How to find the best 8-inch subwoofer? Step by step guide

More than entertainment, music has become therapy in these turbulent times. There is no doubt that a long drive while listening to your favorite track is not only rejuvenating but it is therapeutic as well. However, to take full advantage of the opportunity, one needs to have a good quality stereo system in the car.

Regardless, if you like light music that is soothing to your ears, or you enjoy blustering loud beats, an 8 inch subwoofer will do the deed. Apart from giving you your desired sound, it will also be space intelligent as it won’t take much space in your vehicle.

Generally, experts recommend these 8 inch subwoofers as ideal for hatchback cars, but it can be used in any vehicle. One of the vital reasons for choosing specifically an 8-inch speaker is its accurate bass. So if you are done listening to your favorite songs in a dull environment due to your old stereo system, bring one of the best 8 inch subwoofer speakers available in the market at the best prices, and start vibing again. 

If you are a first-time buyer or are searching for options for the best 8 inch subwoofer, then the below guide would be handy.

Why replace your old stereo with an 8-inch subwoofer?

It is important to understand why 8-inch subwoofers are the choice of many and what pros are attached to them;

8-inch speakers are battery efficient

Sound lovers try to avoid placing big-size subwoofers in their cars due to battery drainage. It would not be wrong to say that the bigger size subwoofers consume an ample amount of battery, due to which the power of the battery is not transmitted to other important components of the car.

However, the best 8 inch subwoofer does not consume much battery because of its typically small size yet provides amazing sound quality that will surely revitalize your driving experience altogether.

Accurate bass – not more nor less – just perfect!

If you are an avid music enthusiast, you would hate your factory-installed stereo system. As a stereo system is not a car’s operating essential, many manufacturers don’t pay much attention. Therefore, the sound quality of the pre-installed audio system is not effective. Moreover, getting a quality stereo is pricey, which stops many from getting a better sound system.

However, in this scenario, the audio companies came up with much more budget-friendly solutions to this problem. With 8-inch stereo subwoofers, not only have they made a quality sound system available for the masses, that has perfect bass and clear output but at affordable pricing as well.

Five-channel amplifier friendly

Bigger size subwoofers such as a 10-inch or 15-inch, require a separate amplifier or a dedicated monoblock amp. However, an 8-inch subwoofer easily connects with a five-channel amplifier that is available in most cars. You will not have to pay extra bucks for a separate amplifier to listen to quality music with accurate bass.

Protects your factory’s speaker

Many people are not satisfied with the sound quality their factory-installed speakers are providing. Sometimes they listen to songs on such a high volume that it damages the stereo system entirely as these speakers are not manufactured in a way that can tolerate that much bass.

However, the entire scenario changes with an 8-inch subwoofer. A complete load of bass and extra sound is transferred to the subwoofer, which keeps the factory’s speaker protected.

Well, when you plan to buy anything new, not only do the benefits play an important role, but the budget is also a key factor while making a decision. Since the start, we have been advocating the affordability of an 8-inch subwoofer. However, until we will quote specific figures, you won’t be able to get an idea. Therefore, below you will find a different price range of an 8-inch subwoofer, from which you can decide if the investment is worth it.
Before we state the price brackets, know that these prices are subject to change a little here and there.

8-inch subwoofer pricing

Under $50

Can you imagine having a good quality sound component for just $50? Well, that is possible if you are willing to install an 8-inch subwoofer. You can find various options in the category of 8-inch subwoofer in this budget.

There is no doubt in saying that a cheap best 8 inch subwoofer would produce a better sound than factory-installed speakers. However, you cannot expect an impeccable sound quality with such a price tag.

$50 – $150

People should understand that the price tag doesn’t measure the quality of sound produced by a subwoofer. Instead of spending a huge sum of money to purchase a subwoofer, try looking for an option in this price range.

You can easily find numerous brands providing a great quality subwoofer. Moreover, you will have different choices available for you.

$150 – above

No one can stop a sound lover from spending a good amount of money on a top-quality subwoofer. People who wish to add for the best sound performance can add a subwoofer in this price range in their vehicles.

There are several options available in the market which can make the choice tougher for you. All in all, in this price range, you can easily purchase a supreme quality 8-inch subwoofer.

You must be wondering, regardless of the price range, we have quoted that you will find a good quality 8-inch subwoofer, then why have we given three different price ranges. The reason being, the more you are willing to spend, the better features you will get in your 8-inch subwoofer. However, regardless of which price range is in your budget, your 8-inch subwoofer will have all the primary features to give you best results; if not best, then better than your car’s factory-installed speaker.

