There are a myriad of benefits for 10 inch shallow mount subwoofers, from a clean setup to a great fit for tight spaces. However, not all shallowed subwoofers are the same, and the mounting depth can vary. How do you know which is best for your vehicle? Follow our experts’ advice for the best shallow mount subwoofers below.
At A Glance: Our Top 5 Picks for Shallow Mount Subwoofers
Reviews of the Best Shallow Mount Subwoofers
1. Rockford Fosgate 10 Inch Shallow Mount DVC Subwoofer
The first on our list is the Rockford Fosgate 10 Inch Shallow Mount DVC Subwoofer . This subwoofer from the Punch series features 12 AWG compression terminals with 16 AWG tinsel leads within the linear spider. The subwoofer was built to last with the best materials, including a mica injected propylene cone and an anodized aluminum voice coil.
The DVC punch series subwoofer is optimized for sealed enclosures, and it has a stampcast with spider vent to make sure the bass is as clear and accurate as possible. Furthermore, the 4 ohm low impedance will make the Rockford Fosgate punch through the air with heavy bass.
What We Like
- 12 AWG compression terminals
- Clear and accurate quality bass
- Linear spider
- Spider vent system
- Cast alloy frame
- 4 ohm subwoofer
- Mica injected propylene cone
- Low profile mount
- Best for sealed enclosures
- 200 watts RMS
- Foam surround
- Special elevated motor structure
What We Don't Like
- Not great for very loud bass
- Not a good idea to push the power
2. Skar Audio VD-10 D4 10 Inch Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer
The Skar Audio VD-10 D4 10″ shallow subwoofers are great for those looking for impressive power and sound at a cheap price. This model has dual 4 ohm coils, so you can expect excellent sound. If you aren’t a fan of the 10-inch subwoofer and need a smaller or larger option, the VD also comes in 8 or 12 inch sizes.
This mounting depth is very shallow but the subwoofer still packs enough power with an 800 watts peak and RMS at 500 watts. Skar uses a pressed paper cone stitched right onto the foam surround for optimal flexibility and movement. In addition, the 2 inch high temperature voice coil is impressive, delivering deep and rich bass.
What We Like
- Good mounting depth
- High peak and RMS power rating
- Different sizes available
- Pressed paper cone structure
- Foam surround
- 2 inch high temperature copper voice coil
- Dual 4 ohm voice coils
What We Don't Like
- Will blow out if pushed to the limit
- Can bring a lot of vibrations
3. Pioneer 8” Shallow Mount Subwoofer
With such a small and low profile, the Pioneer 8 Inch Shallow Mount Subwoofer can bring you a max power rating of an impressive 700 watts. This Pioneer TS series has dual 2 ohm voice coils that will ensure the sub can bring the precise bass tones. It’s difficult to find such small subwoofers with the ability to generate this much peak power and mounting depth, but this 8″ Pioneer TS series manages to do it.
Equipped with advanced tech, this brings the bass you crave with minimal vibrations. Furthermore, this subwoofer also has optimal thermal heat dissipation that contributes to longevity.
The setup is also easy with this 8 inch subwoofer. Design-wise, the Pioneer TS series has a minimalist design that will look good with any car.
What We Like
- Very small and low profile subwoofer
- 2 ohm dual voice coil design
- Has a lot of power
- Good mounting depth
- Minimalist design
- Deep bass
- No unwanted vibrations
- Comes with enclosure
- Optimal thermal heat dissipation
What We Don't Like
- Can be harder to install with some car
models - Not the best choice for those who like vibrations
4. Kicker 43CWRT102 CompRT 10" 2-Ohm Subwoofer
Kicker subs are known for their amazing car stereo subwoofers. Among other models, their 43CWER102 shallow sub is our experts’ choice for a low mounting depth.
The 800 watts peak power and 400 watts RMS guarantee loud and thumping bass. The temperature coils are what gives this Kicker sub the boost it needs for such high power handling.
One of the best parts about the Kicker 43CWER102 is the injection-molded cone with rubber surround that makes these shallow subs weatherproof. Due to this, they are a great choice for convertibles and jeeps without tops.
What We Like
- High power ratings
- High power handling
- Shallow mounting depth
- Weatherproof rubber surround
- Elevated temperature coils
- Best for closed enclosures
- Polypropylene Injection molded cone
- Stylish design
What We Don't Like
- Not great with vented enclosures
- Not a free air sub
5. Kenwood Excelon KFC-XW1200F 12in Mount Subwoofer Car
The Kenwood Excelon KFC-XW1200F is another 12 inch 4 ohm subwoofer that can bring out a thumping bass. The cast aluminum basket holds a carbon glass fiber composite cone with a butyl rubber surround. And looking at the design, the unassuming appearance of this Kenwood car audio subwoofer is an excellent addition to your car.
The Kenwood Excelon KFC-XW1200F is not the most affordable single shallow subwoofer you can find on the market, but as a 12″ shallow sub, it can outperform 10″ subs and requires only one to do the job of two. If you do the calculations, the cost of just one of these will save you more money than getting two more affordable options.
What We Like
- Shallow mount
- 12 inch sub
- Carbon glass fiber composite cone
- Butyl rubber surround
- Cast aluminum basket
- Just one is needed for booming bass
What We Don't Like
- Not great for those who don’t like vibrations
- Not the most affordable
6. Alpine S-W12D2 S-Series 12" Dual 2-Ohm Subwoofer
When it comes to subs, Alpine is known for the Alpine SWR T10. But now, the Alpine S-W12D2 S-Series are making some noise as it is the shallowest subwoofers in the market. In fact, they’re 1 inch shallower than their previous models. The voice coil is high temperature and high excursion, which is why this 12 inch is a better choice than the more affordable 10 inch subwoofer.
Like Type R subs, these subwoofers have an improved power handling up to 600 watts RMS, which is great for those who like to blast tunes in their vehicle without fear of blowing out the subs. Made with the strongest materials including a mix of Kevlar and mica among others, the oversized cone and dust cap can withstand the heat and resonance. This is also thanks to the inbuilt airflow management system.
What We Like
- High power handling at 600 watts RMS
- Very shallow car subwoofer
- Cheaper than the Alpine SWR T10
- Excellent audio quality bass
- Has lot of similarities to the Type R
- Single voice coil
- 5 layer DVC winding
- Parabolic oversized cone
What We Don't Like
- Not Type R
- You need to be careful when picking amps
7. JBL Club WS1000 10-inch Shallow Mount Subwoofer
The JBL Club WS1000 10-inch Shallow Mount Subwoofer is excellent and is one of the best shallow mount subwoofers right now. This subwoofer is powerful and complete with some of the most cutting-edge technologies and quality materials. Discover the perfect balance of quality and value – an investment you’ll be glad you made, as it’s truly worth every penny!.
Upgrade your audio game with this innovative 10-inch subwoofer, which is engineered to deliver deep, precise bass while maintaining a shallow mounting depth. With its selectable impedance feature, the JBL WS1000 offers unmatched flexibility, allowing seamless integration with your existing audio system.
The WS1000 boasts a very impressive power rating of 1200 watts with an RMS peak at 800. The low frequency response of this good subwoofer is also guaranteed to give you booming bass. With all these features, it’s definitely one of the best shallow mount subwoofers on the market
What We Like
- Very high peak power and RMS rating
- Centered Tube Suspension Design
- Floating Cone Attach Method Technology
- 10" Shallow mount
- Cast alloy basket
- Santoprene rubber surround
- Polypropylene Mica-filled cone
- Very impressive bass without distortions
- 4 ohm subwoofer
What We Don't Like
- A bit on the pricier side
- Not great for vented enclosures
Shallow Mount Subwoofers Buyer’s Guide
What constitutes a great shallow subwoofer? It’s not just the mounting depth, but it’s also about the power handling, dual voice coil, and frequency range. Our team is here to help you pick the best one to suit your vehicle and produce the great sound quality you were previously missing.
Size
Car subwoofer models aren’t like home theater subwoofers, where the bigger the size, the better it is. To clarify, a bigger subwoofer size doesn’t mean better and bigger bass in the case of car subs. The smallest recommended subwoofer size by our team is the 8-inch, and the smaller profile allows it to produce a faster bass frequency response (25 – 500 Hz)and punchier notes.
On the other hand, 10-inch subwoofers are the most common and offer the best balance between subwoofer size, sound, and performance. They can handle faster-paced content but can still deliver on the deep bass tones.
12-inch subwoofers are the best for heavier and richer bass, but they do require more space to mount. They usually have a higher power handling and a lower bass frequency range. However, not all cars have the space to accommodate a 12-inch, so you need to be sure it will fit into your vehicle.
There are also 6-inch and top-quality 15 inch subs but our experts feel that they are too small and too large for everyday car models and are much less common. Sticking with 8, 10 and 12 inches will bring you the best of both worlds.
Sound Quality and Bass
The audio quality will depend on a variety of factors. This includes the materials used to create the shallow subwoofer, and also the more technical capabilities such as power handling and sensitivity.
In general, you want your 8, 10, or 12 inch shallow mount subwoofers to be made with durable but flexible enough materials to handle the resonance and vibrations. If they are too rigid or too flexible, you won’t have enough give to mirror the precise bass.
Mica injected or filled polypropylene cones, Santoprene rubber surround, or an anodized aluminum cone are the best for shallow subwoofers on the market. You will also find that some brands have their own patented or extra technologies to help with the bass delivery such as Rockford Fosgate best subwoofers using spider vents and JL Audio with their Centered Tube Suspension Design.
Another important factor that will impact the audio quality of your sub is the frequency range. Since these are subwoofers we’re talking about, we don’t need them to hit high notes as often as we would with regular speakers. Most regular consumers are happy with subs that can produce somewhere within the range of 20 Hz -200 Hz.
Our team will now dive further into the different factors that contribute to the overall sound quality of your shallow subwoofer.
Power Rating
The power in your shallow subwoofers is the key to powerful audio. When comparing a 300 watts RMS to a 600 watt RMS sub, the 300 watts RMS subwoofer will not deliver powerful bass like a 600 watt sub will. The higher the number, the more power your shallow subwoofer generates. You will find two different rating figures, so what do they mean?
The max power or peak power handling is how much power your subwoofer can handle for a short time without blowing out. When choosing a subwoofer, you always to find that has a high handling power. The RMS rating is how many watts your sub can handle over a long period. The RMS wattage is lower than the power handling, and usually by double. For example, a peak power of 600 watts will more than likely get 300 watts RMS for continuous power.
Our experts say go for higher numbers if you crave more bass power. Take the size of your cabin and the size of the subwoofer into consideration as well. The larger the subwoofer is, the better chance you will have at more power. With a smaller cabin, you won’t need a lot of RMS power like 1800 watts to produce enveloping sound.
Sensitivity
Sensitivity is another factor that contributes to the sound quality and how loud a subwoofer is. You can have a sub with 300 watts RMS that produces less power than one with a lower rating if it has a low sensitivity. When looking for loud volumes, the sensitivity and the power rating go hand in hand.
The sensitivity is basically the rating of how efficient your sub is. How much power can it convert directly into sound? For the sensitivity rating, the higher the number the better. The figures will vary, but our team suggests looking for subwoofer options that have a sensitivity rating of around 90 dB [1].
