- Willie Greer
- July 19, 2021
Subwoofers can be an eyesore. They are big, bulky and take up a lot of space. In-wall subs are an excellent solution to this problem, but do they offer the same surround sound effects and frequency response quality? Our audio engineers are here to answer that question with a few of the best in-wall subwoofers on the market.
- Dual cerametallic woofers
- Paintable grill
- Tractrix Horn Technology
- Powered model
- Non-pressed cone woofers
- Easy to install wall speaker
- Adjustable crossover
- 1-year warranty
- Spring-loaded wire terminals
- Integrated wall-lock mount
- Poly-treated woofer
- Butyl surround
Reviews of the Best In-Wall Subwoofers
Monoprice In-Wall Passive Subwoofer
As a passive in-wall sub, the Monoprice Passive Subwoofer requires an external amp, but this gives users the option to customize the sound for even more bass. The sub only has a 4 ohm impedance and fits very well within drywall.
The best thing about the Monoprice passive subs is the customizability for more well-defined and deep bass.
The frequency response reaches down to around 36 Hz, and the 10-inch non-pressed cone woofer is lightweight yet rigid. It can very successfully bridge the gap between the high and low tones with a crossover at around 490 Hz.
What We Like
- Customizable passive amp
- Bridges the frequency gap
- Non-pressed cone woofer
- Mounts flush into the wall
- 4 ohm impedance
- Easy installation
- 30 oz magnet
- 200 watts of power
What We Don’t Like
- Must buy an additional amp if you don’t already have one
- Not a set of 2
Klipsch RW-5802 II IW SUB
The Klipsch RW-5802 is a dual 8-inch cerametallic woofer design that comes in a sealed enclosure. The whole unit mounts seamlessly into the wall with the grille 100% paintable to match your walls. True to the brand, the RW-5802 subwoofer speaker features proprietary Klipsch Tractrix Horn Technology and horn-loaded technology.
The result of the innovative features equals a home theater subwoofer that has excellent frequency response and sound quality. The tweeter pivots to create a more dynamic and multi-dimensional soundstage that complements the other components in your home theatre.
The low-frequency production is accurate and the low profile design of the unpowered subwoofer is a force to be reckoned with.
What We Like
- Cerametallic woofers
- Pivoting tweeter
- Elevates your listening experience
- Easy mounting and sits flush
- Tractrix Horn Technology
- Horn-loaded Technology
What We Don’t Like
- High price
- Passive model
Polk Audio RC85i
The amazing Polk Audio RC85i comes in a set of two and does wonders for your audio quality and home theater installation both indoors and out. Polk Audio infuses technology that reduces timber that still provides powerful bass. The 2-way subwoofer speakers bring together a dynamic balance woofer and tweeter that work amazingly together.
The RC85i has a rubber seal that will fit into the recesses of your wall seamlessly and protect against moisture penetration and debris. This means you can think about installing the Polk Audio RC85i in your bathroom, outdoors, and even in a sauna.
What We Like
- Durable rubber seal
- Suitable for indoors and out
- One dynamic balance woofer
- 2-way design with tweeter
- Brings life-like sound quality
- Paintable grille
- Timber-matching
- Passive in-wall subwoofer speakers
What We Don’t Like
- Some components are plastic
- Shouldn’t be mounted on studs
Monoprice Fiber In-Wall Speaker
The Monoprice Fiber In-Wall Speaker Subwoofer is another one-way model. The single subwoofer is easy to install and has a 10-inch woofer that is the best balance for space and power. It blends easily into any area and the installation process is very straightforward.
What sets the Monoprice Fiber subs apart from a regular speaker subwoofer is the aramid fiber driver, which is a material similar to Kevlar. You can imagine the durability this sub will add to your system.
Along with 300 watts at peak power, the Monoprice in-wall subwoofer can fill your place with expansive and dynamic bass.
What We Like
- Has a paintable grille
- Monoprice aramid fiber driver
- Okay for ceiling installation
- Low profile sub
- Can handle heavy stress
- Quick installation
What We Don’t Like
- May need more than one Monoprice sub for a larger room
- The cutout needed is quite large
Theater Solutions TS50W
The Theater Solutions TS50W model is a 2-way subwoofer speaker with wide sound dispersion. The top-notch construction consists of woven fiber bulletproof cone woofers, butyl rubber surrounds, and pivoting silk dome tweeters.
The installation doesn’t get any easier than this for your home entertainment system. These in-wall subwoofers have a slow mounting depth and come complete with a pressure lock mounting system.
It isn’t a powered subwoofer, so it needs a proper amplifier for high quality bass sound. Luckily, the TS50W can hook up to any amplifier or receiver with raw speaker wire outputs.
What We Like
- Beautifully designed with a flush mount
- Excellent frequency response
- Easy integration into your home theater
- Saves floor space
- Full-range two-way speaker subwoofer
- Durable build
What We Don’t Like
- Not binding post speaker connections
- The grille is thin
OSD Audio IW525
Not only do the OSD Audio In-Wall IW1525 Subwoofers save floor space, but they also save wall area as well. They have a small profile, and delivers crystal clear and deep bass. You can count on the dual woofers from OSD Audio made of polypropylene to ensure sound quality.
The OSD Audio in-wall subwoofer speaker will disappear into your wall and complement your sound system behind the scenes. You can choose to use the subwoofer speaker as left, right or center channels for virtual or full surround sound systems.
It’s easy to mount the OSD Audio subwoofer speakers as they come with a template and a dog-ear bracket system.
What We Like
- Easy to integrate
- Comes with dual woofers
- OSD Audio polypropylene woofer cones
- High-quality sound for your home entertainment system
- Invisible design
- LCR system
- Silk dome tweeter
What We Don’t Like
- The grille can rattle a bit
- Better used as a component subwoofer speaker
Theater Solutions TS1000
Our audio team’s budget choice for your entertainment system is a one-way in-wall subwoofer. The passive sub has a low frequency range that reaches down to 22 Hz, which is at the border of the human audible range. This means it’s capable of producing all the bass tones you can hear all for an affordable price.
The poly-treated woofer and Butyl rubber surround form a very durable passive sub that has a paintable grill and frame to match your decor.
The TS1000 from Theater Solutions features spring-loaded speaker wires terminals that can handle the heat and the driving force for the cone.
What We Like
- 92 dB sensitivity
- Engineered in the USA
- Paintable grill
- Poly-treated woofer
- Butyl rubber surround
- Saves space
- Budget price
What We Don’t Like
- Will need breaking in
- Mounting will take some time
In-Wall Subwoofers Buyer’s Guide
The best in-wall subwoofer needs to be robustly built to support the needs of your home entertainment system. Our sonic engineers went through great lengths to compile a checklist that will help you select the best match for your home theater setup.
Size
How much room do you have to work with? Our team suggests assessing your wall space before investing in a wall sub. It’s not as simple as how much room you have, because you also have to consider the construction of your walls. Some homes have more room behind the wall, which gives consumers more flexibility when choosing an in-wall subwoofer.
You can find a wall sub with a slim profile that measures only 3 inches, but there are others that far exceed that. The wall space may also vary from room to room, so make sure you are analyzing your theatre room. Once you have determined the space you can work with, you can then set out to find subs with the right enclosure.
The next consideration is the size of the driver. There are plenty of options on the market, from 8-inch, 10-inch and 12-inch options. If you have a smaller room, you may be forced to look into 8-inch sizes. However, our experts say you can offset the size by purchasing more than one in-wall sub, which is what many people do.
If you have the good fortune of not being limited by how much room you have, then our experts suggest 10-inch subwoofer speakers. From years of experience, 10-inch options are the ones that are the best balance for in-wall subwoofer needs. 10-inch sizes are easy to install, don’t take up quite as much space, but can still have a high power handling for explosive bass.
Then begs the question of whether your in-wall subwoofer is powered or passive. A passive subwoofer is usually smaller and more lightweight because it doesn’t include an amplifier. This makes it more conducive as an in-wall sub. While powered models are larger due to the presence of an in-built amplifier, they require less wiring for integration.
If you already have an amplifier, just make sure it is compatible with the in-wall subwoofer. If you don’t have one, our sound team says to choose a powered subwoofer model to save yourself some trouble.
Installation
Once you have a general idea of the size, the next step is to look at the installation process. You want the setup to be as easy as possible, especially since it entails cutting a hole in your wall. Some models that we have chosen such as the OSD Audio model have a cutout template to follow.
Some are simple to install, like the Monoprice in-wall subwoofer on our list, but others may require painstaking effort. You won’t know for sure, but you can have a general estimate by looking at the type of mounting system. Dog-ear brackets are easy to work with, as are wall-lock mourning systems.
A good tip from our audio technicians is to check if the package will come with all the necessary pieces. Are the screws included? Is the manual easy to understand with all the steps to install laid out clearly? Don’t forget about the cables. Connecting your in-wall subwoofer to the rest of your home theater sound system will also be a part of the installation.
Power
Now we start to move into audio quality. First, look at the power handling. Also referred to as the power rating, this category is separated into two parts – the RMS power and the peak power. Both figures should be listed by the manufacturer.
While the max or peak power handling features the more impressive number, our audio experts remind our readers that it’s the RMS power handling that matters.
The RMS watts, or root mean square, is the rating for your home theater subwoofer that determines how loudly it can be played continuously without risking damage. The peak power may look much more enticing as it is sometimes twice the amount of the RMS, but it isn’t recommended to play your in-wall subwoofers at this level for long periods.
Subwoofers and speakers both have these ratings, so whether you are choosing subwoofers or speakers, pay attention to the RMS power.
Sound Quality
What type of technology does the brand include to help boost quality sound? The best in-wall subwoofer should have advanced capabilities such as timber-matching as seen in the Polk Audio model or pivoting tweeters like the ones in the Micca and Klipsch models that help produce a wider soundstage.
The enclosure, either in ported or sealed subs, will also affect the sound of a subwoofer. A ported or vented enclosure is not completely sealed. This type will allow for louder and more expansive bass. On the contrary, a sealed in-wall subwoofer enclosure will help the sound system produce more precise bass.
Frequency Range
The frequency response offered by in-wall subwoofers is also a part of the sound quality, but our team felt it was important enough to warrant its own section. As subwoofers, their job is to hit the lower octave, which means they only need to focus on producing the lower frequencies that the mids and tweeters cannot.
As you may have noticed, some of the models we have chosen are 2-way in-wall sub speakers and they are a combination of woofers and tweeters. If this is the case, then it’s necessary for the in-wall subwoofers to hit a higher frequency.
To give you an idea of an ideal frequency response range, our audio team says the human ear audible range [1] is between 20 Hz to 20 kHz. It’s not necessary for an in-wall subwoofer or speaker to produce anything beyond that range. Ideally, you can find a sub that can hit as low or as close to 20 Hz as possible.
If your choice of sub comes with a tweeter, then look for one that can hit as high or close to 20 kHz.
Type of Subwoofer
You have the choice of a one-way or two-way type of subwoofer. You will notice this option for in-ceiling and floorstanding speakers. The one-way in-wall sub is just the woofer driver itself. The two-way features a woofer and a tweeter. You may come across three-way speakers in floorstanding speakers in which there is an extra mid-range.
Which type should you choose? The best in-wall subwoofer can be a one or two-way, it just depends on your needs. Do you have most of the other components that make up a home theater system? If so, then a one-way subwoofer should be enough. If you want the subwoofer to focus on only the quality of the low tones with a high and low pass crossover to ensure separation, then pick a two-way.
