A good sub will of course sound fantastic with Hip Hop, Dub Step and Techno, but a lot of people are not aware of the clarity and intelligibility it will bring to all types of music.
Adding a subwoofer to your car audio system will let you hear the music that your other speakers can't reproduce — the low notes from the bass and the power of the kick drum.
Sure, a lot of people like subwoofers for the boom, but any music fan will appreciate what a sub can add. If you like classical music or jazz, a subwoofer is a must if you want to hear the full impact of the performance.
Here we'll explain the different types of subwoofers that you'll find on our website. For advice and tips on choosing your subs, read our subwoofer buying guide.
Component subwoofers
Also referred to as "raw drivers" or "subs", these are all the actual bass speakers we carry. You can see them all or shop them grouped by size, from 5-1/4" to 18". The larger the woofer, the deeper the tones that it can play.
Subwoofer boxes
This category contains enclosures already loaded with subwoofers. The advantage? The box is perfectly matched to its sub, which eliminates all the science involved in finding the right enclosure. Just add an amplifier, and you'll have great bass.
Powered subwoofers
Powered subs are a popular choice for people who want an easy route to adding bass. The subwoofer is mounted in a perfectly matched enclosure, and powered by a built-in amplifier. These all-in-one solutions usually take up less space than the average subwoofer box, so they're a great choice for smaller vehicles.
Bass packages
Here's another way to make shopping for a bass system easier. You'll find a variety of packages here, from simple sub and amp combos to complete systems with the sub(s) already mounted in the box.
Empty subwoofer boxes
Many people prefer the fun of creating their own bass systems. Pick out the sub (or subs) you want and we'll tell you which boxes they'll work in. Ditto if you already have your subs. We'll help you find the right box to make them sound their best.
Custom subwoofer boxes
These boxes are custom designed to fit in existing locations in specific vehicles, like in the rear panel in the back of SUVs and hatchbacks, or under the rear seats of a crew cab truck. The boxes in this category all have a factory-installed subwoofer and some of them even have a built-in amplifier. The easiest way to see if we have a custom subwoofer box for your vehicle is to tell us what you drive.
Custom empty subwoofer boxes
Just like the custom boxes above, these are designed to fit in specific vehicles. They'll be out of the way so you don't lose much storage space, if any. The difference is that the boxes in this category are all unloaded. You can pick the sub you want to install.
Replacement subs
Some people don't want to install a sub box, and choose to install smaller subs in the speaker openings in the back of their vehicle, like 6-1/2" subs on the rear deck, for example. Or, if you have a factory subwoofer that just doesn't do it for you, and let's face it, they rarely do, then this category is for you. Tell us about your vehicle, and we'll show you which subs will fit in your stock speaker locations.
Voice coils
Subwoofers have either one or two voice coils. This is an important feature that greatly impacts the sub's performance in your audio system.
Shallow mount
Some subwoofers are designed to work in tight spaces.
Ported or sealed
A ported box will sound louder and boom. A sealed box delivers tighter, more-focused bass. This is an important detail for getting your music to sound the way you like it.
Subwoofer installation & accessories
Whether you're building your own box or just need a few accessories to finesse your installation, this is where you'll find everything from speaker wire to box terminals and port tubes.
