Best Powered Subwoofer
Best Powered Subwoofer
Are you looking to find the best-powered subwoofer on the market? Sometimes to appreciate where we are now, it helps to take a look back. To see where a product has come from, can help to appreciate where it is now. Subwoofers were developed decades ago. From as far back as the 1900s, the lowest recorded frequency was about 100Hz. This is what was used in recordings, broadcasting and music playback. When sound was developed for movies, the basic RCA sound system was a single 8″ speaker mounted in a straight horn. Not many approved of this approach so a better audio system was sought.
MGM’s head of sound, Douglas Shearer, together with John Hilliard and James B. Lansing who would later found Altec Lansing in 1941 and JBL in 1946, decided to put metal to the pedal and work on a better sound system in 1933. The new speaker system they worked on, had a two-way enclosure with a W-shaped bass horn that could go as low as 40 Hz.
It was called the Shearing-Lansing 500-A and it wound up being used in “screening rooms, dubbing theaters, and early sound reinforcement”
In a hurry
Are you in a hurry and looking for the best-powered subwoofers on the market today? There are a couple of factors that we need to consider to make the right choice. One of the first things to consider is the size. You need to know the size of the room you are working with and subsequently the size of the subwoofer. You must realize that it is not always the biggest kid on the playground that wins the game. Your subwoofer must blend well with the rest of your audio system. Think about the amount of bass that you want the subwoofer to give you. This is a personal preference which means that there will be guidelines anywhere. You just need to know what you want.
The other thing you want to consider is the amount of power you will need which means you need to ask about the subwoofer’s continuous power or RMS rating.
OUR TOP PICK
We have done our homework and found the best picks on the market. Our favorite is the Rockville RW10CA 10″ 800 Watt Slim Low Profile Active Powered Car Subwoofer. It has 800 Watts Peak / 200 watts RMS. PWM MOSFET Power Supply. It also has a low level of RCA Input and high-level inputs with auto turn-on technology. With this subwoofer, you also get adjustable input sensitivity as well as a soft Delayed Remote Turn-On.
Polk Audio PSW10 10" Powered Subwoofer
This is the Polka Audio PSW10. The front panel is removable. It has rubber female plugs in it where the pegs go in. It is a 10-inch driver with a front-firing look like a 3-inch porthole. The settings on it are pretty simple but still needs to be known. You have your volume right here and it gets very loud. You actually can feel it in your chest. You have your low-pass filter which shows the range in which it plays from 80 to 160 Hz. You have your power switch which is centres on down are off and all the way up is an auto on. This means that it will shut off after a certain while if it doesn’t play music. This is a great power-saving feature.
You have your phase if you have two subs that aren’t staying together. You have your line in RCA cables red and white you have your speaker output and your speaker input. It works both ways here. There is an excursion test of the subgroup. The songs I love you bass that here’s a piece of paper that’s not even.
Let’s see what volume is that not even half that’s halfway. This is pretty I usually keep it for the volume is great. The Polk Audio PSW10 subwoofer accompanies brilliant detecting hardware that naturally kills this gadget when there is control blackout or vacillation. This auto highlights help to deflect any harm that could be caused because of a powerful flood. It additionally naturally turns on when power is reestablished or settled. The security of your Polk Audio PSW10 subwoofer is ensured at whatever point these unexpected occurrences happen.
With regards to the nature of sound, the Polk Audio PSW10 subwoofer has got the stuff. The PSW10 has a fabulous sound even at low volumes (and recurrence). The Polk Audio PSW10 subwoofer accompanies a coordinated 50 Watt RMS speaker. A 50-watt RMS enhancer uses high control voltage; be that as it may, this doesn’t call for worry for wattage on the grounds that as a feature of the PSW10 subwoofer’s plan, the test of high control voltage is tended toL
pros
- The sound quality is excellent.
- The bass is incredible.
- Produces great sound for music and film.
- Has a power-saving feature.
- Provides great value for money.
cons
- There are occasional distortions.
- Hums when disconnected from the amplifier.
Rockville RW10CA 10" 800 Watt Slim Low Profile Active Powered Car Subwoofer
This is the all-in-one compact RW 10 CA. It’s an all in one 110 inches under car seat subwoofer designed to fit in the tightest of places. Let us explore more information about this unit. It has a 10-inch slim profile Rockville subwoofer with a custom moulded front grille. This subwoofer comes equipped with a built-in 800 watt powered Empire amplifiers. It also comes with a PWM Mustard power supply fully equipped with ground remote and power. At 12 volts on the side of each unit, you will find low-level RCA input high-level speaker level inputs adjustable input sensitivity for games. The bass boost variable controls from 0 to 18 DB 45 Hz. The low-pass filter 50 to 150 Hz. The phase shift of 0 to 180 degrees and also an advanced auto turn-on feature.
This system has a thermal protection unit and soft delayed remote turn-on. You may use the supplied base knob to have full control of your bass in the driver’s seat. This unit comes with removable rubber isolation mounting legs for a secure and easy fit. Rockville’s active under seat sub is ultra-slim to fit almost anywhere in your car. The units measure 2.7 inches high 12.4 inches long by only 13.4 inches wide.
The RW10CA is an across the board answer for giving you incredible sounding bass in your vehicle without occupying a huge amount of room. This sub walled in area is just 2.7 inches thick with the goal that it can without much of a stretch fit under your seat. The intensifier is implicit, so establishment and wiring are simple and clean. This has astounding controls so you can change the sound exactly as you would prefer. It has a level control for the volume, a subsonic channel to sift through the truly low frequencies that the human ear can not hear. This additionally has a low pass hybrid channel, stage control, and bass lift.
pros
- The design is compact.
- It is a clearly well-made product.
- The sound quality is great.
- It is very easy to install.
- It is easy to control.
- The base is solid and clean.
- It delivers very good bass.
cons
- Some concerns with durability have been raised.
Klipsch Reference R-10SW 10" 300w Powered Subwoofer
The Reference R-10SW subwoofer is the perfect friend whether you’re hoping to accomplish a 5.1 framework or a 5.1 on the Richter scale. The superior subwoofer gives profound bass and situation adaptability because of its front terminating driver and all computerized speaker. The implicit all-computerized speaker conveys plentiful power with high productivity and consistent with source exactness in a generation. Enables you to mix the subwoofer’s low-recurrence tones with other Klipsch speakers just as set up the perfect degree of bass.
Guarantees similarity with old and new recipients. Infusion Molded Graphite (IMG) woofers are outstandingly light while being incredibly inflexible – giving amazing low recurrence reaction, with insignificant cone separation and mutilation.
Low pass hybrid and stage control enable you to mix the subwoofer’s low-recurrence tones with other Klipsch speakers just as build up the perfect level of bass. Get a smooth, even scattering of bass that suits your room size and design. Accessible in three unique estimates, these Reference Subwoofers are prepared to shake the room, whatever size it might be.
Amazing bass is a certain something, yet ground-breaking bass that can be put anyplace in space to accomplish the most ideal sound is another. The two-piece unit, made out of a transmitter and a beneficiary, directs a basic matching procedure that synchronizes the transmitter and collector the first occasion when they are utilized; from that point forward, the sub is naturally enacted when prepared for use. Rattle the windows and wake the neighbours with a Reference subwoofer. You’ve never felt your music and motion pictures like this previously.
pros
- It is incredibly loud.
- The level of bass is exceptional.
- Enhances both movie and music experience.
- It is perfect for a small room.
- Provides bang for buck value.
- It is lightweight and easy to move.
cons
- Do not like the housing.
- The paint job could have been better.
Rockville SS8P 400w 8" Slim Under-Seat Active Powered
The SS8P is an across the board answer to give you extraordinary sounding bass in your vehicle without occupying a great deal of room. This sub walled in area is just 2.8″ thick with the goal that it can undoubtedly fit under your seat. The enhancer is implicit, so establishment and wiring are spotless and basic. This is a genuine across the board subwoofer arrangement with the subwoofer incorporated with the walled-in area alongside a first-class enhancer worked in too. They concentrated on making the establishment a breeze so we structured this unit in view of you the client. We included significant level information sources so you can introduce this to a reseller’s exchange or manufacturing plant framework. The significant level of information enables you to introduce this regardless of whether you have no preamp yields accessible.
