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Willie Greer
Want to boost your car audio? Placing a car subwoofer under your seat will bring you deep bass you can feel — but not if you don’t pick the right one. There is nothing worse than a subwoofer that underperforms. Our audio engineers are here to make sure that doesn’t happen to you. We put together a guide for the best under-seat subwoofers.
RW10CA
- Slim subwoofer
- 800W peak power
- Auto turn-on
- Thermal protection
BassPro SL
- Features a class-D amplifier
- Soft start
- Audio Sense
- Optional wired remote bass control
PWE-S8
- Built-in amplifier
- Cast aluminum enclosure
- Auto-sensing s inputs
- Phase and gain control
Reviews of the Best Under Seat Subwoofers
JBL BassPro Under-Seat SL Subwoofer
JBL is an excellent brand for audio technology, but how does the JBL BassPro sub perform? For starters, it’s a powered subwoofer with an in-built class D amplifier and it has a slim profile that won’t take up too much space under your car seat.
The bass is slow and gradual and won’t shock you right when you turn on your engine. The speaker level inputs have Audio Sense, which will automatically turn on the subwoofer.
Not only does the JBL BassPro deliver on audio quality, but it also boasts a solid construction and controls to upgrade your listening experience.
What We Like
- Excellent addition to your car audio system
- Can fit under most car seats
- Crossover level control
- Bass boost control
- Powered model
- Auto Sense
- Slow start
What We Don't Like
- No remote bass level control
- Not as powerful as some other under-seat subwoofers
Rockville RW10CA
Our editors picked the Rockville RW10CA as their pick for the futuristic design and the very sleek profile. As for the sound, the RW10CA is a powered sub with an excellent bass output of 800W at peak power. The subwoofer fits very well into tight spaces and comes with thermal, short and overload circuit protection.
Other very beneficial features the Rockville RW10CA subwoofer offers include PWM MOSFET power supply, RCA and high-level inputs, and soft delayed turn-on. You can adjust the input sensitivity as well and the amazing under-seat subwoofer also has a subsonic filter built in.
What We Like
- Very powerful car subwoofer
- Powered subwoofer model
- RCA and high-level inputs
- PWM MOSFET power supply
- Sleek design
- Bass remote and bass boost
- Low pass filter
- Subsonic filter
- Thermal, short and overload circuit protection
What We Don't Like
- Tuning can be difficult
- Doesn’t come with wiring
Alpine Electronics PWE-S8
The Alpine Electronics PWE-S8 is a very sturdy car subwoofer. The driver is housed in a cast-aluminum cabinet with the amplifier. There are RCA level inputs along with speaker level inputs for connection. The latter connection is auto-sensing for your convenience and the under-seat subwoofer also has phase control, crossover control and gain.
If you are tight on space, the PWE-S8 is your best bet. It has a very small footprint despite having a class D amplifier built in. The compact subwoofer is a high-excursion unit that provides enhanced sound clarity and great sounding bass that fits under your driver’s seat.
What We Like
- Great sound output
- Adjustable low pass crossover
- Very compact subs
- Has speaker level and RCA inputs
- Powered subwoofer with built-in amplifier
- Adequate frequency range
- Phase switch
- Automatic turn-on
- Very shallow-mount subwoofer
What We Don't Like
- It may have a rattling noise
- No overload protection circuit
Kenwood KSC-SW11
The Kenwood KSC-SW11 is a revered subwoofer known to deliver crisp bass to your car’s audio system. It is also housed in a cast-aluminum enclosure with a 150-watt built-in amp.
As one of the best underseat subwoofers, the Kenwood KSC-SW11 can also be mounted for security and it comes with its wiring harness. Although it’s a small design, the small under the seat sub adds significant bass to your system.
The wired remote allows for level, frequency and phase control. The RCA and speaker inputs heighten the compatibility of the subwoofer and your car sound system.
What We Like
- Comes with the mounting bracket and wiring harness
- Wired remote control
- Low profile
- Easy installation
- Powered subwoofer
- Boosts your overall sound quality
- Doesn’t need to be connected directly to the battery
What We Don't Like
- Smaller bass sound compared to larger subs
- No short protection circuit
Under Seat Subwoofers Buyer’s Guide
What does it take to make it on our audio team’s best under-seat subwoofers list? Let’s find out.
Size and Fit
Since you’re here looking for the best under-seat subwoofer, then you should know it requires a low profile. Your best bet is to take accurate measurements of the space below your seat to figure out if the subwoofer will fit. When in doubt, our team says the Kenwood KSC-SW11 is a good plan B because it is one of the smallest models on the car audio market.
Sound Quality and Bass
There are many factors that impact the sound quality and bass, some of the features will be explained in detail below. The construction of your subwoofer is a good example. There are topnotch powered subwoofers and passive ones, plus ones in vented or sealed enclosures.
What houses the subwoofer will impact the bass response. For example, if you want loud bass but don’t mind compromising on the accuracy, then our experts recommend a vented enclosure. For more precise bass delivery but a quieter sound, pick sealed cabinets.
The materials you pick for your under-seat sub should be durable but also reduces resonance and dampens vibrations.
Power
The power rating comes with two numbers – the peak power and the RMS power rating. The peak power is the one manufacturers often market to you, but it’s the watts RMS that matters. The peak output is the maximum power your subwoofer can handle in short bursts. You are not recommended to push your subs to the max over a long time.
The watts RMS is the figure you should pay attention to. It’s usually lower than the peak and is the correct rating for how much you can pump your subwoofer without risking a blowout. If you want powerful bass, look for a high watts RMS rating.
Frequency Response
Unlike speakers, subs don’t need a very wide frequency response. This is because their job is to only handle the low tones. Since it’s very difficult for the human ear to pick up any sounds below 20Hz, our team uses that as a gauge. Look for subs with a frequency response between 20Hz and around 400Hz if possible.
Sensitivity and Impedance
Then there is the sensitivity and impedance to consider. These numbers are more important for a passive sub and not a compact powered subwoofer. This is because the impedance is necessary to match with the right wires. On the contrary, you want the lowest number when looking at impedance.
The impedance, which is measured in ohms [1], refers to the amount of resistance your device has to the electrical current. The higher the impedance, the more power your sub needs to draw to match the performance of a lower impedance subwoofer. Ideally, our expert engineers recommend 2 ohms.
The sensitivity will impact how loud your frequency response will be. The right sensitivity rating will equal a more efficient sub. Subwoofer sensitivity is measured in decibels or dB, and our audiophiles suggest 90 and above, although anything around 88 is acceptable.
Ease of Use and Installation
Now let us take a look at the operation of the best under-seat subwoofer. You want the installation to be simple and straightforward. Look for subs that have both speaker level and RCA inputs. If your sub comes with heavy-duty mounting feet, it will keep your car subwoofer secure and in place.
What’s better for convenience and inputting settings than a remote control? Some subs have a remote control included with access to capabilities such as adjustable input sensitivity, and a variable bass boost. You may get a wired remote control but there are also wireless options attached to some units.
Some other important features to look for in higher-value models will include a variable low pass filter, a short, overload, and thermal protection circuit, low-level inputs, and a quick-connect power plug.
(Looking for the perfect sub to use outdoor? Then, you can check our list of the top outdoor subwoofers available today)
Pros and Cons of an Under Seat Subwoofer
As you may know, there are various types of car subwoofers. We have component subs, ones that are meant to be placed in the trunk, and of course, the under-seat models. You may be wondering about the benefits and drawbacks of the units that fit under the seat and why you should get one.
First of all, under-seat subs will most likely come with their own built-in amp. Having this component included will save you time. You won’t need to filter through products to find one that’s compatible with your system.
The under-seat models are also very easy to install. The focus of these subs is on the slim construction that is small but powerful. Since they are designed for small spaces, they can fit easily under your car seat and are lightweight as well. These subwoofers are great options for someone looking for an all-in-one unit that’s no fuss and our audio team highly recommends them.
That’s not to say there are no downsides to these devices. Even though some of the products can reach an 800W peak, that’s about as high as our team has ever seen. There is only so much manufacturers can do with a small and compact body. Especially since the amp is included, it will take up precious space that could probably accommodate a larger driver for a bigger sound.
If you compare an under-seat sub to a trunk subwoofer, for example, you will notice a discrepancy in the power rating.
Another con is the subwoofer will take up legroom. If you or the passenger don’t stick your legs under the seat or manage to find a sub size that fits perfectly under the seat then this won’t be a problem. However, not everything can be perfect. You may end up with a model that juts out a few inches, and this will compromise on space.
Lastly, these small and thin subs may not be the most durable. To get them to this ideal size, manufacturers often forgo fancy build protections. This isn’t always the case, as the Rockville RW10CA is plenty robust with excellent safeguards such as thermal, overload and short protection.
FAQ
Are underseat subwoofers any good?
Yes, underseat subwoofers are good. These slim and compact units can save space while still providing drivers and passengers with boosted bass tones. Not to mention, they are more affordable compared to other subwoofers and are very easy to install. Underseat car subwoofers usually include an amp, which makes them all-in-one audio boosting tools.
Which underseat subwoofer is best?
The JBL BassPro underseat subwoofer is the best. The subwoofer is high-excursion with a class D amplifier embedded inside. There are plenty of customizable controls you can try with the optional bass remote controller for deep and rich bass. As for extra features, the JBL BassPro device has Audio Sense and a soft start.
Our Top Pick For an Under Seat Subwoofer: JBL BassPro
Our sound team has concluded that the JBL BassPro is the best choice for an under-seat subwoofer. The small device is easy to install with both speaker level and RCA inputs. The sub features capabilities that include bass boost settings and an inner class D amp. All the parts are enclosed in an ABS plastic cabinet that will reduce resonance.
For similar subwoofer products, we also listed the following below:
