The best subwoofers to make sure you don’t just hear your favorite movies — you feel them too. If you’re looking to add more rumble, these are the best picks!
When it comes to low-end bass that can be felt as much as it can be heard, We’ve chosen SVS’s SB16 Ultra as the best pick. With its outrageously powerful amp and stylish good looks, it will fill a room with bass you can feel deep in your bones. It’s so good, we gave it a perfect 5 out of 5 in our review, something that rarely happens. Our team has more than 50 years of consumer and pro audio experience, and much of that time — thousand of hours — has been spent listening to home theater gear, including subwoofers. While the Ultra is our choice, we’ve also collected a list of alternatives, each with its own specific strengths from auto installations to saving on space without giving up the bass. Why you should buy it: It’s our favorite subwoofer ever, built to excel in any and all circumstances. Who it’s for: Those who want a powerful, versatile subwoofer that cuts no corners. Why we picked the SVS SB16 Ultra: We’ve had the SB-6 Ultra in our testing chambers for many months now — not because we’re too lazy to move it out (though it does weigh in at a hefty 122 pounds), but because we haven’t found anything worthy to take its place. This subwoofer has become our measuring stick, which might actually be unfair to the competition — it’s that good. Beneath a sleek, stylish subwoofer box, the cubic SB16 houses a monstrous 16-inch Ultra driver with an 8-inch, edge-wound voice coil, and a ridiculous 1,500-watt continuous Sledge amplifier with discrete MOSFET output that tops out at 5,000 watts peak power. All of this is to say: No matter how you’re using theSB16, it impresses. Gunshots and explosions in films register with a hefty thump to the chest, and the sub manages low-end instrumentation beautifully, allowing acoustic bass to bounce smoothly while electronic bass and kick drums shake the foundations of your home. For our money, this is the best subwoofer you can buy, period. Why you should buy it: It’s compact, reliable, and highly affordable. Who it’s for: Those who want to add some thump on the cheap. Why we picked the Dayton Audio SUB-1200: It’s okay if you’re short on cash or just looking for a support subwoofer to put in the bedroom (or office, or whatever your secondary entertainment space may be) because viable and affordable options are out there. For our money (and yours), you won’t go wrong with the Dayton Audio SUB-1200, which is much more affordable than many of our other picks. It’s deceptively powerful, despite its 12-inch frame, capable of producing full bass that never sounds tinny or boomy. So nondescript that it will fit comfortably into most rooms without drawing undue attention, it strikes a nice balance aesthetically and functionally. Big enough to rattle some hardwood, but not rickety enough to make bass go off the rails. That’s why it’s great if you’re a casual viewer or listener looking for a budget sub to round out your system. Why you should buy it: This pint-sized cabinet belies some serious power. Who it’s for: Those who want a small sub with exceptionally powerful and articulate bass. Why we picked the MartinLogan Dynamo 800X: The Dynamo 800X has bigger siblings, but it holds its own as an impressive piece of tech when looking at it punching above its weight. Despite its relatively small frame — 13.
