8 inexpensive car subwoofers up to 4,500 rubles

• 2 Focal subwoofer review

  2.1 Features

Compact subwoofer for car

A compact subwoofer for a car has become very popular these days. It's no secret that practicality and saving space in the car is a very hot topic today. A conventional passive subwoofer, built into a large housing, takes up a lot of space. On the contrary, compact active subwoofers for cars will take up as little space as possible and will allow you not only to fully use the trunk, but also to install the woofer directly under the car seat. Simple and convenient.

Advantages and weaknesses of an underseat bass driver

Active compact subwoofer in car

Let's discuss the topic of compactness a little before we move on to describing subwoofers. Let's consider the important points:

• As a rule, the usual volume of a woofer is 90-100 liters. What does it mean? And the fact that in this case you can say warm regards to the trunk. It will be necessary to place various things here in limited quantities.

Note. A woofer volume of 30-60 liters can be considered more humane (in terms of luggage transportation). This one won't take up much space.

• But the compactness of a modern speaker is not limited to this. Boxes are also available for 15-20 liters, or even 10-12. They can already be hidden in a secluded corner of the trunk. But subwoofers are even smaller in size and easily fit under the driver’s seat;
• Such a woofer is usually called a super-compact or “form factor”. Such speakers are made in the form of a flat rectangle, like an amplifier;
• The material of the speaker housing is also important, which is usually cast from an aluminum-magnesium alloy. For example, with a case height of 7-8 cm, if the case material is made of MDF, then the walls will account for 3-4 cm, which is half. As it becomes clear, such a situation cannot be called correct;
• Secondly, the design of the box itself provides for installation on a plane. The head should be directed upward, but in no case horizontally or at an angle.

Note. Interestingly, 8-inch drivers are most often used in underseat subwoofers. They are almost always made in a “slim” design, otherwise they would not fit into a box with such thickness. On the other hand, designs with emitters measuring 165 and even 250 mm are also known.

• Now about the sound. Let us note right away that the average compact bass player is not capable of playing too loudly. Moreover, it cannot be free from nonlinearities. But it is capable of providing good support for front speakers in the mid-bass. And at the same time, as mentioned above, such a bass driver takes up practically no space;

Underseat woofer

• As for quality, “underseat” bass speakers, as super-compact subwoofers are also called, have advantages over conventional “luggage” speakers. They almost completely eliminate the problem associated with bass localization.

Note. For example, you can choose, based on individual auditory sensations, the low-pass filter cutoff frequency within a wider range.

• The ultra-compact “underseat” woofer is capable of reproducing bass with impeccable accuracy, although without infrasound;
• In addition, compact bass speakers will be able to show themselves in a more favorable light inside the car. One can even assume that these subwoofers (see How to make a subwoofer: practical tips) are aimed more at B or C class cars. There is nothing surprising in this, since in large cars it will not be difficult to find a place for a regular “luggage” bass driver;

Active subwoofer for car

• As for the design options for compact bass drivers, the situation here is much simpler. This is an exclusively closed box. The question arises, why not a bass reflex? The fact is that the box for FI will be more voluminous. But the main thing is not even this, but what length the pipe should have to get a 40 Hz setting and where to place it under the seat.

Note. Several versions have been put forward regarding this situation. So, you can, in principle, try to use a passive speaker, but no one has done this yet.

• By definition, the “underseat” bass drivers should be active subwoofers. After all, it would be at least strange if a subwoofer the size of the amplifier itself was connected additionally;
• The built-in amplifier in such active subwoofers is mostly pulsed. Among its advantages are low energy consumption, dimensions and heat dissipation. It’s not surprising that such indicators are very important under the seat, no;

Compact bass player for the trunk

• Finally, the equipment of the “underseat” bass units is not much different from the “luggage” options. Devices without a bass regulator are much more common in the line of such subwoofers than among large-sized bass speakers;
• Also, high level inputs are the norm here. This can easily be explained by the fact that this is not an option that needs forcing, much less one that can withstand it.

TOP 3 best single-way car subwoofers

Let's look at the best single-way subwoofer models in 2021.

JBL Stage 810

The design of this device is a closed case made of MDF . One of the main features is compactness.

Therefore, the device will easily fit even in a small car where there is little free space. It can be easily installed in the trunk or another part of the vehicle body.

The model has quite high power and a good frequency range.

The subwoofer is equipped with a twelve-inch speaker. Withstands any sound load perfectly and does not distort the sound.

Works ideally at both low and high frequencies.

It reproduces instrumental sounds best, emphasizing melody and purity. A chic option for a small car where it is not possible to install bulky equipment.

Specifications:

• power - 200-800 W;
• reproduced frequency range - 38-200 Hz;
• body type - bass reflex;
• sensitivity - 88 dB;
• standard size - 8-inch;
• dimensions - 20 cm.

pros

• compact body;
• good build quality;
• high power;
• budget price.

Minuses

• No
• test,
• test,
• test.

Ural Molot 12

High quality subwoofer in the budget price segment . Despite the low cost,

The device has a well-thought-out design that eliminates various breakdowns, vibration, and sound distortion.

Double stitching at the junction with the diffuser is an ideal element of high-quality acoustics.

It should be noted that after purchase the new subwoofer works quite hard. It will take about two weeks to build up and get good sound characteristics. Double coil winding ensures efficient and reliable operation of the equipment.

Another advantage of the model is its good build quality.

Connecting a passive speaker to an amplifier will allow you to fully unleash the potential of the subwoofer. The sound power will pleasantly surprise even the most picky lovers of low frequencies.

Specifications:

• power - 300-600 W;
• reproduced frequency range - 20-150 Hz;
• body type - bass reflex;
• sensitivity - 84.3 dB;
• standard size - 12 inches;
• dimensions - 20 cm.

pros

• budget cost;
• high build quality;
• good sound;
• convenient design.

Minuses

• No

Alpine SBE-1044BR

Reliable passive car subwoofer from a Japanese manufacturer.

It is distinguished by impeccable build quality and manufacturing materials, which significantly increases the wear resistance of the equipment.

However, it is worth paying attention that soft firmware wears off over time.

The device leaves an overall pleasant impression of listening to music with its help.

Excellent sound reproduction at both low and high frequencies. High sensitivity allows you to capture even the smallest sounds, making the melody completely saturated.

One of the distinctive features of this model is the presence of a decorative port plug.

It makes it possible to convert the device from a bass reflex subwoofer to a cabinet subwoofer and vice versa. A pleasant impression of the model ends with an affordable price.

Specifications:

• power - 150-500 W;
• reproduced frequency range - 20-150 Hz;
• body type - bass reflex;
• sensitivity - 84 dB;
• standard size - 10-inch;
• dimensions - 35.3x35.3x40.7 cm.

pros

• compactness;
• low price;
• good sound reproduction;
• excellent build quality.

Minuses

• poor quality of cladding;
• In the cold season it freezes very much, you cannot use it until it warms up.

Focal subwoofer review

Active subwoofers for cars

The best, so to speak, leader among analogues of “underseat” bass drivers, is considered to be the Focal bass driver. In all respects, a well-assembled speaker that surprised many experts in terms of the value of nonlinearity.

Note. As a rule, “seat holders” have natural problems in this regard. This has been discussed in detail above. The Focal bass player has no problems with nonlinearity.

Peculiarities

Among the features of the Focal bass player are the following:

• The woofer is equipped with high-current clamps that can accept cables up to 6 mm in diameter. The subwoofer comes with an original expansion cable, which has pass-through ISO connectors and a special tap for connecting to high-level inputs. This makes it possible to connect to the standard system in a few minutes;
• The subwoofer's bass control is set to an optimal boost of 18 dB/60 Hz;
• The filter cutoff frequency adjustment range is from 50 to 150 Hz;
• While similar “under-seat” type subwoofers have functionality such as the one described above, the Focal subwoofer has automatic switching on.

Note. Such an innovation certainly does not exist in any super-compact speaker known today.

How to choose a car subwoofer?

When purchasing a subwoofer, you should pay attention to the following characteristics::

1. Dimensions . When choosing a device that is difficult or impossible to install under a seat or in the trunk, placement issues arise.
2. Power . Determines the wear resistance of the subwoofer speakers, so the higher this indicator, the better.
3. Number of acoustic bands . Affects the quality and accuracy of the reproduced sound.
4. Amplifier . Its presence/absence directly affects the cost, as well as the sound quality. The amplifier provides an increase in the bass component of the music.
5. Frame . Not only its durability, but also its sound quality depends on the material used to make the subwoofer.

Review Pioneer TS-WX11A

A very powerful and compact bass driver that will add lively, bright and energetic lows to the car’s acoustics. To ensure guaranteed power, the Pioneer subwoofer includes a die-cast aluminum heatsink, an oval driver woofer, and, of course, a built-in Mosfit FET amplifier.

Peculiarities

• Power (at peaks) – 150 W;
• Power (nominal) – 50 W;
• Work with frequencies – 54-200 Hz;
• Sensitivity – 101 dB;
• Typical size – 20 cm;
• Built-in and adjustable low-pass filter;
• There is a remote control that operates at 6 meters.

Review of Ground Zero GZUB 1000XACT

Active subwoofer in car

Flat type woofer, easy to fit under the seat. The sound quality is good, but the price is a little surprising - 17 thousand rubles!

Peculiarities

• Power (at peaks) – 210 W;
• Power (nominal) – 150 W;
• Operating frequency range – 30-100 Hz;
• LF crossover frequency range – 50-100 Hz;
• Signal to noise ratio – 60 dB;
• Speaker size – 10 inches;
• There is a high-level input with automatic activation;
• Aluminum diffuser;
• There are RCA inputs.

Rating of the TOP 15 best car subwoofers of 2021