Are you wondering what the best underseat subwoofer has to offer? If so, you’ll want to read through our detailed review of the top choices that are currently available!
If you’re interested in upgrading the sound system in your car, you may be interested in learning what the underseat subwoofer has to offer. Installing the sub that’s right for your car can enhance your music listening experience dramatically.
We’ve taken care of the difficult part and researched these items for you. So, you can simply read through our review to learn more about what makes these subwoofers so great for cars.
There are many different elements to weigh up when it comes to installing a subwoofer into your car. Therefore, a buyers guide and FAQ section is also available in our review to provide you with additional information that could prove useful.
Let’s check one by one detailed review of underseat subwoofer for the car.
1. Alpine Electronics PWE-S8 Compact Powered Subwoofer
- INPUTS – They’ve included the speaker level inputs on the side panel of this sub. This makes it easier to access when it comes to setting it up in your car.
- CONTROLS – A range of controls are available on the side panel as well. This lets you alter the volume, phase, crossover, and gain.
One option available:
- 8” in black
Size
People have been liking how the size of this subwoofer is 8”. This is because it makes the sub incredibly compact. As a result, you can feel confident when it comes to installing it in your car.
Enclosure
We were impressed with the materials that have been used to make this subwoofer. They’ve implemented high-quality cast aluminum materials.
These are fantastic materials that work effectively to provide the enclosure with a lot of strength. As a result, you can expect the sub to last you for a long time.
Not to mention, this kind of material prevents internal vibration. This means that you’re able to listen to music at super-high volumes and not hear any distortion sounds that are caused by moving parts on the inside.
Bass & Power
If you were looking for a mini subwoofer to install under your seat that can still provide you with plenty of power, you may want to consider this one.
It can provide you with a wide frequency range that’s between 32 and 150Hz. Therefore, you’re able to hear the incredibly low deep bass sounds that your regular car speakers aren’t able to reach.
This is awesome for enabling you to have a better music listening experience while driving around. Furthermore, this little sub is powered by a total of 120 watts. This is more than enough power for a subwoofer that goes under a car seat!
Pros
- Easy to install
- Deep bass sounds
- Durable enclosure
Cons
- May not work so well for larger vehicles
2. Rockford Fosgate PS-8 Punch – Underseat Subwoofer
- DESIGN – We liked how they’ve used vinyl materials to produce a subwoofer with an all-black design. It has a very sleek visual appeal that looks fantastic.
- INSTALLATION – They provide you with a total of 4 screws in this kit. As a result, you can install it securely under a seat in your car.
One option available:
- 8” in black
Efficiency
Users have been loving how this best car subwoofer is able to provide them with super loud sounds with plenty of power, while also being highly efficient.
When you hook this subwoofer up to your car, you’ll be able to blast music with it and not have to worry about how much power it’s consuming. This is because it has been made with an efficient design that doesn’t drain your car of its power.
Control
In order to provide you with the best listening experience possible, this underseat subwoofer comes with a remote. You’re able to use this remote to have total control over the kind of bass that you want to listen to.
People have been appreciating how they’re able to tailor their listening experience to their preferences. This bass control lets you finetune the subwoofer until you find the kind of sound that you love the most.
Crossover controls are even available. This lets you alter the low frequencies between 50 and 120HZ.
Construction
The high-quality industrial-grade vinyl materials that have been used on the exterior of this subwoofer are a fantastic element. They work effectively to provide the subwoofer with a ton of durability to ensure that it can last you for years.
They’ve even implemented a thermal protection feature. This works well to sense when the subwoofer is overheating to ensure that it’s able to keep it cool.
Pros
- Crossover controls included
- Sleek design
- Highly efficient
Cons
- Fuse holder materials could be stronger
- Built-in amp is a little weak
3. Kenwood KSC-SW11 Subwoofer
- AMP – We liked how this is a powered subwoofer due to the amp that’s built-in. Therefore, you won’t have to rely on any external power sources which makes the setup process a lot easier.
- SIZE – The smaller size of this sub also makes it easier to integrate in your car. It’s just 8” in size, which means you can install it under a car seat without too much hassle.
One option available:
- 8” in black
Enclosure
The enclosure that’s available with this underseat car subwoofer has been constructed with high grade aluminum materials.
When the subwoofer enclosure is stronger, like the one with this sub, vibration is prevented. Therefore, you can play music at high volumes and not have to deal with any annoying distortion sounds.
Control
To ensure that you’re provided with total control over how you listen to music while in your car, this Kenwood sub comes with a remote.
This enables you to have complete control over the subwoofer. Therefore, you can adjust all of the volume and low frequency sounds easily, whenever you like.
There’s a variable low-pass crossover control available as well. You can control this function to alter the deeper bass sounds to ensure that they work in combination with the rest of the speakers in your car.
This can make for a more immersive listening experience as all the sounds in the music that you listen to sound accurate.
Power
Despite the more compact size of this subwoofer, we were surprised to find out how powerful it is. When it’s being used at a continuous rate, it can produce up to 75 watts of energy.
However, if you were to take the subwoofer to its maximum capabilities, it would be able to go all the way up to 150 watts! This is more than enough power for a smaller subwoofer that you can slot under the seat.
Pros
- Compact size
- Great controls available
- Strong enclosure
Cons
- Works better with smaller cars rather than larger ones
4. Sound Storm Labs LOPRO8 Car Subwoofer
- ACCURATE BASS – The variable low pass filter gets rid of high-frequency sounds from interfering with the bass. Therefore, you’re able to hear the deeper bass sounds in their truest form.
- INTEGRATION – With the line-level inputs, you’re able to easily hook this subwoofer up with your car’s system.
Options available:
- 8” with 600 watts
- 10” with 1,200 watts
Powered
We liked how this subwoofer comes with a powered feature. This means that there’s already an amp available on the inside to provide it with its sound and power. As a result, you can save on some hassle of connecting it to an outside power source and making the installation process longer.
We liked how they’ve included a MOSFET power supply as it enables the sub to perform better without draining too much power from the driver.
Furthermore, the MOSFET system is handy when it comes to switching frequencies and channels. This makes the entire experience of using the sub in your car a lot easier.
Bass boost
If you were looking for a subwoofer that produces remarkably loud bass sounds, you may want to consider this one offered by Sound Storm Labs.
It has been implemented with a bass boost function. As a result, the lower frequency sounds are able to sound a lot clearer when being played at extremely high volumes.
Design
There are two options available with this subwoofer that includes 10” and 8”. If you have a smaller car, you may want to go with the 8” sub as it’s more compact and can fit into tighter spaces underneath your seats.
However, if you have a larger car where you have a little more room to spare, the 10” sub may be a better option to consider. This is because it can provide you with more power and sound, which may be necessary for larger vehicles.
Pros
- Accurate bass sounds
- Bass boosted feature included
- Frequency controls available
- Built-in amp
Cons
- Gain response could use some improvement
5. Pyle PLBASS8 – Super Slim Active Subwoofer
- INTEGRATION – They’ve made sure to include a low level RCA input to make installing the subwoofer in your car a lot easier.
- INDICATORS – Users have been appreciating how there are indicators that let you know the status of the bass being boosted and when it’s running at a more regular frequency.
One option available:
- 8” in black
Control
This subwoofer provides you with the ability to have control over the deeper bass sounds. You’re able to achieve this by using the remote and various knobs that are available.
As a result, you’re given complete control over how you want to listen to your music. Having the ability to adjust the bass sounds makes the subwoofer work incredibly well with the rest of the speakers in your car.
People have been liking how there’s a phase shift switch included too. This lets you alter the phase between 0 and 180-degrees.
Design
The design of this subwoofer is actually pretty unique. It has been made with a slimmer profile than the regular sub.
Therefore, it’s a fantastic option when it comes to installing a subwoofer under a seat in your car. Not to mention, it’s only 8” in size.
So, you can feel confident in knowing that you’ll be able to slot in under a seat, even if you’re tight on space in your vehicle.
Bass Boost & Power
Despite this subwoofer being smaller in size, it’s able to produce an impressive 300 watts of power when it’s being used at a continuous rate.
However, when you take the sub to its maximum capabilities, it can reach a total of 600 watts. This provides you with more than enough power to blast music in your car.
With all this power, the subwoofer is able to produce low frequency sounds that are between 50 and 150Hz.
These lower frequency sounds are what enables you to hear the deeper bass sounds so clearly. A bass boosted feature has also been implemented. This allows you to listen to bass sounds at a higher volume that sound incredibly accurate.
Pros
- Controls available
- Bass boosted
- Slim design for easy installation
Cons
- Works better in smaller cars
6. Rockville USS8 – Slim Underseat Subwoofer
- PROTECTION – We liked how they’ve included a thermal protection circuit. It works to prevent the internal components in the sub from overheating to ensure it can remain durable.
- POWER – This sub is able to offer you 150 watts of power when its being used continuously. However, this can be bumped all the way up to 600 watts if you take the sub to its maximum capacity.
Options available:
- 8”
- 10”
Design
The subwoofer is available in two sizes that include 8 and 10”. Both sizes of this subwoofer come with a remarkably slim profile design.
This is because the sub has been specifically made to fit under a car seat. With a slimmer design, you’re able to slide it into place and install it without having to spend too much time.
The black and blue colors that have been used to make this subwoofer are awesome as well This design provides the sub with a modern visual appeal.
Bass
You’re provided with a frequency range that’s between 15 and 125Hz. This is an excellent range to be able to choose from because it enables you to have a wider spectrum of frequencies to experiment with.
This bass range is also fantastic for allowing you to listen to deeper sounds at higher volumes that sound accurate.
Controls
We were impressed to find that this subwoofer comes with a remote. As a result, you’re provided with the ability to have complete control over the kinds of sounds that you want to hear from your subwoofer.
Having this control can ensure that the sub is able to work well with the speakers in your car. If the bass is too overpowering, you can simply turn it down a little.
Being able to experiment with the lower frequency sounds like this can make for a better listening experience while you drive around.
Check out alternative of this, Rockville RWS12CA review & Rockville USS10 Review
Pros
- Bass control included
- Good low frequency range
- Slim design for easy installation
Cons
- Some find there’s a little bit of distortion from too much air
7. Kicker 11HS8 – Underseat Subwoofer
- CONTROLS – There are controls available that allow you to alter the volume of the bass. Therefore, you can listen to it exactly how you want.
- BASS – People have been surprised just how much bass this small subwoofer packs. It’s awesome for both small and large cars!
One option available:
- 8”
Design
When it comes to setting up a subwoofer in your car, you’re going to want something that’s slim and compact.
Well, that’s exactly what this Kicker 11HS8 subwoofer is. We liked how it has been made with a smaller size as it’s only 8” in size.
The shape of the sub is also compact and easy to slot in underneath car seats. Therefore, you can be sure to have an easier time installing this subwoofer into your car, even if you’re tight on space.
Power
This subwoofer can provide you with a total of 150 watts of power. This is plenty of power considering how compact it is.
Therefore, you can feel confident in knowing that it will add some serious bass sounds to your car.
The sub is also able to produce an impressive amount of air when it’s turned on. The more air that a subwoofer is able to circulate, the better.
This is because it can use the air to help the deeper bass sounds to travel throughout your car. As a result, you can listen to songs at higher volumes without compromising on the sound quality.
Amplifier
The Kicker 11HS8 is a powered subwoofer. Therefore, it already has an amp built-in. This adds to making the setup process a lot simpler.
You don’t need to worry about hooking the subwoofer up to an external power source. Instead, you’re able to simply connect it, turn it on, and start listening to music.
The amp is also of a high-quality. Therefore, it’s able to produce some fantastic deep bass sounds.
Pros
- Compact design
- Amp built-in
- 150 watts of power
Cons
- Can be prone to rattling sounds sometimes
8. JBL GT-BassPro – Powered Subwoofer
- AUTO SIGNALS – There’s a feature that works to automatically turn the subwoofer off or on depending on the activity level. So, you can be sure to save on energy!
- AMP – There is a version of this sub that is powered and one that’s non powered. The powered option comes with a built-in amp which means it creates its own power and is easier to install.
Options available:
- 10” non powered
- 12” non powered
- 12” powered
Construction
We were impressed with how the woofer that’s included with this sub has been made using die-cast aluminum. This is a high-quality material that provides the woofer with a ton of stability.
Therefore, when you’ve turned the volume up extremely high, you can feel confident in knowing that the woofer won’t be vibrating or moving around too much. Instead, it’s able to remain rigid.
Distortion
To add to the distortion-free benefits, the subwoofer has been implemented with an excellent port. It has been made with a slipstream feature.
This feature allows you to play music at high volumes and not have to worry about the internal components creating noise. Instead, you’re able to simply listen to the deeper bass sounds with clarity for a better experience.
Controls
Users have been loving how this subwoofer comes with a range of controls. It includes low pass, input level, phase, and bass boost controls.
Therefore, you’re provided with the ability to control every aspect of sound that comes from this sub.
The phase controls are excellent for combining the sub with the other speakers in your car. This is because it lets you adjust the lower frequencies to work with the higher frequencies for better sound quality.
Pros
- Die-cast aluminum woofer
- Free from distortion
- Plenty of controls included
Cons
- May be too large for smaller cars
Buyers Guide on the Best Underseat Subwoofers
Prior to making a final decision on which subwoofer to purchase for your car, there are some important factors that you’ll want to take into consideration beforehand.
If you were interested to learn a little more about subwoofers and what all of the various features mean, you’ll want to check out the section below.
Size
When it comes to installing a subwoofer to your vehicle, the size is one of the main factors that you’ll need to think about. The size of a subwoofer will have an impact on the sound that it makes, as well as how easy or difficult it is to set up.
Therefore, you should assess the space that you have available in the car and be realistic with the kind of subwoofer that you’re going to be able to fit inside.
