Best Subwoofer And Amp Combos Guide

Last Updated on January 10, 2023 by Norvan Martin

Finding the right subwoofer and amp combo can make a world of a difference for your sound system. You can make a subwoofer much louder with an amplifier. In this article, we shall examine the quality features of some of the best subwoofer and amplifier combos you can ever imagine of.

Top Pick

7 Best Sub And Amp Combo For Cars and Trucks

Finding the perfect subwoofer and amp combo is pegged on some aspects:

• The available space on which to install
• Your financial muscle/budget
• Your tastes and preference
• Your past experience, if any

As to whether or not you want a big thump in the car or truck to enjoy your commute, or perhaps to shake your soul, here’s what to look for.
By the way, before we get into it, many people do not have an amplifier and may not have the budget for one. In this case, there is actually a way to connect your subwoofer to a car without an amplifier. To learn more, check out our article on how to hook up a subwoofer to a car without an amplifier.

1.      Best Market Price: Sound Storm Laboratories PB10 Car Subwoofer And Amp Package

With a built-in amplifier, 10-inch subwoofer with passive radiator, and remote subwoofer control, this subwoofer and amp combo is the right system for your truck.

The amp delivers up to 600 watts to power the 8” sub. It has a variable low-pass filter, high-level inputs, low-level inputs, phase control, and variable bass boost.

Pros

• 3-year warranty provided
• Affordable

Cons

• Low power output

2.      Most Durable Combo: Dual Electronics BP1204 Illuminite

Has a power handling capacity of 1100 watts and a frequency range of 30Hz to 200 kHz. They have their illumiNITE design that creates a surreal viewing experience.

It has a carefully crafted speaker system that delivers an accurate and powerful bass, with 4-ohm impedance and 2.5-inch voice coils that significantly increase output efficiency.

Pros

• It is affordable
• Comes with increased output capability
• Made for durability and longevity
• Engineered with curved Plexiglas viewing window

Cons

• It is big and may not fit in some small-spaced trucks
• May be too weighty at 58 pounds to carry easily

3.      Best Waterproof: Rockville SS8P 400 Watt Slim Under-Seat Active Powered Car/Truck Subwoofer

It has a built-in Subsonic Filter @ 20Hz, Thermal Protection Circuit, Short Protection, and Overload Protection Circuit.

It comes with Green Power/Red Protect LED, Peak Power Handling: 400 Watts, RMS Power Handling: 100 Watts, THD :< 0.4%, Adjustable Input Sensitivity.

It has Subwoofer Level Remote Control and Soft Delayed Remote Turn-On, and Fuse Rating: Single 10A.

Pros

• It is water-proof
• Small in size
• USB Charging

Cons

• High volume distorts audio quality making it to sound fuzzy
• The RCA inputs are on the back of the speaker

4.      Best Compact Sub: Kenwood KSC-PSW8 – Compact Powered 8” Subwoofer

Fits under the seat but produces bass equivalent to that of a larger subwoofer in your trunk. Contains a Class D amplifier, with a wired remote enabling you to control the bass from the driver’s seat, and comes with 150 watts RMS power (250 watts maximum), Frequency response: 35 – 150Hz.

It also has a 28” RCA input for connecting the sub to a factory radio.

Pros

• Support class D amplifier
• Easy to install
• Compact size fitting under the seat

Cons

• The bass is not very deep
• The sound quality fades away so fast

5.      Superior Design: Skar Audio Signle 8” Complete 700 Watt SDR Series Subwoofer Bass Package

The all-in-one SDR sub includes a loaded enclosure with an amplifier and delivers up to 700-watt peak power and 350 watts of RMS power.

This package offers a more simplified option for adding a full-grade subwoofer system, without any guesswork in design.

Pros

• Easy to install
• Inbuilt amplifier
• Low pass crossover filter

Cons

• Must be installed in an area that is well-ventilated to prevent overheating
• Bass is not very deeper when comparing it with other speakers in the market

6.      Low-profile Best Bass: JBL BassPro SL Compact Subwoofer

It is designed to deliver impressive bass from a low-profile enclosure, installed in a limited space, which makes it possible for it to fit perfectly under or behind the seat of a truck.

It features a Class D amplifier that feeds with 125 watts RMS power, with the amp coming with an adjustable frequency and bass boost.

Its speaker-level and line-level inputs with an input load switch enhance its functionality.

Pros

• Supports class D amp
• Easy to install

Cons

• Lacks a good bass response
• The price is on a higher side

7.      Best Remote Control: PWE-S8 Compact Powered 8-Inch Subwoofer

Comes with a side panel that gives you access to the built-in amplifier controls for phase, gain, and a low-pass crossover (80 – 200Hz). You can control your bass level from the driver’s seat with an input for a wired remote level knob.

The remote knob has a 15’’ cable attached for flexible installation. Adding PWE-S8 is easy with the easy-access RCA inputs and speaker-level inputs.

Pros

• Remote bass control
• Durable enclosure

Cons 

• It is not waterproof
• Loud sound distortions

Sub And Combo Package

Is it really a viable idea to buy a subwoofer and an amplifier separately when you can buy both enclosed in one package? There is a range of products that make it so much easier than working out all of the individual components you might need to buy otherwise.

