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Willie Greer - July 20, 2021
Subwoofers 1000 and under seem to be a good standard for great sound. But not all subwoofers are created the same, and not all of them can provide the deep bass you have always wanted. How do you make sure your hard-earned cash is going to the right place? Our sonic experts are here to help with the best subwoofers under 1,000.
- Sleek finish
- Acoustic suspension enclosure
- Front-firing
- 1000-watt output
- Package bundle with adapter
- Plug-and-play design
- 114 dB sensitivity
- Front-firing
- High-excursion cone
- 700 watts peak and 300 RMS
- Rigid bracing
- Affordable price point
Reviews of the Best Subwoofers Under $1000
Klipsch SPL-120
The Klipsch SPL-120 is a front-firing subwoofer that features the brand’s signature cerametallic woofers. The subwoofer also has the trademark bronze color. These woofers are more lightweight and rigid for less distortion and better sound quality.
As an active sub model, the in-built amplifier featured in the SPL-120 boosts the power output to 600 watts. When the wattage is paired with the 114 dB sensitivity rating, you can expect booming bass music from your new subwoofer.
Setup is incredibly easy with the Klipsch SPL-120. It is a plug and play design that integrates into your home theater layout in under a minute.
What We Like
- High power output
- Powered sub model
- Front-firing woofer
- Cerametallic cone woofers
- High sensitivity rating
- Class D amplifier
- Low pass crossover
- Variable phase control
What We Don’t Like
- Not a very small profile
- Returns aren’t free
SUNFIRE 10” 1000W Powered Subwoofer
The Sunfire 10-Inch HRS-10 subwoofer is our audio professionals’ premium option for the power output. The 10-inch compact sub can reach heights of 1,000 watts. The low frequency range is also impressive, as it can cover down to 20Hz, which is the lowest figure in the human audible range.
The specially designed voice coil from the brand will produce high-back EMF, which is what is responsible for the high-level output. The sub also features Sunfire’s patented TDT (Tracking Downconverter Technology), which auto-adjusts the amp to suit the subwoofer signal.
All the innovative technology is housed in a durable MDF enclosure that reduces distortion and vibrations.
What We Like
- Volume, low-pass and phase controls
- Line-level and speaker-level inputs
- Auto turn-on
- MDF cabinet
- Tracking Downconverter Technology
- Specially designed voice coil
- Reaches sounds of 20 Hz
- High power output of 1000 watts
- Compact size
- Powered sub
What We Don’t Like
- No display
- Needs breaking in
SVS PB-1000 10”
The SVS PB-1000 made it onto our list as our budget choice for your home theater setup. As a more compact 10-inch model, you can still expect big bass from this sub. The cone is high excursion, which beats out other models with a weaker cone.
The powered subwoofer has a Sledge STA-300D amp that takes control of the driver and frequency response to deliver sound at new levels.
It’s a little heavy, but that’s due to the heavily braced construction that will dampen vibrations to reduce distortion. The durable cabinet happens to be custom tuned as well, which will clean up the bass at all volume levels.
What We Like
- High excursion woofer
- Strong bracing
- Sledge STA-300D amplifier
- 700 watts at peak power
- Custom ported cabinet for ultra bass response
- Easy integration
- Premium finish
- Affordable price
What We Don’t Like
- A little heavy for the size
- Only 300 watts RMS
ELAC Debut 2.0 SUB3030
Elac Debut has excellent floorstanding speakers, but how do their subs measure up? The Elac Debut SUB3030 is quite impressive for bass volume and enveloping audio. Our team of testers loved the Bluetooth wireless connectivity, as it is easier to control your sub and daisy chain your setup.
There is EQ adjustment but the SUB3030 is more than capable of auto-tuning itself to suit its surroundings. The 12” long-throw driver will project the bass even further for higher performance.
Don’t worry about amplifiers as this active model comes with its own BASH amp, that is efficient and tracks the input signal.
What We Like
- Features Bluetooth control
- Auto EQ optimization
- Long-throw driver
- BASH amplifier
- Has a horizontal center brace
- Easy control via your smartphone
- Auto on/off function
What We Don’t Like
- Better for smaller rooms
- Bluetooth strength depends on distance
Bose Bass Module 700
The Bose Bass Module 700 always manages to blow our audio team away with its beautiful appearance. The addition of the Bass Module 700 can instantly elevate your home theater setup. The Bose subwoofer boasts a cableless design that saves you the need for messy cables and wires.
Quiet Port Technology ensures no distortion and barely audible port noise that will only make the bass seem cleaner and louder.
Pair the Bass Module 700 with the rest of your Bose system to experience a seamless integration and lag-free audio performance.
What We Like
- Comes in black and white
- Premium glass top finish
- High-quality sound
- Quiet Port Technology
- No wires needed
- Compact and lightweight
- Pairs with the Bose app for more control
What We Don’t Like
- Requires a Bose system
- A cabled connection can be more reliable
SVS SB-1000
SVS makes outstanding subs, which is why they consistently appear on our audio engineers’ list of best subwoofers under 1,000. The SVS SB-1000 is a slightly larger option because it features a larger 12” cone. The RMS is 325 with a peak power rating of over 820 watts – excellent for small to medium rooms.
The sub is low distortion and has a class D efficiency amp that maintains optimal control over the driver. The high excursion woofer is powered by a dual ferrite motor and the long-throw woofer brings parabolic surround sound.
What We Like
- Sledge STA-325D amplifier
- Small with a 12” woofer
- Long-throw and high-excursion drivers
- Digital signal processing
- Pairs with the brand’s smartphone app
- Rigidly braced cabinet
- Sealed cabinet for accuracy
- Bluetooth control
- Frequency response down to 20Hz
What We Don’t Like
- More suitable for listening to music in a smaller room
- Larger in size
SVS PB-1000 Pro 12"
Another SVS option is the PB-1000 Pro 12″. As another 12-inch version, you can expect to hear bass tones brought to the surface. The PB-1000 features much of the same characteristics as the SB-1000 except it has a dual ported cabinet.
A ported enclosure allows a subwoofer to hit higher wattages without distortion, but it can compromise the intricate details of some audio. The Sledge amp has a discrete MOSFET output and pairs with the phone app for easy monitoring and control.
The SVS PB-1000 will deliver cinematic parabolic sound that virtually cancels out all distortion at any volume.
What We Like
- Efficient amplifier performance
- Double-ported enclosure
- Sledge amp
- MOSFET output
- Cancels distortion
- Bluetooth-controlled sub
- Frequency response at an all-time low 17 Hz
What We Don’t Like
- Takes up space
- Is a little heavy for the size
Cerwin-Vega XLS-15S
The Cerwin-Vega XLS-15S is a heavy-duty pro design our audio professionals chose for its specifications. For starters, the subwoofer includes a large 15-inch cast frame woofer cone. The beautiful black ash enclosure has a bass reflex design for more expansion and it has an auto on sensing feature.
The front-firing sub will please bass enthusiasts as it gives users the option to use the polarity switch, level controls, and variable subwoofer crossovers.
Since it’s a larger model, the Cerwin-Vega XLS-15S is heavier and takes up more space compared to 10 or 12-inch models. Our team found that it offers the best performance in a 5.1 or 7.1 system.
What We Like
- Excellent frequency range and response
- Larger woofer
- Produces deep and low tones
- Many inputs
- User selected polarity switch
- Active model
- Bass reflex
- Luxurious cabinet
What We Don’t Like
- Not a class D amplifier
- 78 pounds
ELAC Debut 2.0 SUB3010
The Elac Debut SUB3010 is much like its 3030 counterpart. It also offers Bluetooth control and an elegant wood finish. What our sonic engineers really appreciated was the auto EQ that takes the effort out of your hands. The subwoofer will automatically calibrate and find the best settings for your room.
The ELAC custom driver with the BASH amplifier will elevate the subwoofer performance to new heights with clearer and louder bass.
The rigidly-braced cabinet protects the passive radiator and the sub can be connected to a multi-room system through the app.
What We Like
- Automated room EQ settings
- Bluetooth control
- App compatible
- BASH amplifier
- Custom drivers
- Passive radiator for clean bass
- Durable braced cabinet
What We Don’t Like
- Weaker than some other models
- Firmware can be troublesome at times
BEHRINGER EUROLIVE B1200D-PRO
The Behringer Eurolive subwoofer is excellent for professional applications. It works stunningly as a PA subwoofer that can permeate large venues with heightened sounds. It features a long-excursion transducer and the high temperature voice coil withstands the heat for long hours.
The subwoofer has no problem hitting the ultra-low frequencies and the top-quality class D amp 500 watts can calibrate the signals for the most precise audio relays.
There is an active stereo crossover within the Behringer B1200D-PRO sub and high-pass filtered outputs that gives more range. The phase switch and variable high cut control allows this sub to pair well with speakers for sound alignment.
What We Like
- High temperature voice coil
- Long-excursion transducer
- Can hit the ultra-low tones
- 500 watts class D amp
- Level control
- Bass boost
- Phase switch
- Intelligent limiter
- LED lights for status display
What We Don’t Like
- RMS is low
- Must register the item to have the warranty protection
Subwoofer Under $1000 Buyer’s Guide
When you’re buying a subwoofer or speaker, the key is to know what to look for. It’s not just about the compatibility with the rest of your speakers, but you have to consider the type of subwoofer you want, the audio quality and the materials used. Our sound team has years of experience and has put together a quick checklist to help you find the best subwoofer under 1000.
Size
Some people don’t realize that the size of the subwoofer you choose will impact the sound. In general, the larger the subwoofer, the higher the watts and louder the sound. There are a variety of sizes you can choose from. You can find 8, 10, 12 and even 15-inch models for regular home theaters.
Is there a difference between larger and smaller subs aside from the loudness? Yes, smaller subs usually have more precision. This is the same with the type of enclosure. Ported or vented cabinets will allow for more airflow, better ventilation, and louder bass.
The sealed enclosures are the ones that result in more accurate sounds, but you don’t get power ratings as high as their ported counterparts.
Our audiophiles also remind readers that the size isn’t referring to the size of the actual sub, but just the cone. You need to keep in mind that a larger cone will often result in a cabinet that is up to 5 inches larger, which can take up a significant amount of space.
Don’t only consider the size of the woofer cone, but factor in the amount of space you have to spare as well. You may find yourself having to find the best balance between space allocation and power.
To help you out, our team members suggest going for either the 12 or slightly smaller 10-inch models. You will still get to enjoy heavy bass sound production but also give yourself more room to work with.
Luckily, the 10 and 12 units are also the most widely available and most common. Larger units are usually heavier, so if you plan on reorganizing the layout of your entertainment room more than once, you may want to consider the 10-inch.
We will cover the type of sub in the next section, but we will mention here that whether or not your subwoofer has an internal amp will impact the size as well.
Type of Subwoofer
There are two types of subwoofers – powered/active and passive, and they can come in different enclosures. What’s the difference? Active or powered subwoofers have an internal amp built in, which means there is less of a hassle for you to pair it with a compatible one. This will save you loads of time, especially if you aren’t well-versed in crossovers and wattages.
It all sounds great, but there are downsides to an active model. One of the drawbacks of having an amp intertwined within is you will need to switch out the subwoofer entirely if you plan on customizing your system down the line. Since the amp is its own separate part within the enclosure, it will definitely add to the weight and size of the subwoofer overall.
Since most people tend to gravitate towards the all-in-one active models, they are the more widely available choice. Passive subwoofers are excellent for sound production and audiophiles can mix and match different parts of their home theater system for a personalized experience.
Of course, it will require some basic knowledge of compatibility for wiring and wattage. These subs will also afford more placement flexibility due to their lightweight profiles. The good news is you won’t have to purchase a new sub if you decide to upgrade as the sub and amp are separate.
Then there are the separate types of enclosures. You have a choice of either ported or sealed cabinet subs and some subs produce higher quality sound with one over the other. In general, our tuning engineers say ported, also known as vented enclosures, work better for heat dissipation, and airflow. Therefore, a ported enclosure provides louder sound.
On the other hand, sealed enclosures do limit the volume but it won’t reduce the levels you hear by too much. Sealed options will help narrow down the precision of the bass delivery, which means cleaner sound unlike the ported options.
Which type should you get and what kind of cabinet should you choose? If you like to hear explosive bass sounds and don’t care much for the intricate details, then our experts advise going for a ported unit. If you don’t play your music at high volumes or need earth-shattering bass, then choose a sealed model for more accuracy.
Whether or not you go for active subs will depend on your preference. For beginners just starting to build your home theater system, our professional team suggests choosing an active model.
Power
The power rating is an area of great contention between manufacturers and consumers. This is because many people pick their subwoofers based on the wattage outputs, because who doesn’t want to hear louder bass?
If the subs don’t perform up to their promise, then consumers can get discouraged. It’s because users don’t understand that they must differentiate between the peak power rating and the RMS. The peak power rating is more impressive as it’s significantly higher than the alternative. However, the RMS is the actual continuous power rating at which your speakers can handle without blowing out.
The peak power is the rating for short bursts. If you play your subwoofers at the peak power for long periods, you will damage your unit and need to invoke the warranty.
There is no limit to the peak power wattage our experts recommend but a 500-watt peak rating is the very minimum. For RMS rating, we suggest at least 300 watts RMS.
Sound Quality and Bass
The best subwoofer will no doubt be able to produce exceptional sound for your music, movies and other content. This is with the help of the woofer and other technologies and features such as passive radiators. Some extra bonus technologies to look for are room correction and any sort of auto-tuning where the sub can detect and sense the layout of your room and calibrate accordingly.
Brands may offer features that perform the same functions but they will be under differing names. Having a low-pass filter, bass boost, phase and EQ control will further your ability to customize the sound to your liking.
You should also try to pair the subs you choose with your speaker system and see how they function together in the room. You want a sub that can complement the capabilities of the speaker and take care of the low frequency production that the speaker cannot.
Frequency Response
You need a subwoofer with a high frequency response for the best music and movie production. To ensure this, let’s take a look at the frequency range. The human audible range [1], which is the range of frequencies we can hear, is from 20Hz to 20kHz. In theory, we won’t register anything beyond this range. It can have subtle effects on the sounds such as rounding out the soundstage, but the impact is ultra minimal.
Since we are looking at subwoofers, we need to look at the deep bass production. Finding a subwoofer that can reach as deep as 20Hz or as close to it as possible is your best bet. The SVS PB-1000 is an example of a sub that hits below 20Hz. For a sub that can get to 20Hz, we have the Sunfire model and the SVS SB-1000.
Crossover
You will often see the word “crossover” when looking at subwoofer and speaker units. The crossover acts as a sound filter within your home speaker system. When you play your music, the crossover’s job is to identify the different sounds and allocate them to the right part of your system.
For example, the crossover will make sure the highest frequencies get diverted to your tweeters while the low end of the spectrum is redirected to your sub. The crossover frequency dictates what level of signal frequency goes to your sub. So if your crossover is 200Hz, any signal under that rating will be driven to your sub.
The right crossover frequencies within your speaker system determines how efficient your audio sub is and affects the overall sound quality. You can’t have good bass without compatible crossovers with the rest of your setup.
Driver and Cone
The drivers and cones are what pumps out the best sound quality. Aside from the size, which we mentioned above, you have to look at the materials used and the technology behind the construction.
For example, Klipsch utilizes cerametallic cone woofers that are lightweight with the right amount of rigidity for maximum excursion. Other materials can deliver deep low-end sounds as well, such as treated paper and even ones with Kevlar infused. Look for subs with high-quality construction to ensure longevity.
You want the basket to have sufficient cooling and airflow to support longer playing hours. A high-temperature voice coil will also ensure better heat dissipation and resistance, and a ported cabinet will also help with that.
(To know the difference among drivers, you can also check how we compare subwoofer and woofer here)
Front-Firing vs Down-Firing Subwoofer
There are enclosures to consider, active or passive models and the size, but the features of the cone that impact sound doesn’t stop there. There are also front or down-firing woofers to think about. Speakers have up-firing cones but subwoofers focus on either projecting the sound down or directly to you.
The impact of front-firing or down-firing models mostly affect the placement rather than sonic quality. As the name suggests, front-firing units will direct the sound straight out, which makes them excellent options to place at the front of the room, facing your listening spot.
Overtly named, down-firing subs aim the signal downward. This means the sound will be ejected into the floorboards and travel along the ground to you. This type of bass sound will deliver more rumbles and vibrations that you can feel in your body. Our experts say this type of subs is usually seen in the corners of the room or off to the sides.
No matter which type you choose, make sure to direct the subwoofer to your listening location. The one you pick will be entirely up to personal preference. A few members of our engineering team prefer the vibrating bass while others like a direct line of projection without obstructions.
Wired vs Wireless Subwoofer
In this day and age, we’re lucky enough to exist in an era where wireless connection is ubiquitous. Subwoofers can be wireless as well, and some wired models can be converted into wireless with the right kit.
The Bose Bass Module 700 for example, is an excellent example of a sub without cables. As with anything else, there are pros and cons to either choice.
Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of wireless units. The benefits of a wireless unit are largely focused on convenience and placement. You aren’t limited by the length of wires or where your power source is located. You can feel free to move the device anywhere you like, as long as it’s within the Bluetooth or Wi-Fi recommended distance.
The downside to this type is the rest of your setup may not be wireless, which will take conversion to work. Also, cabled connections will always be more stable than wireless. If the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth in your house is acting up, then you are at the mercy of the technician.
A wired subwoofer not only produces a stabler connection, but if one wire doesn’t work, you can just choose a different one. Yes, you are more limited by the cable and where your power source is located, but you can just opt for longer subwoofer wires. The cables can be a tripping hazard, especially if they are extra long and run across the floor, so make sure you secure them or lead them along the bottom of the walls.
Which one should you go for? It’s entirely up to your preference and your setup.
Price and Warranty
The best subwoofers under 1000 will come with a lengthy warranty. A 1-year warranty is standard, but look for ones that offer more. Don’t forget to read the fine text to find out what’s covered.
A money-back guarantee is also advised because if you get a defective item or one that fails within a few weeks that’s no fault on your part, you want to be able to get an exchange or refund.
For the price range of under 1000, our sound team is very sure that you can find a high-quality subwoofer with more than enough technological features to produce excellent bass for your music and movies.
Just make sure they match the rest of your speakers in terms of crossover and wattage. If you need to purchase extra conversion kits, amp or wires, you should also factor that into the cost of your sub.
FAQ
How do I set up subwoofers for my home theater?
You can set up subwoofers for your home theater easily if you identify the type. Front-firing subwoofers should be placed at the front of the room while down-firing subwoofers are better near the walls. If you have a wireless model, just put it into pairing mode to connect to the rest of your speakers. For cabled units, the setup should be a plug-and-play design once you have identified the right wire and input.
Our Top Pick For a Subwoofer Under $1000:
Klipsch SPL-120
Our professional sound engineers have landed on the Klipsch SPL-120 as the best subwoofer under 1000. It comes with its own adapter and features many of Klipsch’s proprietary traits such as the cerametallic woofers and geometry. You can tune the sub to your liking with the variable phase control and low-pass crossover for highly improved sound.
For helpful guides on your home theater setup, you can also check the pages below:
