Best Shallow Mount Subwoofer 2022 (Our Top 10 Picks & Reviews)

Are you looking for the best shallow mount subwoofer that you can start using in your car?

If so, you’ll be interested to check out our review. We’ve rounded up what the top shallow mount subs have to offer and reviewed them in this post. There are 10 options available that ensure that you’re provided with a wide variety of options to consider. They all have their own features and downsides for you to take into consideration. Finding the right shallow mount subwoofer can be tough. There are so many choices that come with confusing specifications. To make things a lot easier, you can simply read through this post.

You’ll be glad that you considered the choices in our review before making your final choice. This is because the subwoofer that’s best for your needs can truly enhance the way that you listen to music. Sounds that you’d never be able to hear from regular speakers will be booming in clarity with a high-quality subwoofer.

Let’s check list of shallow mount subwoofer

Image Product Price
Top Pick
PIONEER TS-SW2502S4 Shallow Mount Subwoofer
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Rockford Fosgate R2 Shallow Subwoofer Check On Amazon
Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 Punch Series Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer

Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8

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Jl Audio 10tw3-d4 Shallow Mount Sub Check On Amazon
Skar Audio VD-8 D4 Dual Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer Check On Amazon
Kicker CVT124 Shallow Mount Subwoofer Check On Amazon
 Kenwood Excelon KFC-XW1200F - Shallow Mount Subwoofer Check On Amazon
Infinity Reference REF1200S Shallow Mount Subwoofer Check On Amazon
Alpine Swr-t10 Shallow Mount Subwoofer Check On Amazon
Rockford Fosgate R2S-1X10 Check On Amazon

Here is a review of,

Top 10 best shallow mount subwoofer

1. PIONEER TS-SW2502S4 Shallow Mount Subwoofer

PIONEER TS-SW2502S4 Shallow Mount Subwoofer
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CONE – The cone has been injected with a mica resin substance. This is excellent for keeping the cone remarkably strong to prevent vibration and enhance the sound quality. 

MOUNTING – We liked how the mounting depth is pretty low as it allows many people to have an easier time installing it.

One option available:

  • 10” 

Pioneer’s subwoofer is 10” in size, which makes it an excellent option for placing in areas that are smaller. The more compact size of this sub makes it super easy to integrate, which makes it an awesome choice for people who want to save some space. 

While it’s smaller in size, it still packs a pretty big punch! 

Its powered by up to 300 watts when it’s running continuously. When you’re playing music or watching movies at a reasonably loud level, the wattage is able to maintain this power. However, we were impressed with how it’s able to go all the way up to 1,200 watts. 

If you were to turn the subwoofer all the way up, it would be able to handle the extremely high volumes. 

With a frequency response range of between 20 and 125 Hz, you can feel confident in being able to listen to deep bass sounds with clarity. 

This low frequency range enables you to hear the bass sounds with clarity as well. It can produce incredibly accurate sounds. 

They’ve also implemented a sealed design with this subwoofer. This means that the sound is able to be more controlled. It’s another one of the elements that makes it so great at producing accurate sounds. 

Pros

  • Ported design for accurate sound
  • Up to 1,200 watts of power 
  • Great frequency range 

Cons

  • Mounting shape may not be best for installing in cars  

2. Rockford Fosgate R2 Shallow Subwoofer

Rockford Fosgate R2 Shallow Subwoofer
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WATTAGE – When the sub is being played continuously, it’s able to produce up to 200 watts. When you turn it up to its peak performance, the wattage can go up to 400 watts. 

VOICE COIL – The voice coil has a dual design. This makes it great for being able to produce low frequency sounds that are precise and of a high quality. 

One option available:

  • 10” 

With a spider venting system available, you can feel confident in using this subwoofer for extended periods of time. The venting system works to allow lots of airflow to pass through. As a result, it prevents the subwoofer from overheating and becoming damaged over time. 

The basket has been made with high grade cast materials as well. These are very strong materials that provide the subwoofer with more strength. Therefore, it will last you for a long time. 

We were impressed with how the cone has been constructed with polypropylene materials. Not to mention, a special mica injection implemented to the cone as well. 

This provides it with a lot of rigidity. So, when you’re playing music at extremely high volumes, the cone is able to remain in place and prevent vibration internally. It’s an excellent feature that minimizes distortion and enhances sound quality. 

The voice coil that has been included is of a high-quality too. It’s fantastic for providing deep bass sounds that are accurate. In addition to this, it has been made with aluminum materials that are anodized. 

This enables the voice coil to remain strong and durable for years of use. 

