Established speakers that are installed on the factory conveyor can not be called good. A good half of car manufacturers treat them like a tick - they plugged holes with the cheapest speakers and okay.
Of course, some undemanding users are quite satisfied with the sound quality with standard speakers, but this will obviously not be enough for music lovers. The abundance of car speakers allows audiophiles to walk around properly, but for really high-quality and exactly full sound, an additional subwoofer is required, that is, an apparatus responsible for reproducing low frequencies.
Despite serious restrictions on the form factor of automotive equipment, today's speaker market offers a very wide range of models. And if the gurus of this business can at least somehow figure out this whole mess, then inexperienced users simply shrug their shoulders and trust the consultants in the stores. It’s good if the latter turn out to be competent and with moderate financial gain, but, as a rule, we deal with sellers who are illiterate in this matter and with the installation submit more, faster and more expensive. Here we are mainly talking about the notorious networkers such as Eldorado or Mvideo.
Some motorists who are especially technically savvy still assemble their own subwoofer in a car. But this option is not suitable for everyone, and even messes with instructions and manuals for such "designers" sometimes more expensive both in strength and in time (and sometimes in finance). Some users themselves cannot connect the subwoofer to the car, not to mention do-it-yourself assembly, so here we will only consider branded options. In addition, branded and licensed solutions cannot (with the right choice) harm the electronic system of the car and are safer.
So, let's try to understand the question of choice and designate a list of good subwoofers in the car. Consider the main criteria that you need to pay attention to, the advantages and disadvantages of specific models, as well as the appropriateness of their purchase.
Difficulties of choice
Before going to the store, it would be useful to be theory-savvy to speak with the consultant, as they say, in the same language and not become another victim of a money divorce. First of all, it is necessary to pay attention to a number of critical parameters, which significantly affect the sound quality, as well as the installation of equipment.
Size
This is one of the most obvious criteria to emphasize. In a good half of the car, regular places have already been laid for installation of speaker systems and for installing a subwoofer in a car in particular. For the most part, the rated and maximum power of the device depends on the form factor (on the contrary, it is also true).
On the shelves you can see three main sizes. These are small devices at 20 cm, or 8 inches, medium - 25 cm / 10 "and large - 30 cm / 12". The choice of form factor largely depends on the available regular places for the subwoofer in the car and what you want to get at the output in terms of sound.
Number of stripes
The accuracy and sound quality of the output depends on the number of bands. That is, the more there are, the cleaner and generally better the sound, if, of course, the subwoofer in the car is set up correctly. The number of bands directly affects the cost of equipment, so picky music lovers will have to fork out well.
Amplifier
An amplifier for the subwoofer in the car is necessary for a uniform sound. If you opt for a model without it, then the low frequencies will clearly drown out the rest. While in acoustics with an amplifier, everything is distributed evenly.
The presence or absence of an amplifier to a large extent affects the cost of equipment. For ordinary users who are not used to “jamming” the passing streets with their bass, you can do without it: at medium volume, almost all parts and all the music from the subwoofer in the car are clearly distinguishable, but the rest should be taken at a higher price.
Power
Here, for the most part, we have the performance of a speaker system. The longevity of the speakers largely depends on the rated power of the device. The maximum parameters indicate the peak short-term load that the column can withstand without any damage.
So lovers stronger and louder need to look at the technology with higher power subwoofer for the car. This parameter has a good effect on cost, so you should not get involved in it either.
Manufacturers
As for manufacturers, the backbone of well-established brands has been formed for a long time and has been successfully producing high-quality equipment for more than a dozen years. Here we are talking about the venerable “Pioneer”, “Sony”, “Supra”, Alpine, “Kenwood”, Polk and JBL.
Reviews about these manufacturers are entirely positive. Yes, their equipment is more expensive than similar Chinese, but you can be 100% sure of the quality of the models. In this case, contacting little-known or generally no-name manufacturers is not worth it, because such savings can cost you too much. It is much more practical to take the equipment more expensive and use it for years than cheaper and change it every few months.
Next, we consider specific subwoofers for the car, distinguished by their quality component and a good balance in terms of price to return.
Supra SRD-T20A (20 cm / 8 ”)
The model from the famous Japanese manufacturer was distinguished not only by its excellent sound quality, but also by its attractive appearance. Despite its affordable price, the subwoofer in the car easily copes with frequencies from 35 to 250 Hz. If you need to properly adjust the acoustics, then the sound quality will be almost the same as models from the premium segment.
The only fly in the ointment that users sometimes complain is the ill-conceived manufacturer connecting the subwoofer to the car. The fact is that the speaker removes mass from the body and the wire section is extremely modest. This, perhaps, is not so critical for those who do not listen to music at full volume, but the rest will obviously turn on a capacitor in the circuit, or even change the standard wire.
Advantages of the model:
- excellent sound quality;
- good build;
- small dimensions;
- simple installation;
- more than a democratic price tag for the available features.
Disadvantages:
- mass on the car body (you need a wire with a larger cross section or a capacitor in the circuit).
Estimated cost - about 5000 rubles.
Pioneer TS-WX254 (25 cm / 10 ”)
One of the most remarkable characteristics of this subwoofer in the car, along with low cost, is an impressive power of 1100 watts. This makes the device more resistant to peak loads and significantly increases its operational life.