The savvy turn-on circuit will detect that a sound sign is available and turn on the speaker. At the point when you mood killer your music signal the speaker incorporated with this subwoofer framework will naturally turn itself off. Something different we did to make establishment speedy and simple is we put every one of the sources of info and yields on one side. This makes wiring neater and simpler. Their rival’s models are all the more testing to introduce. The SS8P has 400 watts of pinnacle power and 100 watts RMS. This has incredible controls so you can alter the sound exactly as you would prefer. It has a level control for the volume and subsonic channel to sift through the truly low frequencies which the human ear can’t hear. This likewise has a low pass hybrid channel, stage control, input affectability, and bass lift.
Included is a remote bass handle, and mounting equipment however the best thing about this model is the sound. It is thin however it seems like a full estimated subwoofer If you are not content with it we will offer you a 90-day unconditional promise. In the event that you don’t care for the sound, we will send you a prepaid mark and discount you in full!
pros
- It is very easy to install.
- The sound quality is brilliant.
- It comes at a great price point.
- The performance on non amped stereo is excellent.
- The bass is good without being excessive.
cons
- Bass output is not sufficient if you are a bass head.
- Could be louder.
Polk Audio HTS 10 Powered Subwoofer with Power Port Technology
Regardless of whether you’re introducing another arrangement of encompass or ATMOS speakers, including a second subwoofer for a definitive home performance center understanding, or simply need more center beating sway from your preferred music, the HTS 10 conveys the amazing bass you desire with its long-toss 10″ driver, protected Power Port innovation and 200W Class D intensifier. The Power Port® floor-terminating configuration easily changes wind current from the speaker into your listening territory for profound, expanded bass effect while limiting choppiness, mutilation, and port clamor. At the port tuning recurrence, Power Port® prepared subwoofers to have 3dB less port commotion than correspondingly arranged subwoofers without Power Port®.
Front-terminating 10″ driver with our licensed Dynamic Balance innovation is Klippel advanced to give perfect, clear bass, better linearity, lower mutilation and more noteworthy sturdiness. Worked in controls for variable volume, low pass channel and stage (0/180°) for ideal bass levels. Set power flip to Auto on/off or DC control (12V trigger) for quick and simple on/off power exchanging in the sub and other home theater hardware all effectively open on the backboard. The bent edges offer an exotic yet ground-breaking look that fits with any home style—accessible in a staggering dark washed pecan or great darker pecan finish.
Solid, inflexible and acoustically idle fenced-in area lessens undesirable inside standing waves for less discernible colouration. Furthermore, non-resounding Meddite MDF development, with additional supporting and least thick confuses, guarantees an increasingly exact sound.
pros
- It is a sturdily built subwoofer.
- There are two colours to choose from.
- It has a lovely finish and look.
- The bass is without distortion.
- Lives up to the manufacturer’s description.
cons
- Tech support is poor.
Buyer's guide
There are different types of powered subwoofers. Designs differ and so does size. It all depends on what you are looking for in a good system. The great thing about shopping today is that you can do it all online which means you can see different reviews of the same product and then move on to compare and contrast and pick out the product with the features you want. There are some important questions that you need to ask when you are shopping. This will help you understand and buy the right sub for you. Whether it is your first time buying audio equipment, or you have been at this for years and just want to know what the latest on the market is, we break it down for you so that you can walk away knowing what choices to make.
In the late 1930s, the Iconic system was created by James Lansing. It was a two-way speaker with a 15″ woofer in a vented enclosure. This system was used as a studio monitor and in high-end home hi-fi setups. The swinger era swung by, and bass reflex enclosures were made in speaker enclosures. These were openings that looked like pipes and were cut into speaker enclosures. This was after it was discovered that even the cheapest of speaker enclosures, began to produce a heavy drum-like sound after the hole was cut in them.
The first subwoofers made their way onto the market in 1964. In September of that year, Raymon Dones, of El Cerrito, California, received the first patent for a subwoofer specifically designed to augment in an omnidirectional way, the low-frequency range of modern stereo systems. Dones wanted to provide portable sound enclosures that were capable of high fidelity reproduction of low-frequency sound waves without giving an audible indication of the direction from which they came. This was all thanks to the fact that he was able to reproduce distortion-free low frequencies down to 15 cycles per second (15 Hz)
The speaker was named the Octavium and was used by several recording artists of the day such as the Pointer Sisters. The Octavium also found its way into movie theatres, as it was needed to help reproduce the low-frequency sounds in the 1974 film Earthquake.
