Also known as the active subwoofer, a powered subwoofer doesnât need any external power sources (like an amplifier) to work. So, if you were planning on getting one, but canât really put your finger on any of the available products, this post is for you. Iâll do my best to help you find the best powered car subwoofer under 200 from the most reliable brands.
Statistically, for most drivers, 200 bucks are the âsweet spotâ: not too expensive, but still enough to get a high-quality woofer. First, weâll take a look at my top picks â five in total. They all boast lovely designs, a strong power output, and ease of use/setup. In the Buyerâs Guide and FAQ, Iâll share some tips on how to make an educated purchase. Letâs dive right in!
Table of Contents
Best Powered Car Subwoofer Under $200 ()
Image | Product | |
---|---|---|
Best Choice | Rockville RW10CA Slim Powered Subwoofer
| Check Price |
Also great | MTX Audio RT8PT Universal Powered Subwoofer
| Check Price |
Best Value | SSL LoPro10 Amplified Car Subwoofer
| Check Price |
Non-Slip Grip | Rockville RWS12CA Powered Car Subwoofer
| Check Price |
Ergonomic Fit | Rockville RV8.2A Dual 8" Car Subwoofer
| Check Price |
Best Powered Car Subwoofer Under $200 Review
1. Rockville – Best 10 inch Powered Subwoofer for Car
In many ways, this is the finest 10-inch âwooferâ the market has to offer. Iâm talking about the <200 bucks category, of course. First of all, it features top-quality short circuit, overload, and thermal protection. That means it wonât âblow upâ when you crank the volume up. And for most fans of loud, high-end music, 800 watts (200 watts RMS) should be more than enough to make it feel like the ground is shaking from the low frequencies.
Another thing that caught my attention was the quality of the included installation hardware. Sadly, the remote wire isnât on the same level and might stop working in a year or so. The good news is â you can always get a replacement wire (say, order it online). Besides, this active subwoofer wonât break your bank. Itâs reasonably priced and comes with a 30-day refund policy. Donât hesitate to use it if you get a defective/incomplete package.
Final Words
Affordable, well-protected against overloads, and backed by a 30-day refund, RW10CA is a bargain. It comes packed with premium installation software, puts out 800 watts of raw power, and wonât be very hard to install/mount. Just remember that the remote wire is rather cheap and faulty.
2. MTX Audio – Best Compact Powered Subwoofer for Car
Of all the subs that weâre reviewing today, this one is definitely an eye-grabber. Itâs a lot smaller and more compact than the other devices. Itâs lightweight, too, which makes it a mobile solution that wonât be a problem to move around. The âinstallationâ process is quite easy and straightforward as well â no need for cutting, drilling, or anything like that. The subwoofer rocks the so-called âvented enclosureâ design.
It maximizes the built-in ampâs low-frequency response, resulting in deeper, stronger bass sounds. Now, itâs an 8-inch woofer, and this is a rather clever way of compensating for the small cone. As for the downsides, the trendy design, lightweight construction, and, overall, decent sound quality come at a slightly steep price. It will be a good investment in the long run, though, especially if you do a lot of off-road driving.
Final Words
Despite the high cost, the MTX Audio subwoofer is a safe bet for most drivers. It is compact, looks good in any environment, and has that extra âoomphâ that most of us look for. Easy installation, durability, and mobility are even more reasons to consider it over the competition.
3. SSL LoPro10 – Best Under Seat Powered Car Subwoofer
If youâre looking for a reliable, no-BS type of powered subwoofer, SSL is a good place to start. This company did an excellent job with LoPro10: thanks to superb engineering, it wonât let you down on the road (if you take proper care of it, of course). More importantly, with it, youâll get a lot of control over the sound/tone, which canât be said about most similar devices.
The list includes a variable (low-pass) filter, variable bass booster, phase control, and more. So, again, the fans of sound shaping will find this powered subwoofer to be a worthy investment. My only complaint: LoPro10 isnât as loud as I expected it to be. The volume level is decent, of course, but not on par with the other woofers on the list. The good news is – if you purchase it online, youâll get a three-year Platinum warranty.
Final Words
Backed by a three-year warranty, highly customizable, and incredibly reliable, the SSL subwoofer is a sure pick. Itâs not the loudest option on the market, however, and that can be a big turn-off for the open-road drivers and campers. Still, overall, itâs a very decent product.
4. Rockville RWS12CA – Best Buy Powered Subwoofer Car Enclosures
Here, we have another good-quality active car subwoofer from Rockville. So, what can you expect to get with RWS12CA, and will it be worth the investment? Well, the first thing that youâll notice will be the generous package. It features a long list of premium cables and installation/mounting hardware. A detailed user manual is a part of the deal as well: itâs got pictures and everything to make the process easier for you.
But thatâs not even the most important thing. What really managed to impress me was the pulp cone protected by Kevlar reinforcement. It eliminates vibration, which, in turn, results in stronger bass response. But donât expect this subwoofer to be very accurate with deep bass. In contrast to low and mid bass, the super-low frequencies wonât be as impressive.
Final Words
Kevlar reinforcement, along with a generous list of installation hardware and instructions is the RWS12CA subwooferâs biggest selling point. Thanks to clever engineering, itâs quite good at reproducing the mid and low bass frequencies. Just donât expect it to be equally precise in super-deep bass.
5. Rockville RV8.2A – Best Powered Subwoofer Car Audio
First of all, I want to say that this subwoofer thumps. Even with your carâs doors open, it still gives you that mean bass that can get any party going. This alone makes it an attractive purchase for all the audiophiles out there. The dual-woofer system also deserves our attention. Yes, with this one, Rockville decided to go with an injection-molded pair of high-power subwoofers, instead of one.
Add aviation-grade tweed carpet, and youâll see why Iâm calling RV8.2A the best powered woofer for car audio. There is a big con, however, and it has to do with durability. While I didnât notice any of that during my meticulous review, many drivers claim it breaks down for no reason in two-three years, or even sooner. On the other hand, a lot of these reviewers crank it up to the limit, and thatâs (mostly) the reason for the failure.
Final Words
RV8.2A is incredibly accurate in producing deep bass frequencies. In this price range, itâs one of the obvious leaders. Plus, it features a dual woofer system and premium tweed carpet for added efficiency and reliability. However, some buyers complain about serious durability issues.
Buyerâs Guide
So, do you have a favorite pick from my top-five list? Or maybe youâre still not 100% sure youâre ready to invest in one of these subwoofers? If thatâs the case, Iâm confident this Buyerâs Guide will be of great help to you. Iâll tell you about the most important aspects to consider before making a purchase, including active vs. passive, loudness/power, frequency response, and more. Read carefully, and youâll become a pro in no time!
What does powered subwoofer mean?
Hereâs what you need to know: âpoweredâ means it comes with a built-in amplifier that, well, powers it up. So, you wonât need to invest in an external power source. That will save you money and space in the car. In contrast, passive subs canât make a sound without an amp. An active subwoofer will cost you more, but, in many ways, itâs a lot more convenient device that can just be bought, plugged into the car, and âhidden awayâ somewhere under the seat.
Passive subs (or speakers, for that matter) are mostly used in professional recording studios, as they are a bit more clear and precise. On the downside, passive speakers are rather fragile and only work with specific amps. For a fan of cranking the volume to the limit and scaring the birds away with that throbbing bass, powered woofers are a better choice.
Power/Loudness
This one is simple: the higher the power handling, the louder the subwoofer will be. This universal rule can be used for figuring out the volume level of pretty much any device. The other important aspect is sensitivity. Essentially, it also measures the loudness of the sub. And remember: the higher the sensitivity rating, the less distortion youâll get, even when the volume knob is cranked up.
Frequency Response
The wider the frequency response, the better the bass will sound. To elaborate: the lower bass sounds are kinda âtrickyâ to handle for most subwoofers. Therefore, check the specs carefully if youâre a big fan of the super-low bass. For example, the SSLâs LoPro10 from todayâs list can âgoâ as low as 15 Hz, which is a very good result.
Youâll start losing the very essence of bass if your woofer canât play anything below the 50 hertz mark. A regular set of speakers will do an even worse job of reproducing the extreme lows. This is true not only for cars but also for the regular audio systems that we plug into our TVs or just use for listening to music.
FAQ
What size of powered subwoofer should I get for my car?
Well, that depends on a few things. First of all, consider the space that youâve got in the car. Before making a purchase, I always check the dimensions on the official website or at an online store. Next, I measure everything in my vehicle, so that there are no unpleasant surprises. If youâre limited in space, an under-seat subwoofer might do the trick for you. With that out of the way, consider your budget for this product.
As a general rule, the bigger the woofer, the more expensive it will be. Most drivers like what a ten-inch sub brings to the table. Eight inches are decent as well but might lack volume (loudness) and sound less beefy than the bigger alternatives. Twelve inches, in turn, are much larger and pricier.
What type of powered subs for car will sound the loudest?
If loudness is the most important thing for you, there are several factors that need to be considered. As mentioned in the Buyerâs Guide, sensitivity is probably the most important one. Youâll find it in the specs, and something in the 80-100dB range should be just the right pick for you. Power handling also indicates how loud the device can get. Look for 800-1200 watts in PH, and youâll be fine.
The enclosure type plays a key role as well. The cheapest enclosure can dull down the sound, make the sub sound worse than it actually is. In contrast, premium enclosure (MDF, for example, or carpet with venting) will make the tone meaner and beefier. Still not satisfied with the volume level? Then maybe youâd like to invest in an external amp? Make sure the power handling matches, though; otherwise, you might ruin everything.
Is an aftermarket stereo required to hook up my powered sub?
Of course, not: you can plug a subwoofer directly into your carâs computer/infotainment system and it will work just fine. At the same time, an aftermarket stereo system will make everything sound even better when working in combination with a new sub. Most folks invest in speakers and a head unit first and only then consider purchasing a woofer.
A quick note: look for the crossover feature in your sub. With it, youâll be able to control all the speakers in your car with one single knob.
Conclusion
Itâs not really that hard to get an okay-sounding active subwoofer for +/- 200 bucks. However, if youâre trying to get the best bang for your buck â a bargain â youâll have to invest a lot of time and energy in that. Or, you can use this list and pick one of the five woofers from the comparison table. Instead of checking every single available option, focus on these market-leading products and make your choice wisely.
The Buyerâs Guide and the FAQ section will help you with that. Take your time, go back to the reviews, and check the pros and cons again. While none of these subwoofers can âbeatâ the more expensive alternatives, you will, most certainly, get a dramatic improvement over the stock audio system. Besides, most of them look great sitting in the far back!
Nicholas says
Iâve been looking for a new subwoofer. It was time to upgrade from my old 5 inch sub Iâd had for years, and after doing some research I found the Rockville 10 inch subwoofer with bass remote. After installing it in my car, I can say that this is a quality product that delivers great sound!