Driver and Tweeter
The construction of the woofer driver and tweeter (if present) will also have a huge impact on the audio output. For example, aramid fiber drivers are excellent for durability and excursion. They are a similar material to Kevlar, which is what’s used in bulletproof vests. The Monoprice Fiber in-wall subwoofer is an example of a unit with this type of cone.
Polypropylene is also a good and affordable choice but pair it with a butyl rubber or foam surround. The material of the woofer driver will also help to dampen vibrations and ease distortions.
As for tweeters in two-way models, our experts suggest silk dome tweeters that are soft enough for the high tones. Another feature that will help the sound of your subwoofers and speakers is to have pivoting tweeters. These swiveling tweeters can be repositioned to produce different sounds at various angles to suit your needs.
(For better understanding of your sub drivers, we compared woofer vs subwoofer here)
Benefits and Downsides of an In-Wall Subwoofer
An in-wall subwoofer sounds awesome. Not only does it save floor space, a powered model can also help you hide the amplifier within the walls. It can’t all be good can it? Our audio team wants to draw your attention to some of the downsides of purchasing an in-wall subwoofer so you are well informed.
For sound quality, our experts admit that freestanding speakers sound better. There is no chance they will be muffled by the surrounding edifice and there is flexibility of movement. There is no doubt that the flush appearance after you set up your heavy bass in-wall subs will be amazing, but you better be sure that’s where you want to place them forever.
The sound quality of in-wall subwoofers is much better than in-ceiling speakers. Although in-ceiling models are even more out of the way, the sound is projected from the top down, which isn’t as efficient as ones at ear-level.
In-wall style speakers and subwoofers save a lot of space like in-ceiling models, but there is no question that the setup is much more difficult than free-standing subwoofers. If you’re struggling to make a decision, our expert audio engineers say to ask yourself what matters most.
Do you care about appearance over sound or vice versa? Do you need to save space? These are just some of the questions that will help you narrow down your choices.
Installing an In-Wall Subwoofer
Before you install your best in-wall subwoofers, make sure you have an accurate measurement of the size. The typical models come in 2×4 or 2×6 sizes, which means you need a cutout in your wall that matches the size.
Find your ideal subwoofer location. Factor in the sound projection as well as visual appeal. Where can you place the sub to get the most out of the bass production? Check to see if the subwoofer is a good fit for your chosen location. You need to make sure there are no obstructions behind the wall. A stud finder can help find a safe mounting area.
Unless you’re a real handy person, we would recommend professional installation for your subwoofer. The same goes for in-ceiling or in-floor models as it takes tearing a hole through the surface of your wall or floor. Yes, it will add to the price, but it can also save you a great deal of headache.
Once you have cut the appropriate-sized hole with your cutout template, you can attempt to mount the subwoofer in the wall. This is when you need the instruction manual that is hopefully clearly laid out. Once that’s done, connect the wires to the amplifier if you have a passive model and you’re ready to enjoy improved bass.
(For more options, we also listed high-quality subs below the price of 1000 here)
FAQ
Are in wall subwoofers any good?
Yes, in-wall subwoofers are good. Much like in-ceiling models, in-wall units are visually appealing and save room in smaller spaces. They are also surprisingly inexpensive and come at an affordable price if you know where to look. The only downside to in-wall subs is the installation takes more time.
Where do you put subwoofer in a wall?
You can put a subwoofer in a wall at ear level. The first thing is to look at the size of your sub to find an appropriate location. Once a spot has been identified, you have to make sure there are no obstructions behind the wall. We would recommend placing the sub somewhere near your main setup at the front of the room.
Our Top Pick For an In-Wall Subwoofer:
Monoprice In-Wall Passive Subwoofer
Our audio experts have come to the conclusion that the Monoprice In-Wall Passive Sub is the top choice among the best in-wall subwoofers. It delivers excellent sound quality with a pressed paper cone woofer. You will experience higher-level bass production with an exceptional frequency response. It pairs up easily with the rest of your system and doesn’t sacrifice living space.
For more options, we also have a list of some of the best subwoofers here: