When you’re shopping for the best 12 inch subwoofer, you’ll find that there’s a lot of options. From price to power to ease of use, it can get overwhelming.
Luckily for you, we’ve put together this list of 12 inch subwoofers that are among the best in their class. We’ve got a wide variety of options to help you find something that’s right for you.
We’ll walk you through costs, features, and even some pros and cons of each one. So if you’re looking to dip your toes into the world of subwoofers but don’t want to upgrade your entire system first, this article should help you choose the best 12 inch subwoofer for you.
Table of Contents
How to Choose 12 Inch Subwoofers:
There are a few things you need to consider when you’re trying to choose a 12 inch subwoofer.
RMS Power:
The RMS power of a subwoofer is how much continuous power it can take without overheating. It will usually give you an idea of how loud the subwoofer will be inside your vehicle.
You’ll want to make sure that it’s powerful enough to handle the specific location that you’re putting it in, because if not, it could damage your subwoofer.
Power Budget:
This is the amount of money that you have to spend on your subwoofer. Some subwoofers are more powerful than others, so you’ll want to put the money into something that’s powerful enough for your needs.
It can be difficult to tell how much power an individual subwoofer will need just by looking at the box.
Size:
While it’s important that you find a subwoofer that fits the space you have, it’s also important that it fits your budget and power needs. The larger and more powerful the subwoofer, the more expensive and difficult to install it will be.
So make sure your budget and needs are taken into consideration before purchasing.
5 Best 12 Inch Subwoofers Reviewed
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1. SVS SB-1000 300 Watt DSP Controlled 12″ Ultra Compact Sealed Subwoofer (Premium Black Ash)
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With amazing sound quality and powerful bass, this is a great way to gain some audiophile cred. You can stream music from your computer or smartphone with a simple Bluetooth receiver that’s included. The Bluetooth receiver works on all three major streaming services: Spotify, Pandora, and iHeartRadio.
Pros:
- Large subwoofer with premium features, but doesn’t take up a lot of space
- Streams music wirelessly using Bluetooth 4.0
- Incredible sound quality and bass
Cons:
- Unable to control the separate volume of the subwoofer and the rest of your sound setup. You can only control one or the other.
2. Skar Audio EVL-12 D2 12″ 2500 Watt Max Power Dual 2 Ohm Car Subwoofer
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The Skar Audio EVL-12 is a 12 inch subwoofer that is incredible for the price. It’s loaded with features, including variable bass boost to make sure your bass matches your system.
It controls the bass using an MOSFET amplifier to prevent thermal overload, has internal crossovers, and mono/stereo operation.
Pros:
- Works with 2 or 4ohm subs, so you have plenty of options in terms of power handling.
- Works with your smartphone(s), tablet, or desktop computer.
- Features variable bass boost to make sure your bass matches your system
- Comes with a remote control to make some adjustments as needed.
Cons:
- Not ideal for people who are looking for a car audio subwoofer because it requires an aftermarket amp. It’s designed specifically for use in your home sound system.
3. PIONEER TS-SW3002S4 12″ 1,500-Watt Shallow-Mount Subwoofer with Single 4ohm Voice Coil
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The Pioneer TS-SW3002S4 is a great option to add bass to your car audio system because it’s shallow mount, which means you should be able to fit several of them (depending on the size of your vehicle) in such a small space.
It has a single 4ohm voice coil and uses a high-output Polypropylene cone for more bass power. That means you’ll get more than enough bass with this subwoofer.
Pros:
- Works with 2 or 4 ohm subs depending on your needs, so you can choose what fits your budget best.
- It works with most sub brands and is compatible with the most popular car audio receivers.
- Works with most car audio receivers, including the Pioneer AVIC-X850BT.
- Has variable bass boost to make sure that your bass matches your system.
Cons:
- Softer than other subwoofers of the same size. This can be problematic if you want to turn up the volume because it will be very difficult to compress the bass.
4. Polk Audio PSW505 12″ Powered Subwoofer – Deep Bass Impact & Distortion-Free Sound, Up to 460 Watts, Easy Integration with Home Theater Systems, BLACK
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When you’re looking for a 12 inch subwoofer, you want to make sure that it will pump out quality bass. That’s why the Polk Audio PSW505 is a great option.
It has a built-in amplifier that produces up to 460 watts of power, so it won’t matter if your receiver breaks down halfway through the party — this thing will keep pumping out the bass. It will take up a little bit more space than other subwoofers, but it’s definitely worth it.
Pros:
- Works with many receivers, including Polk Audio RM Series. It’s also compatible with the Polk Audio SWA Series.
- Features variable bass boost to make your bass match your system.
- Can connect to your home theater system with an optical connection, giving you both audio and video quality in one unit. It can also be used as part of a home theater setup in general.
- Comes with a remote control. It makes it easy to adjust the bass as needed, as well as turn the power up and down as necessary.
Cons:
- Larger than most subwoofers that are about the same size. If you have limited space, this might be a problem. Mini subwoofers are a good solution if you need a 12 inch subwoofer for your car.
5. Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12 Punch P3 DVC 4-Ohm 12-Inch 600-Watt RMS 1200-Watt Peak Subwoofer
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The Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12 is another great subwoofer for your car, truck, or SUV. This subwoofer is ideal for the high-performance audio enthusiast. It has a built-in amplifier that can produce up to 1200 watts of peak power.
Plus, it’s fairly easy to install. That means you’ll have it working in no time! It’s a great option if you’re not afraid to take a small amount of DIY.
Pros:
- Comes with a remote control, so you can adjust the bass as needed. You can also turn the power up and down as necessary.
- Can connect to your home theater system with an optical connection, giving you both audio and video quality in one unit. It can also be used as part of a home theater setup in general.
- Features variable bass boost to make sure that your bass matches your system.
Cons:
- Could be too loud for some people, especially if you’re not used to rocking out with loud music. A car sub amp is an option if you need more than what this sub produces.
Conclusion:
As you can see from this list, there are a lot of 12 inch subwoofers that will work well in your car. Most of them are affordable, too.
The best option to go with is a sub that’s compatible with the receiver you own and sounds phenomenal. If you’re going to be rocking out with intense bass, you’ll want a sub that has variable bass boost because it will match your system perfectly.