Other early manufacturers worked on the subwoofer and developed it to the machine we know today. New Technology was one of such manufacturers. Arnold Nudell and Carie Christie designed the prototype in 1966. Two years later they found investors and by 1970 they were receiving glowing reviews for the subwoofer. Today subwoofers are much more advanced and come in various forms. You are spoilt for choice.
Can you connect a powered subwoofer to a speaker wire output?
The first tip you may be grateful to know is that you do not necessarily need a receiver with subwoofer output jacks. That being said, the subwoofer connection to a two-channel system differs from the methods used in home theatres. AV receivers have bass management to direct low bass frequencies to the sub and the midrange and treble frequencies to the speakers. The subwoofer is hooked up to the receiver with a single interconnecting cable.
Can you connect speakers to a powered subwoofer?
Subwoofers are usually pretty easy to connect as long as there are two cords to deal with. One will be for power and the other for the audio output. you will probably spend more time trying to position the subwoofer in the room, than trying to plug it in. The best way to connect a subwoofer is through the subwoofer output of a receiver using a low-frequency effects cable. The LFE port is a special output only for subwoofers. It will be clearly labeled as a subwoofer and as LFE. 5.1 channel audio has a dedicated channel output with bass only content that is best reproduced by a subwoofer. Setting this up just requires connecting the LFE jack on the receiver/amplifier to the ‘line in’ on the subwoofer. It is normally just one cable with single RCA connectors on both ends.
How do I connect my subwoofer to my stereo speakers?
Connecting subwoofers to your speakers are pretty easy. The first thing to do is to check on the brand and make sure that you are connecting the subwoofer properly. The manufacturer’s manual may be of great help here. All subwoofers are different but they all have the common streak that they are easy to connect if you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
The first thing you want to do is to connect using a line out connection. It will then send a note amplifies the low-frequency signal to your subwoofer. This works for powered subwoofers. Use the RCA cable or a subwoofer cable to connect from the sub out or LFE out on your receiver, preamplifier, or amplifier to the subwoofer input jack.
The next thing you want to do is turn the subwoofer on. You can now connect using speaker level connections. Some receivers do not have a sub out jack. Passive subwoofers require external amplification and that means a speaker level connection. Now connect the speaker cable from the main speaker outputs on your subwoofer. You will need to correctly match the corresponding speakers. Turn the subwoofer “Off” and set speakers to “Large” on your menu.
As you do this, make sure that all components are off before connecting anything.
How do you install a powered subwoofer?
If you are installing the powered unit in a car, the first thing you want to do is disconnect the car battery so that you know you are safe. In the same way that you would disconnect all electrical connections if you were doing this in your home.
The next thing that you will need to do is to run the cable from the battery to the powered sub. Now strip the insulation from the end of the wire that leads to your amp and attach it to the other end of your fuse holder. Always keep the fuse close to the battery since the lead between the terminal and the fuse is unprotected.
Once you have run the power wire you now need to turn on the wire signal cable. Both the RCA signal cables need to be connected to your stereo. You can now run these cables behind the dash to your stereo. The turn-on wire connects to a remote turn-on wire in your stereo’s wiring harness. Plug the RCA cables into the appropriate RCA outputs on your stereo. Then you need to run these wires down the opposite side of the car. This will stop electrical noise from getting into your system.
The next step you will need to take is to connect the ground wire. It should be connected to the car’s chassis. Look for a bolt close by for you to fasten the ground cable to. It should be in contact with the car’s bare metal. Now sand away any paint at the contact point so that you get the best connection.
Now you can go about making your wiring connections. Try to use gentle curves with your wires and cables so that you prevent damage to them. Then turn the gains of the built-in amplifiers down. Now reconnect the car’s negative terminal which you disconnected earlier.
Do you need an amp for a subwoofer?
The only subwoofer that needs an amplifier is a passive one. Powered subwoofers have a built-in amplifier.
Final thoughts
Regardless of why you need a subwoofer, a powered one is always a great idea. Especially if you are trying to save space and want an all-encompassing unit. We have done the research and found the best picks on the market. We hope that these help you make your decision a little better. Happy shopping! Be sure to check our post on the Best 12 Inch Subwoofer.
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