Pros

  • Cooling system 
  • Rigid cone 
  • Great voice coil 

Cons

  • Some find it sounds better when they seal the port  

3. Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 Punch Series Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer

Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 Punch Series Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer
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DESIGN – Users have been liking how the build quality is of a high standard. It lets you know that it’s likely to last you for a long time. Furthermore, the all-black design is sleek and modern. 

SOUND QUALITY – The sound quality that you’re able to experience with this sub is incredibly accurate. With the shallow mount feature, the music has a very tight and precise sound. 

One option available:

  • 8” dual sub 

This Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 is another fantastic option if you were looking for a subwoofer that you can install in your car. This is due to its super compact 8” size. 

In addition to this, the top mounting depth is 2-11/16”, which makes it even more convenient to integrate in your vehicle without too much hassle. 

The frequency response range that’s available is pretty impressive as well. It’s able to provide you with between 38 and 250 Hz. 

People have been loving how the frequency range is so broad because it lets them listen to a wider variety of music where they can hear all of the different deeper bass sounds. So, if you were after a subwoofer than can produce accurate bass, this could be a great choice to consider. 

When you’re playing music at a more regular volume level over a long duration of time, the subwoofer works at a continuous wattage rate of 150. However, when you turn it all the way up, the peak performance is 300 watts. 

Therefore, you’re able to blast music at much higher volumes and know that the subwoofer has enough power to handle it. 

Furthermore, the dual sub design adds to the higher volume and sound quality. Despite the subwoofer being 8” in size, the dual feature means that you’re able to experience better sound quality that’s louder. 

Pros

  • Easy to install in cars 
  • 38-250 Hz frequency range 
  • Durable design 

Cons

  • Some aren’t too impressed with the built-in amp  

4. Jl Audio 10tw3-d4 Shallow Mount Sub

Jl Audio 10tw3-d4 Shallow Mount Sub
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SEALED – The sealed enclosure that’s available with this shallow mount subwoofer means that not as much air is able to pass through. As a result, the sound that you’re provided with is super accurate. 

MOUNTING DEPTH – We liked how the mounting depth is just 3.5”. This makes it very easy to integrate into different areas. 

One option available:

  • Dual 10” 

We were impressed with how they’ve implemented an injected molded cone to this subwoofer. The injection includes mica which provides the cone with an incredible amount of strength. 

The injection substance works well with the polypropylene materials that have been used to construct the cone. As a result, it’s able to remain super rigid.

This is a fantastic benefit when it comes to playing music at higher volumes. It enables the cone to remain in place to prevent any vibration and distortion. 

The continuous wattage rate that’s available with the sub is 100. This is the power it can produce when you’re using the subwoofer to listen to music over a longer duration of time at volumes that aren’t extreme. 

However, when you turn the sub all the way up, it’s able to go up to a maximum of 400 watts. This is plenty of power for a smaller subwoofer. 

At 10” in size, it’s nice and compact. So, you won’t need to have a ton of space to install it. Many people have found that this size makes the installation process a lot smoother. 

In addition to this, they’ve constructed the subwoofer with high-quality materials. Cast alloy has been used to put the frame together. This works remarkably well to provide the subwoofer with a lot of durability. Therefore, you can be sure that it will last you for years. 

Pros

  • Durable construction 
  • Accurate bass sounds 
  • Easy installation 

Cons

  • May have to take some time to break the subwoofer in  

5. Skar Audio VD-8 D4 Dual Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer

Skar Audio VD-8 D4 Dual Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer
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CAR INSTALLATION – People have been liking how the shallow mount design enables them to integrate it under their car seats without any hassle.

COOLING FEATURE – In order to keep the subwoofer more durable, a technological cooling system has been included. This lets you listen to music at high volumes for long periods of time and not worry about the sub overheating. 

Options available:

  • 8” dual 2 ohm
  • 8” dual 4 ohm 
  • 10” dual 2 ohm 
  • 10” dual 4 ohm 
  • 12” dual 2 ohm 
  • 12” dual 4 ohm 

This subwoofer is available in a variety of sizes that range from 8-12”, which makes it awesome for integrating into different kinds of vehicles. 

The driver that has been fitted has a voice coil that’s 2” in size. It works incredibly well to boost the sound performance of the subwoofer. This is an especially great feature with this subwoofer due to its dual design. 

Therefore, you’re able to listen to music at super high volumes. The cone that has been implemented is of a high-quality. This adds to the sound performance by remaining rigid and preventing any vibration and distortion. 

