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Best 12-Inch Subwoofers in 2022 – Pump Up the Bass
Updated on September 15, 2022 Robert Muñoz
A little more bass from a 12-inch subwoofer adds excitement and emotion to your music.
At high volumes, you don’t so much hear bass frequencies as feel them – especially those under the 80 Hz (hertz) threshold. Bass makes our music a full-body experience.
From the tingling sensation in your fingertips or the vibration in your back, whether you’re at the nightclub, at a favorite concert, or just listening to your high-end car stereo system, bass makes music come to life.
So if you listen to music with a lot of bass, such as hip-hop, rock, and RnB, you’ll see the benefits of installing a 12-inch subwoofer in the car. These subwoofers are optimized to produce the lower frequencies in music, serving up between 20 and 200 Hz.
Because ordinary full-range speakers can’t effectively produce the lowest frequencies, upgrading your speakers won’t guarantee a better bass response. But 12 inch car subwoofers can give you some of the best bass sounds possible.
Should you decide to add a subwoofer, choose a size that fits and also meets your needs. The 12-inch subwoofer is one of the largest units across all product lines, but if it fits, it provides an exceptional listening experience.
A 12 inch subwoofer does everything a 10-inch model can and much more. Just for starters, these woofers handle more power, play lower frequencies, are boomier, and sound better.
If that’s whetted your appetite for bass you can feel in your stomach, then read on. Here are the best 12 inch subwoofers on the market.
The Best 12-Inch Subwoofers in 2022
So, let’s look at the eight best entries currently on the market and what it takes to choose the best 12″ subwoofers.
Includes mighty 300 Watt amplifier
Handles 1200 watts of power
SPV function prevents voice coil overheating
Stress-free 1-year manufacturer warranty (subwoofers)
Best Sound Quality and Bass Response
Dual 4-Ohm voice coil with maximum power of 1200 watts
Compatible with monoblock car amplifiers
Boasts a 1000-watt RMS power handling capacity
Handle up to 400 watts RMS
American Bass USA XFL 1244
Boasts a single 4-Ohm voice coil
Offers excellent precious and loudness
Handles bass for all genres
View on Amazon →
Let’s dive into some of the strongest contenders in the 12″ subwoofer market.
1. Rockford Fosgate P300-12 Punch – Best Powered 12″ Subwoofer
If you’re looking to introduce more bass into your vehicle without the stress of matching up the right amp and enclosure, this Rockford Fosgate model is perfect. The P300-12 comes with an amp, enclosure, and sub, so you avoid complicated calculations.
The woofer comes with a 300W amplifier
The unit features a sealed enclosure
The manufacturer doesn’t provide straps or installation brackets
There is no option for daisy chaining two P300-12s
The solid construction is from 5/8-inch MDF, a high-density material popular for speaker enclosures. Dense material helps resist flexing during cone and air motion and traps sound for reproducing the bass we love.
This P300-12 has a power connector that allows fast connections and disconnections of remote-on wiring, negative and positive.
The model lets you connect to an aftermarket stereo system and speaker level using an included harness that offers RCA jacks. But speaker-level inputs require cutting the harness and attaching the wire via crimp connectors – get ready for some DIY, but the Rockford Fosgate P300-12 subwoofer has one of the best owner’s manuals we’ve seen! While brief, the manual offers thorough installation details and measurements.
You can turn off the built-in amp using auto-on via audio sensing or DC offset to prevent battery drainage when not in use.
Gain helps adjust the system’s amplification factor depending on the strength of the input signal. This Rockford Fosgate model features an easy-to-use low-pass-only crossover that’s adjustable from 50 to 200 Hz.
The remote Punch control has a 3.5mm headphone style plug and a long cable for easy plugging into the connector panel. The Punch allows easy adjusting of the bass level from your vehicle’s front.
The Rockford Fosgate P300-12 subwoofer has one of the best owner’s manuals we’ve seen! While brief, the manual offers thorough installation details and measurements.
If you’re still on the fence, check out our dedicated review of Rockford Fosgate P300-12 Punch.
Bottom Line Equipped with high-quality technology for a clean bass and precise punch without extra rattle noises, and with simple installation for most DIY installers: this is an excellent 12″ subwoofer and amplifier combo. View Latest Price on Amazon →
2. MTX Audio Terminator Series TNE212D – Best Enclosure
The MTX TNE212D comes with two 12-inch drivers to offer powerful bass for your car. Made from medium-density fiberboard and carpeted, the sub sounds powerful and tight. Further, a 2-Ohm impedance gets more power from a mono amplifier.
