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Willie Greer - July 2, 2021
An outdoor subwoofer needs to meet a different set of requirements than indoor subs. Outdoor subwoofers need to be tougher and louder. If you picked the wrong model, you might end up with barely audible bass above all noise pollution. Luckily, our audio team reviewed the best outdoor subwoofers to help you avoid this mishap.
- Flexible placement
- IP66 rated
- Blends in easily
- Anti-theft feature
- 360-degree Omni-directional
- Weather-resistant
- Impact-resistant
- In-ground or on the surface
- Speaker and subwoofer
- Cool rainbow lights
- Portable Bluetooth model
- 100-foot range
Reviews of the Best Outdoor Subwoofers
TIC GS50
You need a subwoofer to pair well with your outdoor speakers and have powerful bass output. The TIC GS50 dedicated subwoofers can help amplify your speaker’s sound and can operate with satellite speakers.
There isn’t such a thing as too much bass, and the 360-degree omni-direction makes sure that you can fill the entire outdoor area with more low frequencies. As for durability, the TIC GS50 is robust than other speakers with impact and weather-resistant ABS housing.
You can feel free to place your speakers in-ground or on the surface as it fits well with your patio furniture and landscape decor.
What We Like
- Excellent low-frequency response for more bass
- Long-lasting and waterproof
- 360-degree omni-directional sound
- Expansive sound and fills the backyard
- In-ground or on the surface
- ABS housing
- Impact-resistant
- Built-in passive crossover
- 250 peak power handling
What We Don't Like
- No other colors
- Not an active subwoofer
OSD FORZA 10
As for our editor’s pick chose the OSD Audio Forza 10 for its 300-watt sound and the anti-theft feature. Down-firing woofer that propels the low tones throughout your outdoor space. The subwoofer doesn’t neglect the mid-range frequencies either, as it helps boost your audio system.
To be an excellent passive subwoofer, the unit must be solid and tough – preferably weather-resistant. The OSD Audio Forza 10 is IP66 rated and protects against the elements. The antique bronze finish will look great in small and large backyards. Also, the special anti-theft feature is an eye bolt that keeps it firmly in place.
What We Like
- Loud and expansive outdoor sound
- Polypropylene woofer
- IP66 weather-resistant
- Blends in easily
- Anti-theft feature
- Great for mid-range frequencies
What We Don't Like
- Requires an external amplifier
- Speaker wire is difficult to figure out
Tenmiya Speaker Double Subwoofer
The Tenmiya Speaker Double Subwoofer also has double subwoofers for an all-in-one model that’s pretty great for expansive audio. Connect wirelessly via Bluetooth and control it with your remote or mobile device. The rainbow lights will look extra cool when you plug the subwoofer in, and it blends in anywhere outdoors.
You also get a digital display, plenty of connection options, including a microphone and a 3.5mm jack. The portable speaker is your solution for outdoor parties or even traveling. The subwoofer speaker has 4 lithium-ion rechargeable batteries to keep the party going.
What We Like
- Multi-functional speaker
- Cool rainbow lights
- Lithium-ion batteries
- Multiple connections
- Can be controlled in a variety of ways
- Entire package
- Expansive audio
- Small size
What We Don't Like
- Cannot delete FM presets
- Not very long battery life
OSD In Ground Outdoor Subwoofer
This OSD In Ground Outdoor Subwoofer is a completely sealed subwoofer that can be buried underground. It comes from the same manufacturer as the other OSD model on our list and can provide excellent bass response anywhere you put it. The output of this omni-directional outdoor subwoofer has 500 watts of power.
You get bold and deep bass, and instead of a sub that looks like a rock, this one looks like a mushroom. Since the exposed part can be primed and painted, you can design it your way.
The IP66 rating makes sure this ground subwoofer can withstand the weather and extreme temperatures without compromising the lower-end sound.
What We Like
- IP66 rating
- Can be customized and painted
- In-ground design
- Connect easily to your system
- Precise low-frequency bass
- Enhances your music
- Powers audio for over 500 square feet
- More low key than other subwoofers
What We Don't Like
- Instruction for speaker wires are not clear
- Doesn’t hit high frequencies
Outdoor Subwoofers Buyer’s Guide
Is it always a good idea to get an outdoor subwoofer that looks like an actual rock? There are plenty of designs out there that look like a piece of rock, but not all of them have a good bass response. Our team has listed the features of the outdoor subwoofer below that are more than just the design.
Size and Design
Speaking of the design, it’s the first category our audio team will touch on. How large your speakers determine how loud the low-frequency range will be. A small speaker won’t generate as much sound like a larger one and work with your outdoor speaker system.
An active subwoofer will be larger than passive outdoor subwoofers because they have an in-built amplifier. Most outdoor in-ground subwoofers will require an external amp. The only downside to this will be the extra connection and compatibility to consider.