The frequency response that’s available with the subwoofer is excellent too. It has a range of between 32 and 375 Hz. This enables you to listen to different kinds of deep bass sounds that sound very accurate. With a continuous wattage of 400 available, you can be sure to listen to loud music over a continuous basis without the subwoofer breaking a sweat. When you turn it up all the way, the sub has a peak power output of 600 watts. 

So, you’re able to listen to extremely loud music and know that the subwoofer can keep up and maintain the sound quality. 

Pros

Cons

  • Some find there are popping noises with certain music 

6. Kicker CVT124 Shallow Mount Subwoofer

Kicker CVT124 Shallow Mount Subwoofer
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SURROUND – The double stitched surround feature is awesome for enabling the subwoofer to produce such great sounding music. 

DESIGN – With an all-black design, this subwoofer looks excellent, especially for integrating it into cars. 

One option available:

  • 12” 

If you were after a shallow mount subwoofer that you can use in your car, this one by Kicker could be a fantastic choice. Its shallow mount design allows you to have an easier time installing it. 

It’s larger in size than some other subs for cars. Therefore, it may be a better option for bigger vehicles. 

With the larger size, you can be sure that this subwoofer provides you with lots of power. It can operate with a maximum wattage of up to 800. So, you’re able to play music at extremely high volumes and know that the subwoofer has plenty of power to play the sounds.

Not to mention, the 4-layer voice coil that has been included is excellent for enabling the subwoofer to perform well with so much power. 

In order for the deep bass sounds to be clear, a special spoke cone has been included. It has been modified and comes with a bracing system. 

This works incredibly well to keep the cone stable. It’s a huge benefit that lets you play music at super high volumes without the cone vibrating and causing distortion.

Furthermore, a pole design has been included. This makes it a lot easier for you to fit it into an enclosure to ensure that it fits tightly. 

Pros

  • Rigid cone 
  • Easy to install in cars
  • 4-layer voice coil for handling power

Cons

  • Some were expecting deeper bass sounds  

7. Kenwood Excelon KFC-XW1200F – Shallow Mount Subwoofer

Kenwood Excelon KFC-XW1200F - Shallow Mount Subwoofer
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INTEGRATION – People have been liking how the shallow mount feature available with this subwoofer makes it great for installing in their cars. 

SOUND QUALITY – This subwoofer is able to produce super loud sounds with deep basses that sound accurate with minimal distortion. 

One option available:

  • 12” 

We were impressed with how they’ve included carbon-glass fiber to this subwoofer. These materials are of a remarkably high-quality and they’ve included it to make the cone that’s on the interior. 

Therefore, you can feel confident in knowing that the cone will remain durable for years to come. Furthermore, the cone is able to stay very stable. 

This means that you’re able to turn the volume up and listen to music at very high levels without the cone vibrating. When a cone isn’t as stable, it can vibrate and cause distortion in the sound quality. 

With this subwoofer, that isn’t something you’ll need to worry about. Not to mention, they’ve combined the carbon-glass fiber cone with butyl rubber surround feature. 

This system works well to enhance the sound quality even further. Therefore, you can be sure to listen to music with deep bass that sounds accurate. 

The subwoofer as a whole is strong as well. This is because they’re used high grade cast aluminum materials to construct the basket. It’s awesome for keeping the woofer in place, even when it’s being played at the highest volumes. 

When you’re listening to music at longer periods of time at a more regular volume, the sub is able to operate at 50 watts. However, when you turn it up to the higher volumes, it can go all the way up to 350 watts. So, you’re provided with plenty of power to listen to music with. 

Pros

  • Super rigid cone 
  • Durable construction 
  • Accurate bass sounds 

Cons

  • Sound quality is better with just one of these subwoofers  

8. Infinity Reference REF1200S Shallow Mount Subwoofer

Infinity Reference REF1200S Shallow Mount Subwoofer
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POWER – When you’re playing music at a manageable level over long durations of time, the subwoofer is able to produce 250 watts. However, it’s also great for being able to handle being played at extremely high volumes as it can go all the way up to 1,000 watts. 

SOUND QUALITY – Users have been pleased to discover that the sound quality available with this subwoofer is excellent. It sounds tight and controlled to reduce any distortion. 

One option available:

  • 12” 

Do you have a compact car and are looking for a subwoofer that you can fit that also sounds great? If so, this Infinity shallow mount sub could be a fantastic choice. This is because they’ve designed it to fit with enclosures that are suitable for cars. 

So, you won’t have to worry about having a difficult time with integrating it. In addition to the easy installation, the subwoofer has an awesome low frequency range. 

It can produce between 27 and 75 Hz. Therefore, you’re able to listen to a variety of deep bass sounds. This enables you to get the most out of the different type of music that you like to listen to. 

