Our Guide to Choosing the Best 12-inch Subwoofer
When subwoofers are mentioned, most people would think of loud bass sounds that shake and rattles everything inside your car. Though that may be true, there’s more to subwoofers than strong beats that create vibrations. The effect of a low-frequency sound is essential to the true sound of almost all types of music. They give your audio more depth and realism.
A subwoofer covers the low-pitched frequencies from audio sources. Whether it’s your favorite jazz band or the latest dubstep beat, this loudspeaker is sure to get a better range of sound than not having a subwoofer. It will create bass sounds and an all-encompassing feeling that other speakers can’t reproduce as accurately. Here are a few factors to consider while choosing the best 12-inch subwoofer:
- Higher Power
- Have voice coils
- Easy to install
- Affordable
- Positive reviews
- Power Handling
In this article, we will discuss what a subwoofer is, as well as its benefits. In addition, we will also talk about three of the most popular types of subwoofers. Later, we’ll give you the top five choices for the best 12-inch subwoofer available today. Hopefully, you will also find the factors you need to understand and consider to buy a subwoofer that is best for you. After you finish reading this article, we hope that you can evaluate your options better.
Top 5 Best 12-inch Subwoofers 2019 Market
| Product (Amazon Links) | Peak Power | |
|---|---|---|
  Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12 Punch P3 DVC 4-Ohm 12-Inch 600-Watt RMS 1200-Watt Peak Subwoofer |
1200 Watts | Review |
| |
2250 Watts | Review |
| |
1000 Watts | Review |
| |
800 Watts | Review |
| ” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”> Skar Audio DDX-12 D4 12″ 1500 Watt Max Power Dual 4 Ohm Car Subwoofer | 1500 Watts | Review |
What is a Subwoofer?
Before we proceed with the article, let’s discuss first what a subwoofer is. A subwoofer is a loudspeaker that aims to reproduce low-pitched audio frequencies called bass. They are meant to work with other speakers, so you can have a range of low-frequency to higher-frequency sounds. Having one of these can give your audio more depth and realism, so it feels like you are really at the center of it all.
Subwoofers are considered a vital part of your car sound system as they reproduce bass sound waves. This is the reason why they are very popular among all music and audio enthusiasts. Once you have it installed in your car, you will notice the huge difference in the quality of sound and experience. This way, you can enjoy your music more while you are driving.
Benefits of Subwoofers for Cars
If you are still curious about what a subwoofer can do to your car audio system, read on. In this section, we will discuss some of their benefits before making a purchase decision.
- Subwoofers prevent distortion. The bass range is more likely to sound distorted if you use a normal loudspeaker. The reason behind that is that the sound is strong, but your speakers are underperforming. You can eliminate some distortions and have a wider range if you have a car subwoofer.
- Subwoofers improve your speakers’ lifespan. Playing a higher volume of bass is obviously good in terms of sound quality. But doing so can damage your speakers. If you don’t have subwoofers, your speakers will wear easily, as they are not intended to handle powerful sounds.
- Subwoofers improve the audio system experience. This may be the most important reason why car owners invest in subwoofers. A regular car stereo normally comes with a small audio system; hence, they deliver poor audio quality. While with a subwoofer, there is an option to create a better bass and adjust your frequency tones.
Three Types of Car Subwoofers
Before making your way to purchase a car subwoofer, you should know first what type it is that you need. This section will discuss the three most popular types of car subwoofers. From this, you will have a general idea of what will be compatible with your car’s audio system.
- Powered Subwoofers: This is also known as the active subwoofer. It contains its own amplifier, which solves the problem of inadequate power. By having its own power, this type of subwoofer can produce a greater and more booming sound experience. Ease of connection is what makes the powered subwoofers ideal for most people.
- Enclosed Subwoofers: This might be perfect for beginners, as they are already pre-mounted. This is also great if you do not have much space in your car. One advantage of having an enclosed subwoofer is the ease of installation.
- Component Subwoofers: This subwoofer only comes with a speaker. One disadvantage is that you have to purchase the enclosure and the amplifier separately. On the upside, you can have your car audio system highly customizable as you get to choose your own parts.
Essential Factors to Consider When Buying a 12-inch Subwoofer
After deciding on what type of subwoofer you need, comparing some of the specifications can be very helpful. In this section, we will talk about some of the essential factors to consider to help you decide.
- Power: This is considered one of the most important factors that should affect your decision-making. Having more power would mean that it could produce more bass. But keep in mind that investing in a powerful subwoofer will be a bit expensive.
- Voice Coils: This feature is very popular with most audio enthusiasts and car owners. The reason is that voice coils would mean more flexibility and wiring options.
- Installation: Before making a purchase, make sure you have the instruction manual and all the specific components for installation. If you have those, the installation would be very easy. Though some would require help from a stereo system installer store, you can choose one that you install on your own.
- Power Handling: This is also very important as it determines how many watts your subwoofer can accommodate. Having more than 1000 watts is impressive, but you should watch out for some that do not deliver the bass as expected. It is advisable to read reviews like the one above because some users have experienced the burning up of speakers. Look for speakers that are durable and reliable.
- Price: Keep in mind that you have to set a budget if you are going to buy a subwoofer. It is also a way to narrow down your options. If you are willing to invest in a more advanced subwoofer, be prepared for a higher price.
