enough power to make your living room vibrate. The subwoofer can produce bass down to 27 Hz and add a layer of texture and deep tones to the music that make it very nice to listen to. When we paired the JBL subwoofer to our surround sound setup, we were very impressed by how good this subwoofer sounded straight out of the box – movies and cinematic effects were very well reproduced and bass tones were well-defined. It also comes with a crossover network and input sensitivity switch which allows you to tune the subwoofer to blend in with your speakers. The JBL subwoofer also features a slip stream port which enhances the low-end frequencies and provides the subwoofer with a really sleek and elegant appearance. Overall, the JBL LSR310S is one of the best subwoofers with a stunning and well-constructed design with excellent bass and we highly recommend them.
#12 Best 12” Subwoofer: BIC Acoustech PL-200 II Subwoofer
The Bic Acoustech PL-200 is one of the best subwoofers you can find with a really powerful 12” long-throw front-firing woofer. This subwoofer is a beast and is capable of producing 250 watts RMS of power with 1000 watts dynamic peak power output – it is capable of producing enough bass to literally shake your entire home. The subwoofer comes with a modern BASH amplifier that produces a lot of power for your movies and music to enhance the deep low end sound performance. It has a frequency response between 22 Hz to 200 Hz and comes with adjustable crossover and volume controls for compatibility with home theater systems. The subwoofer has a sensitivity of 100dB at 30 Hz. The 12” poly-injected woofer comes with a high power magnet and long excursion surround to deepen the overall bass impact. If you are looking for a really powerful 12” subwoofer that can literally shake your entire home, the Bic Acoustech PL-200 is hands down one of the best subwoofers you can find in this category that will surpass your expectations.
The sound performance from the PL-200 is tight, punchy and delightful to listen to. It’s the perfect entry-level audiophile subwoofer to have for your surround sound system setup. You can easily hear and discern the low-end frequencies in the subwoofer around the 20 Hz to 40 Hz range; the bass is powerful enough to shake the entire floor and living room. The bass from the PL-200 hits hard and stays where it should be as bass without muddying into the midrange frequencies; we did not experience any bloating with the PL-200. It also adds a layer of texture to the lower-midrange frequencies and adds depth to vocal performances. Watching movies with this subwoofer hooked up to the home theater receiver was a pretty electric experience, with cinematic sound effects that permeate through the walls and goes very deep. You really get the feeling that you sitting in a real life theater while listening to the PL-200 subwoofer. The bass volume on the PL-200 can get excruciatingly loud and powerful – it has a max peak power of 1000 watts which is enough to rattle your home and cause the windows to vibrate. It’s a subwoofer that has more than enough power to provide a surreal cinematic experience at 250 watts RMS and works straight out of the box.
In terms of design, the PL-200 has a really sleek and clean design; the front-firing 12” woofer has a bronze metallic look that looks incredibly stunning. The cabinet looks really well-constructed and durable. The subwoofer has a nice and smooth black finish on the top that gives it a really aesthetically appealing appearance while the sides have a textured wood laminate finish. It has a dimension of 24” x 21” x 21” and fits in nicely at the corner of your living room without looking too obtrusive; it rests on four rubberized feet to reduce vibrations when playing loud bass output. Do note that this subwoofer is slightly larger than your average subwoofer due to tis larger woofer design. The subwoofer comes with its own internal built-in amplifier and does not require power output from your receiver. The subwoofer comes with an adjustable crossover and volume controls at the rear of the speaker which allow you to adjust the bass settings to blend in with your speaker system. The frequency response of this subwoofer is between 22 Hz to 200 Hz which is pretty impressive; the low-end thump that the subwoofer produces is tight and can be felt in your chest while watching movies and listening to music.
The Verdict? The Bic Acoustech PL-200 is one of the best subwoofers available that delivers thunderous bass performance with its front-firing 12” woofer. The entire subwoofer has a really sleek and modern looking design, with a durable cabinet design and smooth black finish on the top. The subwoofer comes equipped with the latest BASH amplifier to maximize bass output – it can produce 250 watts RMS of continuous power with 1000 watts dynamic peak power. In terms of bass performance, the PL-200 can literally shake your entire living room with powerful bass output; the bass stays exactly where it should be as bass and adds a layer of texture to the lower-frequencies and midrange. Music performances sounded as though we were standing in a real life disco club, while watching movies with this subwoofer felt like sitting in a real life cinema. The subwoofer can produce low-end frequencies down to 22 Hz and you can literally feel the bass reverberate through the entire room. If you are looking for one of the best subwoofers with a 12” woofer that can really deliver in the sound department, the Bic Acoustech PL-200 is definitely worth checking out.