Key features in an 8-inch subwoofer?

While you are all set to purchase an 8-inch subwoofer, try to look upon the key aspects of it. It is important to understand the factors which are necessary for a great quality subwoofer. Let’s discuss the key features;

Size

Subwoofers are available for cars to trucks ranging from 8” to 15” inches. Many people have a perception that the size of a subwoofer determines its sound quality and bass. However, it is somewhat right but not entirely.

There are other features of a subwoofer as well which are interlinked to its quality. Nevertheless, it is great to have an 8-inch subwoofer placed in your car instead of the factory-installed speakers. To improve the sound quality, the tiniest subwoofer is the ideal choice for you.

Enclosure type

It is important to understand that closeness of sub to the enclosure will surely have an impact on the performance of a subwoofer. If an 8-inch subwoofer is packed in a sealed box, it generates the deepest base which is desired by many sound lovers.

On the other hand, if an 8-inch subwoofer is found in the bandpass and a ported enclosure, it will create a large sound volume.

Single vs Dual voice coils

If you just wish to upgrade your sound system with basic means so the single voice coil is considered ideal for you. However, if you wish to add some other components, later on, the dual voice coils are the right choice for you.

Well, for the customization purpose, dual voice coils are considered perfect for your car.

Frequency range

The frequency of the game is different in every subwoofer. If you have placed a smaller lower limit subwoofer, it would produce lower and deeper frequencies. People who wish to listen to the deepest base should look for a subwoofer with the lowest frequency.

An 8-inch subwoofer will have a lower frequency between 20 to 30 hertz.

Power

You would not find any subwoofer in the market that would be available without its signature wattage rating. There is a sufficient power supply which a subwoofer can handle and does not get disrupted. The major reason for the right amount of power is the performance of the subwoofer. If the power supply is not up to the mark, the sound quality would be affected.

On the other hand, if the subwoofer is operating or running continuously on the higher rating, there are relatively chances for it to face overheating problems and might fail later on. Your main focus should be on the root mean square (RMS) to check exactly how much power the subwoofer can handle.

Sensitivity rating

After understanding the real concept of power wattage in a subwoofer, your attention should be towards the second most important thing in this component which is sensitivity. If you own a subwoofer that is high insensitivity, it can run on low power yet producing an impeccable sound experience. This way you’ll be saving good units of electricity if you are using it in your homes or your car’s battery if using it in your vehicle.

As of now, you must have gotten an idea of how to pick the best 8 inch subwoofer for yourself. To make your life easier, we have listed our top recommended manufacturers, who are the best producers of an 8-inch subwoofer yet are light on the pockets.

Top best 8 inch subwoofer brands

Instead of relying on local and useless brands, try to go through our guide of top subwoofer labels available in the market. These brands will not let you down, will perform well under any circumstances, and will prove their worth in the long term.

Let’s discuss the best 8 inch subwoofer labels that are currently available for your car;

Pioneer

One of the oldest and greatest audio system brands available in the market. There is no doubt in saying that pioneers are surely the real pioneers in this game. A Japanese named, Nozomu Matsumoto developed this brand in 1938 in this garage. The first design of speakers was developed in the garage of the owner of Pioneer.

Whether you want to use Pioneer’s product for home audio systems or your automobile, Pioneer will work with anything. The brand’s main vision was to produce high technology entertainment speakers and audio systems that are compatible with homes and cars, both.

According to experts, Alphasonik AS8DF 8-inch enclosed subwoofer is the ideal choice for your car.

JBL & Infinity

Both of these labels are quite famous for producing audio systems for nearly 60 years. Both of the brands have been successful enough in producing premium audio goods and infotainment products.

JBL and Infinity come under the umbrella of HARMAN, which owns several other brands as well such as – Mark Levinson, Harman Kardon, and Lexicon.

According to specialists, you should purchase the BassPro SL -8INCH Subwoofer enclosure system or you can also fall for the 360W Reference Series 2-Way Coaxial Car Speaker.

KENWOOD

When we talk about reliability and sustainability, KENWOOD is one of the names or brands which comes to our mind. The Kenwood Corporation was set up in Nagano Prefecture in the 1960s and since then it has been able to capture the masses from the sound world.

Kenwood should be your first preference whether you want a good quality audio system for cars or homes. The KSC-PSW8 subwoofer is considered the best subwoofer out of all options available in the Kenwood store.