A dual voice coil has been implemented to this subwoofer as well. This enables you to connect the two different coils to separate impedances. Therefore, you can experience different kinds of sounds. 

A switch is available that lets you alter the ohms between 2 and 4. This is excellent for being able to use all of the power that the sub offers more efficiently. It means that you can also take the subwoofer to its limit without deteriorating the quality and durability. 

Pros

  • High-quality dual voice coil for better sound 
  • Good low frequency response range 
  • Easy to install in cars 

Cons

  • Some find it can be prone to making a smell at certain times

9. Alpine Swr-t10 Shallow Mount Subwoofer

Alpine Swr-t10 Shallow Mount Subwoofer
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CONE – The cone has been made to be incredibly sturdy. Therefore, it’s able to stay completely in place while you’re playing music at super high levels. It enhances the sound quality and reduces distortion. 

HIGH OUTPUT – As a result of the injection molded TPE spider, the excursion is optimized. This allows you to achieve very loud sounds from a smaller subwoofer.

One option available:

  • 10” 

This subwoofer includes santoprene rubber surround that has been injected molded. The injection molded feature works effectively to provide it with a lot of stability. Therefore, you can be sure that it will last for years. 

However, it also means that there’s less internal movement happening. With less movement on the inside, you’re able to listen to music with minimized distortion. 

To reduce the distortion even further, a dual-sided compound radius curve pole has been included. This provides the subwoofer with a symmetrical feature that deals with the magnetic field to make sure that the sound coming out of the woofer is clear. 

People have also been liking how this subwoofer has been made with a very thin profile. As a result, you’re able to have a much easier time installing it. So, if you have a smaller space that you wanted to fit a subwoofer into, this could be a fantastic option. 

Furthermore, it’s just 10” in size. Therefore, it’s an excellent choice if you were looking for something that you could integrate into your vehicle. Not to mention, the shallow mount design makes the entire process even more simple. 

A ventilation system has been implemented to this subwoofer as well. It allows for lots of air to flow throughout the sub. Therefore, you’re able to listen to it at high volumes and be able to keep it cool. 

Pros

  • Minimized distortion 
  • Ventilation system 
  • Easy to install 

Cons

  • The glue used to hold parts together could be stronger  

10. Rockford Fosgate R2S-1X10

Rockford Fosgate R2S-1X10
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INTEGRATION – With the shallow mount design and 10 AWG inputs available, you’ll be able to have this subwoofer installed into a car within no time. 

PERFORMANCE – Due to the stitched tinsel leads that have been included, the overall performance of the subwoofer is boosted. This feature also keeps the internals more durable and able to perform reliably for years. 

One option available:

  • 10” 

Rockford Fosgate’s subwoofer has a shallow mount design that’s just 10” in size. Therefore, you can feel assured in knowing that you’ll have an easy time installing this sub into smaller spaces without too much trouble. 

Despite its smaller size, this sub is able to produce remarkably high volumes. You’re able to listen to music and hear all of the super deep bass sounds. 

When you’re listening to it at a continuous rate, it produces 200 watts. However, when it comes to turning the subwoofer up to its peak performance, the wattage goes up to 400. So, there’s a lot of power available in this smaller subwoofer. 

The frequency response range is also fantastic. It operates between 38 and 250 Hz. This provides you with a wide variety of low frequencies to listen to music with. Therefore, the sub is able to produce highly accurate sounds. 

Users have been liking how the exterior of the sub has been covered with a carpeted material. It’s black and enables you to install the sub in your car without it standing out too much. 

High grade MDF materials have also been included with the construction of the subwoofer. Therefore, you can feel confident in knowing that it’s strong and will last you for a long time. 

One of the other big features that users have been loving about this subwoofer is how quiet the port is. Regardless of whether you’re playing it at extremely loud volumes, the port is always able to function quietly. 

Pros

  • Easy integration 
  • Durable MDF construction 
  • Good frequency response range 

Cons

  • Some of the screws may need replacing after some time  

Related article:
1) Best Subwoofers Under $200
2) Best Subwoofers Under $300

Buyers Guide on the Best Shallow Mount Subwoofers 

If you were interested to learn about some of the key features, benefits, brands, and more surrounding shallow mount subwoofers, you’ll want to check out our buyers guide section below.

Main Features

Prior to purchasing a shallow mount subwoofer, there are a number of important features to consider. You can learn more about these considerations in this section.

Frequency Response Range

The frequency response range is one of the biggest factors to take into account when buying subwoofers. The ones that have a wide frequency range are awesome as they enable you to play a wider range of music to listen to. 