#13 Best Entry-Audiophile Subwoofer: SVS PB1000 10” Subwoofer
The SVS PB1000 is one of the best subwoofers in the entry-audiophile level that delivers superb sound performance and clarity. The performance from this subwoofer is what you would expect from a subwoofer that is approaching audiophile quality, with deep and detailed bass response that elevates the entire music listening experience. The PB1000 comes with a 10” high output driver that provides plenty of bass with low distortion, and delivers smooth and accurate sound performance for movies and music. The PB1000 is also equipped with a Sledge STA-300D amplifier that pumps in a nice 300 watts of power and 720 watts of peak dynamic power into the subwoofer. We liked the fact that the subwoofer comes with an attractive premium black ash finish and black cloth grille that makes the subwoofer look really sleek; it has a dimension of 18.5” x 18.5” x 18.5” and integrates well into a 5.1 or 7.1 home theater setup easily. Overall, the SVS PB1000 is one of the best subwoofers you can find in the entry-audiophile category and we highly recommend them.
The bass that we experienced from the SVS PB1000 is really enjoyable to listen to and it hits hard. The bass does not sound boomy or overwhelming; it fills up the entire room and has a solid and punchy texture to it. When we tested the SVS PB1000, the bass from the subwoofer sounded impactful and solid – it hits all the sweet spots in music performances and does not muddy into the midrange frequencies. The subwoofer produces a good 300 watts of power which is enough for a home theater system; the bass gets really loud and punchy and can literally make your windows rattle. When we played music through this subwoofer, it sounded really smooth and well-defined with a nice bass texture at the low-end and lower midrange frequencies. Electronic dance music sounded really fun and disco-like without muddy bass, while rock and pop music were well-defined with that extra sonic punch. The woofer also moves really fast and you can hear the bass impact across the audio spectrum clearly; instrumental music sounded really clear and the bass impact from drums and cello instruments can be heard with precision. At 70% volume, the bass from the PB1000 is enough to make your living room sound like a real-life cinema and adds flare to the overall sound performance.
The SVS PB1000 has a relatively sleek and unobtrusive design. The cabinet has a nice wooden textured finish that allows it to blend in with modern home décor; it looks very durable and solid throughout and works well to reduce standing waves and bass resonance. The subwoofer has a dimension of 18.5” on all sides and is slightly larger than your average subwoofer. It comes with a Sledge STA-300D amplifier that delivers plenty of power to the woofer and integrates well with your surround sound speakers. The 10” driver has no difficulty in delivering very smooth bass impact and we liked the fact that you can really crank up the bass on this subwoofer without experiencing any distortion or degradation or bloated bass. It also has a green standby mode with less than 0.5 watts of power consumption when no signal is detected. At the rear of the subwoofer are the volume controls, phase control and low-pass filter which allows you to blend the subwoofer frequencies with your surround sound speakers. It also comes with the standard speaker line-level inputs as well as LFE inputs for connectivity to your music system.
The Verdict? The SVS PB1000 is one of the best subwoofers in the entry-audiophile level range that really delivers sound performance on point. The bass is tight, punchy and impactful, and adds a layer of depth to movies and music performances. When we tested the PB1000 to our Onkyo home theater receiver, we were quite surprised at how solid the bass sounded with plenty of depth. It produces 300 watts RMS of power and delivers a 720 watt peak dynamic power which is really good. The 10” woofer works really well in pumping out tight bass performance; it also integrate wells into 5.1 and 7.1 home theater systems. The bass does go very low down to 20 Hz and you can literally hear the bass vibrating the table and windows; music performances sounded very crisp and felt like we were sitting in a real life disco with the heavy thumping effect. The subwoofer also comes with dual high-grade ferrite magnets to enhance the bass frequencies and low-end response. If you are looking for one of the best subwoofers in the entry-audiophile level, the SVS PB1000 will definitely not disappoint.
#14 Best Dynamic Bass: Klipsch Reference R-10SW 10” Subwoofer
The Klipsch R-10SW is one of the best subwoofers available that produces really powerful dynamic bass response and is among the best in the Klipsch line of subwoofers. This subwoofer comes with a power 10” copper-spun front-firing woofer and a digital amplifier that delivers 300 watts of dynamic power – enough power to rock your entire living room and apartment. The spun copper IMG woofer is light and rigid at the same time which provides really good low frequency response with minimal sound breakup and distortion at loud volume levels. The sound performance of the subwoofer is dynamic and sounds equally good with music or movies with deep bass effects. We liked the fact that the subwoofer also comes with low pass crossover and phase control for you to tune the subwoofer to your speaker output. It also features line and LFE inputs for compatibility with most home theater receivers. Overall, the Klipsch R-10SW is a really impressive and one of the best subwoofers we have tested that delivers solid bass and is a mark above the rest.
