In the first part of our article you will find a comparison of different car subwoofers that we have created especially for you. In the second part we inform you if there is a car subwoofer test from major consumer magazines. the devices are also often referred to as car bass boxes and are very popular in the car hi-fi sector.
- A car subwoofer must be correctly dimensioned to the car and the existing sound system! Pay attention to the power and the impedance
- The frequency range is also important, i.e. How low is the minimum frequency the subwoofer can play – the lower the better, especially when tuning
- If bass is not your main concern, a wide and low frequency range is an advantage
- make sure you can fit the subwoofer in the car – the dimensions are important
- Also important is the interface or. How to connect the subwoofer to the existing system
If you don’t have time to read the whole article, you can also have a look at this recommended car subwoofer at amazon:
bestseller no. 1
Car subwoofer comparison: JBL, kenwood& more
Now let’s move on to our car subwoofer comparison which we have compiled based on publicly available product information and existing customer reviews. The car bass speakers have not been tested by us in practice. The most important criteria for our assessment can be found to the right of the product image.
We divide the subwoofers into active and passive devices.
For each device we specify the diameter of the speaker or. woofer on. Another criterion is the frequency response (frequency range) and the sensitivity (max. Sound pressure resp. volume). Of course, the maximum power is also given in watts.
We’ll start with our favorites in the field of active bass speakers
Purchase recommendation: axton – AXB20STP
brand: axton
colorblack
max. Performance: 100 W
frequency response: 50 – 150 hz
woofer diameter20 cm
sensitivity: k.A.
Features: suitable for spare wheel wells with 50 cm diameter and center spike, bandpass enclosure, 12 db/oct., bass boost with 6 db boost, auto turn-on for high level input, variable input sensitivity for cinch (165 mv – 5 V) and high level inputs (1.0 – 10 V)
The AXB20STP from axton is our buy recommendation in the car subwoofer comparison in the category of active subwoofers. This is a so-called spare wheel subwoofer. That is to say that you can put the subwoofer in the space for the spare wheel. The quality and the adjustment options are very good or. Versatile. The customers are very enthusiastic, also in view of the favorable price. Rating: a very practical, cheap and powerful subwoofer.
Price tipaxton – AB20A
Brandaxton
color: gray
max. Power70 watt
frequency response: k.A.
woofer diameter20 cm
sensitivity: k.A.
Features: long-throw bass and active module with built-in full- MOSFET class-D amplifier, integrated low-pass control, phase control (continuously adjustable from 0 to 180 degrees) and incl. High level adapter
Also from axton comes the price tip in our comparison. This is the AB20A. The subwoofer is powerful with a RMS of 70 watts and is rated by customers on amazon with 4.9 out of 5 stars. Both sound quality and function are praised in high tones. Rating: as usual from axton a high quality subwoofer at a reasonable price!
Kenwood – KSC-SW11
The KSC-SW11 from Kenwood is a flat subwoofer with a very high power of 150 watts. It is therefore a little more expensive. In addition, it has a cable remote control or. A control system that allows the subwoofer to be mounted under the front of the seat. The subwoofer is solidly made and comes with quite a lot of mounting hardware. Evaluation: a very good subwoofer in the middle price segment.
Pioneer – active subwoofer
This active car subwoofer from pioneer is technically a very similar product to the KSC-SW11 from kenwood. The housing is slightly different, but the dimensions are the same, as well as the performance. We can not see any functional difference. rating: if you are looking for an active subwoofer to mount under the driver’s seat or passenger seat, you are in the right place. A good alternative to the KSC-SW11 from kenwood.
Auna – CD250-4BX
We have another very favorable offer in comparison: the subwoofer from auna. Specifically, it is the model CD250-4BX, which can initially convince with a lot of power for little money. However, there are no adjustment options and also the range of functions is actually zero. Many people are looking for exactly that, therefore, the reviews on amaon so far very positive. On average, the bass box receives 4.2 out of 5 stars. Rating: you are just looking for a cheap bass speaker with a lot of power. Then this offer from auna is suitable for you.