8” subwoofers are the number one choice for most people. This is because they’re incredibly compact in size. Therefore, you can be sure to have a much easier time with installing it.
Not to mention, you’ll be able to save on some space. This is a great benefit for people who have smaller cars.
The 10” subs are another popular choice that’s a size up from being the super compact 8” options. Therefore, you’ll need to be prepared for these subwoofers to take up more room.
While they take up more space, they are able to produce some incredibly loud bass sounds that sound clear. These 10” subwoofers are close in popularity to the 8” ones because they’re still a manageable size.
Furthermore, the kind of bass that you’re able to hear from it is likely to be louder due to the larger size. People also still have a pretty easy time with installing them. The largest type of underseat subwoofer that’s available are the 12” options. These ones aren’t as common due to the fact that they take up a lot more space compared to the 10 and especially the 8” choices.
Therefore, they’re only really recommended for people who have trucks and larger spaces to fit the sub. Even then, they can be difficult to set up because they’re bulkier and heavier.
Having said that, the kind of bass that you’re able to hear from these larger subwoofers is usually more than the 8 and 10” subs. So, if you have a larger vehicle and are ready for a little more hassle with the installation process, a 12” sub could be a good choice.
However, most people will do better with the more compact options, that is also available subs under $500.
Power
The power of your subwoofer will refer to 2 different wattages. This includes its RMS rating and peak power.
When it comes to the RMS rating of a subwoofer, the number provides you with information surrounding the amount of power that the sub is producing at a constant rate.
As a result, the RMS wattage of a subwoofer is always going to be a little lower. For example, there are many subs that have an RMS rating of 200 watts. This means that the subwoofer is producing 200 watts of power when the sound is at more manageable levels.
However, when you’re playing music at extremely high volumes, the wattage directs to the peak power instead.
The peak power of a subwoofer is the maximum amount of power that the subwoofer is able to produce when you’re playing it at super-high volumes. Subwoofers aren’t built to be able to manage this kind of sound on a constant basis.
Most people aren’t going to need to take their subwoofers to the maximum level to enjoy them anyway. Not to mention, it can often lead to some sound distortion due to the lower frequencies creating vibration sounds.
Car Type
Another one of the major components that you’ll want to think about before making a final decision on a subwoofer is the type of car you have. This will have a huge effect on the type of subwoofer that you’ll be able to use.
If you have an SUV or a truck, you’ll have a lot more room than other cars. Therefore, you can fit a 12 or 10” subwoofer under your seats without any hassle. While it’s easier to fit the larger subs in trucks and SUVs, it’s still always a good idea to take your measurements beforehand.
Sports cars, on the other hand, have a lot less room available. So, if you have a sports car, you’ll need a much more compact subwoofer.
In this case, an 8” sub would be best, especially if it has been made with a slim profile. You may be able to get away with installing a 10” sub but it’s likely to be pretty tight.
Sedans are another popular type of car that many people have. If you were interested in fitting a subwoofer into a sedan, you have the option of going with an 8 or 10” subwoofer.
This is because they’re a more manageable size and allow you to install them without too much trouble.
Depending on the size of your sedan, you may even be able to integrate a 12” sub. However, they’ll take up more room.
Pros & Cons of Underseat Subwoofers
Pros
One of the main pros of underseat subwoofers is that they tend to be more affordable. If you were to purchase an amplifier and boot speaker separately, it would cost you more.
Not to mention, the convenience of underseat subs is awesome as well. Most of them are already powered. Therefore, all you need to do is install them under your seat, hook it up to your car’s system, and you’re good to go!
Cons
One of the biggest downsides to underseat subwoofers is that they can cause some problems for passengers.
This is because these subwoofers are designed to go underneath the passenger seat. So, if you have a sub that’s too large, it can lead to problems with adjusting the seat height and position.
Furthermore, people who are sitting in the back may be left with hardly any legroom due to the subwoofer taking up space.
FAQ of Best Underseat Subwoofer
Some of the best subwoofer brands include Rockford Fosgate, Rockville, Kenwood, Alpine Electronics, JBL, and Kicker.
The best places to install a subwoofer are either under the passenger or driver’s seat. If these areas aren’t accessible, the next best bet is to set the sub up under the back seat.
However, if you have a truck, you’ll be able to install a subwoofer behind the bench that’s available at the back.
Underseat subwoofer is actually pretty simple in the way that they work. When you hook it up, you pretty much just connect it directly into the stereo system that’s already in your car.
Conclusion
So, that concludes our review on what some of the best underseat subwoofer has to offer. You can use all of the details found in our review to help you make the best decision possible.
Finding the subwoofer that’s right for your car and needs is crucial. If you’re completely new to subwoofers and installing them into cars, we hope that we’ve provided you with all of the information that you need to make the best choice possible.
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.