The sound quality of the Klipsch R-10SW is very impressive. When we tested this subwoofer we were quite surprised at how clean the bass response was – the bass was solid without any coloration and distortion at high volume levels. It’s a really good subwoofer to have and integrates well with 5.1 setups. The subwoofer can really produce a low-end thump that will rattle your entire living room and shake the windows; it has a front firing driver and digital amplifier that delivers a massive 300 watts of power. The subwoofer also connected easily to our Onkyo home theater receiver using the LFE input channel. Watching movies such as Marvel’s Avengers with the R-10SW felt like we were sitting in a real life cinema – the bass adds depth and soundstage to the overall experience. You can hear and feel the sound effects from movies around you; the bass hits hard and dissipates quickly and punches again in quick succession. It does not sound muddy or bloated and does not overwhelm the midrange frequencies which is really good. We also liked the fact that you can really turn up the volume on this subwoofer and experience very little distortion; at 70% volume the bass impact is enough to disturb your neighbors and we would not recommend pushing it to 100%.
In terms of design, the Klipsch R-10SW comes in a durable and well-constructed cabinet that reduces standing waves and bass resonance. The subwoofer itself stays firmly rooted on the floor and does not vibrate even at louder bass volume levels. It has a dimension of 12.5” 15.7” x 14” which is rather compact and blends in nicely with your surround sound speaker setup. We liked the 10” copper-spun front-firing woofer which looked really refined and elegant. The subwoofer comes with low pass crossover and phase controls for tuning with your surround sound speakers, as well as line and LFE inputs for compatibility with your receiver. The subwoofer has its own internal amplifier that delivers 300 watts of dynamic power. It also comes with a nice black fabric grille that covers the woofer. The subwoofer has three power modes – on, off and automatic modes. The automatic mode turns the subwoofer down to sleep if no signal is detected after 10 minutes. Overall, the R-10SW is a great subwoofer that sounds bigger than it looks and delivers superb bass performance for its size.
The Verdict? The Klipsch R-10SW is easily one of the best subwoofers you can find that delivers very good dynamic bass for movies and music. It comes with a built-in digital amplifier that delivers 300 watts of power and an injunction molded graphite woofer that produces accurate bass response. The woofer is designed to be extremely rigid and provide a really low frequency response with minimal distortion at high volumes. Listening to music with the R-10SW feels like you are listening to a really high-end speaker setup, with full bass notes and very well defined midranges. The bass adds a layer of texture to the lower-midrange frequencies and enhances the overall impact of the sound effects. Electronic dance music sounded really clean and disco-like with the R-10SW. It’s a subwoofer that can really fill up a large living room space with filling and rich bass tones and also has a low pass crossover and phase control to blend in with your surround speakers. Overall, the Klipsch R-10SW is one of the best subwoofers that deliver really good dynamic bass response and we highly recommend them.
#15 Best Frequency Response: Yamaha NS-SW300PN Powered Subwoofer
The Yamaha NS-SW300PN is one of the best subwoofers with a really deep frequency response from 20 to 160 Hz. It’s the ideal subwoofer to have if you want really deep lows for movies and music performances. The subwoofer is equipped with a PWM digital drive high-efficiency amplifier with a dual feedback circuit for extremely fast bass reproduction. It also comes with a twisted flare port which helps to enhance the tightness of the bass. The subwoofer comes equipped with Yamaha Active Servo Technology which pumps out a good 250 watts of output power. We liked the fact that the subwoofer also comes with a front control panel for easy control with an auto standby switch and sensitivity selector and system control for tuning. The subwoofer has a really sleek and beautiful design which can match a wide range of speakers and home interiors. It also has a 10” front-firing woofer that helps to project the bass out into the room. If you are looking for one of the best subwoofers with a really good frequency range, the NS-SW300PN comes highly recommended.
The NS-SW300PN produces very powerful bass that hits hard. You can literally feel the walls and your entire room shaking while listening to this subwoofer. The subwoofer complements our home theater system setup really well and we had no issues hooking it up with our Onkyo 5.1 receiver. The bass from this subwoofer goes unbelievably deep down to 20 Hz and you can hear the low-end rumble that you only hear in cinemas. Watching movies with this subwoofer was definitely at treat; the bass sounded very full and well defined, and enhances the lower-midrange frequencies with solid tonal control. When we pushed the volume up to 50%, it had enough power to literally fill up the entire room with super bass; the bass does not sound muddy or overwhelming. The low-end kick that this subwoofer gives to music performances can be heard; electronic dance music and rock and pop genres sounded right off the bat disco-like. Vocal performances also sounded very crisp and clean with subtle enhancements from the subwoofer for low-end notes. Overall, the NS-SW300PN is a really good subwoofer that delivers deep and tight punchy bass that really sounds clean and enjoyable to listen to.
