A car subwoofer provides the bass that makes your music come to life. It’s a special kind of speaker made to make low-frequency sounds, like the deep thump of a kick drum or the deep rumble of a bass guitar. A subwoofer gives your music a whole new dimension, giving you a powerful and enveloping sound that takes your driving to a whole new level of audio bliss.
Subwoofers are the best thing you can add to your car’s sound system. Last year, Sonic Electronix customers chose an amazing lineup of best-selling car subwoofers that are sure to be around this year. Check out our list of the subwoofers from 2022 that our customers liked the most.
JL Audio 10W0v3-4 – 600W Peak (300W RMS) 10″ W0v3 Series Single 4-Ohm Subwoofer
Durability: 4.9 | Value: 4.9 | Features: 4.9 | Design: 4.9 | Usability: 5
When it comes to car subwoofers, the JL Audio 10W0v3-4 is one of the best. Outstanding excursion capability, linearity, and overall performance output place the W0v3 at the pinnacle of its price range. The driver has been specifically developed to handle more power and last longer thanks to its large 2.0-inch voice coil, DMA-optimized motor system, and JL Audio’s proprietary Elevated Frame Cooling architecture. This also means that your system will have the enhanced output and higher-quality sound you’d expect from a JL Audio product right away. Additionally, its linearity and excursion capacity is top-notch, allowing it to faithfully reproduce deep bass notes.
The W0v3 can provide a well-balanced sound unlike any other driver in its price range when coupled with the right power supply, signal, and configuration. As little as 75 Watts is required to power the 10W0v3 Subwoofer. Furthermore, these subwoofers may function in either a ported or sealed enclosure, requiring only 0.65 cubic feet of air space in a sealed box and 1.125 cubic feet of air space in a ported/vented enclosure.
Originally established in 1997 and continuously improved since then to scientifically address the issue of speaker motor linearity, JL Audio’s patented Dynamic Motor Analysis system is a formidable set of FEA-based modeling systems, which results in a tight, clear, and articulate bass sound.
Item highlights
• 300 Watts RMS
• Sensitivity: 84.07 dB
• Mineral-Filled Polypropylene Cone
• Large Roll Surround
• Elevated Frame Cooling
• DMA Optimized Motor System
• Metallic Silver Frame Finish
“great sub!” – ★★★★★
Great sub for the price!! Sounds amazing and because of the room I have under the back seat the sub is in a box that is half the size that JL calls for. I couldn’t imagine how great it would sound in the right box!
Trent
Sonic Electronix CustomerNVX VSW124v2 – 1200 Watt (600W RMS) 12″ VS-Series Dual 4-ohm Car Subwoofer
Durability: 4.8 | Value: 4.8 | Features: 4.8 | Design: 4.8 | Usability: 4.8
When it comes to bass, the NVX VSW124v2 really packs a powerful punch. Subwoofers from the VS series are built with a non-pressed paper cone and a PP dust cap intended for high sound pressure levels and precise response. The high-roll blended foam rim secures the cone and is treated to maximize travel. Subwoofers of this type can provide Xmax of up to 12mm.
The 2.5″ aluminum voice coil found in every NVX subwoofer ensures that power is distributed evenly across the whole enclosure. Subwoofers in the VS-Series all use dual voice coils. Subwoofers with two separate voice coils, or DVCs, are highly sought after by mobile audiophiles. Installers have more leeway with DVC subwoofers, allowing them to wire the individual drivers in series or parallel.
In comparison to other subwoofers on the market, the aluminum shorting ring in the NVX VS-Series models is what really sets them apart. The inductance of the speaker can be lowered by using a ring made of conductive aluminum that is inserted into the gap between the pole piece and the voice coil. Because of this, the subwoofer can reproduce a wider range of bass frequency range with less distortion. This means that the subwoofer’s voice coils will receive a greater amount of power, resulting in the better overall sound. These features are more commonly found in more expensive subwoofers, but NVX’s affordable price point makes them more accessible to you.
Y30 High-Energy Ferrite Magnets are used in the NVX VS-Series subwoofers to increase their power output. Both the VSW154v2 and the VSW152v2 are equipped with enormous 100oz magnets, making them the company’s largest subwoofers in this series. This allows for a maximum RMS power of 750W when used with these 15″ subwoofers. The VS-Series subwoofers combine these features to give your car a powerful bass.
