Top 5 Best Car Subwoofers

There are two types of drivers in this world: those who drive with soft and laid-back music playing in the background and those who want to feel the boom of the bass reverberating from the back to the front of the car. 

If you belong to the second class of drivers, then you can’t afford to miss a subwoofer in your car! 

But subwoofers come in all kinds of variations and at different price levels, finding an option for your vehicle can be a tad confusing. Whatever your subwoofer needs, below is a list of the top 5 best car subwoofers.  

JL Audio W6V3 Series Subwoofer

JL Audio is a brand that needs no introduction in the world of audio equipment. It boasts a reputation for producing top-quality products and the JL Audio W6V3 is a good example of the workmanship you get from the manufacturer. This speaker comes in a 10” or 12” model. 

It has a durable design featuring a mineral-filled polypropylene cone to deliver amazing strength without adding too much weight that can limit its accuracy and response. The cone is paired with a rigid cast-alloy basket, which eliminates both flex and distortion. 

This leaves you with a well-crafted subwoofer series that you can rely on to take your stereo system quality to the next level. Another nice thing about this is it’s so compact that you can comfortably squeeze it into a 12.5” by 12.5” by 10.5” box. 

Thanks to a 600W RMS, the JL shallow-mount Audio W6V3 is powerful enough to be paired with any system. Furthermore, the manufacturer uses DMA (Dynamic Motor Analysis) on the subwoofer, which results in a finely tuned sound with linear bass and no signs of distortion. 

Raised Frame Cooling, as well as Pole Vent Airflow Control, allow for uninterrupted airflow to prevent overheating, making sure that you enjoy durable performance from the speaker. Additionally, you get similar 4-ohm dual voice calls with high-grade magnets to the ones in the flagship series. 

Overall, these are high-quality subwoofers that you can run on many car models for a refreshing sound upgrade. 

Kenwood KSC-SW11 Compact

Just like its name suggests, the Kenwood KSC-SW11 will save you lots of space during installation. It is compact enough to fit in the tightest spaces inside your car, making it a great under seat subwoofer while a solid and well-constructed casing allows you to get years of use from the unit. 

The subwoofer runs at 75W RMS and comes with a peak power of 150 Watts. You also get a remote bass level control that lets you customize the sound in your car. Installing the sub is a relatively easy affair that only requires a connection to the car battery, grounding, then wiring to the head unit. 

Despite the small size of the unit, the KSC-SW11 impresses with a punchy bass that fills up the car interior. This tiny footprint enables you to fit even two subs inside your car and the best part is that you can totally conceal them, making for the ideal car sound system.

Although they might not be the most powerful speakers in the market, the bass produced is good enough to improve your stereo quality. With a brand name like Kenwood, you know that you can expect great durability from this car subwoofer. 

Polk Audio MM Series Subwoofers

If durability is what you’re after in a car subwoofer, the Polk Audio MM1 Series is one of the best bets in the market. The speaker is tested and proven to be resistant to UV rays, salt, fog, and water, with an incredible IP56 ultra-marine rating. 

This design is almost indestructible; you can install it anywhere from the bed of your car to the exterior of your RV and expect the same great performance in all kinds of weather. You can find the MM series with a single or double voice call. 

Aside from the durable construction, the other thing you’ll like about this subwoofer is that there is no compromise on sound quality to achieve the high safety ceiling. The manufacturer used high excursion bump motors, Santoprene surrounds, and a firm poly cone to ensure every note is felt.

Furthermore, high-quality Neodymium magnets are incorporated into the design of the sub to guarantee prolonged performance. The vented pole, as well as basket structure, results in a rigid speaker unit for reliable performance. 

The MM1 series from Polk Audio features six iterations of the subwoofer, including both single and dual voice applications in the 8, 10, and 12-inch sizes. Lastly, its relatively affordable price makes it one of the top-performing budget outdoor subwoofers on the market. 

Alpine SWR-12D2 Type-Rz

The Alpine SWR-12D2 is a bare sub, which means you’ll need to find an appropriate casing for it. If you can get something to fit the 12” diameter of the speaker in, it promises to rattle your ride and make for more fun driving sessions.

The compact profile of the unit makes it easy for you during installation. Its cone features a pulp that is treated with Kevlar to achieve extra stiffness and enhance durability. Meanwhile, the surround is highlighted by trademarked Santoprene, so expect quality performance when you run it. 

The speaker comes with a cone spider cast aluminum frame mount while its dual voice coils offer great quality. With a frequency response of 24Hz to 200kHz, the Alpine SWR-12D2 will add that missing punch to your bass. 

It is a great choice for car owners who like a booming bass when they drive and can handle between 300- and 1000-watts RMS. Its peak power goes all the way to 3000W while the signal sensitivity is 84.7dB. 

Note that the speaker’s mount depth is 6-3/8” and the cut-out diameter 10-7/8”, so you can either choose a reflex system enclosure design or a solid sealed enclosure for the SWR-12D2; both will get the job done. 

Focal Performance Series Subwoofers

The focal performance series of subwoofers is designed and developed by seasoned and acclaimed sound engineers, so don’t expect any compromises when it comes to sound quality. The subs come with unrivaled build quality and offer excellent sound quality.

The brand is internationally renowned for its low-frequency audio reproduction capabilities, and that is why these speakers are popular among bass enthusiasts in the market. You can buy these subwoofers in 8”, 10”, or 12” sizes. 

Flax-fiber cones are used in the design to deliver a conspicuously charming appearance, even from a distance. You will enjoy the pure bass delivered by the speakers, alongside crystal-clear audio, with the unit handling frequencies between 27Hz and 500Hz. 

A single 4 Ohm voice coil is used and this is powered by double Ferrite magnets to produce clear bass sounds with deep resonance. Overall, the Focal Performance subs are designed for the car stereo elite 

They are very powerful and capable of handling up to 1600 Watts without any signs of sound distortion. If you want a unit that will offer a punchy bass while keeping the sound reproduction accurate, this is a great choice for your car.