Best Underseat Subwoofers Reviewed

Underseat Subwoofers Compared

Types of Subwoofer Speakers

There are two different types of subwoofer speakers: passive and powered. Here are the differences between them.

Benefits of Using Under the Seat Subs

Alright, you might be wondering, why use under seat subwoofers? Under the seat subs have a few huge advantages over their trunk counterparts. Here are a few of them:

Choosing a Quality Under Seat Subwoofer

Here are some factors to consider when selecting an under seat subwoofer:

Dimensions

Power Output/Volume/Sound Quality

We can talk about the volume and power output of under seat subwoofers in two terms: peak power and RMS power, both of which are measured in watts. The peak power is the maximum wattage the subwoofer can handle in short bursts, whereas the RMS rating is the wattage it can handle continuously without distorting the sound. The peak power is often misleading, whereas the RMS rating is a more accurate measurement of the realistic power output as exceeding this can damage the product.

Frequency Response/Range

The frequency response/range is another good indicator of the quality of a subwoofer and tells you the range of frequencies your subwoofer can handle without distorting. Ideally, you'll want to see a frequency response of at least 20Hz - 200Hz, as this will cover most of the audible bass frequencies in a soundtrack.

Impedance

The impedance of a subwoofer refers to the electrical resistance of the voice coil and is measured in Ohms. If you’re pairing up an amp with a subwoofer, it’s an important factor to consider as different amps have different minimum impedance requirements. It’s also worth noting that low impedance under seat subwoofers are more likely to accept thin wires, so if you're aiming for a clean install, this is something to think about.

Sensitivity

A subwoofer’s sensitivity refers to the amount of electrical energy that is required to produce sound. Greater sensitivity means less power is required to provide the same amount of sound. In other words, more sensitivity means more power efficiency. As high-sensitivity subwoofers use less power, they produce less heat and tend to be more durable.

Voice Coils

The voice coil is the component of the subwoofer that provides the force to move the cone. Voice coils come in different sizes. Larger voice coils tend to provide better damping and linearity than smaller voice coils. You can also get both single voice coils and dual voice coils.

Cone Size & Subwoofer Shape

The cone itself is the component that’s responsible for producing the bass sound. It does this by displacing air. Larger cones can displace more air and, therefore, produce deeper, more-powerful bass sounds. Look for a model with a large cone if this is something you’re looking for.

Enclosure type – sealed, ported, bandpass

It's not just about the size of the subwoofer; it's about the enclosure too. Under seat subwoofers come in three different types of enclosures: sealed, ported, and bandpass.

Sealed boxes are airtight enclosures and are best for deep, accurate bass but tend to require more power than ported boxes. Ported boxes use a vent to reinforce their low bass response and are best for heavy rock music and forceful bass, while bandpass boxes are designed to produce maximum slam.

Warranty

A final factor to consider is the warranty period. Under seat subwoofers sometimes come with a manufacturer’s warranty. This is usually around 1 year, but the very best models may cover you for even longer than that.

1. Rockville RW10CA

2. JBL BassPro SL

Next up, we have the BassPro SL JBL 8" underseat subwoofer. This is another top of the range subwoofer that does a great job considering the size and price. It has a 125 Watts of RMS power, but you can push that right up to 250 watts for short bursts. The LED power and protect indicators are a nice touch, and the soft-start turn-on and auto-on features are other great features that make this an excellent subwoofer.

It doesn't have quite the same 'thump' as some other subwoofers have, but the base lows are really nice, and it still manages to vibrate those mirrors.

It’s not too difficult to install yourself, but it is a little more complicated to set up than the subwoofer above. Expect to spend around 3 hours or more to hook it up if you plan on doing a DIY install. 

3. Rockville SS8P

Our third spot goes to another Rockville product, the SS8P. This is Rockville’s best value for money option, and I’d definitely recommend it for anyone looking to get their hands on a tremendous under seat subwoofer for less than $100. It has just half the RMS power of the RW10CA, but what it lacks in power it makes up for in other ways. It’s very compact and comes in a cast aluminum enclosure that keeps it cool and helps to prevent overheating.

