If you have a budget of $500 and are wondering what this money can get you in regards to subwoofers, you may be surprised to discover the quality sound that you’re able to experience.
We’ve researched what the best subwoofers under $500 have to offer and reviewed them here. Therefore, the hard part is taken care of.
Simply have a read through the review, buyers guide, and FAQ to get a better idea about which kind of sub would be best for your setup!
Our Top 10 Picks of Best Subwoofers Under $500
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Let’s Have a look into a detailed review of the best subwoofer under 500 dollars
1. SVS PB-1000 Subwoofer
Features
- DESIGN – This sub comes in a fantastic black color that looks awesome as a part of modern decor. It also weighs 46 lbs which makes it easier to move around and set up.
- CONNECTIVITY – There are a range of inputs available at the back of this subwoofer. This makes connecting it up a lot easier.
Read: SVS PB-1000 Subwoofer Review
One size available:
- 10”
Driver
The driver that has been fitted to this subwoofer is a total of 10” in size. We liked how it has been implemented with a high excursion feature as well.
It’s able to provide you with that deep wall-shaking bass that you may have been searching for. However, were impressed with how this sub manages to provide incredibly loud and deep bass sounds without compromising on the quality.
Due to the driver, you’re able to hear all of the smaller sound details along with the low-frequency bass.
Therefore, this could be a fantastic option if you were looking for a subwoofer to implement into your home theater system.
Watts & Amp
When the subwoofer is operating at a more continuous rate, it’s able to produce up to 300 watts of power. However, when it’s working at its maximum capability, it can provide you with a total of over 700 watts.
So, it’s pretty powerful. Not to mention, a Sledge STA-3000 DSP amplifier has been fitted too.
This amp works remarkably well to help the driver produce a sound that remains consistent. It’s also one of the features that enables the subwoofer to enable you to listen to sounds that are very precise.
Distortion
If you were worried about any distortion when it comes to this subwoofer, it shouldn’t be a big concern.
This is because the cabinet that has been fitted inside the sub has been engineered in a very specific way. As a result, it’s able to avoid being vibrated, even when you have the volume turned up high.
Therefore, any rattling or vibrational sounds are kept to a minimum. This is a great way to enhance your movie-watching experience and make it more immersive.
Pros
- Distortion & vibration-free
- 700 watts available
- High-quality driver
Cons
- Some were expecting it to be louder
- Larger than some would prefer
2. SVS PB-1000 Subwoofer
- POWER – There’s a total of 100watts of dynamic power available with this sub. This is pretty great considering it’s just 8” and more compact in size.
- SOUND – People have been liking how the sound isn’t directional. Therefore, it doesn’t take away from any other speakers you already have.
Options available:
- Subwoofer with 15 foot cable
- Subwoofer with 8 foot cable
- Subwoofer on its own
Tight Bass
One of the biggest benefits that people have been talking about when it comes to this Yamaha subwoofer is how tight the bass sounds.
This largely comes down to how they’ve implemented a unique twisted flare design while making the port. The unique port works effectively to allow more air to flow throughout the port.
Many other subwoofers include more standard ports that can cause the air to become turbulent. As a result, it can lead to additional noise and distract you from the listening experience.
However, with this subwoofer, you’re able to listen to the lower frequency bass sounds with total clarity. Any other noises are reduced as a result of the increased airflow.
Users have been mentioning how this tight bass feature is fantastic when it comes to watching movies. It allows you to hear all of the sound effects in clarity.
Yamaha Technology
In order to provide you with low frequency sounds that are accurate and of higher quality, this sub has been fitted with unique Yamaha Advanced YST ll technology.
This is an excellent technological development that brings together the negative impedance and constant current aspects together. While doing to, the cone within the subwoofer is provided with the opportunity to extract sound more accurately.
As a result, you the linearity of the soundwaves is improved. This makes for a more consistent sounding subwoofer that can get you completely immersed in watching movies.
Design
On the front of this subwoofer, Yamaha has used a slightly rounded feature with a slant. This provides the sub with a unique visual appeal that looks incredibly sleek.