Impedance
We then have the impedance of subwoofers, which outlines how efficient it is. The impedance refers to the resistance your subs have against the electrical current. 2, 4, 6, and 8 ohms are the most common. You might also find that your sound system will allow you to switch between different impedances, but this is more commonly found in home theater systems.
The impedance is an important figure to pay attention to when pairing a sub with an amplifier. Amplifiers are optimized to work with subs of a specific impedance, so make sure they match.
Voice Coils
You then have the coils, which should be temperature resistant for better performance. You will have an option of single voice coil or dual voice coil models. The difference is in the wiring. Dual coils offer more compatibility with different wiring options that can go with series and parallel installations.
Single coils will give you less flexibility but they are the more affordable options, which make them great for upgrading your car audio system or sound system on a budget. For example, a shallow sub with dual 2 ohm coils will produce great sound.
Installation
For installation, first understand if your sub will be better suited with a sealed or vented enclosure. The setup process should be easy and the instruction manual should be clear, hopefully with step-by-step diagrams.
A sealed box or enclosure is better for more precise bass relays and it usually has a smaller profile. However, a closed enclosure will require more power to reach sonic heights.
A vented enclosure provides louder bass, but you sacrifice the accuracy for the larger booms. Contrary to closed enclosures, a vented one is usually larger but it requires less power to reach high volumes.
Price and Warranty
Our experts often come across consumers complaining about broken parts, damaged products, and more in product reviews. For these reasons, our team always suggests purchasing a product with an extensive warranty. Preferably there will also be a money-back period or customer satisfaction guarantee. However, there will most likely only be a warranty.
As a helpful tip, our team says to look for a warranty that covers you for the longest period. You may find ones that are just valid for three months, but other ones can cover you for a lifetime. Other than the length of the warranty, it’s also a smart idea to look into what’s covered. Is it just damaged parts or certain components?
The next consideration is the price. Shallow subwoofers have pretty affordable prices, although we did include a premium option on our list. The better the sound quality, the higher the price, so for a dual 2 ohm sub, you can expect it will cost more than a single coil model.
For the most part, you get what you pay for, but if you decide to go with a reliable brand, then you will most likely end up with a satisfactory product. But our team doesn’t recommend going for the brand alone without compromising the other factors mentioned.
FAQ
What is the hardest hitting shallow Mount Subwoofer?
The hardest hitting shallow mount subwoofer is the JL Audio 13T5V2-4 Shallow Car Subwoofer. The peak power of the JL Audio masterpiece is an impressive 1200 watts with a 600 watt RMS to emphasize deep and rich bass.
Who makes the best shallow Mount Subwoofer?
Rockford Fosgate makes the best shallow mount subwoofer. Rockford Fosgate uses the most durable materials that guarantee longevity but also sonic precision. Rockford Fosgate also offers a variety of sizes, each with its own capability of pumping out heavy bass.
Are Shallow Mount Subs any good?
Yes, shallow mount subwoofers are good. Shallow subwoofers are the best choice for smaller spaces and a cleaner setup. These subs often have a smaller profile and are lighter and easier to install, so you won’t have to worry about weighing down your car.
What subwoofer has the deepest bass?
The JL Audio 13T5V2-4 has the deepest bass. Not only does it produce rich bass tones, but it is also one of the loudest ones in their class. For this reason, many often opt for just one of the JL audio subs to match the power of two from another brand.
Our Top Pick For a Shallow Mount Subwoofer: Rockford Fosgate 10 Inch Shallow Mount DVC Subwoofer
Our team’s top choice for the best shallow mount subwoofer is the Rockford Fosgate 10-Inch Shallow Mount DVC Subwoofer. This Rockford Fosgate model is made with premium materials such as mica and aluminum cones that are lightweight, durable, and help with sound production.
Best for closed enclosures, the 10″ shallow mount sub is an excellent choice for those that like heavy thumps but also bass accuracy. The very shallow profile will allow for an easy installation and is the perfect choice for tight spaces.
For more sub options, you can consider our list below:
