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Willie Greer
- July 22, 2021
12-inch subwoofers may be the most common option you probably know. However, there are 18-inch subs that provide extra loud and powerful bass. If you’re looking for that thump in your car, an 18 inch sub will lift your seats, especially when you pick the right one. To save you from choosing bad and a lengthy return process, our experts reviewed the best 18 inch subwoofers.
ZVX-18v2 D2
- Dual 2 ohm
- 3,200-watt peak power
- Triple stack magnet
- High-temperature copper voice coil
HA-ML182
- Slotted vents
- Spring-loaded push terminal
- High-temperature voice coil
- Die-cast aluminum basket
RVW1800P4
- Kevlar-reinforced cone
- Rolled steel basket
- Durable terminals
- High-temp voice coil
Reviews of the Best 18 Inch Subwoofers
Harmony Audio HA-ML182 Monolith
Our team has picked the Harmony Audio HA-ML182 subwoofer from the Monolith series as the perfect choice for deep and heavy bass. This model features one of the strongest constructions we have seen. The slotted vents under the spider keeps the sub cool as it plays your music at a high volume.
The advanced heatsink directs the higher temperatures away from the voice coil and the spring-loaded push terminal makes the subwoofer easy to integrate. The HA-ML182 is an extremely durable subwoofer with a competition-grade paper cone, high roll foam surround, strong tinsel leads and a die-cast aluminum basket.
What We Like
- Durable and high-quality construction
- Delivers a great deal of bass
- Matches your listening needs
- Advanced heat dissipation
- Can blast music without distortion
What We Don’t Like
- Heavy
- Better performance in a ported cabinet
Skar Audio ZVX-18v2 D2
The Skar Audio ZVx-18v2 D2 is a large 2-ohm subwoofer for bass power output in your car. The peak power has an impressive 3,200 watts, which is enough to bump up the audio system in any vehicle. Even the RMS is excellent at 1,600 watts outdoing other car subwoofers.
The internal components are well-constructed as the car subwoofer has a massive triple-stack magnet and a high-temperature voice coil. Everything is nicely put together with a competition-grade paper cone and high roll foam surround.
As for ventilation, the Skar Audio subwoofer features advanced airflow cooling that allows you to enjoy loud bass longer.
(Want to know more about this brand? Well, here is our full review of Skar Audio and its brand offerings)
What We Like
- Boosts your car’s sound system
- Powerful subwoofer
- Durable driver
- Excellent frequency response
- High-temperature voice coil
- Triple-stack magnet
What We Don’t Like
- Better mounted in a ported cabinet
- Little pricey
Rockville RVW1800P4
Are you ready to add big bass to your car audio system? The Rockville RVW1800P4 delivers that deep low frequency you want with an even more attractive price tag. The affordable price doesn’t exceed 100. This reliable 18 inch subwoofer can deliver tight bass that matches more expensive models.
As an 18 inch sub, mounting depth is quite impressive at only 6.22 inches, and the entire unit works well with custom box designs. The construction of the powerful subwoofer is an amazing rolled steel basket, magnetic motor, high current tinsel leads and more.
(If you want to get to know the brand, here is a complete review of Rockville Audio for you)
What We Like
- High sensitivity rating
- Kevlar-reinforced paper cone
- Heavy duty
- Good mounting depth
- Expanded rolled steel basket
- Treated accordion cloth surround
- Linear spider system
What We Don’t Like
- Only downside is lower power output
- Not as loud as other subwoofers
Sound Town STLF-18120A
If you want a good mix of affordable pricing, solid construction and precision, then the Sound Town STLF-18120A is a reliable subwoofer. This sub features a 4-inch voice coil with a 120oz magnet. The sub fits to most customized box systems as long as you get the measurements right and it has a 500-watt RMS power handling.
The frequency reaches as low as 35Hz, but what appealed to our team was the 100 dB sensitivity. As for the construction, the STLF-18120A has a cast-aluminum chassis, and a paper cone secured by a cloth edge.
What We Like
- Fits with any cabinet of the right size
- Cast-aluminum frame
- High sensitivity
- Precise sound with a 120oz magnet
- Not very heavy
What We Don’t Like
- Needs breaking in
- Has a lower RMS power compared to some other models
18 Inch Subwoofers Buyer’s Guide
How did our team of sound engineers narrow down the best 18 inch subwoofers? We tested their performance in many cars and compared competition records to find the best sounds. Below are the most important factors our experts consider when looking for any speaker or subwoofer on the market.
Power
The power output of your subwoofers will determine how expansive the sound will be. Manufacturers will rate their products on the market with power ratings. The power ratings for each model is split into two categories – the power RMS and the peak power. Why are there two separate ratings for speakers and car subwoofers?
The peak wattage is the power output your 18-inch subwoofer can manage in short bursts. The power handling at peak is higher than the RMS power, so we understand why it can be easy to get side-tracked by the staggering figure. However, it’s not advised to pump your subwoofer at the peak power rating for long periods.
The RMS power rating is the one buyers should look at. The RMS rating is often half the amount of the peak, but it’s the rating at which you can play your music without risking damage to the large voice coil, the cone, and the high excursion woofer.
A high-quality subwoofer can deliver high RMS and power ratings. If you ever need more power, then our team of sound experts suggest combining the power of more than one sub to bring the sounds you crave.
Sound Quality and Bass
The subwoofer’s ability to bring top-quality audio hinges on the technology and the frequency range. It’s difficult for humans to hear anywhere below 20Hz, so it isn’t necessary for a subwoofer to reach quite that low.
A subwoofer’s job is to bring the low sounds to the surface, and high quality products can do that at high and low volumes. Our team suggests looking for an 18-inch subwoofer that can deliver frequencies starting at 30Hz.
The sound quality will also hinge on the materials used. A ferrite motor will help propel the bass and a strong cone that has the right amount of rigidity and flexibility will support bass excursion. Make sure your 18 inch subwoofer is properly ventilated so the low frequencies can reach high volumes without compromising the integrity.
Weight
Not only do you need to consider the weight of the raw subwoofer, but you have to factor in the cabinet weight as well. It’s no secret that the best 18 inch subwoofer is heavier than smaller models like those we listed from REL Acoustics subwoofer brand. The 18-inch subs aren’t the best for space constraints as well. However, the audio from these subs will do wonders for your factory car speakers and pump out multi-layered music.
With an outer diameter of 18 inches, subs of this size can easily weigh 60 pounds or more, which is something you need to consider before installing it into your vehicle. 18-inch subs are not as portable, so once you mount them into the cabinet they are there to stay.
Pay attention to the weight, especially if you intend on hooking up more than one of these subwoofers into your car. You can think about building ergonomic handles into the cabinet just so portability is a bit easier.
Whether your sub is a passive or powered subwoofer will also impact the weight. A powered subwoofer is easier to connect, but it will weigh a lot more than its passive counterpart due to the presence of an in-built amp.
Design and Material
Your 18-inch car subwoofer ideally offers a shallow mount just to save extra space. Some subwoofers work well with sealed enclosures and others are better with ported ones. Sealed subwoofers understandably bring less deep bass, but they offer better sound clarity and precision.
The type of enclosure won’t affect the frequency response performance, but if you want louder bass despite it being less accurate, then our team suggests placing your 18 inch car subwoofer in a ported cabinet.
The materials used to construct the car subwoofer correlates to longevity. For example, an 18-inch sub with a die-cast aluminum basket, KSV voice coil and Kevlar [1] reinforced cone outlasts those made of lesser materials. Our sound engineers caution that stronger material isn’t always better if it doesn’t give any leeway to the movement of the cone.
You also need to pay attention to the material used for the cabinet. MDF or premium wood cabinets will help minimize resonance, vibration and distortion. Larger enclosures will also help maximize the low frequency extension.
(Planning for a new sound project? Well, you can start building your DIY subwoofer using these guide)
Installation
For such a large subwoofer, installation can come with complications. Our expert audiophiles say the setup headache can be minimized if you know what to look for. Making sure your 18-inch subwoofer is compatible with your amplifier if you go for a passive model.
The frequency response from the subwoofer should complement your entire system. The connection should also match your speakers and the terminals need to be very durable and temperature-resistant.
Price
We all enjoy top-notch audio, but the best sub on the market that features excellent bass relays can cost a pretty penny. Our team of testers took extra care to include a subwoofer option that is not only high-quality but is also offered at a great price. If price is a non issue, then the Skar Audio subwoofer is a great choice that allows for master volume control and features durable construction.
Our Rockville budget option is quite a bit cheaper than the Skar Audio sub but has one of the toughest constructions around. Our team says your best bet is to look for an 18 inch with all the bells and whistles you need before considering the price. Try not to choose a subwoofer just because it’s the most affordable. If you have to replace it down the line, it could end up costing you much more.
(For more brand options, you can also check our list of good NVX subwoofers here)
FAQ
What is the hardest hitting 18 inch subwoofer?
The hardest hitting 18 inch subwoofer is the Harmony Audio HA-ML182. It has a peak power rating of 3,500 watts and an RMS 1,750 watts. This amount of power paired with the sensitivity rating is enough to fill large rooms let alone the cabin of your car. The subwoofer is also well built and heavy-duty enough to handle the high power rating.
Our Top Pick For an 18 Inch Subwoofer:
Harmony Audio HA-ML 182
Our professional team agrees that the best 18 inch subwoofer is the Harmony Audio HA-ML 182. It has a peak power handling of an amazing 3,500 watts permeating your entire vehicle with deep and resounding bass. The frequency response reaches as low as 30Hz and the high excursion woofer is supported by solid and hard-wearing materials.
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