If you are looking for the best subwoofer under $200, you’ve come to the right place. With this article we hope you’ll be able to find the best subwoofer under $200 with ease! So, if you are looking for a unit that is both affordable and with good specifications, this is the place to start your search. There are some great, inexpensive subwoofers that you can find on the market. However, the question is; which subwoofer is worth the investment? It is your money, so you need to make a wise purchase.
We all know that subwoofers are becoming very popular regardless of their use. You can use them at home or outdoors since they have the ability to enhance and enrich the quality of your sound system.
There are two options on the market, active subwoofers or passive subwoofers, and there is a big difference between them. Active subwoofers have inbuilt amplifiers, where passive subwoofers have a subwoofer driver and an enclosure with an external amp. Both of these configurations offer different benefits, and can be found at decent prices with some very cool features.
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What you can do from the side of a customer is to do your research and find a good product suitable for your needs. The most obvious way, is to purchase a quality unit from a well-known manufacturer. Below is a list with few units that you should take into consideration:
1. Polk Audio PSW10
The Polk Audio PSW10 is a 10-inch subwoofer. It features an all-MDF non-resonant enclosure construction. This unit was created for distortion free low frequencies, so you will immediately notice the impeccable sound it produces. It offers high current amplifying features with the 10-inch dynamic balance cone, and a driver made of polymer composites. These also have a positive effect when rendering big bass.
The amp has a 100 W dynamic power rating as well as a 50 W continuous power rating. Additionally, the device features laser based Klippel measuring technology. This results to a deeper sound and an enhanced linearity. Moreover, the enclosure has internal bracing together with 0.75-inch baffles.
Design-wise, the unit is very stable and made of high-quality materials. This is the same design that ensures that the power is used as efficient as possible. However, you should note that the unit comes with two audio speaker output and inputs. It also has a downward firing floor coupled port.
It has this amazing smart sensing circuitry technology that is reducing sound distortion and one of the reasons this unit made it to the list with the best subwoofer under $200. Still, I’d recommend not exceeding 85 dBs. Especially when using for prolonged periods of time, such as when watching movies.
- Professional sound
- Low distortion
- Good connectivity options
- Very durable construction
- A bit bulky
2. Pioneer TS-WX1210A
This 12-inch subwoofer is super-powerful with a built-in amplifier. It is an all-in-one package at a very cheap price. Its maximum power is at 1300W which means that you can practically use it for anything. It has a RMS rating of 350W which is quite decent at this price.
Although it looks like a cheap and low-quality unit due to the carpet enclosure, believe me when I say that there is more than meets the eye. The Pioneer subwoofer has a built-in class D amp and is made of high-quality materials to ensure great sound and longevity. It has a cellulose fiber cone as well as a urethane surround that ensures a well-detailed sound with great mids, lows and highs. The bass it offers is out of its league. It has a frequency response of 20-125 and it has an overall sensitivity of 114 dB which is more than what you can possibly find at this price range.
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It is controlled via a remote knob which is quite handy and precise. You can control the volume and other things as well. The Pioneer TS-WC1210A is the unit that you should be looking at if you are looking for a budget quality unit.
- Bass boost 0 to 12 dB and crossovers
- Great performance
- Impeccable bass
- The design makes it look cheap
3. OSD Audio IWS88
With Dual 8″ Injected Polypropylene Woofers and a great pair of magnets – the OSD Audio IWS88 has the performance most audiophiles are looking for and it’s definetly the best subwoofer under $200.
It can handle power of up to 350W, and as an in-wall subwoofer it is the perfect addition to any home theater. You can even add it to your home recording studio. The unit has a dog-ear bracket system, just like other OSD Audio units. This one is mounted securely after the cut-out hole has been made and the speaker has been dropped into the hole.
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What I really loved about this unit is the design customization options. Regardless of your home interior design, you can customize the unit to blend-in. There is even a cutout template for some types of it. This one also doubles as a paint shield for those who want to paint the unit themselves.
The OSD Audio IWS88 is very powerful and can deliver audio quality that you cannot possibly find at this price range. So, if you are looking for a very compact unit that doesn’t take up any floor space- this is the one.
However, keep in mind that this is a passive speaker. This means that you’ll need to get an additional subwoofer amp.
- Perfect for home theaters and home recording studios
- Very well power handling of 350 Watts
- 8 Ohms impedance
- Reinforced back bridge ensures a great bass
- It can only be mounted on wall
- It requires additional subwoofer amp
4. Planet Audio AC12D
The Planet Audio AC12D is one of the bet subwoofers you can find, especially if you are looking for a car subwoofer. It features a two-inch dual aluminum voice coil and a polypropylene cone. Additionally, it has a customizable trim ring, as well as a foam surround. I loved that the unit is sensitive up to 88 dB which is a huge plus.
It has a 33 Hz resonant frequency and a 34 Hz port frequency. With its 1800 W power rating, the Planet Audio will produce just the sound you are looking for.
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I also noticed that the Planet Audio subwoofer has a pole vent and works both ways – in a sealed or ported enclosure. It is made of ¾” MDF, which makes it a perfect car subwoofer for all purposes.
Design wise, it is quite compact yet powerful. It comes in dimensions of 13 x 13 x 6 inches, making it perfect for any car environment. Also, it comes in black color so it doesn’t stand out too much. It is the perfect unit for those who want to achieve professional sound in their cars.
- High quality polypropylene material
- Resistant to corrosion
- Offers very detailed sound
- Budget-friendly for a car subwoofer
- Dimensions might not be suitable for smaller enclosures
5. Kenwood KSC-SW11
The third budget friendly subwoofer on our list is the Kenwood KSC-SW11. Again, this is a car subwoofer that will simply rock your world. It comes in a high-quality, aluminum enclosure. It has a very nice design as it is a simple, black compact unit. It has a wired remote to allow control over variable low-pass crossover and volume levels. In addition, it offers a ground wire and power harness.
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It has a built-in amplifier with an RMS power rating of 75W and maximum power rating of 150W. This eliminates the need for an additional, external amp. It is safe to say that the Kenwood KSC SW11 also saves you a lot of money on the long run.
With its cool rectangular design, the Kenwood subwoofer has a classy and stylish design, and most importantly, it is very easy to mount. All you need to do to connect the unit to your battery is to wire it and ground it. This can be done by almost anyone with no experience. Just a bit of patience, and your brand new budget friendly subwoofer will provide you the audio joy you are looking for.
- Great for those who value high quality sound
- Easy setup
- Rectangular, stylish design
- Not suitable for smaller cars
Conclusion
All units in the list above are ticking all the boxes when it comes to selecting the best subwoofer under $200. Especially if you are on a tight budget. As you can see, finding a good subwoofer at a reasonable price is hard, but not impossible. There are some decent features that you can easily find in some of the cheaper options. If you don’t need a unit for professional purposes, each of the units on the list above should do the trick for you. Make your pick according to your own needs, and you are good to go with the best subwoofer under $200.
