Subwoofers & Boxes

Subwoofers are all about the bass. But to get the bass tone you want depends on a lot of factors including:

• power
• space
• enclosure
• sensitivity
• impedance
• number of voice coils

No matter what configuration you decide on, we have a comprehensive line of woofers from the most prominent names in the industry that will deliver the decibels. We offer individual speakers that are ready to mount, woofers in enclosures, powered subwoofers, and those designed to fit in specific locations like under the seat.

Amplify the Sound

If you are looking for loudness, choose a subwoofer that can handle a lot of power and pair it with the amplifier that can deliver that power. The RMS or continuous power rating should match the output of the amplifier. However, there are other factors to consider. You should keep in mind that the speaker’s impedance must be compatible with the amplifier’s capability. And a woofer with a higher sensitivity rating won’t need as much power to produce the desired level and intensity of sound.

Check the Box

The other element in subwoofer sound quality is the enclosure. Three types of boxes are generally available and each produces different bass tones. A sealed, airtight case is perfect for any music that requires crisp, clean bass, but it needs a powerful amplifier if you also want a lot of volume. However, this type of box is the most compact, so it’s a good choice if you have space limitations. A ported enclosure has an opening in the box called a port to reinforce low bass response. Great for hard-driving music, a ported case requires less power to be loud and delivers a deeper bass tone than a sealed box. Ported enclosures are usually much larger than their sealed counterparts.

Pump Up Your Trunk

The bandpass box is the 3rd type of enclosure and it incorporates elements of the previous two. The subwoofer is mounted in a sealed case, with a ported chamber in front of the speaker cone. Choose a bandpass box if you want maximum bass volume. There are also speakers that can be mounted on the package shelf behind the rear seat, with the trunk acting as the enclosure. These are called free air subwoofers and are specifically designed for the application. They save space and have a flat frequency response. Such systems are easier to install on some vehicles thanks to the lack of a box, but they will not deliver the performance of subs enclosed in a box.

All In One

For vehicles with space limitations, there are several options. A powered subwoofer has an amplifier and a speaker in the same enclosure. You only have to find space for one component and installation is as easy as one-two-three. There is no need to match an amplifier with a woofer and the right case. All components have been designed to work together and wiring is much easier. There are also subwoofers that are designed for specific vehicle applications or different vehicle areas, including behind the seats in a pickup truck, under the seats, in the cargo area of SUVs, and more. Many of these products are available on our digital shelves.