(Image credit: hometheaterreview)

Video games, TV series, music, and movies are all useless without a solid pair of speakers or headphones to support the visual media. The subwoofer is one of the most crucial parts of any audio system, regardless of whether you’re utilizing a surround speaker setup or one of the greatest soundbars. Although most speaker drivers can handle some bass, a subwoofer’s special function is to work with the low-end frequencies that conventional speakers are unable to produce.

Having said that, not all of the hundreds of subwoofers available are excellent. Additionally, you should choose a woofer that is compatible with whatever speakers you may already have. However, there’s no need to fear, since we at Digital Trends are well-versed in thump and rumble. In order to facilitate your woofer-purchasing endeavors, we have compiled this list of the top subwoofers available currently!

(Image credit: svsound)

1. SVS SB16 Ultra

The best overall subwoofer

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

We’ve had the SVS SB-16 Ultra on our list for a while, mostly because we haven’t discovered anything deserving to replace it. Due to its exceptional quality, this subwoofer has become our benchmark, which may be unfair to the competitors. The cubic SVS SB16 has a massive 16-inch Ultra driver with an 8-inch edge-wound voice coil and an insane 1,500-watt continuous Sledge amplifier with a discrete MOSFET output that can reach 5,000 watts peak power, all housed within a sleek and attractive subwoofer box.

Furthermore, the SB16 Ultra has been greatly improved by a smartphone app for iOS and Android, which makes subsetting much easier by letting you adjust the speaker from your ideal listening position and make personalized presets for various listening scenarios.

All of this to say: The SB16 impresses no matter how you use it. Film scenes with gunfire and explosions hit you hard in the chest, and the subwoofer handles low-end instrumentation masterfully, letting the acoustic bass ring out gracefully as the kick drum and electronic bass rock the house. This is, in our opinion, the greatest subwoofer money can buy.

(Image credit: rms-store)

2. Klipsch Reference Series 12 (R-121SW)

The best subwoofer for the style conscious

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

The fact that Klipsch is always coming up with new innovations only serves to highlight how much the company values appearance and functionality—especially in light of the fact that there aren’t many issues to solve in the first place. The Klipsch Reference Series 12 R-121SW is the result.

We adore Klipsch’s decision to start over and develop a whole new woofer design. The 12-inch front-firing cone of the sub is made of thermoform crystalline polymer, which the manufacturer claims produces a powerful low-end experience with no distortion and a significantly lighter chassis. Additionally, the 121SW’s internal digital amplifier functions as its brains and heart, producing up to 400 watts of unparalleled power with exactitude.

In case you’re searching for a dependable and sturdy subwoofer, the Klipsch Reference Series 12 R-121SW is an excellent choice.

(Image credit: kantoaudio)

3. Kanto Sub8 Powered Subwoofer

A boutique woofer for a non-boutique price

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

Companies such as Kanto excel in providing speakers that exude a “boutique” vibe without overwhelming you with expensive specialist costs. The business has created a woofer for the incredibly powerful Kanto Sub8 that is easily compatible with almost any speaker brand on the market.

The medium-density fiberboard housing of the Sub8, which comes in Matte Black or Matte White finishes, reduces vibrations and distortion to a minimum. Kanto’s robust cabinetry is combined with rubber feet, a metal grille, and a final vinyl layer to create a subwoofer that responds to audio information quickly and precisely. The Sub8’s dimensions—width and height—are each only about 11 inches, making it rather compact, yet having a look that we wouldn’t mind seeing every day.

With a peak output of up to 300 watts, the Sub8 boasts a phase switch, an adjustable high-pass filter (40Hz to 120Hz), and other features that make it compatible with any kind of surround system, Kanto or non-Kanto.

(Image credit: whathifi)

4. KEF KC62 Subwoofer

The best small subwoofer

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

KEF is one of those speaker manufacturers that never fails to amaze us. The KC62 Subwoofer, which comes in black and white finishes, is an incredible subwoofer that’s about the size of a basketball. And the most absurd aspect? A smooth, powerful low end of up to 1,000 watts can be produced by this basketball. We mean business.

In addition, there are two 6.5-inch Uni-Core force-canceling drivers, a range of EQ settings to fine-tune the sound, and a specially designed cabinet that dampens undesirable vibrations and distortion. Yes, it costs more than most of the woofers in this roundup, but KEF is unquestionably one of the greatest brands available, and just take a look at it.

How is something so little yet so strong? I am grateful to KEF for that.

(Image credit: houseofstereo)

5. Cambridge Audio Minx X201

Great for smaller spaces

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

Not every living room has to have the same dimensions as an actual movie theater. We well understand how frustrating it may be for those who live in apartments to try to fit a surround system into a space that isn’t quite big enough. For this reason, we would like to bring the Cambridge Audio Minx X201 to your notice.

With its choice of Gloss Black or Gloss White finish, the Minx X201 powered subwoofer is ideal for compact areas and smaller speakers. The X201 is compact enough to fit into almost any home theater, being only 8.5 inches in height, width, and depth. It also has a plethora of highly helpful audio functions. The “auto-on” option, which activates the sub automatically when an LFE signal is detected, is undoubtedly one of our favorite features.

In addition, the crossover may be adjusted from 36 Hz to 200 Hz, and you have a choice of phase settings: zero, 90, and 180 degrees. Additionally, a digital signal processor (DSP) that is integrated into the system calibrates all audio sources to guarantee optimal low-end output for the movies, TV shows, and music you are now enjoying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are bigger subwoofers better?

They might be. Compared to lesser models, larger woofers can deliver more precise, room-filling bass with a greater “shake” factor. But that’s only one thing to think about. For example, a huge subwoofer with poor construction could rattle excessively, yet smaller versions with plenty of power can still perform admirably.

Does my speaker system need a subwoofer?

It’s a brilliant idea, truly brilliant. Subwoofers are typically taken into consideration when designing home entertainment systems. Current movie audio standards are also the same.

Can I use two subwoofers at once?

Though it’s not typical in household settings, you can. Just confirm that your receiver is capable of supporting two connections for subwoofers. To achieve the best multidirectional bass, some individuals choose to use two smaller woofers that they may put strategically throughout their theater.

Wait, is there a difference between a woofer and a subwoofer?

The phrases are commonly used synonymously. A driver that is less devoted to producing only bass sound, has a higher frequency response than a subwoofer, and is more likely to be a component of a speaker than a stand-alone device is referred to as a “woofer” in the past.

How do you test?

We use the subwoofer for multiple hours before to commencing any critical assessment. Even if the “break-in effect”‘s validity is hotly contested, we’d rather address it here so it doesn’t affect our assessment in any way.

We usually test the subwoofer in three spots that we know produce the finest response possible within those rooms. Our tests take place in at least two separate rooms, either of which we are well familiar with. Test tone sweeps, popular films, and a variety of musical genres are all examples of testing material. We want to know how deep a subwoofer can go, how viscerally it responds in the low bass, how well it integrates with big and small satellite speakers, and how accurately it can play music.

Our wish is for a multipurpose subwoofer that can play acoustic upright bass or replicate the iconic Fender P-bass tone, in addition to providing the massive bass notes required for a thrilling action film. A good subwoofer will not produce a boomy, tubby sound that is hard to define; instead, it will blend in well with a bigger audio system, drawing attention to itself only when its sheer power is too great to be ignored.

If you’ve already decided, make sure to refer to our guides on proper subwoofer setup and calibration to achieve the best possible sound in any type of listening environment.