Item highlights
• 600 Watts RMS / 1200 Watts Max
• Dual 4-ohm Voice Coil
• Non-Pressed Paper With Woven Carbon Fiber Top
• High Excursion Foam Surround
• Stamped Steel Basket
• Single Nomex Spider
“Amazing sound!!” – ★★★★★
I bought 4 of these subs for my 2019 Charger. I’ve waited a couple of months before posting this review so I could thoroughly break in and test them. The sound quality on these subs is absolutely amazing for the price. They perform equally to some of the other subs that cost quite a bit more, and the quality of the construction is actually better than that of some of the more expensive subs. They hit HARD!! Pair them with a quality box built to the sub’s space requirements, pair them with a good amp and enjoy the thump!! I will definitely buy more of these NVX subs in the future.
Christopher
Sonic Electronix CustomerJL Audio Thin-Line 10TW3-D4 – 400W Peak (200W RMS) 10″ TW3 (Thin-Line Series) Dual 4-ohm Shallow Mount Subwoofer
Durability: 5 | Value: 4.9 | Features: 5 | Design: 5 | Usability: 5
The Thin-Line 10TW3-D4 from JL Audio is a powerful combination of shallow mounting depth and excursion capacity that expands upon the technology found in the company’s Thin-Line TW5 subwoofers. In fact, they can extend further than the W3v3s can.
This remarkable feat is made possible by the “concentric tube” structure integrated into the injection-molded cone body of the TW3s, which is part of JL Audio’s patented thin-line woofer technology. This design allows the bulky motor assembly to be located further forward in the speaker than in previous iterations, while still providing support for the voice coil and a full circular spider.
This subwoofer can be installed in confined locations, making it ideal for use in vehicles. It produces deep, powerful bass that brings music to life.
Item highlights
• Mounting depth: 3.250 “
• Precision-built in the USA at JL Audio’s Miramar, Florida factory
• Injection molded, mica-filled polypropylene cone
• Rubber Surround
• Cast Alloy Basket
• DMA-optimized motor design
• Very small sealed enclosure volume requirements
“Everything you have read about this subwoofer is true.” – ★★★★★
I bought this because there is not much room under the back seat in my 2011 F-150. I had read that the sound quality was really good even though it is a compact design. I used a 300W monoblock amplifier from NVX (MVPA1) mounted under my dash then ran 10ga wires to the woofer, mounted in a Zenclosure box made for this woofer. The box dimensions are exactly what is on the JL website. WOW. It sounds really great. The box is a little large to fit under the seat so I’m building my own. I can’t wait to get it finished.
James
Sonic Electronix CustomerKicker CompVR CVR124 – 800W Peak (400W) RMS 12″ Comp VR Series Dual 4 ohm Car Subwoofer
Durability: 4.5 | Value: 4.9 | Features: 4.5 | Design: 4.7 | Usability: 4.7
Those in the market for a powerful and dependable subwoofer will find the Kicker 12″ CompVR 4-ohm to be an excellent option. The CompVR 12-Inch Subwoofer has a dual voice coil and 4-ohm impedance, built for easy wiring.
Bass is produced by CompVR employing high-temperature twin voice coils. The cone’s durability is improved by the use of a Santoprene rim with ribs. Every KICKER woofer is built to exacting standards for performance, including perimeter venting, SpiraleadTM tinsel-lead technology, and spring-loaded push terminals.
The ribbed surround and sturdy polypropylene cone work together to provide a powerful bass with pinpoint accuracy. The subwoofer’s longevity is increased by the high-temperature voice coil and the heat-dissipating pole piece, both of which aid in the management of the subwoofer’s internal temperature. The CompVR 12-Inch Subwoofer requires a minimum of 400 watts of power and is designed to be used in either a sealed or ported enclosure.
Item highlights
• 400 Watts RMS / 800 Watts Max
• Injection molded SoloKon cone
• Ribbed Santoprene Surround
• Stamped Steel Basket
• Perimeter Venting
• Spiralead tinsel-lead technology
“Booming Kicker” – ★★★★★
I have a pair of these 12 subs from 2016 to 2020 (present) now and they sound just as good as when I first got these subs (enclosed in a 1.25 cu sealed box). From day 1, well maybe day 5 because of the break-in period, the BASS that comes out of these subs is still BOOMING using my 300.1 kicker amp. I would rather use a much larger amp, but my red-black wires/fuse limits me from upgrading. So I can only imagine how much better these subs would BOOM with a bigger amp.
JM
Sonic Electronix CustomerNVX VCW104v3 – 1600 Watt (800W RMS) 10″ VC-Series Dual 4-ohm Car Subwoofer
Durability: 4.9 | Value: 4.9 | Features: 5 | Design: 4.9 | Usability: 5
If you want a subwoofer that can really bring the bass, go no further than the NVX VCW104v3. The newest version has a sleek and stealthy design; the woofer’s basket and magnet are both finished in a matte black color. When redesigning the V2, NVX decided to do away with the diamond-cut finish on the basket and the chrome on the magnet. The woofer’s aesthetic quality as a whole was much improved by this. They also gave the subwoofer an improved, high-quality finish by paying particular attention to the little things.
In addition to the cosmetic upgrades, the spider design has also been strengthened thanks to the addition of Dual Progressive Spiders with Integrated Tinsel Leads. There were actually two spiders on the V1 before, but one was much larger than the other and the other served as a helper. In its third iteration, NVX makes use of Double Stacked full-size spiders. Besides increasing the subwoofer’s longevity, this enables a 22mm increase in Xmax, which is a noticeable improvement. The spider’s final upgrade is a locking plate that is fitted into place at the top of the device. Because of this, the spider will never fall out of the basket. This subwoofer has been upgraded to an all-new, higher-strength version, making it one of the most long-lasting devices ever created.
The versatile VCW104v3 has been expertly designed to meet a wide range of needs. To minimize cone distortion even at high volumes, this speaker employs a woven fiber-pressed paper cone and a unique High Roll foam surround stitched with Nylon. Next, the VCW104v3’s huge dual 2.5″ High-Temperature Aluminum voice coils and triple-stacked motor configuration are among its most notable features. Taken together, they allow the 800 Watts RMS power rating of this sub to safely handle much more. In addition, the presence of two voice coils opens up a wide variety of wiring solutions for the speaker’s Ohm load. The VCW104v3 subwoofer outperforms many subs that cost nearly twice as many thanks to the aforementioned engineering improvements. Even if you don’t have a lot of room, you can still enjoy how fantastic they sound by placing them in a tiny sealed enclosure.
Item highlights
• RMS Power Range: 650-800 watts
• Pressed Paper Cone Carbon Fiber Top
• Dual 4-ohm Voice Coil
• High Excursion Foam Surround
• Dual Progressive Spiders with Integrated Tinsel Leads
“Deep lows, outstanding SQL, and a value that’s unrivaled” – ★★★★★
The VC10 sub is designed to sound great and play loud with a price tag that beats its competition by a mile. I’m running this sub in a sealed .75cf box powered with a solid 800 watts continuous and I haven’t been able to even get a hint of bottoming out. Even with its massive triple-stacked BL motor, the mounting depth is only 6″ which will fit in just about every box. That’s not happening with a JL w6, a Hertz sx10, or a focal k2?sub. But the power handling of the VCW beats them all despite its compact size resulting in very deep lows. And it’s dual spiders give it extremely good damping for fast response, outstanding sound quality, and accurate reproduction. You can be assured that the specs are accurate in real-world use. Before you buy do yourself a favor and compare the well-known competition and you’ll see that the VCW is a clear winner in price per performance. Doing your homework will only make you feel better when you hook this equipment up in your system. I couldn’t be happier with my purchase and I’m willing to bet you’ll feel the same way.
Dennie E
Sonic Electronix CustomerJL Audio Thin-Line 12TW3-D4 – 400W 12″ TW3 (Thin-Line) Series Dual 4-ohm Shallow Mount Subwoofer
Durability: 5 | Value: 4.7 | Features: 5 | Design: 5 | Usability: 5
JL Audio’s Thin-Line 12TW3-D4 is a high-performance subwoofer that, despite its small size and adaptability, delivers remarkable sound quality and power handling. This subwoofer is great for use in vehicles including cars, trucks, and boats because of its slim mounting design that allows for simple installation in tight spaces.
The 12TW3-D4’s broad, sturdy rubber rim helps the cone move a lot of air, and its tough polypropylene cone won’t bend under high power. The 3-1/2″ tall heavy-duty cast-alloy frame is a sturdy enclosure for this powerful bass driver. This subwoofer can handle up to 400 watts RMS, and its dual 4-ohm voice coils mean that it works great with a mono amplifier.
Additionally, the 12TW3-D4’s dual 4-ohm voice coil arrangement provides for versatile impedance matching and higher power handling. The JL Audio Thin-Line 12TW3-D4 is a great option if you want to improve the quality of your car audio’s bass or just listen to music more comfortably.
Item highlights
• Mounting depth: 3.50 “
• Precision-built in USA at JL Audio’s Miramar, Florida factory
• Injection molded, mica-filled polypropylene cone
• Rubber Surround
• Cast Alloy Basket
• DMA-optimized motor design
• Very small sealed enclosure volume requirements
“Unbelievably clean” – ★★★★★
Takes up minimal space but viciously shakes the trunk. Clean & powerful hits.