The Yamaha NS-SW300PN has a really sleek and elegant looking design with a beautiful piano black finish and a smooth curved front. It comes with Yamaha’s twisted flare port technology which reduces air turbulence and noise, and provides a clear and accurate low frequency sound reproduction. The subwoofer comes with a built-in amplifier that delivers a stable power output of 250 watts with high efficiency with dual feedback circuitry which reduces distortion at high volumes. It also has a 10” cone woofer with a square wiring that covers a wider surface area and wound more densely for a higher driving force and bass reproduction. The power and volume buttons are nicely located on the front surface for easy access and inclined at 45 degrees which make it easy to find when the subwoofer is placed on the floor. There is also an LED indicator above the power button which shows whether the subwoofer is on or off. The subwoofer also comes with an auto power standby function mode which switches the subwoofer to power-consumption (0.3W) standby state if no signal is detected.
The Verdict? We were really impressed with the deep low-end bass quality that the Yamaha NS-SW300PN had to deliver. It’s one of the best subwoofers you can find that really nails it with a very good frequency response from 20 to 160 Hz; it provides a low-end kick to the music which you will not forget. The sound quality that we received from the NS-SW300PN subwoofer was incredibly tight, punchy and clean. The bass adds a layer of texture and quality to the overall music performance that makes it very pleasing to listen to. The subwoofer uses a 10” large cone woofer that produces deep bass response and comes with a PWM digital drive high-efficiency amplifier with a dual feedback circuit. It also has a twisted flare port that enhances the tightness of the bass response. We liked the fact that you can really crank up the bass volume on the NS-SW300PN with very little distortion. Overall, it’s one of the best subwoofers you can find with a really good low frequency response down to 20 Hz and we highly recommend them.
#16 Best Sound Accuracy: JBL Arena S10 100W Powered Subwoofer
The JBL Arena S10 is one of the best subwoofers with really accurate and sophisticated bass reproduction. It is essentially a powered subwoofer with a 10” (250mm) high-output polycellulose woofer that is really rigid to produce very tight bass response. It also comes with a built-in 100 watt RMS (200 watt dynamic peak power) Class D digital amplifier that drives the woofer – you only need to connect the subwoofer to your home theater receiver for the signal. The subwoofer also comes with dual rear ports which optimize airflow and minimizes port turbulence and distortion in the lower end frequency ranges. We liked the fact that the fact that the subwoofer also comes with variable level, crossover, phase controls and rear-mounted controls that allow for easy setup and integration into your surround sound system. It is a really sleek and elegant looking subwoofer with a contemporary cabinet design and black grilles which look very durable. On the whole, the JBL Arena S10 is one of the best subwoofers with a very good command of bass and we highly recommend them.
When we tested the JBL Arena S10 with our 5.1 setup and receiver, we were blown away by how clear the output from the subwoofer sounded; you can literally feel the floor vibrating from the sound of the subwoofer while watching movies via Blu-ray disc. The subwoofer has a really dynamic frequency response between 41 Hz to 150 Hz. While it does not produce bass frequencies down to 20 Hz, it is more than enough to make your movies and music sound very good and cinema-like. Watching movies while listening to this subwoofer felt as though we were sitting in a semi-cinema, with sound effects that reach deep into the bass. We liked the fact that the subwoofer has volume and crossover settings which allow you to adjust the bass tonal output to match your surround sound speakers and ‘blend’ in to the surround sound. Turning up the bass volume to 70% is literally enough to shake your entire home – listening to rock and disco music with this subwoofer was a really thrilling experience with deep low end bass reproduction. You can not only hear the bass but feel the bass in your chest – which is pretty amazing considering what a 100 Watt RMS subwoofer can do.
In terms of design, the JBL Arena has a nice wooden textured finish on the sides and has a dimension of 14-5/16” x 14-1/2” x 16”. The JBL speaker is intended for use in conjunction with JBL Arena loudspeakers for a full 5.1 sound system setup, although you can hook it up to your receiver for pairing with other speakers if required. The subwoofer comes equipped with a 10” high-output polycellulose woofer with a 100 watt RMS Class D amplifier. It also has variable level, crossover and phase controls which provide some degree of tuning, although you can choose to tune the bass output directly from your receiver. The crossover frequencies are 50 Hz to 150 Hz variable at 24 dB/octave. It also comes with a black grille that covers the woofer and blends in nicely with modern home décor. The entire package comes with the subwoofer, power cord and user manual for easy reference.