1. Juice A12 1200W 12” – active subwoofer with custom enclosure. Built to offer a perfect humble 200W-300W RMS power output and 1400W Peak Power output.
2. Pioneer TS-WX306B – Universal Passive Enclosed Subwoofer 1300W. built with a Voice Coil Cooling System (VCCS) improving heat removal from the center of the subwoofer.
3. MTX TN212DV Bass Package – with two 12” subs and TNA500D-watt mono amp, and both low and high pass filters.
4. MTX Magnum Audio MB210SP (Magnum Bass Package) – dual 10 ported enclosure with a 250-watt mono amplifier.
5. Kenwood P-W1221 170-watt Bass Package – includes KFC-W112S 12” subwoofers and a KAC-5207 amplifier.
6. Alpine S-SB10V-PWR Halo 10” Bass Package – includes S-SB10V linkable 10” ported sub enclosure and KTA-200M compact 200-watt mono amp.
7. Rockford Fosgate Power Series 750-Watt Bass Package – with T1Sx12 truck-style 12” sealed enclosure and T750X1bd mono amp.
8. MTX TNP212D2 Bass Package – dual 12” sealed enclosure with a 250-watt mono amplifier.

Best Sub And Amp Combo For Jeep Wrangler

Audiopipe – APSB Series 12” 600W Subwoofer/500W Amplifier Dual Bass Package

This sub and amp combo offers the products best suited for Jeep Wrangler. Regardless of the items selected, every Jeep Wrangler driver will get a great deal of bang for the buck.

APCL-1002 2 Channel Power Amplifier

• Built-in variable high pass and low pass crossover
• Electronic protection circuitry to secure the amp from short circuiting, thermal overload, and DC offset
• RCA line input-output jacks

APSE-120PC High-Performance Sealed Enclosure

• Frequency response 25 – 1000 Hz
• High-Grade MDF construction

Best 12 Sub And Amp Combo

ALPHASONIK APP122

If you want the best 12-inch sub and amp combo, this 1500 watts dual 12-inch subwoofers car bass package with an amplifier is a wonderful selection. It comes with an installation kit, 2 subwoofers with grills in a custom ported box-loaded enclosure.

The monoblock amplifier features a thermal protection circuit, powder-coated chassis, nickel-plated terminal blocks, bass boost control, and a THD level of 0.2%.

The inbuilt amp protection circuitry protects the system from short circuits, input overload, and high temperatures. The LED indicator illuminates when the protection mode is enabled.

Best Marine Sub And Amp Combo

1.      Pyle Lanzar AQTB8 8-Inch

A perfect waterproof 100-watt amplified subwoofer combo designed for any wet environment. With an 8” slim marine woofer, RCA low-level, and high-level adjustable sensitivity, this amp is the best for your marine tours. It has superior sound quality and performance and the nickel-plated RCA connections ensure a high-quality connection between the amp and speakers.

Pros

• RCA connectivity
• Can be fitted in a limited space
• Affordable

Cons

• The bass is not very deep

Best Compact Sub And Amp Combo

1.    Rockford Fosgate PS

Pros

• Compact with in-built amplifier
• Durably built with the bass control knob
• Remote control
• Compact and light
• Has 4 mounting brackets, simple installation

Cons

Power connections loosen so fast

2. Planet Audio P8UAW

Pros

• Compact size
• Inbuilt amplifier
• Minimal distortions
• Wired remote control

Cons

• Auto turn-off unnecessarily
• Can blow as a result of power disruptions

3. NHT Super 8

Pros

• In-built 300-watt amplifier
• Automatic on/off feature
• Wirelessly connects from the USB cable
• Energy converted into sound, highly efficient

Cons

• It is heavy – 18.2 lbs

Best Cheap Sub And Amp Combo

MTX Audio TNP212D2 Terminator

This package bundles a 2 x 12 subwoofer enclosure and monoblock amplifier. It delivers 250 watts at 2 Ohms and 150 watts at 4 Ohms. With variable low and high pass filters, the system offers a 40 – 400 Hz range for sound shaping.

Cons

• Very affordable
• Deep and genuine bass
• 250 Watts RMS
• Has 12” subs with an amp-quality box

Cons

• However, consumes a lot of space
• Greedily eats into your car’s battery

Subwoofer And Amplifier Combo Vs Powered Subwoofer 

A subwoofer with a built-in amplifier is referred to as a powered subwoofer. It is ideal when you don’t have enough space to mount the subwoofer and amplifier separately.

However, apparently, unlike an external independent amplifier, powered amplifiers are not powerful. This is also due to space issues and all the drivers have to be fixed within one enclosure.

Well, it will serve you, but should you be yearning for a powerful music outcome, then, a powered subwoofer may do little to satisfy you, that is factual. Besides, having the power to control the subwoofer and amplifier independently gives your sound system more versatility for an improved sound experience.

Summarily, if you find your budget not so overstretched, and you have an interest in and love music, find yourself one sub and amp combo that suits your preference to install in your vehicle for a seamless commute experience.

Finally, please check out our guide on how to connect a subwoofer to an amplifier to learn more. As a specific example, check out our guide on how to connect a passive subwoofer to 2 channel stereo amplifiers.

FAQs

1. Is a 10-watt amp loud?

A 10-watt tube amp will most likely keep up with a blues or rock drummer due to the nature of the circuitry. A 10-watt solid-state amp, on the other hand, will go unnoticed.

2. What is the loudest Rockford Fosgate subwoofer?

The Power T3S1-19 superwoofer is the biggest and most powerful speaker ever made by Rockford Fosgate. It boasts a massive 19-inch radiating cone area for deep bass and a single 1-Ohm voice coil for simple wiring.

3.  Does 2 subs sound better than 1?

The answer is yes if you compare one sub to two subs of the same brand and model number. Putting numerous subwoofers in your theatre room will almost always result in substantially better and smoother bass response throughout a larger listening area.

4. Is a subwoofer cable mono or stereo?

Active subwoofers typically have one or more outputs when connected to a home theatre system. The signal is mono, and because of that, the sub-outputs are normally simply 1 Phono RCA connection.