The all-black color scheme also adds to the aesthetic of this subwoofer. Therefore, you can feel confident in knowing that it will look awesome in your home.
Pros
- Tight bass
- Sleek design
- Compact
Cons
- No cutoff frequency control
- Only one input RCA jack
3. Polk Audio HTS – Powered Subwoofer
- DESIGN – The curved edges that are available with this sub provide it with an excellent visual appeal. It looks awesome in all modern living rooms.
- EASE OF USE – We were pleased to find that this sub comes with plenty of controls. Furthermore, integrating it into your home theater system is a breeze due to the universal inputs.
Sizes available:
- 10”
- 12”
Control & Compatibility
Users have been mentioning how impressed they’ve been to discover how easy it is to control this subwoofer. That can be a big concern for someone looking to install sub for the first time.
There are control available that provide you with the ability to alter the low pass filter, volume, and phasing. As a result, you can feel confident in being able to have total control over how you want to hear sounds.
An automatic on/off feature can be utilized too. This can help you to save on wasting energy. Furthermore, the subwoofer is highly compatible.
It features a range of low pass disabled, unfiltered, and stereo line-level RCA inputs. Therefore, you can be sure to hook up this subwoofer to all home theater systems that are available.
Bass & Driver
If you’re looking to enhance how home cinema experience, adding this subwoofer to the set could be an awesome idea. It also works great to let you listen to music as well.
The larger option is available in 12” and provides you with the chance to listen to incredibly deep bass sounds at a high volume. So, you’re able to enhance your movie-watching experience.
In addition to this, they’ve fitted the sub with an excellent dynamic balance driver. It has a front-firing feature which allows you to hear bass sounds that come directly at you.
This dynamic balance driver is also effective at ensuring that the low-frequency sounds that it can produce are clear to hear. Therefore, there’s a reduced amount of distortion to ensure that you’re able to have a much better listening experience.
Port Technology
The port that’s included with the subwoofer has an excellent down-firing system. As a result, it’s able to transport the air around itself and ensure that it carries the sound to wherever you’re sitting in the room.
It manages to achieve this while keeping the turbulence down to a minimum. The noise that the port makes it also non-existent.
Interested to look into alternative of this, Check out : Polk Audio PSW10 Review
Pros
- Clear bass
- Plenty of controls
- Universal compatibility
- Great modern design
Cons
- Auto on feature doesn’t work so well all the time
4. Polk Audio PSW505
- GRILLE – The front grille has a detachable feature that provides you with more customizable options when setting the subwoofer up.
- ACCURATE SOUNDS – We liked how precise the sounds are able to be when you’re sitting and watching movies. It makes the experience more immersive.
Options available:
- Subwoofer on its own
- Subwoofer with cable
Sound Quality
The Polk Audio PSW505 has been implemented with highly technological features that work to avoid any of the sound issues that arise from other channels.
When you set up a sub with other speakers, it can sometimes lead to all the different sounds and frequencies interfering with each other. As a result, it can diminish the sound quality.
Well, this isn’t something that you need to worry about when it comes to this subwoofer. It works incredibly well to boost the 3 dimensional sound in your room while maintaining the quality.
Furthermore, the materials that have been used to construct the sub are great. They help the low-frequency bass sounds to be more realistic, which is great for watching movies.
Controls & Integration
People have been pleased to discover that this subwoofer comes with a range of controls. You’re able to alter the voice channel and isolate it.
This feature is exceptional when it comes to watching TV or movies where the dialogue seems to be lower than the rest of the sound effects. It enables you to clearly hear what’s being said, while also experiencing the loud bass sounds.
In addition to this, you can be sure to easily integrate this sub with the rest of your sound system. Whether it be for music or movies, you’re able to connect it without too much hassle.
Power
The power that’s available with this subwoofer is fantastic. It’s able to operate at up to 460 watts, which provides you with plenty of power.
With this much power available, you’re able to turn the volume up to super-high levels. However, this sub doesn’t compromise on the sound quality. You’re able to take advantage of the power on offer to listen to music and watch movies and listen to the deep bass sounds without distortion.
Pros
- 460 watts of power
- Easy to integrate
- Accurate bass sounds
Cons
- Amp could be more durable
- Auto on/off feature doesn’t work so well
5. Klipsch R-10SWi – Best Wireless Subwoofer
- GRILLE – The grille is super strong and durable. You’re also able to remove it to have more personalized features.
- FRONT-FIRING – This sub has a front-firing feature which allows you to listen to low-frequency sounds that come directly towards you.
- CONSTRUCTION – With MDF materials, the cabinet with this sub is very durable.
One size available;
- 10”
Wireless
We were impressed to find that this subwoofer has been made with wireless design. This is a major benefit for many people who are looking to integrate a subwoofer into their sound system.
It provides you with the freedom to move it around wherever you like. Not to mention, it’s also just 10” in size. Therefore, you can slot it into various areas in your room to keep it out of the way and save space.
The 2.4 GHz frequency that’s available with this sub is fantastic. It works effectively to block out any other signals that could cause interference.
People have also been liking how easy it is to set it up. There’s a transmitter that’s already paired. All you need to do it connect the two together by turning them on.
Sound Quality
This woofer has been injected with a molded graphite substance. This is an awesome feature that provides the sub with its rigidity.
Therefore, you can be sure that it will remain strong and durable. The injection aspect adds stability without causing the subwoofer to become too heavy.
As a result of the rigidity features, you’re able to listen to the lower frequency sounds while preventing the cone from breaking up easily.
There are some lower-end subwoofers that aren’t as sturdy and cause the cone to break up. This can lead to a distortion in the sound. With this sub, you won’t have to worry about distortion.
This is especially since the amplifier that they’ve included is of a high-quality. It runs on a completely digital system and works well to let you listen to sounds in the truest form.
Crossover Control
One of the main reasons as to why this subwoofer works so well as part of a sound system is because of its crossover control.
You’re able to blend the lower frequency sounds of the subwoofer with the other sound effects that are coming from the rest of the speakers.
We found this to be a superb feature that improves the movie-watching and music-listening experience.
Pros
- Wireless
- Great crossover control
- Reduced distortion
Cons
- Enclosure edges are a little rough
- Changing inputs can cause thumping sounds
6. Audioengine S8
- AUTO SLEEP – The auto-sleep mode that’s included is excellent for helping you to save power. When the sub hasn’t had any interaction for a while, it automatically turns off.
- COMPATIBILITY – This sub can work well with a surround sound system, speakers, laptops, TV’s, and video game consoles.
Options available:
- Black
- White
Tight Bass
The woofer that has been fitted into this subwoofer has been made especially for home theaters. That’s why the speakers have been constructed using high-quality rubber materials.
This is excellent for ensuring that the sound you hear is very accurate. We were also impressed with how the sub has both front-firing and down-firing features available.
As a result, you’re able to hear the sound instantly as it travels directly towards you, while also filling the room. This can make for a fantastic cinematic experience.
Even when you turn the volume out extremely loud, you’re able to avoid any irritating distortion sounds.
Set Up & Design
There are plenty of inputs available at the back of the subwoofer that allows you to connect the rest of your sound system without any hassle.
We liked how they’ve designed this one with a small design. Being just 8” in size provides you with the ability to set it up easily and out of the way to save space.
It’s also available in white or black. Therefore, you can be sure to pick the color that suits your modern space the best.
Controls
We liked how this subwoofer has a wide variety of inputs, buttons, and switches available on the rear.
This provides you with the ability to have total control over your sub. Being able to control the sound and various features that come with a subwoofer is something that many people worry about.
With this one, you can find a switch for phasing, an on/off button, volume control, and crossover control.
The crossover control is especially useful when it comes to implementing the subwoofer to the rest of your sound system. It ensures that you’re able to level out the low frequencies along with the sounds that are coming from the other speakers.
Pros
- Easy installation
- Tight bass
- Great controls available
- Modern design
Cons
- May require some tweaking when used with speakers
- Can be prone to overheating at times
7. Cerwin-Vega XLS-12S – Front Firing Powered Subwoofer
- CONSTRUCTION – They’ve used a heavy-duty cast frame to construct this sub. Therefore, you can be sure that it will last you for a long time.
