If you’re someone who is not satisfied with the quality of the factors that come preinstalled in your car, then you may be looking for an upgrade. Even when you’re looking for an upgrade, the average speaker may not meet your needs due to their lack of ability to pick up low frequencies and express deep bass. This is because when speaker manufacturers produce speakers for cars they don’t take into consideration that the user may want bassy listening due to the atmosphere. However, depending on your personal taste in music, the average speaker might not cut it and so you may be looking for an alternative solution. A good solution to this issue is investing in a good 8 inch subwoofer, so let’s take a look at the best 8 inch subwoofers for cars available on the market today.
What is an 8 Inch subwoofer?
Much like your average speaker, subwoofers can come in a variety of sizes, so make sure you know which size meets your installation needs. The 8inch subwoofer is the smallest available on the market right now and so if you have room for something bigger, it may be worth looking at the best 12 inch subwoofer or other sizes available to you. This is because generally speaking, the bigger the subwoofer, the louder it is.
You may be wondering what the difference between a speaker and a subwoofer is. It’s quite simple really, as previously touched upon, a subwoofer is able to pick up lower frequencies than your average speaker and so will be able to play songs with deeper bass clearer, which may be appealing to those of you that really value great sound quality.
What should you look for to find the best 8 inch subwoofer
Enclosure
Something that you may not realise when buying a subwoofer is the importance of its enclosure in comparison to the other specs that the subwoofer has to offer. Your subwoofer’s enclosure can make or break the quality of the audio that you get out of it, so make sure you pay attention to what you are getting as part of the deal.
Wiring
Check what installation options you have in your car before you buy your subwoofer. Not every car has the same connectivity and so what may work for one car, might not work for another.
Frequency
Check the frequency that the subwoofer has to offer as this is what really differentiates a subwoofer from your everyday speaker, if the subwoofer is unable to pick up low frequencies, there is very little point in purchasing it.
Now that you know what a subwoofer is, you may be confused as to where you are going to find the right one, but don’t you worry. Here we have put together a list of our top 10 favorite 8 inch subwoofers, among this list you are bound to find one that meets your needs.
1. CT SOUNDS Strato 8 Inch
- Wattage:500
- Sensitivity: 82.3dB
- Frequency Range: 50.5-200Hz
CT sounds is one of the most popular subwoofer manufacturers on the market right now and have been releasing new and innovative subs every year. This 8 inch subwoofer has been making waves in the audio industry due to its steady RMS of 250w, which delivers plenty of power and provides some excellent audio quality. It also has a fantastic frequency response, which means you will be able to listen to some nice low bass without any lack of clarity or distortion.
This subwoofer has a dual setup, which means that you will get two enclosures along with your subs. What is interesting about this setup is that it has both a sealed and ported box, which means you get the advantages of having both setups. Having a sealed enclosure means that it is easier to mount and install in various places. However, you also get the advantage of using a ported enclosure, which means that there is a gap in the box. This gap serves as ventilation, which not only means that you will be able to hear all of your favourite songs with uninterrupted volumes, but the subwoofer won’t overheat as fast. This means that the subwoofer will have a longer lifespan and you won’t have to replace the subwoofer as quickly as sealed closures.
This subwoofer also looks fantastic, meaning that it will fit in with any car exterior , so you won’t have to worry about it looking too flashy or bulky. Not only does it look great, but the CT 8inch is made up of some seriously high quality components. The cone has a rubber surround which will prevent it from getting damaged through use, not only this but the rubber will buffer out any distortion and help make the audio quality sound great.
2. JBL Stage810
- Wattage:200
- Sensitivity: 88dB
- Frequency Range: 38-200Hz
JBL are already well established in the world of car audio and with every year, they continue to add more quality products to their pre-existing line. We have previously discussed their contribution to the audio world in our article based around the best 6.5 speakers, so you may be familiar with this brand. They are known for making quality products at competitive prices and the Stage1080 continues this trend.
This subwoofer has an RMS of 200, which may not seem like a lot but it is more than enough to power the subwoofer and also maintain a good volume. One thing that JBL prides themselves on is doing all that they can to stop distortion within their subwoofers, running on a lower power helps with this as it prevents the speaker from overworking, but this does mean that there limitations in the volumes that this subwoofer will be able meet.
One quality of this subwoofer that really stands out is its frequency response. This subwoofer has a range of 38-200Hz, which means not only will you be able to pick up some low frequencies and get some really good bass, but this speaker can pick up some higher frequencies and so play some of your favorite songs with fantastic quality. This is not always the case with a lot of subwoofers, as a lot of other manufacturers focus specifically on being able to handle lower frequencies and sometimes forget that they need a bigger range.
Again JBL focuses a lot on maintaining and delivering quality and another way they have ensured this is by implementing polypropylene cones within the subwoofer, which helps combat distortion but is also more durable than the average pressed paper cone. JBL also goes that extra mile and has their subwoofers specially tuned by some of the best engineers to ensure quality with every product.
3. Planet Audio AC8D
- Wattage:600
- Sensitivity: 85dB
- Frequency Range: 38Hz
This is a subwoofer that has durability in mind, as well as providing quality audio to listeners. This subwoofer has a fantastic 600W RMS, which means that it can continuously handle 600 watts of power. This guarantees that the speaker will be able to continuously play music on high volumes without having to worry about audio fatigue or damage from over exertion. This subwoofer also has an excellent sensitivity of 85dB, which means the sub will run with efficiency and any user will really get the most out of the product.
This subwoofer does not come enclosed which may be unappealing to some people due to the fact that opens it up to potential damage. However, this sub does come with a stamped basket which will offer a layer of protection that does not get in the way of the sound quality of the subwoofer. It also means that the subwoofer has plenty of room to breathe, which will prevent any overheating that may lead to a shortened life span.
This trend of maintaining durability also continues with the individual components that make up the subwoofer. Much like the JBL subwoofer, the Planet Audio subwoofer cone is made from a polypropylene, which means that it is less likely to be damaged. This is supported by rubber surrounds, that once again not only protects the cone and prolongs the life span of the subwoofer, but it also helps buffer out any distortion.
Overall, this a fantastic subwoofer that offers a lot of power and high quality audio. Not only this, but this subwoofer is on the lower side of the financial scale so if you are looking to save some money, this is a fantastic option.
4. BOSS Audio Systems CXX8
- Wattage:600
- Sensitivity: 83dB
- Frequency Range: 46Hz
Even if you are someone that doesn’t really care about speakers, you have definitely heard of BOSS. Something that can’t be disputed is the quality that BOSS has to offer, and this subwoofer only serves as a reminder of the quality that this brand maintains.
This subwoofer has an RMS of 600w, which is a fantastic amount of power to be able to continuously maintain. This once again means that this subwoofer will be able to reach and maintain some pretty impressive volumes, which guarantees that you will be able to feel the bass of all of your favorite songs whenever you hit the road.
An interesting feature that this subwoofer has is a butyl rubber surround. This prevents distortion from ruining your listening experience and also protects the lifespan of your subwoofers. This is because the rubber surround prevents air, any chemicals or other external factors from compromising all of the internal components.
This layer of protection is only continued to be supported by the fact that this subwoofer is kept within a sealed enclosure. Sealed enclosures prevent the subwoofer from falling victim to any environmental factors and so helps to keep your speaker running at a high quality for longer. One issue that you may find with a sealed enclosure is that the volume may be compromised. However, due to the high power that this speaker is able to withstand, volume control shouldn’t ever really be an issue, so I wouldn’t worry about that at all.
5. Kicker 8 Inch Dual
- Wattage:600
- Sensitivity: 82.1dB
- Frequency Range: 30-500Hz
You may not have heard of the Kicker brand before, but one thing is certain, once you have experienced the fantastic quality that Kicker has to offer- you are not going to forget it. The Kicker 8 inch subwoofer is one of the best available on the market right now, due to its high power and high quality performance. This subwoofer can push some serious power, reaching powers of 600w which means you can get some serious and consistent volumes, so you can blast out all of your favorite songs as loud and as long as you want. The Kicker can also has one of the best frequencies ranges on this list, going from 30-500Hz, this means that it will not only play some lower frequencies with exceptional quality, but it will also pick up some higher frequencies, which a lot of subwoofers aren’t capable of.
This subwoofer comes within a sealed enclosure which is fantastic for easy storage. However, due to the fact that this is quite a powerful subwoofer, you may have to deal with some overheating issue which may lead to the lifespan of the subwoofer being shortened.
This subwoofer really has quality in mind and Kicker has done all that they can to ensure that the subwoofer is safe against any environmental factors. Kicker has used a polypropylene cone instead of the popular pressed paper cone, which will steal intact for longer and also prevent any audio distortion in the future.
6. Rockville SS8P
- Wattage:400
- Sensitivity: 90dB
- Frequency Range: 50-150Hz
This is one of the stand out subwoofers on the list due to the fact that it was built especially to fit nicely into any car, with a slim enclosure that can fit under any car seat. This subwoofer isn’t as powerful as a lot of the subwoofers on this list, but it doesn’t need to be. This subwoofer can still hit a powerful 400w which will be more than enough to get some incredible volume and powerful audio quality.
This subwoofer is fantastic at working with efficiency and is capable of taking some lower level components and putting them together to make some serious audio quality. One of the ways that Rockville does this is by having a high sensitivity of 90dB, which means that even though this subwoofer operates on a smaller speaker range, what it is able to pick up is of a fantastic quality and is exceptionally clear.
They really had the customer in mind when they put this subwoofer together, because of this they have done all that they can so that they can ensure the convenience of installation. One of the ways that they have done this is by including all of the mounting equipment that you could need, meaning that you will be able to fit the subwoofer wherever you have room to install it. If you aren’t happy with the enclosure that this subwoofer comes with, it also fits in the standard factory speaker enclosure, which means you can easily replace all of your rundown speakers.
Rockville has also installed a bass boost, which means you are really getting all that you can out of the subwoofer. They have also made sure not to waste any energy and have filtered out any of the lower frequencies that the human ear cannot pick up, meaning that the only things that are being focused on are what can improve your listening experience.
7. Skar Audio Dual 8
- Wattage:1,400
- Sensitivity: 83.7dB
- Frequency Range: 30-350Hz
This is arguably one of the most powerful subwoofers on the market and on this list right now. Skar is no stranger to producing high quality audio systems at a more than reasonable price and with every new product that they release onto the market, they outdo themselves.
What really can’t be ignored about this subwoofer is the sheer amount of power that it has to offer. This subwoofer can hit 1,400w and maintain an RMS of 700 watts, this is fantastic when compared to other subwoofers on the list and means you will get consistent loud volume at a fantastic quality. What is also fantastic about this subwoofer is the frequency range, this frequency range rules out anything that the human ear can’t pick up and also picks up the lower frequencies that are required for listening to any deep bass songs.
The Skar has a fantastic dual vented setup. This means that your subwoofer will not be restricted by a sealed enclosure which could get in the way of the sound of the subwoofer. Ventilation also means that the subwoofer will be less prone to overheating which will prolong the components within the subwoofer. Not only this, but ventilation will prevent any dust build up and will make the cleaning process for the speaker much easier. Instead of having a plastic enclosure, this subwoofer interestingly has a carpeted surround. This means that not only will it fit in with the interior with the car, but it will also help to buffer any distortion.
This subwoofer is also pre-wired, which means that installation will be much easier. This may be appealing to those of you that aren’t really confident when it comes to installing new technology or those who simply enjoy the convenience of it already being done.
8. Toro Audio – Fierce 8
- Wattage:800
- Sensitivity: 84dB
- Frequency Range: 54-250Hz
Again, the Fierce 8 is another one of those subwoofers that really stand out in the market, offering a sleek design and powerful components, it’s really one of the best options available right now.
With this subwoofer you can expect a fantastic RMS of 400w, which is more than enough to play some of your favorite songs on a high volume. Not only this, but it will play continuously without having to worry about any audio fatigue. This subwoofer also has a fantastic audio response, which means that you will be able to listen to whatever song you want with fantastic sound quality.
The Fierce comes within a ported enclosure. This means that there will be ventilation within the enclosure, which not only means that the volume of the music that you are listening to will be uncompromised, but this will also lessen any heat damage that the parts of the subwoofer could fall victim to. This is only supported with the Fierce’s enhanced cooling T-yoke design, which allows for even more cooling opportunities, which once again only prolongs the life span of the subwoofer.
Toro put a huge amount of focus into making sure that they are providing a quality product. One way that they do this is by doing vigorous testing on all of their products before they are released to the general public. This ensures that you are only getting the highest quality product, which means that you don’t have to worry about the subwoofer not delivering good audio or breaking soon after purchasing it.
9. CT SOUNDS – Meso 8
- Wattage:1600
- Sensitivity: 82.8dB
- Frequency Range: 41.5-250Hz
This is the second appearance of a CT SOUNDS product on this list and though this subwoofer may be lower down on the list, it is still a fantastic subwoofer that has some incredible power. This subwoofer can hit powers of 1,600W with a consistent RMS of 800W. This means you won’t have to worry about having enough power to play some of the heaviest songs around and distortion won’t be any concern at all. CT also promises to deliver pinpoint audio accuracy, which once again not only helps combat distortion, but also means that you will consistently experience crisp and clear audio.
This subwoofer is on the beefier size, so if you’re looking for something slimmer and more hideable , then this may not be the choice for you. However, if you want something big that can produce some powerful bass, then this is definitely what you’re looking for.
Not only does this subwoofer offer some serious volume, but CT has put a lot of effort into making sure the subwoofer delivers the best quality it can for as long as it can. One of the ways that they have done this is by using a polypropylene cone, as opposed to the popular pressed paper cone. This means that the cone is less likely to break and will be less susceptible to any distortion. They have also provided a stamp steel basket frame to protect the subwoofer, which means there will be less opportunity to damage it.
This is just a quality subwoofer and if you’re in the market for an audio setup that delivers powerful bass at a more than reasonable price, then you should really consider investing in this one.
Which 8 inch subwoofers come out on top?
Now that you know all that you need to about the subwoofers, you may still be unsure of which one is the best out of all of them. This really depends on your personal needs, but to make it a bit easier, we have picked out some of our top picks.
The Best 8 Inch Subwoofer Overall
The Skar Audio Dual 8
We personally think that the Skar Audio Dual 8 is the one of the best 8 inch subwoofers available on the market right now, due to its exceptional power and heavy bass. This subwoofer can handle a lot and provide some amazing audio quality.
The runner-up
The CT Sounds Meso 8
This really was a difficult choice between this sub and The Skar because they both deliver similar results, so if you aren’t interested in The Skar we would definitely recommend that you check out the Meso as this is one powerful subwoofer.
The Best Budget 8″ Subwoofer
Kicker 8 Inch Dual
Not only is it the runner-up, the Kicker is also the best budget option available right now. This is one of the least expensive on the list while also being on the forefront in terms of power, so you really are getting a lot for what you spend.
The Best Enclosed 8 Inch Subwoofer
The CT sounds 8 inch
If enclosures are important to you, then we would definitely recommend that you check out number 1 on our list. This subwoofer has a duo setup, which means you get both a ported and sealed enclosure. This means you get the benefits of both enclosures, and if you are wondering what those benefits are, check out the buyers guide below.
Buyers Guide for finding the best 8 Inch Subwoofers
Is an 8″ subwoofer the right option for me?
This really depends on what you are looking for in terms of audio. If you are dissatisfied with the lack of bass that you get with your standard factory speaker, then you should definitely consider getting a subwoofer. However, if you are not too bothered about experiencing some heavy bass when you drive, you may just want to upgrade to a high quality speaker set. If you are looking for something that allows you to have more control over not only your audio, but other aspects of your car then you may even want to consider spending the money on getting a double din head unit. If you are not very familiar with what these are, it could be worth checking out our pick for the best double din head units.
Which subwoofer enclosure is the best type?
When it comes to enclosures, you will either get a ported or sealed enclosure. The difference is basically that the sealed enclosure is fully secure and closed, whereas the ported enclosure has gaps for ventilation. Sealed enclosures are much easier to mount, however they lack the ventilation of a ported enclosure and so may fall victim to overheating unless measures have been put in place to prevent it.
Last update on 2023-09-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API