If you want to improve audio experience in your car, never be contented with your factory-installed sound system. You need to invest in upgrading its different components, specifically a subwoofer. With this, in the rest of this post, we’ll share with you some of the most important considerations that will help you to make the right choice.
Before anything else, let us first discuss what is a subwoofer. In a nutshell, it is a speaker that is responsible for the reproduction of low frequencies. Generally speaking, the speakers that are fitted in standard cars are too small. They lack the power to handle low frequencies. It will deliver significant improvement in your audio system, allowing it to be crisp and loud without suffering from distortions.
Types of Car Subwoofers
Which type is the perfect one for your needs? If you are clueless on the options that are available, below are what you might want to consider.
- Powered Subwoofers: It is an all-in-one subwoofer, which means that a single enclosure is already inclusive of amplifier and speaker driver. They are typically bigger compared to the other type. This is a good choice if there is no limitation in terms of space availability.
- Non/Powered / Passive Subwoofers: Contrary to the case of powered subwoofer, this type only has a speaker driver in one enclosure. They are more space-efficient and also more affordable.
At the end of the day, even if powered subwoofer is the more powerful option, this does not mean that this is the better choice. There are other factors that should be taken into account, such as compatibility with the other components of the entire sound system.
Understanding Specifications
For many people, especially for first-time buyers, it is common to be ignorant about the technical details of a subwoofer. In most cases, you will end up being confused with the terms that are stated in the specifications from the manufacturer. Before you decide which one to purchase, you need to have an understanding of these terms, which will be helpful in making a well-informed decision.
RMS Power
This is important as it will be indicative of the power that can be delivered by the subwoofer. This refers to the continuous power handling or the output that can be produced. This will provide you with a better gauge of the power of the unit compared to peak power. See to it that the RMS is suitable for the amplifier that you have.
Sensitivity
A better option is a subwoofer that comes with a higher sensitivity rating. This is a measurement of the ability of the speaker to have the power converted into sound. If the sensitivity is high, this means that it will require lesser power to produce a loud sound. On the other hand, lower sensitivity would require more power.
Frequency Range
Looking at the frequency range will let you know the lowest range at which the subwoofer can play. It is an important technical specification, but take note that this is not an essential factor. At the end of the day, there are other variables that will come into play, such as the type of box.
Subwoofer Enclosure
The enclosure is important because of how it impacts overall performance. In this case, the following are some of the types that are available:
- Sealed Boxes: If you want the deepest sound that can deliver the highest level of accuracy, this should be on the top of your list. This is the simplest and most space-efficient from the types that are discussed.
- Ported Boxes: This is an ideal option if you are more concerned with volume than the depth of the sound. Compared to sealed, it will require a larger space and its installation can also be somewhat tricky.
- Band-pass Boxes: Similar to the case of ported box, this is also the one that can deliver more volume. However, it is also important to take note of the fact that it is not designed to reproduce a flat response.
- Free-Air Subwoofers: In this case, the trunk space will be utilized as the enclosure of the subwoofer, making this an excellent option if you are looking for space-efficiency. It can rival sealed boxes in terms of being user-friendly when it comes to its assembly.
Size
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to the size of the subwoofer. This will depend on the type of car that you have or the space that is available inside. Larger ones tend to be more powerful, especially the active subwoofers. If there are no space restrictions, a larger sub is perhaps the better option, which means that it will deliver superior audio.
Cone Materials
Paper cones may deliver a natural sound, but the problem is that they can be inferior in terms of durability. With this, a better option is a cone that is made from polypropylene, which can withstand the test of time. If budget is not a concern, the more expensive subwoofers use titanium.
Number of Subwoofers
How many subwoofers do you need for your car? There is no rule of thumb that will dictate which one is right. This will depend on individual factors, such as the compatibility with the entire system and the space that is available.
Voice Coils
This refers to the coil that is attached to the wire of the subwoofer. If you want simplicity, single coil is best as it is simpler to install. On the other hand, if you are looking for versatility, dual and quad voice calls will prove to be better as they can be configured in more ways than one.
Conclusion
Looking for a subwoofer that is perfect for your car is not as easy as picking a product that comes with the cheapest price. You should be responsible enough to take a look at the specifications and what they mean. Go beyond what can be seen by the naked eye. Evaluate even the smallest detail to be sure that the subwoofers will be highly-instrumental in improving your audio experience.
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