Pioneer TS-SWX2002
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Pioneer TS-SWX2002
5/5
Check Price
Pioneer TS-SWX2002
5/5
Check Price
Best 12 Inch Car Subwoofers For Outstanding Bass
- Best 12 Inch Car Subwoofers
- Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12
- Pioneer TS-A300D4 12 Inch Subwoofer
- Skar Audio EVL-12 D2 12″ Subwoofer
- American Bass USA XFL 1244 Subwoofer
- 12W0V3-4 – JL Audio 12″ Subwoofer
- Kicker CompVR 43CVR124 12″
- Kenwood KFC-W3016PS 12-Inch
- Alpine S-W12D2 S-Series 12″ subwoofer
- Polk Audio DB 1242 DVC
- Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ’s
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word “subwoofer”? Well, most people would say it is a device that has the ability to produce rich bass, that will blow up everything inside the vehicle. But, you know what? They might be right, but there are a lot of other things that are to be considered when we talk about the best 12-inch subwoofers. Other than strong beats and powerful thunderous vibrations they have the ability to reproduce bass (lower frequencies). The effect of the lower frequency audio is a must for the true and clean audio, no matter what type of genre you love to listen to. One of the amazing advantages of choosing the best 12-inch subwoofer is that it makes small factory speakers sound exceptionally well.
There are many choices when it comes to choosing the best 12-inch subwoofer. Are you confused or you want to finalize between your best choices? Then, you are in the best place right now. We have done some hard work on your problem and after continuous testing of different products and after long tiring sessions with our teammates, we are confident enough to say that, after reading this complete article, choosing the best 12-inch subwoofer will be a piece of cake for you.
This article will guide you about each and everything about the best 12-inch subwoofers. After the careful analysis and comparisons of different products, we have listed our top pick and the runner-up subwoofers. All features related to the 12-inch subs are discussed in depth. We will also list their pros and cons to give you a clear understanding of the subwoofer you are interested in buying. Hopefully, you will find it useful and the subwoofer buying process will be much easier and convenient for you after the complete article.
Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12
If you are a fan of powerful music and you love to listen to the deep bass, then the Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12 can be a great pick for you. It has the maximum power output of 1200 Watts with a RMS value of 600 Watts. In addition, they are built in such a way that while playing them for long hours, they have the ability to stay strong even when bass depth gets stronger and stronger. The anodized aluminum cone helps in maintaining the shape during heavy sessions by staying much lighter and flexible. It is one of the best 12 inch sub with the best size rubber surround around the cone, this structure increases the available area of the cone up to 25%. It will allow the subwoofer to handle more air, when the bass level gets higher in frequency. If space is an issue try considering under seat subwoofer or shallow mount.
The Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12 has the frequency response of 28Hz to 250kHz with the sensitivity level of 85Db. One of the great features of this best 12 inch sub is that, it has the VERTICAL ATTACH SURROUND TECHNIQUE (VAST). This feature improves the effectiveness of the radiating cone by proving twenty five times more radiating power than normal factory speakers.
- PROS
- CONS
Frequencies range from 28Hz-250kHz
It has a 2dB octave Butterworth crossover
Specifically made for louder audio and rich bass
Excellent cone design for better performance
Sometimes the sound may sound too loud to handle
At maximum power output, sometimes the temperature gets really hot
- PROS
Max power output of 1200 Watts
Frequencies range from 28Hz-250kHz
Specifically made for louder audio and rich bass
Excellent cone design for better performance
- CONS
Sometimes the sound may sound too loud to handle
At maximum power output, sometimes the temperature gets really hot
Pioneer TS-A300D4 12 Inch Subwoofer
The Pioneer TS-A300D4 has the maximum power output of 2000 Watts, which means it is one of the best 12 inch subwoofers with the capability to deliver much louder audio. So, you can enjoy your favorite music, even at lower frequencies. It has an RMS of 600 Watts. This sub has the sensitivity of 96dB; this sub has the ability to utilize the power efficiently for the production of sound.
So If you plan to pair it up with the low powered car audio system of your vehicle, then you will surely be having an exceptional sound experience by one of the best 12 inch sub available in the market.
When it comes to the build quality, it has one the best build quality as compared to other subwoofers. This powerful 12 inch sub has an aluminum basket, with the best multi-layer polymer surround and it comes with the premium level IMPP (injection-molded polypropylene) cone.
If we talk about the sound delivery performance of this heavy duty subwoofer, the pioneer is a universally well-known brand when it comes to the best quality production of audio products. So it is all set to deliver top quality performance. All you have to do is to pair it up with the best quality amplifier and make sure you are selecting the right enclosure.
If you do these things in the right manner, then you will be the one who will win the car audio system performance competition in your town.
- PROS
- CONS
Peak power output of 2k Watts
96dB sensitivity
You can enjoy lower frequency up to 20Hz
Strong build quality
For better cooling it has the spider shape
Best option for big bass lovers
A bit heavier in size
It may heat up when running on higher wattages
- PROS
Peak power output of 2k Watts
96dB sensitivity
You can enjoy lower frequency up to 20Hz
Strong build quality
For better cooling it has the spider shape
Best option for big bass lovers
- CONS
A bit heavier in size
It may heat up when running on higher wattages
Skar Audio EVL-12 D2 12″ Subwoofer
If you are looking for the best 12 inch subwoofer with deep bass, the kind of sub that has the ability to turn your car into a complete rich bass powerhouse. Then the Skar Audio EVL-12 D2 can be the perfect choice for you.
The Skar Audio EVL-12 D2 has the maximum power output of 2500 Watts with 1250 Watts of RMS figure. It has the ability to deliver low frequency notes exceptionally well. With 4 ohms impedance and the 86.1dB frequency, it has the frequency range from 30Hz to 300Hz. This sub is one of the beasts in our list of the best 12 inch subwoofers.
If you are worried or thinking about the temperature of the subwoofer, you are thinking right. But, there is good news for the audio lovers like you. The advanced cooling design and the tetra layered aluminum voice call has the ability to handle the temperature, when played at higher and louder frequencies. It has the high temperature coil, competition level cone, the strong stitched wires and the amazing spider design build.
For the production of the highest sounds and much rich bass it the premium quality high grade magnet installed which ensures the higher level audio listening experience to the users.
- PROS
- CONS
Max power of 2500 Watts
Best 12 inch sub for deep bass
The temperature remains moderate even at maximum levels
Best power handling ability
Can deliver the best sound quality
The installation process might not be easy for some people, so a professional installation is required
Slightly heavy in weight
Too loud for the person who is not a true audio lover
- PROS
Max power of 2500 Watts
Best 12 inch sub for deep bass
The temperature remains moderate even at maximum levels
Best power handling ability
Can deliver the best sound quality
- CONS
The installation process might not be easy for some people, so a professional installation is required
Slightly heavy in weight
Too loud for the person who is not a true audio lover
American Bass USA XFL 1244 Subwoofer
Are you searching for the powerful 12 inch sub which has the ability of max power handling? Or are you looking for the kind of audio device which can give you above average audio experience? If you are saying yes to both of these questions, then it’s time for you to install the American Bass USA XFL 1244 SubWoofer in your car.
It is one of the best 12 inch subwoofers with the maximum power output of 2000 Watts and the RMS value of 1000 Watts. With the impedance value of 4 ohms and the sensitivity of 89.6Db it has a decent size that can be fitted easily in your vehicle. This sub doesn’t need a large space to live. So it’s good news for people with compact size cars. With the high quality audio delivery ability and 35 pounds of weight this sub is so common in top audio enthusiasts. In addition, it has the powerful 220-Oz high energy magnet type for the powerful production of the sound.
American Bass USA XFL 1244 SubWoofer has the ability to deliver rich bass and it has a very strong build quality. The three layered spider structure that is connected with the suspension of the sub is attached with an aluminum voice coil. This efficient design can only be found in the American Bass audio products. For temperature handling it uses the 3 inch copper coil and it is coated with aluminum. The strong aluminum basket also helps in heat handling. So, you don’t need to worry about the damage when you are playing this beast at higher volume.
- PROS
- CONS
Peak power of 2000 watts
A 220 Oz magnet for the production of top quality sound
RMS value of 1000 watts
Smaller in size, so good for compact cars
Can produce much louder sounds
It has no enclosure included
The installation process is not easy. A professional is required
At maximum power limits sometimes it stops working
- PROS
Peak power of 2000 watts
A 220 Oz magnet for the production of top quality sound
RMS value of 1000 watts
Strong build quality
Smaller in size, so good for compact cars
Can produce much louder sounds
- CONS
It has no enclosure included
The installation process is not easy. A professional is required
At maximum power limits sometimes it stops working
12W0V3-4 – JL Audio 12″ Subwoofer
The 12W0V3-4 – JL Audio has strong build quality but it has slightly less peak power output. It has the maximum power output of 600 Watts with 300 Watts RMS value. With an impedance of 4 ohms it has the sensitivity of 85.64dB. The top quality performance is the main reason it is in the list of our best 12 inch subwoofers, despite its small build this sub has the ability to deliver less distorted, best quality audio listening experience.
The 12W0V3-4 – JL Audio has the frequency range from 22Hz to 250kHz. For the delivery of deep notes this powerful 12 inch sub has the polypropylene cone, which is highly flexible. For temperature handling, the advanced cooling system is installed in the 12W0V3-4 – JL Audio with the elevated frame design for the handling of power and heat. It has the heavy 2 inch voice coil which is surrounded by the best quality foam to deliver the best quality audio. This sub can work in both (sealed and ported enclosures) and for more protection there is an option of adding an extra grill.
This 12 inch sub comes with a DMA (dynamic motor analysis) system, this system is designed to deliver the audio with fewer distractions and it can handle lower frequencies up to 22Hz. So grab it for a clean, tight and richer bass, and this small sub is never going to disappoint you.
- PROS
- CONS
Perfect sub for compact cars
Impedance of 4 ohms
DMA (dynamic motor analysis) system for top quality audio performance
Compact design with 150W RMS power
Max power output of 600 Watts
It can handle low notes up to 22Hz
Elevated frame for keeping the temperature moderate
A bit low in power handling
A bit higher in price
An amp of frequency 75Hz to 300Hz is required, for the better delivery of audio
- PROS
Perfect sub for compact cars
Impedance of 4 ohms
DMA (dynamic motor analysis) system for top quality audio performance
Compact design with 150W RMS power
Max power output of 600 Watts
It can handle low notes up to 22Hz
Elevated frame for keeping the temperature moderate
- CONS
A bit low in power handling
A bit higher in price
An amp of frequency 75Hz to 300Hz is required, for the better delivery of audio
Kicker CompVR 43CVR124 12″
Are you looking for a budget-friendly subwoofer which has the ability to deliver some strong bass? If that is the case then Kicker CompVR 43CVR124 12 is for people like you. This powerful 12 inch sub has the maximum strength of delivering 800 Watts with the RMS value up to 150 Watts to 400 Watts, which divides the power as 200 Watts per coil.
For the control at maximum bass levels, it has the polypropylene cone which is surrounded by santoprene rubber and the injection molded solokon cone. This combination helps in maintaining the temperature of the subwoofer.
With a frequency response of 25Hz to 500Hz, it has a sensitivity of 86.9dB. The top-mount depth of this subwoofer is 15.9cm. This sub has the spiral lead tinsel lead type technology. It has both sealed and ported enclosures. So put this amazing product in your cart and let others feel some rich bass from your best car audio system.
- PROS
- CONS
Maximum power output of 800 Watts
It has injection molded SoloKon cone
Santoprene surround for temperature handling
RMS of 400 Watts
Comes with both sealed and ported enclosure
Wiring kit can be improved
A stronger amp is required for better audio performance
Not recommended for bigger size cars
- PROS
Maximum power output of 800 Watts
It has injection molded SoloKon cone
Santoprene surround for temperature handling
RMS of 400 Watts
Comes with both sealed and ported enclosure
- CONS
Wiring kit can be improved
A stronger amp is required for better audio performance
Not recommended for bigger size cars
Kenwood KFC-W3016PS 12-Inch
This product needs no introduction as Kenwood has been working in the sound industry for decades, and top sound engineers and sound enthusiasts who have used the audio products of Kenwood, recommended their product over a long period of time.
If you are choosing the best 12 inch subwoofer for your vehicle, Kenwood can be the right pick for you. Three things are guaranteed when you buy the Kenwood products, its power, durability and the top quality sound. This sub belongs to the performance series, which has the ability to deliver rich bass.
It’s time for you to switch your long driving sessions into a complete enjoyment mode. The Kenwood KFC-W3016PS has a peak power of 2000 Watts with an RMS of 400 Watts. With 4 ohm impedance it has the sensitivity of 82dB and the frequency range is from 27Hz to 300Hz. For heat dissipation, it has a dual ventilation system. So now you can play your favorite music for long durations, without worrying about any damage. The square array pattern makes sure that the cone won’t go out of shape due to high temperature.
It is one of the best 12 inch subwoofer when it comes to high quality audio, it has the polypropylene cone which is surrounded by strong rubber. The audio performance is up to the mark because it has the enlarged size diaphragm with an 8 AWG (American wire gauge) push terminal. Kenwood KFC-W3016PS has the capability to perform exceptionally well at lower range frequencies. So grab it, to rock the atmosphere around you.
- PROS
- CONS
Peak power of 2k Watts
Frequency range of 27Hz to 300Hz
Budget friendly subwoofer
Can be a great pick for small cars
Great heat protection
Slightly less in sensitivity
Sometimes, you can hear the distorted bass when playing at maximum power
- PROS
Peak power of 2k Watts
Frequency range of 27Hz to 300Hz
Budget friendly subwoofer
Can be a great pick for small cars
Great heat protection
- CONS
Slightly less in sensitivity
Sometimes, you can hear the distorted bass when playing at maximum power
Alpine S-W12D2 S-Series 12″ subwoofer
The Alpine S-W12D2-12″ sub has the ability to handle up to 600 watts of RMS, so without worrying about anything you can play this best value 12 inch subwoofer at maximum levels. One of the biggest advantages of this sub is that it is about an inch shallower than the previous models, so you can fit them anywhere where regular maximum power subs won’t be able to fit.
It has the maximum power output of 1800 Watts and it has dual 2 ohm voice coils. We can say it is one of the best 12 inch sub with the frequency response of 26Hz to 200Hz. For protection it has Kevlar reinforced pulp type cones, which is surrounded by HAMR (High Amplitude Multi-Roll) Santoprene type of rubber quality.
In addition, it can give the best performance with both sealed and ported enclosures, so you can pick the one that suits you best. So grab it now and play your favorite beats.
- PROS
- CONS
Peak power of 1800 Watts
HAMR Santoprene rubber quality
Can work with both ported and sealed enclosures
One inch shallower than the previous models
Nice clean bass
Offers great value to money
Recommended to use at 500 RMS or lower
You might observe a little distortion at high wattages
- PROS
Peak power of 1800 Watts
HAMR Santoprene rubber quality
Can work with both ported and sealed enclosures
One inch shallower than the previous models
Nice clean bass
Offers great value to money
- CONS
Recommended to use at 500 RMS or lower
You might observe a little distortion at high wattages
Polk Audio DB 1242 DVC
Are you searching for one of the best 12 inch subwoofer, which has the ability to deliver a rich and hard hitting base, without spending a lot of bucks? If yes, then the Polk Audio DB 1242 DVC is made for people like you. This powerful 12 inch sub is a bit shallow in size, which means you get the maximum performance from a sub, which can be fitted easily.
You won’t be able to find this type of audio performance in this price range, all you have to do is to pair the DB 1242 DVC with the right type of enclosure. And, you’ll be stunned by the performance. Polk audio tested this product for boats too, so if you are planning to rock the floor in your, then surely it is the best 12 inch subwoofer.
For protection it has the polypropylene cone with Santoprene rubber surround type. The RMS value of DB 1242 DVC is up to 370 Watts, which is delivered as 185 Watts per coil. It has the maximum power output of 1110 Watts with a sensitivity level of 86Db.With the 8 inch top mount depth this sub has the frequency response from 26Hz to 200KHz.
So, if you are a marine life lover and you love to spend some time on boats, or you have a compact car and you are in search of a device that can take your music listening experience to the next level. Then without spending a lot of hard earned cash, pick this sub and enjoy your life.
- PROS
- CONS
Peak power output of 1110 Watts
RMS value is 370 Watts (185W per coil)
Good for boats and compact car
Frequency response of 26Hz to 200kHz
Polypropylene cone with Santoprene rubber for protection
Professional installation is required
- PROS
Peak power output of 1110 Watts
RMS value is 370 Watts (185W per coil)
Good for boats and compact car
Frequency response of 26Hz to 200kHz
Polypropylene cone with Santoprene rubber for protection
- CONS
Professional installation is required
Alpine PDX-V9
The Alpine PDX-V9 Amplifier is CEA-2006 compliant and it has the ability to send 100 Watts RMS to each speaker of your vehicle and it can deliver up to 500 Watts to the subwoofer.
It is a class D amplifier with a maximum power output of 1600 Watts. It has PDX technology for durability and better performance with the variable bass boost (50Hz) and MOSFET power supply for clean audio.
For protection, it has a 3-way protection circuit structure with thermal protection, overload protection, and speaker short circuit protection. For heat protection, it has heavy-duty heat sink aluminum alloy. And, it has a frequency response from 5Hz to 45 kHz.
The Alpine PDX-V9 Amplifier is one the best value 5 channel amp with the variable high pass filter (30Hz to 600Hz at 24dB per octave), variable low pass filter (30Hz to 600Hz at 24dB per octave), and the variable subsonic filter (3Hz to 30Hz).
If you are looking for some powerful amplifier with clean audio and crisp sound then the Alpine PDX-V9 Amplifier will be a good pick for you.
- PROS
- CONS
1600 Watts of Maximum power
MOSFET power supply
Frequency response of 5Hz to 45 kHz.
CEA 2006 Compliant
Superb audio quality
Little expensive
Sometimes, short circuit protection might not work
- PROS
1600 Watts of Maximum power
MOSFET power supply
Frequency response of 5Hz to 45 kHz.
CEA 2006 Compliant
Superb audio quality
- CONS
Little expensive
Sometimes, short circuit protection might not work
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ’s
Q) What is the best 12 inch subwoofer on the market?
A: The Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12 Punch P3 DVC 4-Ohm 12-Inch 600-Watt RMS 1200-Watt Peak Subwoofer is currently the best 12 inch subwoofer in the market. It is our top pick too because this beast device has the ability to deliver rich bass and top notch sound quality. It has the frequency response of 28Hz to 250kHz with the sensitivity level of 85Db. One of the great features of this best 12 inch sub is that, it has the VERTICAL ATTACH SURROUND TECHNIQUE (VAST). This feature improves the effectiveness of the radiating cone by proving twenty five times more radiating power than normal factory speakers.
Q: What is the best subwoofer for deep bass?
A: It depends upon your choice as there are a lot of choices in the best 12 inch subwoofers for deep bass. But, in our opinion it is the JL Audio 12W7AE-3 12″. It is a bit expensive model, but it won’t disappoint you, when it comes to real deep bass.
Q: What’s the hardest-hitting 12-inch subwoofer?
A: In our opinion, after careful analysis and comparison, we selected Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12 Punch P3 DVC 4-Ohm 12-Inch 600-Watt RMS 1200-Watt Peak Subwoofer as the best 12-inch subwoofer as it has the capability to produce the rich and consistent bass. And, talking about its build quality, it is amazing. The build quality makes this woofer resistant to damage and it has the ability to deliver top quality audio experience to the true bass lovers.
Q: Are Square subs better than round?
A: The square subwoofers usually have more surface area to move air, on the other hand the round subwoofers give you overall better sound experience. The round subwoofers are much easier to control, so the more control you have on the sub, the best audio quality is expected. So, the round subwoofers are the best as compared to the square subs.
Q: What hits harder 2 ohm or 4 ohm?
A: The subwoofers with less electrical resistance have the ability to produce a much larger sound as compared to the ones with the higher electrical resistance. It concludes that a 2 ohm sub can produce much greater sound than the 4 ohm sub. No doubt, the 2 ohm is much louder but at the same time, poor sound quality is expected from them due to power consumption.
Q: What’s the hardest hitting subwoofer?
A: The JL Audio 12W7AE-3 is the hardest hitting subwoofer. It has the maximum power output of 2000 Watts with RMS value of 1000 Watts. It has the nominal impedance of 3 ohm. It is slightly expensive, but a good option for audio lovers.
Q: How do I choose the right amp?
A: For choosing the right amplifiers, consider the following factors:
The amp should meet your system requirements.·
- See if it is bridgeable or not.·
- Must check the impedance rating·
- See whether they have thermal, voltage, and short circuit protection.·
- See what impedance the subwoofers can handle and will your amp be able to match this value?
Q: What size subwoofer is best?
A: There is no hard and fast rule for the best size, as it will depend upon your choice, and the availability of space you have in your vehicle or room. But, our suggestion for you would be to definitely consider the larger and- more powerful/maximum power subs to get better quality audio experience. So if you are looking for a real top-quality audio experience, then you should go for at least a 12 inch sub with 100 Watts minimum. You have to consider other things despite the size, such as the driver, the smaller the driver, more power is required. So if you are planning to rock in your car, or you are about to have some fun in your room, then go for the best 12 inch sub. And, for choosing, we already suggested you our top pick and the runner up. We hope you won’t find any problem after reading this complete article. Wishing you luck in finding the best choice for you from the above-listed products.