Rockford Fosgate

This company was founded in 1973 under the Rockford corporation which is based in Tempe, Ariz. Do you want to have the right subwoofers for your marine, motorcycle, cars? So, the Rockford Fosgate products are the ideal choice for you.

Expert says that the 8inch Dual 2-Ohm Punch series shallow mount car subwoofer.

SKAR Audio

This company has not been that old in the audio system market as it was developed recently in 2012. Nevertheless, SKAR has been impactful in the eyes of every music lover. The top-quality products they have manufactured have helped them to make a mark in the top brands for 8-inch subwoofers.

The CEO of the company was quite fond of listening to songs in high volume, so he turned his hobby into his business. In today’s time, SKAR Audio continues to grow at a rapid speed. According to specialists, the SDR-8 D4 car subwoofer.

From these array of choices, you might look forward to our top three choices of the best 8 inch subwoofer. Below you will find the top three choices that our experts have selected from a wide variety available in the market. If you still can’t decide on which subwoofer to choose, get your hands on any one of the below mentioned blindly, we can assure you of an amazing experience.

Kicker

The name says it all. The company was quite aware of the quality products they are producing, so they decided to produce subwoofers and other audio components for the general public. This company started with two men who built an audio system in their car garage.

The kicker is known for developing the mobile stereo system for cars where you can easily connect your smartphones with the subwoofers and listen to your favorite songs with ease.

Alpine Electronics of America

No one can ignore the significance and contributions of Alpine Electronics of America and what they have done for the music and audio system community. This company is considered the largest audio components manufacturing firm around the globe.

Alpine Electronics of America has got you covered whether you’re searching for speakers for a car, computer, or a communication piece. Well, they have created some amazing audio systems throughout the years, but the PWE-S8 Restyle Compact powered 8inch subwoofer is recommended by many.

Best 8 inch subwoofer: According to our experts

 Pyle Car Subwoofer

If you are searching for something in a compact size that can be accommodated into tiny spaces of your car, the Pyle Car Subwoofer is the ideal choice for you. This music component is powered with 400 watts RMS and can go up to 800 watts of extreme power for performance.

It would need an appropriate enclosure for itself. Moreover, the four-layer voice coil is designed to keep the subwoofer safe for a longer period and from any kind of harmful effects. The 3.7inch mounting is the key for the Pyle Car subwoofer. Due to its relatively smaller size, this subwoofer can be accommodated in most of the vehicle’s trunk.

On the other hand, if you want to listen to songs with heavy and low punches, this subwoofer would not be recommended. The major drawback of this subwoofer is that it cannot handle the high volume; the distortion would destroy your music or sound experience.

BOSS Audio Systems CXX8 8inch car subwoofer

BOSS is a reputable audio company in the market and has been creating audio systems for both cars and homes. The BOSS audio systems have always been appreciated for their solidness and great quality sound. Well, you might be thinking that the BOSS speakers would cost you your entire savings, but trust us, this is not true.

The polypropylene cone is the major factor for the speaker to be resilient and durable for a longer span. The 4-ohm single voice coil has the strength to produce up to 600 watts of power which might look less to you but we guess it’s enough in that price bracket.

Moreover, the voice coil is designed in a way that can stand under severe temperatures and can perform. You just need to plug it in and play your favorite music.

SKAR AUDIO SDR-8 D4 car subwoofer

Do you wish to experience the power and sound quality of a 10 inch and 12inch subwoofer within 8 inches one? Well, SKAR Audio SDR-8 can do it for you. The impeccable sound quality and the power of its throw are the main reasons for its popularity among sound lovers.

You can listen to the lower notes quite clearly and higher notes the same way. If you are looking for something in which you can listen to high-end bass on a relatively limited budget, SKAR Audio SDR-8 is the perfect choice for you. It doesn’t even require much space in your trunk.

According to experts, the power of the SKAR Audio SDR-8 is not that much the way it is advertised. If you want to have trunk shaking experience from your subwoofer, maybe this subwoofer would not be recommended to you. It is advised to have a fiberfill in your trunk to improve the sound experience.

Conclusion

This foolproof guide, which includes comprehensive tips for buying the best 8 inch subwoofer, must have made the journey to get the desired system hurdle-free. Moreover, we have given you the names of the best brands overall, and to bring you out of your confusion, you can also find our expert’s top three choices as well. All in all, we hope that the daunting task of making the right choice would seem pretty simple after going through this guide thoroughly.