The Verdict? The JBL Arena S10 is one of the best subwoofers you can find that delivers really good accurate bass reproduction. Despite it having a higher frequency range between 41 Hz to 150 Hz, the bass goes really deep and low and enhances the overall feel that you get with music performances. We had no issues hooking up the subwoofer to our 5.1 Onkyo receiver through the subwoofer output; it also gives you the option to adjust the variable crossover and tune the subwoofer to blend in with your speakers. Watching movies with the JBL Arena S10 felt as though we were sitting in a real life cinema, with very detailed lows and punchy beats that reverberate through the entire room. The entire subwoofer has a really sleek and modern looking design with wooden textured finishes at the side and a black grille that covers the woofer. It is powered by a 100 watts RMS Class D amplifier with a peak dynamic power of 200 watts. While it’s not the strongest subwoofer on the market, the JBL Arena is a really good subwoofer to have for accurate bass and is definitely worth checking out.
#17 Best for Small Rooms: OSD Audio S10 Powered Subwoofer
The OSD Audio S10 is one of the best subwoofers for small to medium sized rooms that deliver really good value for money. It is one of the best subwoofers that you can find to easily connect with your home theater receiver without the need for a separate amplifier. The subwoofer has a nice power output of 120 watts RMS and a dynamic peak power of 240 watts, which is more than enough for large to medium sized room for home theater. We liked the fact that this subwoofer also comes with adjustable gain controls and variable crossover frequencies set between 50 Hz and 250 Hz for you to tune the subwoofer to match your surround sound speakers. The OSD S10 also comes with auto-sensing function which allows the subwoofer to turn on when it detects a signal. It has a down-firing design which allows for flexible placement in your living room space. The subwoofer uses a 10” reinforced cone woofer for deeper frequency response and has a dimension of approximately 14.5” x 11.5” x 13.75”. If you are looking for one of the best subwoofers in the entry-level range, the OSD Audio S10 comes highly recommended.
The OSD Audio S10 produces very balanced and clean bass response – the sound is not boomy or overpowering and very enjoyable to listen to. The bass from this subwoofer hits hard and tight, and has a nice frequency range of 50 Hz to 250 Hz. It uses a 120 watt amplifier to drive the woofer and receives signal directly from your home theater receiver. While the subwoofer is not going to rattle your living room, it provides a decent listening experience for small to medium sized rooms and a semi-home theater listening experience. The bass from this subwoofer hits hard and feels tight; watching movies with the OSD S10 allows you to feel the sound effects and take in the vocal dialogue with an added low-end frequency boost. The subwoofer also enhances the lower-midrange frequencies and gives it a more solid and rounded feel. You can crank up the volume on this subwoofer and it will produce very little to no distortion – however, do bear in mind that this is a rather compact subwoofer and may not be suitable for high-end audio setups. If you are looking for a decent subwoofer that will fill up a small to medium sized room with great sound, the OSD Audio S10 is definitely a great choice.
The OSD Audio S10 comes in an elegant and compact cabinet design. The cabinet design is feels very solid and reduces standing waves and eliminates vibrations that come with most small subwoofers. It has a down-firing, front tuned 3” port design that allows the subwoofer to blend in nicely into modern home décor. The subwoofer is compatible with stereo or two-channel system setups; the S10 subwoofer easily connects and installs to line level subwoofer output (variable) or LFE output (fixed) on your audio receiver. It has a built-in amplifier and does not require any additional power to drive them. The amplifier and subwoofer are optimally matched in the same enclosure to deliver really crisp and powerful bass. It also comes with a variable crossover which you can adjust for tuning with your surround sound speakers. At the rear of the subwoofer are high level speaker inputs and line RCA inputs. It has a weight of approximately 26.1 lbs and integrates nicely in small to medium sized rooms.
The Verdict? The OSD Audio S10 is one of the best subwoofer you can find for small to medium sized rooms. It produces really punchy and tight bass and has a nice frequency response between 50 Hz to 250 Hz. The subwoofer adds depth to the overall listening experience and enhances the low-midrange frequencies for better sound output. Watching movies with the subwoofer feels really cinematic and lifelike, and it has enough power to fill up your room with solid bass. It comes equipped with a 120 watt RMS amplifier and a 10” reinforced driver which delivers a really nice low-end. We liked the fact that the subwoofer also comes with high level speaker inputs and RCA line inputs for connectivity with a wide variety of audio receivers. It comes with a down-firing 3” port design which is more compact and produces a really equal bass distribution across the room when compared to front-firing subwoofers. While the bass from the S10 is not the best we have heard, it is certainly packs a punch which makes the OSD10 one of the best subwoofers for small rooms and sound system setups.
