Getting to Know Car Subwoofers, Types, and Tips for Choosing Them

A car subwoofer is an additional audio device that functions as a speaker for low-frequency sounds (bass). Generally, car subwoofers are placed in the trunk. However, there are some cases where car subwoofers are placed under the seats in the car.

Many people use this subwoofer to make the audio atmosphere in their car more lively, clearer to the ears of the passengers. In fact, some people are willing to spend millions to get a good subwoofer for their car.

Difference Between Active and Passive Subwoofers

In the market, you will find 2 types of subwoofers available based on their components. There are active subwoofers and passive subwoofers. What’s the difference?

1. Difference in Components

An active subwoofer is a subwoofer that does not require an additional box and power amplifier. You just need to use it. Usually, the shape of this active subwoofer is already bundled and can be placed wherever you like and connected to the car's power source. Under-seat subwoofers are usually active subwoofers.

On the other hand, a passive subwoofer is a subwoofer that still requires an additional box and power amplifier before it can be used. It is more complicated than an active subwoofer because you have to buy a box and power amplifier. Passive subwoofers are usually installed in the trunk of the car.

2. Advantages and Disadvantages of Active and Passive Subwoofers

Each subwoofer option has its own advantages and disadvantages. The advantage of an active subwoofer is that you do not need to bother buying an additional box and power amplifier. The disadvantage is that you cannot customize it to your needs. There are cases where people want to truly customize their subwoofer to fit the condition of their car. Of course, if you buy an active subwoofer for custom needs, it won't work.

Meanwhile, passive subwoofers have the advantage of customization that can truly fit your needs. For example, if you want a uniquely shaped box that fits your car, a custom power supply to produce louder sound, and to choose a quality power amplifier. The disadvantage of passive subwoofers is that they are more complicated and the costs incurred are higher.

Types of Car Subwoofer Boxes

Here are some types of car subwoofers based on their box types. Each type of box has its own advantages and disadvantages.

1. Sealed Box

A sealed box is a subwoofer box that does not have any holes. Because it does not have holes, the bass noise produced can be dampened well and smoothly.

This type of sealed subwoofer box is indeed good for those of you who really like bass sounds that have precise and very smooth responses. Additionally, its relatively small size compared to other subwoofer boxes makes this sealed box favored by cosmetic audio enthusiasts.

The disadvantage of this sealed box is that the power efficiency required is large, but the sound produced is relatively limited.

2. Vented Ported

Almost the same as a sealed box, except that a vented ported box has holes that function to increase the power efficiency of the sound produced to be louder. It is suitable for those who want to produce loud sounds inside the car. The construction of a vented ported box is quite difficult because tuning must be done from the start to ensure good sound quality. Vented ported boxes are usually used in SQ and SPL subwoofer systems.

3. Infinite Baffle

Infinite baffles are usually found in sedan cars. The advantage of this infinite baffle box is that it separates the front sound from the back, resulting in minimal resonance. Another advantage is space efficiency. The disadvantage of infinite baffles is the difficulty in amplifying sound in the back because the sound from the front cannot fully enter the rear area.

4. Acoustic Couple

An acoustic couple is a type of subwoofer box that combines 2 subwoofers in one box. The advantage is that the bass sound produced is stronger and louder. However, there is a difference in output data from each driver.

5. Reflex Bandpass

A reflex bandpass box is used to pass certain sound frequencies according to preference. Usually, people who use reflex bandpass want to eliminate very low-frequency bass sounds.

There are two types of reflex bandpass, namely single and double. The difference lies in the holes. If single, there is only one output hole. Whereas in double, there are two holes. The position of the holes significantly affects the sound produced.

Reflex bandpass has several disadvantages, including: subwoofers that break easily, high distortion, relatively large size, and difficult construction.

Tips for Choosing a Car Subwoofer

Since there are many types of subwoofers you can choose from, which one should you choose? Here are tips for choosing a car subwoofer so you won't regret it.

1. Choose According to Audio Needs

Not everyone likes dangdut music. Some prefer jazz, rock, reggae, pop, and others. What type of sound do you want to highlight, for example, do you want bass, a bit of tinkling, or just natural sound? Understanding your own audio needs is very important so that you don’t regret after purchasing. You can consult with the seller or audio installer about this.

2. Check the Size

Not all cars are for show. Some cars are indeed functional for daily needs. There are often subwoofer boxes that take up space. If you are someone who likes an OEM look (like factory default), you need to choose a small subwoofer that still produces satisfactory sound.

For those who really want to show off with the subwoofer they have, you can choose a sufficiently large subwoofer size, so it can produce truly impressive bass sound. People who choose this option usually have cars that are not typically used for daily driving, especially for carrying passengers or shopping items.

3. Check the Specifications

Every subwoofer has different power consumption. Make sure you pay attention to this so that your car's electrical system is not disturbed. If you need additional power supply, then you must add another power source (battery) so that the subwoofer can function properly and not easily break.

4. Check the Price

Again, it all comes down to budget. Having a dream of owning a good subwoofer that meets your desires indeed requires preparing a budget that can sometimes be significant. If your budget is tight, you can start by checking the prices of subwoofers. At least you can find out which subwoofers are good but within your budget.

5. Check the Type

In addition, you also need to define what type of subwoofer you want. There are active and passive subwoofers. If you have a sufficient budget, passive subwoofers can be the right choice. You can design a subwoofer box that fits the size of your car. Not only that, regarding electricity, you can choose a good power amplifier whose power supply matches the chosen subwoofer.

That’s some information about subwoofers and tips for choosing them. I hope you can find a car subwoofer that suits your desires.

Author: Iskael