8 inch subwoofers

It's simple. A subwoofer gives you more bass, reproducing lower frequencies that your other speakers can't deal with. And subs aren't just for "bassheads." Filling out those lower frequencies will make any kind of music sound better. At Crutchfield, we love to see that look of surprise and joy on someone's face the first time they hear a sub in their vehicle!

The larger the woofer, the deeper the bass. A 12" sub will play louder and deeper than a 10" sub. A single subwoofer is all it takes to reinforce your music, but if you're looking for volume, then two subs are certainly louder than one.

A sealed enclosure will sound tighter and more accurate. A ported (or vented) enclosure makes the bass louder, with more boom, but with a slight loss of accuracy. A bandpass box is a combination of those two designs for even more output in a narrow frequency range.

First, figure out where a sub will fit. If you have limited space, consider a small powered sub. You'll be surprised how much bass you'll get. Also, what are your plans for your sound system? A small sub and amp will work great for adding some bass to a factory radio, but if you have plans to expand your system, go with the biggest sub that'll fit.

Yes, all subs need an amplifier. Some subs even come with an amp built-in (called "powered subwoofers"), so you don't have to match the sub to the amp. If you prefer to customize your system, make sure to get an amp that's powerful enough for your sub. The more bass you want, the more power you'll need.