- INTEGRATION – This sub can be used well with other speakers due to the crossover controls that are included.
One option available:
- 12”
Front-Firing
We liked how this subwoofer has been made with a front-firing design. This enables you to watch movies and listen to music with the sound traveling directly towards you.
As a result, subwoofer can enhance your music-listening and movie-watching experience. Since it has a front-firing feature, we recommend that you set this one up directly in front of the main space where you’re going to be sitting.
If you were to place this subwoofer in a corner, the sound wouldn’t be able to reach you as well.
You’re able to hear incredibly low-frequency sounds that can go all the way down to 38Hz. Therefore, you can feel confident in knowing that this sub will let you listen to the lower bass sounds at high volumes.
Power & Crossover
Are you looking for a subwoofer to set up in your home theater system, or along with other speakers?
If so, you’re going to need to find a sub that has good crossover features. We were pleased to find that this subwoofer provides you with the opportunity to alter the crossover level.
As a result, you’re able to manage the bass and balance it out with the sounds that are coming from your other speakers. This way, the bass never feels overpowering and you’re able to have a listening experience with more clarity.
It’s also powered by 250 watts when it’s being run at a continuous rate.
Design
The black ash design that has been used for the enclosure looks fantastic. It enables the subwoofer to look more stylish which means that you can be sure to fit it into your modern living room.
At the size of 12”, you can also easily slot this subwoofer into a good spot there it looks great and provides you with the best sound possible.
Pros
- Sleek design
- Front-firing
- Crossover controls available
Cons
- Amp could be more durable
8. Alpine Electronics PWE-S8
- INTEGRATION – There are plenty of inputs available on the side of the panel that make connecting it up super easy.
- SIZE – The smaller size of this sub means that you can install it discreetly in your living room. It can also be great for going under seats in trucks.
One option available:
- 8”
Design
This subwoofer measures in at just 8” in size. So, if you were looking for a smaller underseat subwoofer that you could tuck away, this one could be a great option to consider. It helps you to save on space while improving your surround sound system.
The enclosure has been made with a high grade cast aluminum material. Therefore, you can be sure that this subwoofer is super strong and durable to last you for a long time.
With the all black design that has been used, this sub can be a great addition to most rooms. This is especially the case with modern living rooms as it has a sleek rounded-edge design.
Power & Bass
We liked how this sub can provide you with a total of 120 watts at a continuous rate. This is pretty impressive when you consider how compact it is.
While operating at 120 watts, the sub can provide you with some fantastic bass sounds. It can reach extremely low frequencies of between 32 and 150Hz.
So, you can feel confident in knowing that it will help to boost the bass sounds when used with other speakers. It’s able to produce deep bass sounds with plenty of clarity as well.
The distortion that’s available with this sub has been kept to a minimum. This is large as a result of the high-quality enclosure and cabinet that are free from vibration.
Controls
People have been pleased to discover that this subwoofer comes with a range of controls. These include controls for the gain, phase, and crossover.
A remote has been included which makes changing the various settings a breeze. Users have mentioned how they love being able to have complete control over the sub.
This is especially the case when it comes to the crossover control. It allows you to combine the lower frequency sounds with the other sounds that are coming from your sound system.
Pros
- Compact design
- Crossover controls available
- Loud bass sounds
Cons
- Some would prefer if mounting brackets were included
- Bass levels may need adjusting when listening to music
9. Rel Acoustics T/Zero – Down-Firing Subwoofer
- POWER – This small subwoofer is powered by 100 watts of energy that produces a surprisingly loud bass sound.
- MONITORS – Users have mentioned how this sub connects and operates very well with monitor speakers.
Options available:
- Black
- White
- Both 6.5”
Sound Quality
We liked how this subwoofer has been fitted with highly technological features that enable it to play low-frequency sounds at a remarkably high quality.
The bass that you’re able to hear from this sub is very accurate. Therefore, it’s an excellent choice when it comes to watching movies.