The unit features an enclosure
Strong enough to provide the big bass for most vehicles
A limited frequency range
This unit handles 1200 watts of power, making it one of the best subs for deep, powerful bass. A single subwoofer takes up to 250 watts output and handles up to 800 watts peak power.
The built-in amplifier offers flexibility and bass tuning. The amp also offers the bass performance you expect.
The speaker has a Spider Plateau Venting function, so air travels through continuously to prevent voice coil overheating. Insulating materials inside the subwoofer enclosure help minimize sound loss and improve sound output.
Polypropylene dust covers make sure the speakers last in any environment while guarding against ripping and the aviation-grade black carpet adds a beautiful finish to the car’s interior. A sleek appearance also introduces a touch of luxury.
Two speakers in the MTX Audio Terminator work together, so you can increase the low-frequency level and amplify bass. The enclosure helps avoid sound distortion for a clear pitch. The result? An exceptionally tight bass that’s great for audiophile appreciation.
Bottom Line A powerful dual 12″ subwoofer with two woofers in an expertly designed sealed box that optimizes sound quality. View Latest Price on Amazon →
3. Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12 Punch – Best Sound Quality and Bass Response
Rockford Fosgate is a name that will feature in the writing of the history of subwoofers, and this P3D4 will feature as one of the prominent models in the industry.
Accommodates power handling up to 1200 watts
Made for louder sounds and deeper bass
A choice of 4-Ohm or 2-Ohm options
The unit might even be too loud for some people
The lower-frequency range may not be suitable for this size
Firstly, this 12 inch subwoofer features a distinct shape. A lightweight aluminum cone construction helps the unit maintain its shape, even with heavy usage. Further, the cone material sinks the heat and directs it away from the voice coils clad with copper. This smart design ensures this is a durable subwoofer built to last.
And the revolutionary design doesn’t stop there. The cone on this model features an oversized rubber for increasing the cone volume by up to 25%. This Vertical Attach Surround Technique (VAST) technology pushes more air for a stronger bass, increasing the speaker’s effective radiating area without compromising installation.
This Rockford Fosgate speaker boasts a hybrid stamp-cast basket for superior strength while reducing weight and resonance. Special venting keeps voice coils extra cool for a consistent bass performance over the long term.
Key features of this sub include a dual 4-Ohm voice coil with a maximum power of 1200 watts and a power handling rate of 600 watts RMS (root mean squared). The dual voice coil design makes this unit compatible with monoblock car amplifiers.
This sub meets the CEA 2031 standards to deliver excellent continuous performance without damaging voice coils. Nickel-plated push terminals ensure a bright sound across multiple ranges.
Bottom Line Delivering 1200 watts of peak power handling and features aluminum cones and anodized dust caps, this robust subwoofer offers exceptional sound quality and can cope with heavy use in the long term. View Latest Price on Amazon →
4. Rockville W12K9D4 – Best Affordable
While Rockville doesn’t have the history and legacy of Rockford, it still brings us some excellent subwoofers, especially within the K9 series range. The W12K9D4 boasts a 1000-watt RMS power handling capacity, a 2000-watt program power rating, and 4000 watts of peak power handling.
Affordable and provides good value for money
Exceptional bass output for its size
Instructions can be misleading
Such power will vibrate your car – and nearby vehicles too when played at the fullest power.
It features a four-layer aluminum voice coil that shines in a relatively limited space. Oxygen-free copper in the sub’s woofer allows your car audio system to perform much longer. And the included double-stacked 190 oz magnet is heavy, allowing the unit to provide about 4,000 watts.
The K9’s basket features cast aluminum for weight balance, while the non-pressed paper cone offers auditory bout and aesthetic value. A polypropylene dust cap and a thick-foam surround help reduce distortions.
This model can handle an impressively wide 33 Hz (hertz) to 1.5 kHz frequency response ranges with an 83 dB sensitivity. A 4-Ohm dual voice coil nicely rounds off the sub.
