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Car Subwoofers Buying Guide

By: Carl

Technologist

6 min read

A comprehensive car subwoofer guide that will give you all the information you need on how to buy new car subwoofers

Car Subwoofer Buying Guide

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Car Subwoofer Buying Guide

Car Audio

Getting Started

Subwoofers play a very important part when it comes to listening to music. These are used to give your system depth and deliver complete sound. There are few types you can choose from to compliment your exiting audio:

Types

Subwoofer Driver

This is the woofer itself. They will need to be mounted inside the subwoofer enclosure in order to operate properly. These types need to be powered with an external amplifier. They can range in sizes from 8 inches to 15 inches.

Powered Subwoofer

These types combine an amplifier and a subwoofer in an enclosure. Powered subwoofers do not take too much space in your vehicle. However, they are limited in the amount of bass they produce.

Vehicle Specific Subwoofers

These types are designed to fit in space saving location in many cars, trucks, and SUVs. They are not the best choice if you are looking for a really big bass.

Features

Power

Check the RMS power. When checking the subwoofer power, make sure the amplifier can handle this amount of power. All subwoofers require vehicle amplifiers.

Sensitivity

Subwoofers have a higher sensitivity rating. It requires less power to produce the same amount of sound unlike the model with the lower sensitivity rating.

Enclosure

The type of sound the subwoofer will produce depends on the type of enclosure that it is mounted in.

Number of Voice Coils

There are single and dual voice coils. Dual voice coils provide more flexibility when wiring sound systems.

Size of the Woofer

Do not only consider the size of the subwoofer. You should consider the power, sensitivity rating, and enclosure type. If you would like the system to play loud, low music, and you also have enough space, then choose the biggest subwoofer possible. Do not underestimate the small subwoofer. If the subwoofer is installed correctly and with the correct enclosure type, then the subwoofer can perform just the same or better than the big ones.

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