We now continue with our recommendations in the field of passive car subwoofers:
Buy recommendation: JBL – car CS12 series 12″
Brand: JBL
COLORblack
max. Performance: 1 kw (250W RMS)
frequency response: k.A.
woofer diameter: 30 cm
sensitivity: k.A.
Features: bass tube, high efficiency
Here we show you our recommendation among the passive car subwoofers. JBL’s popular design is not only available for portable bluetooth speakers : the bassbox car CS12 series 12″ bass tube also precedes the brand’s reputation. The customers leave no doubt about the bass box. it is powerful, efficient and looks damn good. Rating: chic and powerful bass box for small and powerful power amplifiers alike.
price tipJBL – car CS12 series 12″
Brand: JBL
colorblack
max. Power: 1 kw
frequency response: k.A.
Woofer diameter: 30 cm
sensitivity: k.A.
Features: compact design, also suitable for small power amplifiers
From the JBL car CS12 series 12″ there is not only the round bass roll (buy recommendation), but also this bass box in compact design. It has similar specifications, but it is not quite as powerful. But it is also much cheaper. Rating: a powerful bass speaker in a compact design for little money.
car subwoofer test overview
organizationpasses a car subwoofer test?
foundation warentest |
no, so far there is no car subwoofer test available at stiftung warentest. |
Ecotest |
unfortunately there is no car subwoofer test even at okotest. |
Consumer.At |
no, there is no car subwoofer test. |
Ktipp.Ch |
we could not find any car subwoofer test here. |
In our search for a car subwoofer test, we looked for a suitable test report in the consumer journals listed above from germany, austria and switzerland. If we have not found anything, it is also indicated in the table.
Unfortunately we could not find a car subwoofer test on any of the test portals. The reason is probably that this is a niche product, which the broad masses pay little attention to. Therefore, it is usually not worthwhile for the large consumer magazines to create a test for it.
We regularly check the website and update the table when a new review is published.
Frequently asked questions about car subwoofers:
A car subwoofer is a speaker for the low frequency range from (ideally) 0 to about 1000 Hz. It comes in active or passive form. In the latter case you need a suitable amplifier.
subwoofer is needed to create more bass in the car. Bass are low frequencies that are very noticeable at a certain sound pressure. subwoofers liven up the music, but you can overdo it very quickly.
Difference between active and passive subwoofers?
The difference between an active subwoofer and a passive or a passive subwoofer is the same. Between active subwoofer and passive subwoofer is in the amplification. active subwoofers only need a subwoofer signal. They amplify this themselves and run the woofer with an integrated amplifier. That is why these subwoofers usually have several adjustment options. Passive subwoofers, on the other hand, require an amplified signal from an appropriate power amplifier.
The advantage is that you can compose your hifi system down to the last detail and not buy a power amplifier with your favorite subwoofer, which you don’t really want or already have. Passive subwoofers also come without power supply.
In spare wheel well or under seat?
It depends on how directly you want to feel the bass, many would say. In fact, the final effect of the bass is practically the same in both cases, as long as it is placed inside the car. Because the deep bass penetrates through object and air very well. In addition, we can bass extremely poorly or. Do not locate by ear.
Our statement is clear: the subwoofer is mounted where the mounting is easier. In the following video another subwoofer is presented which can be installed under the seat:
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Where can I find an installation guide?
It is best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation. The delivers 1. The mounting material with and shows 2. In an instruction on how to mount the subwoofer. In the following youtube video you can see instructions on how the subwoofer is installed. Also the connection is shown:
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How to connect car subwoofer?
The connection of a car subwoofer is actually quite simple. For passive models, simply connect the two inputs to the matching subwoofer output of the power amplifier. With the active model you look for the subwoofer output of your car hi-fi system and connect the subwoofer there. If there is no output, the normal speaker output can be connected via a crossover (usually already built in).
How to find the right amplifier?
the best way to find suitable amplifiers is on the internet. To do this, simply search for example on amazon for a car amplifier or. A so-called power amplifier. When choosing, make sure to get the right power class. The amplifier should never be more powerful than the speakers can handle the maximum power.
The reverse is also possible. So it doesn’t matter if a weak amplifier drives a box that would have much more capacities. The following video also addresses this question:
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