Bottom Line An affordable sub that provides a wide low-frequency response and great sound with cheaper materials than other competitors. View Latest Price on Amazon →
5. Kenwood KFC-W3016PS – Best Entry-Level 12″ Subwoofer
Kenwood is a famous brand in the car audio industry with years of experience. The KFC-W3016PS is a cheap and excellent option for people who don’t want to invest too much in earth-shattering noise.
A powerful bass output for the amount of power it requires
A durable design and excellent build quality
Low power for a 12-inch subwoofer
The absence of dual voice coils
The woofer boasts a heavy-duty polypropylene cone and a tough rubber surround. This Kenwood sub can handle up to 400 watts RMS (root mean squared) – less power than your average 12” sub, but substantial enough for starter systems.
A dual ventilation system in the unit ensures the sub stays cool even in long playing sessions and the reinforced cone made from textured polypropylene doesn’t flex under heavy bass reproduction. That means we’ve got a durable 12 inch subwoofer on our hands.
We recommend putting the Kenwood KFC-W3016PS in a sealed enclosure and pairing it with an amplifier to get the most out of it. Kenwood recommends an enclosure that offers 1.25 cubic feet volume.
You can also put the unit in a ported enclosure to improve efficiency. However, it may give you a low-frequency output.
One side of the sub has spring post terminals for connecting the amplifier’s wiring. The posts allow connecting bare wires, pin connectors, and single banana plugs.
The top mounting depth of the woofer is less than six inches. This sub is not the shallowest on this list but good enough for placing under seats of most SUVs and mini trucks – but if you’re adding a sealed enclosure, you might need to find space in the trunk.
Bottom Line A heavy-duty polypropylene cone reinforced with a tough rubber surround, this is a solid, durable 12″ subwoofer designed for heavy use, but it lacks a little power. View Latest Price on Amazon →
6. American Bass USA XFL 1244 – Best for Big Spenders and Rugged System Builders
American Bass is a long-standing, reputable brand with an impressive number of followers. The XFL series is a heavy, 38-pound woofer with die-cast aluminum and a 200-oz speaker, making it the heaviest unit on the list.
High output and power with 1000 watt RMS.
Precise production for fast bass lines
Putting the system together requires a custom-built enclosure
This unit boasts a standard dual, 4-Ohm coil and an 89.6 sensitivity, which is on the higher side. A 1000-watt RMS power rating and 2000-watt peak power rating make the XFL 1244 one of the few on this list capable of giving you full power. Phwoar!
The surround in the woofer is foam, and the magnet boot and gasket are custom-made and rubber. The Nomex protection material on the 4-Ohm voice coil is the same one used by fighter pilots for protection from cockpit fires.
The subwoofer is built from a carbon-Kevlar material, a highly durable material offering reliable and consistent performance throughout. Kevlar’s combination of low mass and high stiffness, and low absorbency with high heat resistance makes it the perfect material for long-lasting subwoofers that offer exceptional sound.
You’ll want around 2.25 cubic feet of air in each ported enclosure to get the best out of this beast and with the right set up, you’ll have an unparalleled big sound.
Bottom Line Made with all premium materials from Kevlar to Nomex, the price is justified. This is one rugged, powerful (and expensive) 12″ subwoofer. View Latest Price on Amazon →
7. Pioneer TS-SW3002S4 – Best Shallow-Mount 12 Inch Subwoofer
Pioneer is a multinational specializing in digital entertainment equipment. Founded in 1938, Pioneer has been an active feature of the car audio industry for three generations.
Powerful bass from a shallow mount – fits in narrower spaces.
A cleaner sound and deeper bass
Great lows in a sealed enclosure.
Shallower depth is compensated for by other larger dimensions.
A relatively low RMS for the price range
One of the best subwoofers from Pioneer is this TS-SW3002S4 shallow-mount 12″ subwoofer. The sub weighs only 14.5 pounds and is in a presentable and beautiful package.
The sleek Pioneer sub boasts a single 4-Ohm voice coil. An oversized cone structure allows seamless reproduction frequencies as low as 20 Hz.
A 400-watt RMS is at the low end considering the entries on this list, but the 1,500-watt peak power is on par with other high-end units. The subwoofer has a 93 dB sensitivity, making it a winner in that category.
An elastic polymer surround complements the Injection-Molded Polypropylene (IMPP) composite cone for excellent sound production. Inside is a 71.6-oz magnet.
Build features such as poly-cotton damper, and push-type wire terminals justify the high-quality end cost of the subwoofer. However, the shallow mounting design makes the sub suitable for many vehicles – a perfect balance of big sound and compact size.
Bottom Line The Pioneer TS-SW3002S4 is a component subwoofer with an oversized cone structure for deeper, louder bass – and Pioneer has packed all this into a shallow-mounting sub that will fit in smaller vehicles. View Latest Price on Amazon →
8. Kicker 43CVR124 – Best Value for Money
The automotive audio equipment market competes with most products offering the same functionalities. Best differentiators are serious brand power, extraordinary features, or great value for money.
A solid build quality
Satisfying precision and loudness
May require an aftermarket amplifier for the best sound
Not as nuanced as high-end subwoofers
This Kicker CVR offers you the latter. However, don’t expect the same sound quality you’d get from a high-end unit, but the sub brings a significant difference to your soundscape at half the cost.
The CVR is a 12″ sub with a 4-Ohm dual voice coil design that allows easy wiring. Recommended RMS power is 400 watts and can reproduce and handle bass for all genres.
This Kicker CompVR model is available in 2- and 4-Ohm dual voice coils featuring the famous Kicker red surround stitching. The stitching helps bind a ribbed Santoprene surround to the polypropylene cone for extra strength.
The stamped steel basket prevents vibrations, and SoloKon™ technology marries the back brace and woofer into a unit. The result is a cohesive system pushing out distortion-free, loud bass.
Spiraled perimeter venting technology and spring-load push terminals ensure the high performance that Kicker is famous for. The advanced heat management system helps move air while a UniPlate system redirects heat away from your motor, making this a durable sub that can survive heavy use.
This Kicker model is a strong contender if you are on the market for the maximum power on a budget. The unit can get loud, producing a ridiculous amount of low end.
Bottom Line An aggressive design and a solid injection molded polypropylene cone that can take a few bumps. While the RMS is a little lower than we’d like, it offers an exceptional balance of performance and cost. View Latest Price on Amazon →
The Buyer’s Guide to Choosing the Best 12″ Subwoofer
Stock automobile sound systems are ok but don’t provide an excellent listening experience. A subwoofer is the best way to update your in-car sound.
Any of the subs on the list above can help take away the heavy lifting from OEM (original equipment manufacturer) speakers. The dynamics become interesting, increase the soundstage, and achieve clearer stereo imaging.
Types of 12 Inch Car Subwoofer
We discuss the most popular car subwoofer types in the market. From this, you’ll know what unit is compatible with your current car audio system.
Also known as active subwoofers, these units come with their amplifier. The amplification unit helps ensure the sub gets adequate power.
All subs require an amplifier and powered subwoofers come with their own. The ease of connection makes powered subwoofers a popular choice for users with less experience in building a sound system from scratch.
The component subs come with a speaker. However, you’ll need to purchase an enclosure and amplifier separately. Purchasing equipment also makes it easier to create a highly customized car audio system.
These subs are an excellent choice if you’re new to the car audio world. The units come pre-mounted.
An enclosed subwoofer is ideal if there’s not much space in your vehicle. Another benefit is installation ease.
Factors to Consider When Buying a 12″ Subwoofer
Comparing specifications is critical after settling on the best subwoofer type for your car. Here, we talk about the essential factors to consider while deciding.
Passive or Active Subwoofers
While active subwoofers have built-in power sources, passive units require an external source. Your amplifier needs to be in a position that allows output and bass maintenance in a passive sub.
The best amp position will help reduce the chances of power supply drainage. Always merge the subwoofer with the rest of the car audio system. How you connect the sub to other equipment depends on whether the unit is passive or active.
Sealed or Ported Subwoofers
A sealed subwoofer is an excellent choice if you’re looking for high-quality bass without sacrificing space or sound quality. You can also use it in compact cars that need a better, tighter sound.
Sealed subwoofers are popular with audiophiles that want more control over the sound reproduction. The cone in a sealed sub takes more power to produce compared to what a ported box unit takes.
Ported subwoofers are excellent for powerful and louder bass. These subwoofers have ports (vents), so air escapes out of the box.
Also Read: Sealed vs Ported vs Bandpass Subwoofer Enclosures — What’s The Difference?
Single or Dual Voice Coils
The voice coil is a cable or coil around a tube attached to a speaker cone’s apex. This coil supplies force through a magnetic field that reacts to a current passing through it.
Single voice coil subwoofers have a single length of cable around the cone. These subs are easy to identify because they only have one set of speaker wire entries—positive and negative.
Dual voice coil subwoofers have cables wound in opposite directions. These units can handle a greater amount of power from your amplifier. You can connect the subs in parallel or series to gain more versatility from your equipment.
Voice coils can be made from copper, aluminum, or copper-clad aluminum. Copper, thanks to its strength and conductivity, tends to be a more durable component found in premium subwoofers.
Power is a critical factor that should affect your decision. More power means that the subwoofer can produce more bass.
You need to keep track of these two power specs when shopping for the best 12″ subwoofer:
You must consider the RMS power rating to match a sub to your OEM (original manufacturer equipment) head unit or double din head unit.
RMS power is how much power the sub can handle consistently. The higher the value, the more powerful and louder sound it can consistently offer. Anything from 150 watts right up to 1000 watts is found in 12″ speakers. If you like to crank the volume, bigger is better.
This is the max power amount a subwoofer can handle in small bursts. Peak power is higher than RMS. Only but not as critical as the latter. However, putting through all the peak power continuously will fry your woofer.
Speaker sensitivity is its ability to convert power to sound in decibels (dB). The higher a subwoofer’s sensitivity, the more volume you get from less power. Ideal sub sensitivities range from 80 dB to 99 dB.
However, a woofer that’s too sensitive increases the chances of sound getting distorted and muffled. You need a subwoofer within the region of 90 dB to get a coherent sound.
Frequency response is the audible periodic vibrations in hertz. The higher the frequency, the sharper the sound you get.
Subwoofers produce waves between 20 to 200 Hz. However, use a crossover filter to limit the frequency response to anything lower than 100 Hz for the best sound. Wider frequency response will make your subwoofer more flexible, but it will undermine the bass response to some extent.
Impedance is the resistance level a sub brings to your car audio system. The number is technical and affects speaker compatibility.
Most subwoofers on the market come with an impedance of 4 Ohms, but 2- and 8-Ohm varieties are common. There’s also the choice of units that allow you to switch between the different impedance settings, especially if you have a problem choosing an option. You’ll want to ensure the impedance of your sub is suited to your choice of amp – and the wiring you’re using to hook them up.
Also Read: 2-Ohm Vs. 4-Ohm – A Sound Quality Comparison
The bigger a subwoofer, the stronger and better the bass reproduction. While the ultimate sound quality output depends on various things, the more room a manufacturer can play with allows things to get better.
The 12-inch woofer is at the second top position in the subwoofer food chain, only 15″ subwoofers stand above them. Smaller shallow mounted subs, 8″ to 10″ subwoofers still offer excellent sound output, but they are slighter as you get down the ladder of the dimensions.
Select a 12 inch subwoofer that works with your space. Do you want to set it up in your trunk or would prefer making it an under the seat subwoofer?
Remember, some high-wattage subs need special receivers and dedicated amplifiers to work correctly. Also, how it looks is a consideration for flashy setups.
Ease of installation and scope of know-how are critical things to consider. Some high-end subwoofers require dedicated receivers or amplifiers. Large commercial systems may even have climate-controlled cabinets.
Understand your subwoofer type installation. Some technical installations can be complicated and need professional help, which may cost between hundreds and thousands of dollars.
Remember your budget when buying a 12″ subwoofer. The price range will also help narrow down your options. Advanced subwoofers will cost you more.
If you’re unsure about a subwoofer for your vehicle, consider the user reviews. User opinions make it easier to weigh the merits and demerits of each sub on the market.
A 12″ subwoofer can add lots to your car audio experience, and we’re sure you will love the experience a high-quality speaker offers. We hope you find this information valuable as you look for the right speaker.
Consider the above reviews to make things clearer. Choosing the best 12 inch subwoofer might be tricky, but this guide will help.
A careful review of the options will help you decide what unit works best for you. However, move fast because of limited stocks—you don’t want to wait for the next shipment!
I’m Robert, a US-based auto electrician, auto mechanic, trained engineer and fanatic about all things motor vehicle. After studying engineering in college I returned to my original passion - car mechanics - and I ran a garage for a number of years serving my local community. Through my garage, I got involved in numerous road safety campaigns in my local area until eventually, I decided to share what I've learned with the world. Know more about me... You can follow me on LinkedIn.