#18 Most Powerful: ELAC S12EQ Powered Subwoofer
The ELAC S12EQ is a 1000 watt powered subwoofer and one of the best subwoofers you can find that delivers a really well-balanced bass output with its massive 12” driver and 12” passive radiator. The Debut S10EQ incorporates an advanced digital control system which gives you control over the EQ settings while using the ELAC SubEQ app with your smartphone. The S12EQ subwoofer will automatically equalize to your room environment with its 12-band parametric equalizer; you also have the option of adjusting the EQ on the subwoofer manually. The subwoofer comes with a BASH amplifier that delivers a massive 100 watts of power to the woofer for massive bass output. The entire subwoofer is housed within a braced MDF cabinet which reduces distortion and standing waves; the subwoofer does not vibrate at all when placed on the ground and stays firm and rigid. It also comes with advanced Bluetooth control which you can use to control the subwoofer output via your smartphone from the ELAC sub control app. It’s one of the best subwoofers you can find that delivers really powerful bass response with unique auto EQ functionality and is definitely worth checking out.
The bass performance that we got from the ELAC S12EQ was hands down impressive. The subwoofer works really well to maximize your listening experience and integrates nicely into your 5.1 or 7.1 home theater setup. You can also set the crossover frequencies and phase switch for blending with your home audio speakers. The bass from this subwoofer goes extremely deep and you can certainly hear and feel the bass from your chest. The bass from this subwoofer will put you on the edge while watching movies and hit every note with cinematic sound quality. You really get detailed sound effects, clear enhanced dialogue and nice lower-end midrange with this subwoofer. Listening to music performances felt like a really enjoyable listening experience, with rock and pop music sounding as though you are sitting in a real life disco performance. The subwoofer has the ability to make your entire music system sound much better and you can also calibrate the subwoofer output via the app for blending with your speaker system. The volume on the S12EQ goes incredibly loud – at 50% volume the sound from this subwoofer is more than enough to fill up a large room with filling bass response.
In terms of design and functionality, the ELAC S12EQ really comes out on top. We liked the fact that you can adjust the subwoofer using the downloadable app and set the EQ settings depending on your musical preferences; it has a nice control interface which you can use to adjust the subwoofer without having to adjust any rear controls. The subwoofer has advanced Bluetooth controls and auto EQ settings which will automatically equalize to your room environment with its 12-band parametric equalizer. It also has a full manual EQ if you choose to adjust the subwoofer manually. The entire subwoofer has a really sleek and modern looking design that blends in nicely with modern home interior décor. It comes with a braced MDF cabinet that feels really solid and reduces vibrations and standing waves; we liked the fact that you can crank up the subwoofer volume to maximum and hear very little distortion or rattling noise from the subwoofer. The S12EQ delivers 1000 watts of power with its integrated BASH amplifier, and has a 12” driver and a 12” passive radiator that delivers a really good low-end punch. The Bluetooth functionality on this subwoofer works like a charm and connects directly to your smartphone device which you can use as a remote control for the subwoofer.
The Verdict? The ELAC S12EQ is one of the best subwoofers that can deliver 1000 watts of pure power. It comes with a massive 12” driver and 12” passive bass radiator that really enhances the deep low end bass response. The subwoofer has advanced Bluetooth controls and auto EQ which allows you to operate the subwoofer directly from your smartphone device. It features a parametric EQ providing extra manual adjustment for your music preferences. Listening to music with the ELAC S12EQ is an experience of its own, with very detailed bass, deep low-end punch and enhanced midrange frequencies. It really just elevates the entire listening experience and integrates well with your 5.1 or 7.1 home theater setup. The subwoofer can be adjusted using the auto EQ app on your smartphone which is really convenient; you can also adjust the crossover settings for blending with your home audio system. On the whole, the ELAC S12EQ is a really powerful subwoofer and one of the best subwoofers you can find that delivers a really stunning cinematic experience for those who love deep bass.
#19 Best Bass Clarity: Emotiva Audio Sub8 150 Watts Powered Subwoofer
The Emotiva Audio 150 Watts 8” subwoofer is one of the best subwoofers that produce accurate and very clean bass response. It is essentially a 150 watt subwoofer with an 8” low-frequency driver with a 1.5” cooper voice coil on a solid aluminium former for deep bass response. The woofer has a mineral-filled polypropylene cone and a large rubber roll surround for rigidity and better bass performance. The entire subwoofer comes with a high efficiency 150 watt RMS Class D amplifier which pumps out a lot of power for deep bass; the subwoofer has a frequency response of 28 Hz to 200 Hz which is pretty good. We liked the fact that the subwoofer also comes with a crossover, phase and level controls for precise tuning to match your home surround speakers. If you are looking for a high-performance and one of the best subwoofers for your home audio system, the Emotiva Audio subwoofer comes highly recommended.
The bass performance from the Emotiva Audio subwoofer is quite strong considering that it is an 8” subwoofer. The bass from the Emotiva hits hard and goes pretty deep – you can really hear and feel the bass from this subwoofer reverberate through your entire room. Watching movies and listening to music was a really enjoyable experience, with tight and clear bass response. The bass clarity that you get with this subwoofer is top-notch, and they work in harmony with the surrounds to deliver a really crisp and enjoyable sound. You also have the option of setting the fronts and LFE inputs to crossover with the surround speakers for better tuning. The frequency response on the subwoofer is dynamic and ranges down from 28 Hz to 200 Hz which is pretty good considering that this is an 8” subwoofer. At 70% volume, the subwoofer produces enough bass output to cause your windows and floors to shake. That being said, we did experience some noise from the subwoofer while tuning upwards from 70% volume and a little distortion. The bass from this subwoofer goes loud and deep and the 150 watts RMS class D amplifier works like a charm to drive the 8” woofer.
The Emotiva Audio subwoofer integrates well into most 5.1 and 7.1 home theater setups. It has a pretty sleek and compact design that fits in well with a modern home living room environment. The subwoofer has a dimension of 12.6” x 10.6” x 16.6” and weighs approximately 21.2 lbs. The subwoofer comes in a precisely tuned and acousticaly inert MDF cabinet that is internally braced to reduce vibrations and bass resonance. The bass response extends cleanly down to 28 Hz and has volume, crossover frequency and phase controls for fine tuning with your surround speakers. The 8” low-frequency driver comes with a 1.5” copper voice coil on an aluminium former with a mineral injunction filled polypropylene cone and a large rubber roll surround for deeper extended bass. It also comes with speaker level line inputs and LFE inputs to your receiver for easy connectivity. We liked the fact that the connections are nicely marked on the subwoofer and easy to connect to your audio system straight out of the box.
The Verdict? The Emotiva Audio subwoofer is one of the best subwoofers that deliver really clean and solid bass performance. It has an 8” woofer that produces deep bass response together with a 150 watt RMS Class D amplifier – the subwoofer has a nice frequency response between 28 Hz to 200 Hz which is really good. While the bass from the subwoofer is not the best that we have heard, it punches hard and adds a nice layer of texture to the overall music listening experience. You can also adjust the subwoofer to blend in with your surround speakers via the crossover and phase controls. When we tested this subwoofer, we were pretty surprised at how deep and tight the bass was – it does not muddy at all into the midrange frequencies and stays exactly where it should be as bass. Movies and music sounded very well rounded and the subwoofer elevates the entire home audio listening experience. You can also crank up the volume on this subwoofer but it may produce some noise at high volumes due to the small 8” woofer. Despite this, it’s one of the best subwoofers you can have for your home audio setup and for medium-sized rooms, and comes highly recommended.
#20 Best Value: Dayton Audio 12” 120 Watt Powered Subwoofer
The Dayton Audio 12” subwoofer is one of the best subwoofers that deliver exceptional value for money. This powered subwoofer is capable of delivering deep bass-effects in large rooms and is perfect for home theater setups. It comes with a heavy duty long-throw 12” woofer with a bottom-firing flared port and bass reflex design together with 120 watts of power. The subwoofer amplifier features high and low level inputs and high level outputs, phase switch, independent volume control and a variable 12 dB electronic low pass filter for tuning. It also has a selectable auto-on mode where the subwoofer will automatically turn on when it detects a signal. The compact subwoofer has an unobtrusive black vinyl finish that will complement modern home interior décor and blends in nicely in a 5.1 or 7.1 home theater setup. Overall, it’s one of the best subwoofers that represent a great value investment and we highly recommend them.