As for sound quality, judging by the feedback from users, there are no questions about the model. With proper tuning, you can set a very good level of bass, since the spread of frequencies is quite enough - from 20 to 220 Hz.
Pluses of model:
- excellent sound output;
- very good build quality;
- good frequency spread;
- impedance at 4 ohms;
- high rate of power;
- nice looking appearance;
- attractive cost.
No cons found.
Estimated price - about 5000 rubles.
Alpine SBE-1044BR (25cm / 10 ")
This passive model received 150 watts of rated power and 500 watts of maximum power. The subwoofer fulfills these indicators to the fullest and is not at all phyllitic. The low frequencies at the output are quite deep and do not cut the ear with synthetic notes.
There are no questions about the build quality of the Japanese model: it doesn’t sharpen anything, it doesn’t play or creak. Design also appealed to motorists, as well as ease of installation with ergonomics. The only critical minus of the subwoofer is its operation at low temperatures. In winter, the interior will need to be warmed up properly before starting the acoustics.
Pluses of model:
- decent sound at a relatively low power;
- excellent build quality;
- bass reflex plug
- ergonomic design;
- Nice looking design.
Minuses:
- playback problems at low temperatures.
Estimated price - about 5500 rubles.
Sony XS-NW1202E (30 cm / 12 ")
Sony has always adhered to its canons regarding quality, and this active subwoofer in the car was no exception. The speaker produces bass without any lags or impurities. The same goes for other frequencies. We were pleased with the rated power of the device - 1800 W, as well as the frequency spread - from 32 to 1000 Hz.
In addition, the model was distinguished by exceptional build quality, reliability, as well as a long operational period. Of the minuses, users note the “brakes” of acoustics when working in low temperatures. That is, for normal return, it takes several minutes to warm up the active subwoofer. In the car, after a long period of inactivity and at a temperature of about -20 degrees overboard, you will need to wait 10-15 minutes for a normal start.
Pluses of model:
- high rate of rated and maximum power;
- wide frequency spread;
- excellent sound output;
- exceptional build quality;
- attractive appearance;
- more than affordable cost for the available characteristics.
Minuses:
- in frost you need time to start.
Estimated price - about 6000 rubles.
Pioneer TS-WX305B (30 cm / 12 ")
Another representative of a venerable brand, but in a different form factor. One of the advantages of the model is also its drawback. The design turned out to be compact, but it is the small dimensions of the case that interfere with the deep sound of low frequencies, while in the higher range there are no problems.
There are no questions about the build quality. The brand has once again proved that even in budget models it pays special attention to materials and the reliability of the design. In addition, the device pleased with a high rated power of 1300 watts, which could not but affect the duration of the operational period.
Advantages of the model:
- good power indicator;
- excellent build quality;
- impedance at 4 ohms;
- compact design;
- attractive design.
Disadvantages:
- Shallow low frequencies at maximum volume.
Estimated cost - about 7000 rubles.
Alpine SWE-815 (20 cm / 8 ”)
This is an active bass reflex model from a well-known Japanese manufacturer. One of the main advantages of the subwoofer is a wide range of operating frequencies - from 34 to 1500 Hz, with a sensitivity of 91 dB. Here we already get not just high-quality sound, but ideal.
It is also worth mentioning that the model is equipped with a wired, but still remote control, which greatly facilitates the basic settings of the device and ease of use in general. It can be attached both to the hand brake and to the steering wheel.
There are also no questions regarding the build quality and materials used. The whole structure looks and is monolithic without a hint of backlash and gaps. In addition, the model has an attractive appearance and an ergonomic body that "does not drive" through the cabin, even if not bolted. The device can be called the best in its segment and it spends a lot of money spent on it in full.
Pros of the subwoofer:
- almost perfect sound output;
- excellent build quality;
- very wide frequency range;
- good sensitivity;
- the presence of a remote control;
- thoughtful and nice design.
No cons found.
Estimated price - about 10,000 rubles.
U-Dimension Blackbox X10 (25 cm / 10 ”)
The products of this Japanese brand are not as enviable as the models from the above manufacturers, but this subwoofer is extremely successful and deserves the attention of the most demanding music lovers.
The device can be easily mounted both in the trunk of the car and directly in the cabin, since the dimensions contribute to the latter. Many domestic consumers complain about the too repulsive price tag, but there are no questions about the sound quality. The result is a perfect sound: clean, without a hint of “synthetics” or worse cacophony. Moreover, the quality does not change and does not depend on the volume level.
If in similar models, modest dimensions automatically excluded deep bass, then here we have a kind of nonsense. Of course, this subwoofer will not succeed in keeping up with massive speakers because of purely physical indicators. But the 10-inch kid Blackbox X10 quietly plugs in the belt a good half of the 12 ”models. So lovers of perfect sound, as well as those who do not want to litter the trunk with unnecessary devices, this option will come in handy. Yes, the price tag of the subwoofer can not be called democratic in any way, but you have to pay extra for convenience, as well as for quality.
Advantages of the model:
- perfect sound;
- built-in amplifier;
- compact dimensions (can be safely installed in the cabin);
- 200 watts of rated power;
- long warranty from the manufacturer.
Disadvantages:
- the price is too high for ordinary domestic motorists.
Estimated cost - about 16,000 rubles.