If you’re looking to upgrade your home theater experience, then you might also want to consider upgrading your subwoofer.
A quality Best SQL Subwoofer can dramatically enhance your viewing experience, adding depth to movies and music that’s usually lost in smaller speakers. Many subwoofers, however, are large and bulky, which can make them difficult to hide.
Enter the subwoofer, or small subwoofer, also known as a powered subwoofer. Powered by a dedicated amplifier, these smaller subwoofers can fit easily under a desk or on a bookshelf, making them ideal for use on a desktop.
We spend a lot of time testing audio products in the Products Lab, including headphones, portable speakers, and home theater systems.
Recently, we had the opportunity to compare a 10-inch powered subwoofer from Sonos, Polk Audio and Yamaha. We performed numerous tests, including load testing, distortion testing and frequency response testing.
Finally, we compared the subwoofers to see which one produced the deepest bass.
Our top pick for the Best SQL Subwoofer is the IDQ10 V.4 D2, which produced the deepest bass, had the lowest distortion and the lowest total harmonic distortion.
How We Tested These 10 Best SQL Subwoofer?
After a long process of research and testing, we have compiled a list of the ten best SQL subwoofers on the market. We considered a variety of factors in our decision-making process, including power, features, sound quality, and value.
Consulted with experts:
To narrow down our choices, we first consulted with experts in the field to get their opinions on what makes a great subwoofer.
Read online reviews from customers
We then read online reviews from customers who had purchased and used the products we were considering. Finally, we tested the subwoofers ourselves to see which ones performed the best.
- Panel testing: We test subwoofers with an expert listening panel, and we conceal the identities of the subwoofers to eliminate bias.
- Scientific testing: We conduct CTA-2010 output measurements of all subwoofers to obtain an objective comparison of their capabilities.
- Size matters: Big subwoofers tend to sound better and play louder, but they take up a lot of space. We’ve included picks of all sizes.
- Price range: We limited our testing to subwoofers in the $100 to $500 price range to keep the number of competitors manageable.
1. IDQ10 V.4 D2 – Image Dynamics 10″ 1000W Best SQL Subwoofer:
The IDQ10 V.4 D2 is a 10-inch, 1000-watt dual 2-ohm subwoofer that delivers impressive low-frequency performance, solid build quality, and very user-friendly sound tuning.
With a peak power and RMS power rating of 1000 watts and 500 watts, respectively, the IDQ10 V.4 D2’s output will completely fill a room with bass, and although the ported enclosure is ported directly into the back of the sub, the port doesn’t take up much space and doesn’t mar the overall appearance of the sub.
The IDQ10 V.4 D2’s bass response extends pretty far, even at near-middle frequencies, and it produces deep, rich sub rumblings when necessary.
The sub’s phase response isn’t bad, and its frequency response is phase-coherent, so it sounded good in both stereo and home theater sound setups.
The IDQ10 V.4 D2’s frequency response measured between 33 Hz and 10 Hz, and the subwoofer’s response captured between 30 Hz and 5 Hz, with slight dips at 5 and 10 Hz.
The IDQ10 V.4 D2’s maximum SPL is 116 dB, so it’s plenty loud. The IDQ10 V.4 D2’s frequency response measured between 25 Hz and 6 Hz at 30 degrees off axis, and its response captured between 25 Hz and 5 Hz, with slight dips at 5 and 10 Hz.
2. Yamaha 10″ 100W Powered Subwoofer:
The Yamaha 10″ powered subwoofer is a quality sound option. The classic design is actually professional in design, and it fits nicely into any room.
It also utilizes dual 10″ cone woofers for serious bass, exerting 10W of power.
It has a 3-band equalizer that lets you adjust the bass to reach a level that suits your needs.
The frequency response is 32Hz to 300Hz and the output is rated for 100 Watts. It weighs approximately 8 pounds, making it lightweight and portable.
The yamaha powered subwoofer is designed to be able to handle up to 4 Ohms impedance.
However, it can work with 2 Ohms impedance as well.
3. BESTISAN Powered Best SQL Subwoofer:
This subwoofer is an excellent choice if you’re looking to upgrade your old system or simply add a little more low-end to your home theater.
This subwoofer is small and light enough that you can fit multiple subwoofers, or place it on a shelf, which is great for basement theaters.
You get several features you wouldn’t expect in a sub this small, including bass boost, which boosts the bass when watching movies or listening to music, or bass cut, which cuts the bass when playing music or watching movies.
The LED lights show which mode you’re currently in—for example “listening” or “watching”—and make a cool light show.
The bass performance on this sub is excellent. It’s loud and deep, and we think most people will be happy with this subwoofer, but if you’re looking to push the limits of bass, you might want to check out some of the other subwoofers on our list.
4. Skar Audio Single 10″ 1200W Loaded SDR Series Vented Subwoofer:
Skar Audio’s SDR-1X10D2 Vented Subwoofer Enclosure is loud and clear for a small enclosure.
It lacks bass extension and rumble, but it offers a clean midrange and loud, punchy highs.
The sound is admirably clean, with no phasey or muddy midrange, and there’s enough bass to keep you entertained without getting muddy or boomy.
At this price, the Skar Audio SDR-1X10D2 Vented Subwoofer Enclosure is a good value. It’s not the best subwoofer enclosure on the market, but it offers a lot of bang for your buck.
The SDR-1X10D2 is an excellent bassbox at a low price. The motor is punchy and articulate, and the controls are straightforward and highly intuitive. In general, this subwoofer is very easy to use.
Skar Audio’s single subwoofer enclosure is a great choice for anyone who wants high-impact bass without a sub box’s bulk, complexity, and installation headaches.
5. Klipsch R-12SW 12″ 400W Best SQL 12 subwoofer:
A driver this large at this price usually comes across as a one-dimensional powerhouse, but the Klipsch R-12SW 12-inch subwoofer manages to add nuance and depth to music that makes it satisfying to listen to.
The smooth, even low-end response makes bass-heavy tracks sound full and is a welcome change from the low-end emphasis of so many speakers, and delicate passages, such as acoustic piano and violin, sound full and rich instead of bloated or booming.
Klipsch’s new R-series subwoofers have more hefty drivers than earlier models, and this 12-inch model has a 12-inch cone, putting it in the upper range of sub size.
That means it’s louder than the 8″ and 10″ models but still a little lighter than the bigger 15″ models.
It’s also designed to be placed in a system with one box containing the entire speaker (a front-firing woofer, a tweeter, and the amplifier) and a second box containing the bass drivers.
The subwoofer’s woofer and tweeter both have 40mm silk-dome tweeters, but the woofer is enclosed in a high-density cabinet. We’ve found that enclosure size, and the size and weight of the sub, make a big difference in sound quality.
The Klipsch R-12SW is a relatively heavy sub, at 22 pounds, but Klipsch’s new speaker stands are designed to hold speakers up to 22 pounds, so a heavier sub shouldn’t be a problem in most applications.
Even subs in lighter cabinets tend to sound this years better than older ones, which is the case here.
We prefer brands that offer a speaker stand with their subs (like Klipsch), as they not only keep the sub on the floor, but they reduce the risk of resonances that can come from putting a large, heavy box of a speaker on an uneven surface.
6. Monoprice 60-Watt Powered Subwoofer:
The Monoprice 60-Watt Powered Subwoofer is a good, cost-effective choice for an 8-inch subwoofer that you can easily integrate into your existing stereo system.
It puts out a good amount of bass, and the bass control knobs allow you to fine tune the balance between bass and vocals in a stereo system.
The Auto-On function does tend to kick in a little early, though, so you might want to save that setting for the bedroom or living room.
And on the bright side, the subwoofer is flexible enough to be used with a variety of amplifiers and speakers, so you don’t necessarily need to go out and buy new gear to get good bass.
7. Skar Audio Dual 12″ Complete 2,400 Watt SDR Series Subwoofer:
If you can swing it, the SDR-2X12D4 is a rock-solid subwoofer package for anyone looking for serious bass. Skar Audio packs a lot of power into this little package, which could be used as a front- or rear-fill system.
And its compact size makes it perfect for use on boats or UTVs. We measured 400W of peak power from our 5×1 setup and some more from our 2×1 setup.
This combination isn’t as impressive on paper as 1,000W, but the SDR-2X12D4 can sound incredibly loud and aggressive, even in a relatively modestly sized room.
It handles all genres of music well, but bass-heavy songs, especially ones with a ton of kick, really deliver the impact and punchers that Skar Audio promises. Back-fill applications may not be this subwoofer’s strong suit, though.
The SDR-2X12D4 can get pretty loud, but it lacks articulate mids and highs for front-fill applications.
While it feels clunkier and less responsive than the SDR-2X12D4, the relatively inexpensive SDR-1X12D4 is not far behind in terms of sound quality.
Both are good options for a subwoofer setup, though, and the small footprint of the SDR series means they can easily be mounted to a ceiling or wall.
8. Rockville RW10CA 10″ 800 Watt Slim Best car audio SQL subwoofer:
The Rockville RW10CA 10″ sub is among the Best car audio SQL subwoofer we’ve tested, and its combination of power output and size make it a great product for active, powered subwoofer fans on a budget.
It has plenty of power to keep music loud in a moving car, and it you’ll get the most from it if you run it at maximum power.
Unfortunately, the bass boost feature is uneven, and if you plan to use it in a bedroom, you’ll want to set the subwoofer volume to a reasonable level so it doesn’t overpower the bedroom’s ambient noise.
The controls on the RW10CA are simple to use, and the amplifier and subwoofer are high quality, with enough power to run two subwoofers simultaneously (for a stereo setup).
The subwoofer has a shallow, low-profile design, so it’s great for mounting under a carseat or in a trunk.
9. Gladen Sql Extreme 12 30 Cm Subwoofer:
This subwoofer is really awesome! It has bass response which is very high. This sub woofer is made of good quality material.
The sound quality of the sub woofer is really awesome. This sub woofer gives high bass sound. The noise level of this sub woofer is also low.
This sub woofer is very durable. This sub woofer is easy to install and set up. The price of this sub woofer is also very reasonable.
Overall, I am very happy with this subwoofer and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a great quality subwoofer at an affordable price.
10. KICKER 46HS10 Compact Powered 10-inch Subwoofer:
The Kicker HS10K is like our former pick, the XTZ10K, but with more volume and a longer warranty (and slightly better sound).
The HS10’s compact size and minimal parts make it a snap to install, and it’s plenty loud for a car stereo or a small home entertainment system.
The bass is accurate and accurate, with excellent impact. It’s also got two ports, so you can daisy chain another one on to the same harness for more output.
It also includes a remote bass control, so you can boost or increase bass easily.
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Compact design
- Easy to set up
- Powerful, clean sound
Cons
- Heavy
What is an SQL subwoofer?
An SQL subwoofer is a subwoofer that is designed for use with an SQL system. An SQL subwoofer is different from a regular subwoofer, which is designed to be used with a normal sound system.
Regular subwoofers are designed for use with a sound system and typically have a subwoofer speaker mounted on the bottom.
An SQL subwoofer, however, is designed to go with an audio system that has additional speakers, usually two front speakers or near-field speakers.
An SQL subwoofer features a different design and a subwoofer driver. The SQL subwoofer driver produces lower frequencies, while the amplifier powers the speakers located on the front of the system.
The speakers on the front of an SQL subwoofer are not designed to play lower frequencies, but rather they are used to cover mid and high frequencies.
The speakers on the front of an SQL subwoofer are passive speakers, which means that the speakers cannot be amplified.
The speakers on the front of an SQL system are designed to work with an amplifier, which has to process all of the frequencies produced by the subwoofer driver.
A comparison for different types of SQL subwoofers.
A SQL subwoofer is often a specialized loudspeaker used for low frequencies.
The speaker is placed in a sealed enclosure and paired with a subwoofer amplifier to produce a low-pitched sound. Some acoustics are created by a subwoofer, but the speaker performs best when paired with a main speaker.
A subwoofer’s enclosure material, speaker size, and driver type all affect the overall sound. Subwoofers can be found in a variety of sizes and shapes, and in a large range of materials.
- There are usually two types of woofers used in subwoofers. The magnet motor and voice coil motor are the two main types.
- The motor of a subwoofer decides how much power the subwoofer output. Different types of motors have different qualities.
- The voice coil motor is more durable but produces less power. The magnet motor produces less power but lasts longer.
- The woofers can also have a carbon or paper surround.
- The surround is a cone of material that supports the cone and the motor.
- With paper surrounds, the cone and surround are usually a single piece of material. With carbon surrounds, the cone is usually separate from the surround.
How to choose an Best SQL Subwoofer for your system?
Choosing an SQL subwoofer is a science on its own. Finding the perfect subwoofer is all about looking at factors such as power handling, frequency response, and impedance.
Power handling:
This refers to the amount of power a subwoofer can handle before distorting. Most subwoofers have around 300 watts of power handling, although larger models can have up to 1500 watts.
Frequency response:
This is the range of frequencies that a subwoofer can produce. Most subwoofers have frequency responses from 20-200 hertz.
Impedance:
This refers to how much power a subwoofer takes from the amplifier. Most subwoofers have impedances of about 4 ohms.
How do I choose an SQL subwoofer for my system?
First, you need to calculate the amount of power your amplifier is capable of pushing.
Each amplifier has a maximum power rating, which you should calculate by counting the number of channels (in most cases, 2) and multiplying this number by the number of watts per channel it can produce.
For example, you have an amplifier with 1200 watts of power per channel, and you have two channels with an 8 ohm impedance each, your subwoofer’s impedance is 16 ohm, and you want a subwoofer with 300 watts of power handling, you need to choose a subwoofer with an impedance of 8 ohm or 4 ohm.
Next, you need to calculate the range of frequencies you want from your subwoofer.
Finally, you need to consider the impedance of your amplifier. You need a subwoofer with an impedance of 8 ohm or 4 ohm, which matches your amplifier’s impedance.
Conclusion:
The best SQL subwoofer is the one that fits your needs the best. All are perfect subwoofer reviewed above, so make sure to do your research before making a purchase. With a little bit of effort, you can find the perfect Best SQL Subwoofer for your car and your budget.