The bass performance of the Dayton Audio subwoofer is incredibly smooth and well defined. Running the subwoofer at 50% gain is enough to fill up an entire living room with deep and punchy bass. The frequency response of the subwoofer is pretty good and it can reproduce the lower end frequencies below 50 Hz to 30 Hz without any issues; it provides deep lows for small speaker systems and home theater setups. Watching movies with the Dayton Audio subwoofer hooked up to the main home theater system was an incredibly enjoyable listening experience, and the rolling bass performance hits hard and adds a layer of depth to the overall listening experience. The subwoofer is powerful enough to shake the walls and floor of your living room at half the volume setting. Listening to music soundtracks and instrumental music with the Dayton Audio subwoofer was a smooth blend of crisp lows and midtones, with a layer of texture and depth from the bass. The bass does not sound overwhelming or muddy, and it is bass that you can literally feel in your chest while listening to the subwoofer.
The Dayton Audio subwoofer is equipped with a 12” cone that is capable of producing very deep bass response. The controls are located at the rear of the subwoofer and allow you to control the volume and phase controls. The bottom-firing, flared port design on the subwoofer increases the impact of the low-end frequency output and reduces port noise and sonic vibrations. The subwoofer sits nicely on the floor and has rubberized feet that reduce any vibrations in the subwoofer cabinet. The subwoofer comes with a 120 watt amplifier that features high and low level inputs with independent volume controls. The variable 12 dB electronic low pass filter comes in handy for tuning the subwoofer to your surround speakers. The entire cabinet has a clean black vinyl design that complements modern home interior décor. We liked the fact that you can really crank up the bass on the subwoofer and it will produce virtually no distortion – at 50% volume the bass is enough to shake your room windows and walls. Overall, it has a really clean and nice design and looks very well constructed – it’s a subwoofer that will last for a long time once you integrate it with your living room setup.
The Verdict? The Dayton Audio 12” subwoofer is one of the best subwoofers that delivers really good value for money. It features a 12” cone that can produce a tonne of bass output without any distortion, and comes with an amplifier that delivers 120 watts of power. The subwoofer comes with volume control, low pass filter and level inputs for you to hook it up to your receiver. The cabinet design is solid and has a bottom firing flared bass port for deep bass response. When we tested the Dayton Audio subwoofer, we were pretty surprised at how deep and punchy the bass response sounded. Watching movies and listening to music from the subwoofer was an incredibly enjoyable experience, and you can turn up the bass on the subwoofer without hearing any distortion which is great. The bass hits hard and feels tight; we did not hear any muddiness or bloated bass from the subwoofer. It’s a great compliment for a 5.1 or 7.1 home theater setup and works well as a dedicated subwoofer. If you are looking for one of the best subwoofers for the value, the Dayton Audio 12” subwoofer will definitely not disappoint.
Subwoofer Placement Guide
One of the most commonly asked questions is where you should place your subwoofer in your room for the best bass response. Because bass is omni-directional, it actually does not matter where you place the subwoofer in your room to hear the low-end bass frequencies. That being said, the ideal position for a subwoofer would be at the corner of your room or near a wall where the bass frequencies can reflect off the walls and fill up the entire room.
Do note that where your subwoofer should be positioned can also depend on whether you are using a front-firing subwoofer or down-firing subwoofer. If you are using a front-firing subwoofer, you should ideally place the subwoofer at the front-center of your speaker system next to the TV for the subwoofer to project the bass out into the entire living room. This is because the bass is fired out from the front-facing subwoofer port and should be projected outwards into the room for you to hear it.
By contrast, if you are using a down firing subwoofer, the ideal position would be by the corner of the room or front-center. Placing this type of subwoofers at the corners is best because it will have walls to reflect the bass out into the room environment. As a rule of thumb, we would recommend placing the subwoofer no further than 5” away from the corner of the wall for optimal bass response.
If you have tried the above techniques and still cannot get the bass to sound tight and punchy, or the bass feels muddy from your listening position, the best way to correct this is to play a bass heavy soundtrack and walk around your room until you find the optimal listening spot. Sometimes, the shape of your room will influence how the bass frequencies actually sound in real life.
If you are placing the subwoofer in a room that is not perfectly square shaped, try walking around the room and listening to the subwoofer at the same time until you find that sweet spot where the bass sounds the best. This would then be the ideal position to place your subwoofer although do bear in mind that you may require additional wiring for these purposes. Another factor to consider is how far your subwoofer is from your audio receiver as the longer the wire, the higher the impedance and more power is required to drive the subwoofer. This is usually not an issue for powered subwoofers with its own built-in internal amplifier.
Apart from subwoofer placement, you can also adjust the bass output by tuning the crossover network and phase controls to ensure that it blends in nicely with your surround speakers. It takes a combination of tuning and subwoofer positioning before you hit the ideal configurations for really impactful and punchy bass.