People have been mentioning how they’re impressed with the amplifiers. They’re incredibly reliable and ensure that you’re able to have an excellent listening experience for years to come.
It has a down-firing design which makes it a great choice if you were looking for a sub to go in the corner of your room. This is because it works effectively to evenly distribute the sound across the space that you’re in.
Integration
How easy is this sub to integrate?
We were pleased to find that installing this subwoofer is very easy. Not only is it easy, it also has a range of integration choices that make it more versatile.
It works well with most home theater systems due to all of the different ports that are available. The connection wires are also pretty lengthy.
Therefore, you won’t need to worry about struggling with shuffling things around to get the sub close enough to certain connections.
We found that when you use this subwoofer on its own, it works best in areas that are between 100 and 200 square feet. However, if you were to use 2 of these subs, you could use them to provide great sound to rooms that are up to 400 square feet.
There’s no assembly required either. You can simply follow the instructions and have the sub set up and ready to use in no time.
Design
You can purchase this subwoofer in either a black or white color. So, you’re provided with a couple of different options to ensure that you can pick the one that fits your room the best.
The corners of the subwoofer are right-angled and have a sleek finish to them. Furthermore, they have small stands underneath that keep them slightly elevated as it’s a down-firing sub.
Pros
- Easy to integrate
- Sleek design
- High-quality bass sounds
Cons
- Users haven’t mentioned any downsides to this subwoofer!
10. ELAC Debut 2.0 SUB3010 – 400 Watt Powered Subwoofer
- WOOFER – The high excursion woofer is effective at enabling you to have that chest-pounding bass experience while watching movies and listening to music.
- SOUND – This sub works remarkably well with other speakers. It blends all of the sounds together for smooth sounding bass.
Options available:
- Subwoofer with B6.2 bookshelf speaker set
- Subwoofer with C6.2 center speaker set
- Subwoofer on its own
Bluetooth
The Bluetooth function that has been implemented to this subwoofer is fantastic for enhancing the user experience.
It allows you to connect the subwoofer to your Android and iOS devices wirelessly. As a result, you’re able to have total control over the sub from your smartphone.
This can be achieved by simply downloading the app. If you decide to use multiple subwoofers, you’ll be able to control them all by using the app on your phone.
Power
The continuous amount of power that’s available with this sub is 200 watts. However, when you are using it to its peak potential, it can go up to 400 watts.
This power has been combined with a high-quality BASH amplifier. This amplifier is reliable and lets you use it for years.
People have been impressed to find just how powerful this small subwoofer is. The bass that it’s able to produce is pretty impressive, especially when you consider its more compact size.
Users have mentioned how it works to fill large rooms with high-quality bass sounds.
Integration & Design
This subwoofer can be used as an excellent addition to a sound system that you may already have set up. It has been made to work along with the renowned Dolby Atmos system, which can allow you to experience sound on a whole new level.
At just 10” in size, this subwoofer may be an excellent option for people who don’t want to take up too much space. You can easily slot this sub into a corner or somewhere next to the TV too.
The all black color and square design also looks fantastic. Therefore, you can have it as part of your living room and not have it stand out too much.
Pros
- Bluetooth enables
- Great compact size
- Awesome low-frequency sounds
Cons
- Some have issues with the firmware update
Buyers Guide on the Best Subwoofers Under $500
If you’re interested in buying a subwoofer, you may be wondering more about the various factors to consider.
If so, you’ll want to check out our buyers guide section below. We’ve included more details surrounding the various features that you should know about and look out for.
There are quite a few different things to consider and it can quickly become confusing, especially if you’re not sure what to be looking for.
To gain a better understanding of subwoofers before you go ahead and pick one for yourself, have a read through this buyers guide. if you have higher budget then you can check subwoofer upto $1000 for better and classy results.
Frequency
The frequency that a subwoofer produces is measured in Hertz. If you currently have a sound system set up without a subwoofer, they are unlikely to be able to provide you with true bass sounds.