It can pick up on the different deep bass sounds to ensure that it sounds accurate. The lower the frequency limit, the deeper the bass will be. 

Size

There are a range of sizes available when it comes to subwoofers. If you’re looking for a sub to use in your vehicle, you’ll want to stick with the ones that are between 8 and 12”. 

Subwoofers that are larger than this will cause you a lot of hassle as they can’t be easily installed underneath seats. 

Shallow mount speakers are among the most popular options when it comes to people wanting to integrate a bass music system into their cars. This is because they’re typically very compact and simpler to install. 

Power

The watt rating that you see for subwoofers refers to their numerical power system. There are two kinds of wattage ratings available. They include peak power and RMS.

RMS wattage is the amount of power that a subwoofer can handle when it’s being run at a continuous rate for longer periods of time. However, the peak power is the amount of watts that a subwoofer can run at when you’re playing it at its highest volumes. 

Most of the time, you’ll want to be using the subwoofer at its RMS wattage. Using it at its peak wattage will lead to it burning out quicker. 

Voice Coils

The voice coils that are implemented into subwoofers provide you with a fantastic way to upgrade your music listening experience. 

There are single and dual voice coils available. Most subwoofers come with single voice coils. However, there are ways to upgrade it to a dual voice coil system. This enables you to hear a broader spectrum of sounds that a single voice coil system can’t access.

Benefits of Using Shallow Mount Subwoofer

The number one reason as to why most people use a shallow mount subwoofer is to enhance the bass of the audio system that they already have. 

When you incorporate a high-quality subwoofer into your audio system, you’ll be amazed at how much it can enhance your music listening experience. The change from factory fitted speakers to when they’re working with a good subwoofer is pretty awesome. 

You’re able to hear more of the lower frequency bass sounds that regular speakers can’t produce. 

Another reason why people install shallow mount subwoofers is to prevent their factory fitted speakers from blowing out. 

This is more so the case with people who love to listen to music at high volumes that have a lot of bass. Doing this on a regular basis with the factory fitted speakers that are in your car will wear them out pretty quickly. 

Therefore, integrating a subwoofer system that can handle the deeper bass sounds could be a good solution that keeps your factory fitted speakers more durable. 

Subwoofers are able to deal with the deeper bass sounds far more effectively than standard speakers. Therefore, you’ll be able to hear the various bass sounds with more clarity than before. 

Prices of Shallow Mount Subwoofer

The subwoofers that are available for under $50 are usually the ones that are 8” in size. These subwoofers are very compact which makes them excellent for installing in tighter spaces. 

They work well in smaller areas, however, they may not have the kind of performance or power of the more expensive choices. 

When it comes to the subwoofers that are in the $150 range, you’ll be able to discover more popular brand names. These kinds of shallow mount subwoofers are great for providing you with more power and a high-quality sound, while still being available at a manageable price. 

For the subwoofers that are $150 and over, you’ll be looking at the elite range. These are among the highest-quality subwoofers and they’re able to produce remarkably loud sounds that sound very clear. 

Popular Brands

If you were interested to learn more about what the most popular brands of shallow mount subwoofers are, this section is for you. 

JL Audio

JL Audio was founded in 1975 and they’ve been making accessories and items in the audio industry for years. They’ve gained a great reputation for manufacturing audio products of a high standard. 

Their items range from home entertainment, to automotive and marine uses. 

Alpine

Alpine has been around since 1967 and they have their main headquarters in Japan. They’re mostly known for making audio products for the automotive industry. Therefore, you can expect their shallow mount subwoofers to be great for installing in cars. 

Pioneer

Pioneer is a well known brand that has been in the business since 1938. They’re a fantastic company that make digital entertainment products. 

You can rely on their entertainment systems when it comes to looking for something that’s reliable to use in your home for years to come.

Rockford Fosgate

Rockford Fosgate is another great company that has a reputation for coming up with innovative ideas when it comes to the audio industry. They’ve been innovating audio products since 1973. 

Nowadays, their audio items are used for motorcycles and cars, as well as in the marines and for home entertainment systems. 

Kenwood

Kenwood was established in 1960 and originated in Japan. Their lineup of audio products are excellent for home entertainment systems, as well as cars. 

People have come to trust this brand over the years as they consistently make high-quality products. 

Conclusion

So, that concludes our review on what the best shallow mount subwoofers have to offer. We recommend that you consider the main features of each subwoofer, as well as the information found in the buyers guide section before you make a final decision.

Hopefully, all of the information we’ve laid out for you in this post has been helpful. You’ll now be able to find and fit the best shallow mount subwoofer for your home or vehicle audio system!