- Reviews: If you are still not sure about which subwoofer to choose, consider reading user reviews. This is very helpful as the reviews come from the users themselves. Their experiences can make it easier for you to weigh the pros and cons of each product.
Top Picks for the Best 12-inch Subwoofer
In this section, you will find detailed reviews of the top five choices for the best 12-inch subwoofer. We will provide you with some of their top features and specifications. Aside from that, we will also give a rundown of their pros and cons to give you a better idea of which you might want.
1. Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12 Punch P3 DVC 4-Ohm 12-Inch 600-Watt RMS 1200-Watt Peak Subwoofer
The PD34-12 Punch subwoofer belongs to the brand’s top-performing Punch P3 series. It delivers 1200 watts of peak power handling and now features anodized dust caps and aluminum cones.
Unlike previous versions, the Punch P3 subwoofer is equipped with unique spider venting that allows motor cooling. It also features new stamp-cast basket cones that provide strength while minimizing resonance and weight.
It features custom 10-AWG nickel-plated terminals and a diamond-cut cast aluminum trim ring. Aside from that, it has an extended pole piece and bumped vented backplate.
Another great feature is that it offers the Vertical Attach Surround Technique, also known as VAST Surround. This feature improves the speaker’s effective radiating cone area, which provides up to 25% more effective radiating than normal speakers.
Pros:
- Can accommodate power handling up to 1200 watts
- The excellent stamp-cast basket cone design
- Made for deeper bass and louder sounds
2. Alpine Type-R 12-Inch 2250W Max Subwoofer 4-ohm
The Alpine Type-R Subwoofer will enhance the audio system and provide big bass to almost all vehicles. One interesting feature of this is that the cone is made from Kevlar-treated pulp, the material in bulletproof vests. In addition, it has HAMR Santoprene that allows larger amounts of excursion, unlike other subwoofers.
This type of subwoofer is intended for use by those who want a thump and accurate response. Another great feature is that the Alpine Type-R Subwoofer delivers up to 2250 watts of peak power handling.
Pros:
- Features cone made from Kevlar-treated pulp
- It has HAMR Santoprene that provides a huge amount of excursion
- Can accommodate up to 2250 watts of peak power handling
3. Infinity Reference REF1200S 12″ Shallow Mount Subwoofer
The Infinity subwoofer is a 12-inch subwoofer that can deliver up to 1000 watts of peak power handling. Its cone is made from high-efficiency polypropylene and is equipped with roll rubber surrounds.
One great feature of this subwoofer is the dual voice coil, making it easier for more wiring options. It offers a smaller depth so you can fit it into shallower car speaker areas.
This subwoofer is guaranteed to make your audio experience more moving. It features innovative materials and engineering that make the brand outstanding. It’s not enough that this subwoofer offers extreme output; it also provides impressive accuracy.
Pros:
- Can accommodate up to 1000 watts of peak power handling
- Material is made from polypropylene
- Features dual voice coil and vented pole pieces
4. Kicker 12″ 800 Watt CompVR 4 Ohm DVC Subwoofer
The Kicker subwoofer is a square-shaped subwoofer that features impressive design, looks, and superb performance. It delivers reliable Santoprene surround so you can enjoy your speakers for a long time. It has a strong polypropylene cone with 150-400 watts RMS.
The Kicker subwoofer features dual voice coils that improve your amplifier to deliver high-quality bass. This car subwoofer can deliver up to 800 watts of power handling capacity and covers a frequency of 25-500 Hz. To sum up, this product can give you reliable performance, good sound, and efficient handling.
Pros:
- Can deliver up to 800 watts of peak power handling
- Made of an injection-molded polypropylene cone
- Most people really enjoy how it sounds
- Dual voice coils
5. Skar Audio DDX-12 D4 12″ 1500 Watt Max Power Dual 4 Ohm Car Subwoofer
The Skar Audio subwoofer is proven to deliver the appropriate performance for higher-power applications. The brand is known to incorporate several exclusive techniques that enhance accurate bass. Also, the RMS power handling is up to 1000 watts of power.
The exterior of this subwoofer is also impressive. It features a high-temperature voice coil, the DDX-12 can deliver 1500 watts of power. It also offers 202 oz. motor for accurate notes.
It comes with a competition-grade pressed paper cone, stitched high-roll foam surround, a total mounting depth of 6.60″, and a cut-out diameter of 11.25″.
It allows minimum compression, thus preventing the possibility of burning up.
Pros:
- Best for use with 1000 watts RMS
- Peak power handling is up to 1500 watts
- Competition Grade Paper Cone Stitched to High Roll Foam Surround
- Features Massive Double Stack Magnet & High Temperature 2.5″ Copper Voice Coil
- Advanced Air Flow Cooling Design | Fs: 34.2 Hz
- Frequency Response Range: 25 Hz – 250 Hz | Sensitivity (SPL): 87.7 dB
Conclusion
Subwoofers can add a lot to the experience of music lovers, and we are sure you will love the experience of using a high-quality speaker in your car. We hope that there is some information you found valuable as you search for the right speaker for yourself.
The process of choosing the best 12-inch subwoofer may seem tricky, but using this guide could help.
By carefully reviewing 2 or 3 options, you’ll be able to decide which one will work best for you. It is very helpful to read product reviews and search other websites for more information, such as crutchfield.com. Weigh the pros and cons, and then get the speaker that is best for you.