This is because the haven’t been built to produce frequencies that can go that low. In order to get that rumbling bass sound that you hear and feel in the cinema, you’ll need a subwoofer.
Subs are able to produce lower frequency sounds, which is what’s responsible for making you truly feel the deeper sounds.
However, having a subwoofer that plays incredibly low frequencies won’t automatically make the experience better. You need to be sure that you combine the deeper bass sounds with the rest of your speakers for a much smoother sounding experience.
Subwoofers that are in the $500 price range are usually able to provide you with a pretty wide frequency range that’s between 25 and 200 Hertz.
Power
Just because a subwoofer has more power available, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be able to produce louder sounds.
Having a more powerful sub will most likely help towards louder bass, although, the power of your subwoofer has more to do with the wattage.
When it comes to subs under $500, you’re usually able to use between 100 and 400 watts of power.
These kinds of subs are able to produce a higher quality of sound compared to the less expensive options that only have 50 watts at their disposal.
When you see a subwoofer that mentions two different wattages, they usually stand for two different things.
One of them is the continuous rate at which the sub is able to produce wattage and sound. This is typically lower than its maximum output, which is the other number that you might see.
The higher value is to do with the maximum amount of wattage that a subwoofer is able to produce. However, this is not its consistent power, it refers to its peak power.
Click here to get more insight about the best 15 inch subwoofer for car and home music.
Cone
The cone is one of the most important aspects of a subwoofer. It involves transferring the response of the sound to an input audio signal.
This then causes air to be pushed out and travel towards you and around the room to let you hear sound. Cones that are in subs have to work a lot harder because the lower frequency sounds take longer to be pushed out.
Therefore, the cone needs to be able to push out a lot of air and enable you to hear the deeper bass sounds.
A larger cone may not necessarily mean better sound. Depending on how it’s designed, it could lead to more vibration and distortion. But with a high-quality cone in a larger subwoofer, you’ll be able to experience deeper rumbling bass sounds with minimal distortion.
Size
That brings us to our final point – size.
As far as subwoofers are concerned, there’s a common misconception that smaller ones can’t produce sounds at the same quality at larger ones.
Larger subs can still be awesome, provided that they’ve been designed properly. Since the cone and cabinet is larger, it means that there’s a higher risk of vibration occurring.
If the manufacturers haven’t paid close attention to making these features rigid enough to avoid vibration, it can lead to some sound distortion.
Smaller subwoofers can also still create some distortion if the internals aren’t rigid, but it wouldn’t be as distracting compared to the larger ones.
If you have a smaller space or don’t want your subwoofer to stand out too much, a smaller sized on, that’s 10 or 8” may be better.
However, if you’re interested in the larger ones that you can use for larger rooms, you may be more interested in the ones that are 15 or 18” in size.
FAQ of Best Subwoofers Under $500
Installing a subwoofer means that you’ll need to have an audio receiver. These audio receivers are usually already a part of many surround systems that most people already have set up.
Typically, an RCA cable is used to connect the subwoofer to the receiver. However, there are also more and more wireless options being made nowadays too.
If you have a 7.1 surround sound system, you’re going to need a subwoofer that’s pretty powerful. This is because 7.1 surround sound covers high and mid-frequency sounds.
Therefore, having a powerful enough subwoofer will help you to achieve a better balance of low, mid, and high frequencies for an improved cinematic experience.
It’s common for many people with 7.1 surround sound systems to implement two or more subwoofers, especially if they’re in a particularly larger room.
Conclusion
That brings our review of the top subs under 500 dollars to an end. Make sure to consider the main aspects of each option in this review and that it can be integrated well into your setup.
Hopefully, we’ve opened up your eyes to what being on a budget and looking for high-quality subwoofers can get you.
The best subwoofers under $500 may have a lot more oomph than you may have realized.
A warm welcome to all, I am Alex Thomsan, an expert in the field of product reviews. I am here to take you through the best subwoofers for your vehicle & home. I have been working in this field for quite a long time now and will surely help you with the selection process.
I was hoping you could go through my findings and research to have a closer look at the products that are worth buying. I hope my review will ease the process for you in a useful way.