Do you want an outdoor subwoofer that looks like a rock, set up on the surface, or an in-ground subwoofer? In-ground subs are great for a backyard that’s smaller or has more plants and less lawn space. It also keeps the subwoofer from getting any attention, which is excellent for an outdoor sub that looks like an eyesore.
A rock subwoofer looks great outdoors, but the cabinet will not nearly be as durable as other subwoofers made from unplasticized polyvinyl chloride. Subwoofers must have excellent construction to deliver the best bass sound and protect the wiring from the elements. Sturdy construction allows the voice coil within the subwoofers to be adequately protected to work well with your existing backyard speakers.
Power
For an outdoor sub to have ample power, it needs to have a high rating. There are 2 power ratings for speakers and subwoofers – RMS and peak rating.
Peak power, or max output, is often advertised by manufacturers as the number is far more impressive. This is because your subwoofer is only meant to play the low frequencies at peak for a short period.
Our audio engineers say the RMS is what the figure you should focus on. The RMS rating at which your outdoor speakers and outdoor subwoofers can be played at the loudest without damage to the cone. Look for an RMS rating that is sufficient for your backyard.
If the power rating is too low, you may not be able to hear anything. If the power rating is too high, your neighbors can hear the music a couple of doors down, which can spark a noise complaint.
The higher the wattage rating, the louder your outdoor system will be. Our experts say to look for ones that can offer anywhere around 400W or above. If you need a small sub that cannot match this number, you can consider purchasing more than one unit for your yard space.
Since most outdoor subwoofers are passive, our experts remind you that they require external amplifiers unlike high-quality powered subs with built-in amps. To find the right one, make sure the power rating and crossover for both the subwoofers and the amplifiers or receiver match.
Volume
The volume level of your speakers and subwoofers has to do with the wattage and the technology. For example, the OSD Audio outdoor subwoofers come with 360-degree omni-directional technology. Our audio team says this ensures the small subwoofer can permeate your entire outdoor space. It will work well with your speakers to deliver the bass sound you crave.
Sound Quality and Bass
The subwoofer focuses on the low-frequency range, which means having a low impedance 2 to 4-ohm voice coil or a dual voice coil model will impact your sound quality and bass. If you can find a subwoofer with a passive radiator, that particular model will most likely reduce distortion no matter how loud you blast the bass.
You may wonder if an in-ground subwoofer has an impact on your low-frequency range output, but the answer is no. Although part of it is underground, it’s easy to run speaker wire to the rest of your system and an amplifier and set it up.
Some models, such as the OSD models, can work with satellite speakers. Satellite speakers are meant to flesh out the sound for a more multi-dimensional soundstage.
Look at the frequency response offered by your subwoofer to get an idea of what music from your audio system will sound like. Our engineers say to consider ones that can hit as low as 20 Hz for the profound impact humans feel.
To get every component in your system to come together seamlessly, the key is in the amplifier. Whether you have a rock or in-ground sub, the amplifier can make all the difference to your music by tuning the output.
Distortion Level
Our team says low or no distortion is preferable, but some poorly constructed models deliver very high distortion along with their bass. It doesn’t matter if you have impressive frequency levels if the sound is highly distorted. Our experts advise looking for models that have minimal distortion.
Subwoofers made with solid and low-resonance materials for the cabinet will likely see a lower distortion level.
Water Resistance
What makes a subwoofer outdoor-worthy and take a spot on our list? It’s the durability, or more specifically, water resistance. Rain is inevitable for most parts of the world, and you wouldn’t want the day’s climate to impact your music experience. This is where the water-resistance rating comes in.
The IP rating chart [1] gives dual-digit numerals to each device. The numbers will indicate how protected your unit is against dust, water, and dirt. To make sure your outdoor speaker and subwoofer are protected, look for an IP rating or ingress protection rating.
The first digit refers to protection from solids, and the second is from liquids. The higher the number, the better the protection.
(Looking for the best accessory for your sub? Then, you can consider the most reliable subwoofer box offering deep bass sound here)
FAQ
Is an outdoor subwoofer worth it?
Yes, an outdoor subwoofer is worth it. If you find yourself hosting parties and playing music in the backyard, then investing in one of the subwoofers is the best idea. They don’t need to be made from the same material as models that cost a thousand dollars, but an outdoor sub can handle the elements better.
Can you put a subwoofer outside?
Yes, you can put a subwoofer outside if it’s made for the outdoors with adequate protection. We wouldn’t suggest placing an indoor subwoofer outside unless it’s in a shaded area where precipitation cannot reach. Only outdoor subwoofers are made from materials that can withstand the weather.
Our Top Pick For an Outdoor Subwoofer:
TIC GS50
Our expert engineers have chosen the TIC GS50 as the best outdoor subwoofer. We hand the crown to this specific model due to the omni-directional sound. It expands through your entire outdoor area, plus the water resistance feature. The long-lasting waterproof subwoofer can be placed underground and on the surface to deliver the heavy bass you were missing.
For more types of subwoofers, you can also check the pages below:
