See Products   Component Subwoofers   Enclosed Subwoofer Systems Find Out More   Key Features Glossary   Frequently Asked Questions How to Buy a Subwoofer No matter what type of music you like, no matter what volume level you prefer — a subwoofer in your car will enhance your listening experience. From the thundering bass of Bach's organ works to the powerful beat of Snoop Dogg, a subwoofer adds an intensity to your music that smaller speakers just can't provide. What kind of box should I choose? If you prefer a cleaner sound (more suitable to jazz, classical, pop, etc.), subwoofers in sealed boxes tend to produce a tight bass sound — allowing you to more of the sharp, punchy edges that define each note. If you like rap, reggae, alternative, or heavy metal, you'll probably want a looser, boomier sound. You'll get this type of sound from a subwoofer loaded in a ported or bandpass enclosure. (For more about enclosure types, see the yellow box at right.) Sealed boxes: For deep, precise bass A sealed box is best for any music that demands tight, accurate bass. Expect flat response, deep bass extension and excellent power handling. Because a sealed box tends to need more power than a ported box, you'll need to use an amplifier with plenty of watts to get the most bass out of your sealed enclosure. Some sealed systems can give you great bass from a relatively tiny box, which helps you save space for cargo. (Our Infinity Kappa Perfect subs are a prime example.) Ported boxes: For forceful bass Ported boxes use a vent (called a port) to reinforce low bass response. You get more output than you would from a sealed box at any given amplifier wattage. Some people prefer the sound of ported boxes for rock, heavy metal, or any hard-driving music. The Q-Logic ported boxes we offer come with pre-cut port holes (sealed with a plastic port plug) and trimmable ports. (For example, Cerwin-Vega's Vega Series subwoofers perform optimally in a larger, ported box.) Bandpass boxes: maximum impact! Bandpass boxes are a special type of ported box designed for maximum slam. The woofer is mounted inside a dual-chambered box, with the sound waves emerging from the ported side. The sound that comes out of the port is extra loud within a narrow frequency range. Because bandpass boxes are super efficient within that range, they tend to boom. Their aggressive sound is great for rap, reggae, and hard rock. Free-air subwoofers A free-air system consists of woofers mounted to a board attached to the rear deck or placed in the trunk against the rear seat. The trunk of the car acts as an enclosure which houses the subwoofer. Free-air systems save space and have flat frequency response. The woofer must be specifically designed for free-air use. Choosing the correct subwoofer Once you decide what type of enclosure best suits your musical tastes, the next step is to consider which type of subwoofer system matches the level of installation complexity you're game for. Basically, there are three different ways to go: 1) Enclosed Subwoofer System: For the easiest installation, choose one of our ready-made subwoofer systems. The manufacturer has already matched the speaker and enclosure for optimum performance. Some ready-made sub systems come with a built-in amplifier — all you have to do is run power and signal cables to the unit, and you're ready to rock. An increasing number of vehicle-specific, ready-made sub systems are available for a variety of cars. 2) Subwoofer/Box Combo: Another option is to choose a "raw" subwoofer driver and mate it with one of our sturdy, ready-to-load sealed and ported boxes and bandpass boxes. These rugged boxes are exceptionally well-constructed, so they hold up under the intense pressure of powerful bass. (You'll find the appropriate sealed, ported, or bandpass boxes listed as accessories for any given woofer.) 3) Build Your Own Box: For those of you who like to strap on the tool belt for a do-it-yourself project, try this third option: Build your own box to go with the driver of your choice. We stock a complete line of box building accessories from grilles to carpet (everything but the wood and the screws). And before you grab the saw and start cutting consider reading one of our books about box-building. You'll build a better box. Do you have enough room? Before you place your order, make sure that what you want will fit in your car or truck. Measure the area you have in mind for the enclosure, then compare your measurements to the dimensions we provide for the enclosure you want. Keep an eye out for obstacles that might get in the way of your box: wheel wells, an overly small trunk opening, the travel of the trunk hinges, or the angle of the seat back or hatchback. (Some truck-style boxes may not fit in a standard cab with the seat pushed all the way back but will fit once the seat is moved up a notch or two.) Make sure you have enough power Bass notes need a lot more juice than the high frequency information in your music. To produce the low bass you can feel as well as hear, you need plenty of amplifier power driving your sub. If you're in the market for an amplifier, take a look at our offerings from a number of manufacturers. Each subwoofer you find on our website will have a recommended power range specification listed. Be sure to compare this spec to the RMS power output of the amp you plan to use. If you have questions, give us a call toll-free at 1-888-955-6000 and one of our Product Advisors will be glad to help. Crossovers are essential Woofers sound great when they're fed a steady diet of low-frequency information. You'll need a low-pass crossover to keep high frequencies away from your subs. Most amplifiers have built-in crossovers that make this task as simple as pressing a button. However, if you're setting up a multi-amp system, you'll likely prefer using a separate electronic crossover to direct different frequency bands to the appropriate amps and speakers. We hope this page helps you as you strive to add more fullness and impact to your music. For more information, check out the individual subwoofer product pages, as well as the links above to our other subwoofer Info Center features.