The SS8P has a frequency response range of 20Hz to 150Hz, which is right in the sweet spot. It also has other essential features for safety and functionality, like a soft-delayed remote turn-on, thermal protection circuit, overload protection circuit, and more.

It’s very durable and comes with heavy-duty mounting feet and a 1-year warranty. The level control for the volume allows you to adjust the levels to suit you quickly, and the subsonic filter gets rid of those really low frequencies that we can't hear.

As it’s not super powerful, it won’t exactly cause the ground to shake, and I wouldn't recommend it if you're looking for something that keeps your neighbors awake. However, if you're after a decent, affordable, compact underseat subwoofer, I would recommend it.

4. Kenwood KSC-SW11

The Kenwood KSC-SW11 is one of the smallest under seat subs on this list, so it's great for anyone with a small car and minimal space under their seats. This quality compact subwoofer has a built-in amp, so you don't need to worry about buying an external one. It also comes with remote bass control and the power and ground wire harness for ease of installation.

It's advertised as a 150-watt subwoofer, but that's the peak power; the RMS power is actually only 75 watts. It's not going to rattle your windows, but the sound quality is outstanding, and the subwoofer fills out the hollow mids and highs nicely. 

Kenwood is a very reputable brand that's known for making high-quality products, so expect this subwoofer to be pretty durable and reliable. It’s built with an aluminum die-cast frame, so it’s very resistant to damage and should last at least a few years if you take good care of it. Overall, I’d definitely recommend the Kenwood KSC-SW11 if you have very limited space to work with, or you're not super-concerned about volume but appreciate the excellent sound quality.

5. Sound Storm Labs LOPRO8

The Sound Storm Labs LOPRO8 is another great subwoofer and amp combo that I’d definitely recommend.

It has the second-highest peak power on this list, at 600 Watts. The product listing doesn’t officially state the RMS power, but one reviewer puts it at 400 watts, which is pretty great. Considering the price and size of the LOPRO8, I was a little skeptical about this, but it does seem to deliver on its power promises.

The built-in amplifier provides improved switching speeds and lower gate-to-drain feedback capacitance than other subwoofers. The variable low pass filter also does a great job of keeping the high notes away by filtering out notes outside of the frequency range. The variable bass boost gives you added control over the sound - you can adjust the low bass based on your preferences. I’d recommend spending a few hours tuning it up to your liking by trying it out with different musical genres to see what works best. 

The LOPRO8 also has the best warranty period of any product on this list. As long as you purchase it through Amazon.com, you’re covered by Sound Storm’s 3 Year Platinum Online Dealer Warranty. This provides a lot of peace of mind and is probably a good indication of the quality of the product - they probably wouldn’t offer such a generous warranty period if they thought this subwoofer wasn’t reliable.

6. Kicker 11HS8

Moving onto the Kicker 11HS8, a hugely popular model of subwoofer for trucks.

This isn’t the kind of speaker that will make your heart stop. It doesn’t have a lot of 'thump' and won't rattle your windows, but it does what it's supposed to do: provides great bass to compliment your music. If you crank the bass up high, you will get a little thumping, but it's more of a full bass sound with great lows.

It’s advertised as an 'ultra-compact' subwoofer, which means it should be perfect for smaller spaces and sounds great in a small car as well as larger trucks. It's probably not the best choice if you plan on listening to bass-heavy music or electronic, but it rounds out the sound on rock, metal, country, and pop songs really well.

The price is a little higher than I'd like it to be, but you get what you pay for. It also comes with everything you need to wire it up, so you don't necessarily need to buy an additional wiring kit. It comes with a 1-year warranty, but the average lifespan is probably around 4 years. If you want it to last as long as possible, take care of it and try not to let it overheat.

7. Pioneer TS-SWX130DA

Last but not least, we have the Pioneer TS-WX130DA. Pioneer is a trusted brand in the digital entertainment and technology market. It has been making great products for decades, which is a pretty good indication of the quality you're likely to get with this subwoofer.

It has the lowest RMS power output on this list at just 50 Watts, but believe me, that's still plenty in a small-to-mid-sized vehicle. You'll rarely want to crank the volume higher than that.

It has a sealed enclosure, which is great for deep, tight bass. A lot of people prefer the sound of sealed subwoofers over that of ported subwoofers. If you’re one of them, this might be a great choice. It also has an aluminum cone and urethane surround, with a built-in Class D amplifier. It’s very small and compact and will fit under pretty much any seat. It’s also very reliable and shouldn’t break easily unless you mistreat it.

Overall, it’s a solid under seat subwoofer. I’d recommend it for anyone less concerned about volume and more concerned about finding something small and compact that produces a tight, accurate bass.

Underseat vs. Shallow Mount Subwoofers

Underseat vs. Trunk Subwoofers

Trunk subwoofers are the 'standard' subwoofers most people think of when they hear the word subwoofer. They tend to be very large, so they're installed in the boot of the car as this is usually the only place with enough space to accommodate them.

The fact that they’re so large allows them to generate louder sounds and extend to lower bass frequencies. In other words, they represent the best possible sound quality, but that quality comes at a sacrifice - your storage space.

People who either don’t have enough or aren’t willing to sacrifice their car storage space can opt for under seat subwoofers instead. They're designed to be small enough to fit under your car seat while still providing excellent sound. They're also usually cheaper and easier to install than trunk subwoofers, and they don't require an amp.

Underseat Subwoofer Installation

Underseat subwoofer installations can be tricky, and the exact steps will differ depending on your vehicle and model of subwoofer. It’s best to check your manufacturer’s instructions to find out how to install it.

Installing under seat subwoofers also requires you to work with your vehicle's electrical system, which can be dangerous. If you don't have the electrical knowledge to know what you're doing, you risk damaging your vehicle (and yourself). Therefore, it’s probably better to pay for a professional installation service if you don’t have solid electrical knowledge.

If you do try to install it yourself, make sure you always disconnect the negative battery terminal before you begin for your own protection. Also, bear in mind that the subwoofer you've purchased might not come with all the wiring and fuses needed to install it, so you may need to buy a separate amp wiring kit.

Here’s a video that shows the basic steps:

Once your subwoofer is installed, the next step is to tune it so that you get the best possible sound. Here's how to do it:

If the sound still isn’t perfect, you might want to adjust the location of the subwoofer slightly.

Common Subwoofer Issues & Fixes

Here are some common subwoofer problems and how to fix them:

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Can I use a sub without an amp? Do all subwoofers need an amp?

Amps provide the power needed to run a subwoofer. However, not all subwoofers require a separate amp as many come with them built-in. All subwoofers on this list have built-in amps.

What is the difference between 2-ohm vs. 4-ohm subwoofers?

Ohms are a measure of electrical resistance. 2-Ohm subwoofers have less electrical resistance than 4-Ohm subwoofers and so are less likely to overheat. They also can, in theory, create a more powerful, cleaner bass.

Which of these brands are best for deep bass and for rock music?

It comes down to personal preference, but I personally think that Rockville is a great subwoofer brand for deep bass and rock music.

What under seat subwoofer brands are the most reliable and provide the best warranty terms/customer service?

Sound Storm Labs provides the most extended warranty period of any brand on this list. Other reputable brands include AudioEngine, Kenwood, and Pioneer.

Professional or DIY Installation?

It’s usually best to have your subwoofers installed professionally, rather than doing it yourself, as it requires complex electrical wiring.

Conclusion

That concludes this guide to the best underseat subwoofers. We hope you found the right product for you and enjoy your new rockin’ bass!

If you're still unsure which one to purchase, I'd definitely recommend the Rockville RW10CA - it's a great all-round subwoofer, and it won't cost you an arm and a leg. Enjoy!