Friday, June 18, 2021

What is the Best Shallow Mount Subwoofer? — Compact Picks to Amplify Your Car Audio System (2021)

best shallow mount subwoofer

There are a myriad of benefits for 10 inch shallow mount subwoofers, from a clean setup to a great fit for tight spaces. However, not all shallowed subwoofers are the same, and the mounting depth can vary. How do you know which is best for your vehicle? Follow our experts’ advice for the best shallow mount subwoofers below.

Best Overall
Rockford Fosgate 10 Inch Shallow Mount DVC Subwoofer
Best Premium Choice
JL Audio 13TW5V2-4 Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer
Best Budget Pick
Skar Audio VD-10 D4 10 Inch Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer
Rockford Fosgate 10 Inch Shallow Mount DVC Subwoofer
JL Audio 13TW5V2-4 Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer
Skar Audio VD-10 D4 10 Inch Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer
Our team’s first choice is the Rockford Fosgate 10-inch shallow mount subwoofer. It features an excellent construction with a stamp cast basket, spider venting, and a mica injected polypropylene cone for clean and accurate bass.
As one of the priciest shallow mounting depth subs on our list, the JL Audio 13TW5V2-4 is an excellent choice for superior sonic technologies such as a concentric tube suspension design and the patented Floating Cone Attach Method Technology.
Are you on a budget? No problem! The Skar Audio VD-10 D2 10 inch shallow mount sub is great for frequency response and mounting depth, and gives more expensive subwoofers a real challenge to beat.
Best Overall
Rockford Fosgate 10 Inch Shallow Mount DVC Subwoofer
Rockford Fosgate 10 Inch Shallow Mount DVC Subwoofer
Our team’s first choice is the Rockford Fosgate 10-inch shallow mount subwoofer. It features an excellent construction with a stamp cast basket, spider venting, and a mica injected polypropylene cone for clean and accurate bass.
Best Premium Choice
JL Audio 13TW5V2-4 Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer
JL Audio 13TW5V2-4 Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer
As one of the priciest shallow mounting depth subs on our list, the JL Audio 13TW5V2-4 is an excellent choice for superior sonic technologies such as a concentric tube suspension design and the patented Floating Cone Attach Method Technology.
Best Budget Pick
Skar Audio VD-10 D4 10 Inch Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer
Skar Audio VD-10 D4 10 Inch Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer
Are you on a budget? No problem! The Skar Audio VD-10 D2 10 inch shallow mount sub is great for frequency response and mounting depth, and gives more expensive subwoofers a real challenge to beat.

Reviews of the Best Shallow Mount Subwoofers

1. Rockford Fosgate 10 Inch Shallow Mount DVC Subwoofer

Rockford Fosgate 10 Inch Shallow Mount DVC Subwoofer

The first on our list is the Rockford Fosgate 10 Inch Shallow Mount DVC Subwoofer . The punch series subwoofer features 12 AWG compression terminals with 16 AWG tinsel leads within the linear spider. The subwoofer was built to last with the best materials including a mica injected propylene cone and an anodized aluminum voice coil.  

The DVC punch series subwoofer is optimized for sealed enclosures and it has a stampcast with spider vent to make sure the bass is as clear and accurate as possible. The low impedance of 4 ohm will make the Rockford Fosgate punch series through the air with heavy bass.

Pros

Cons

2. JL Audio 13T5V2-4 Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer

JL Audio 13T5V2-4 Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer

The JL Audio 13T5V2-4 is an excellent and one the best shallow mount subwoofers right now even when compared to the JL audio 10tw3 d4. This subwoofer is powerful and complete with some of the most cutting edge technologies and quality materials. The price is steep, even higher than the Jl audio 10tw3 d4 – but the features justify the cost. 

For example, the 10 inch shallow mount subwoofer is ideal for a lot of consumers who like a clean setup and big bass. The 12T5V2-4 subwoofer features 2 patented technologies from JL Audio including the Centered Tube Suspension Design and the Floating Cone Attach Method Technology. Same as the famous JL audio 10tw3 d4.

The 12T5V2-4 boasts a very impressive power rating of 1200 watts with an RMS at 600. The low frequency response of this good subwoofer is also guaranteed to give you booming bass. 

Pros

Cons

3. Skar Audio VD-10 D4 10 Inch Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer

Skar Audio VD-10 D4 10 Inch Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer

The Skar Audio VD-10 D4 10′ shallow subwoofers are great for those looking for a cheap price but impressive power and sound. If you aren’t a fan of the 10-inch subwoofer and need a smaller or larger option, the VD also comes in 8 or 12 inch sizes.

This mounting depth is very shallow but the subwoofer still packs enough power with a 800 watts peak and RMS at 500 watts. Skar uses a pressed paper cone stitched right onto the foam surround for optimal flexibility and movement. The 2 inch voice coil will impress by delivering deep and rich bass in tight space it also has Dual 4 ohm coils.

Pros

Cons

4. Pioneer 8” Shallow Mount Subwoofer

Pioneer 8” Shallow Mount Subwoofer

With such a small and low profile, the Pioneer 8 Inch Shallow Mount Subwoofer can bring you a max power rating of an impressive 700 watts. This Pioneer TS series has a dual 2 ohm voice coils will ensure the dual 4 ohm sub can bring the precise bass tones. It’s difficult to find such small subwoofers with the ability to generate this much peak power and mounting depth, but Pioneer TS series manages to do it.

The setup is easy and this 8 inch subwoofer. The Pioneer TS series has a minimalist design that will look good with any car. This 8″ Pioneer ts will bring the bass you crave without any of the vibrations. This subwoofer also has optimal thermal heat dissipation.

Pros

Cons

5. Kicker 43CWRT102 CompRT 10" 2-Ohm Subwoofer

Kicker 43CWRT102 CompRT 10 2-Ohm Subwoofer

Kicker subs are known for amazing car stereo subwoofers. Their 43CWER102 shallow sub is our experts’ choice for a low mounting depth. 

The 800 watts peak power and 300 watts to 400 watts RMS guarantees loud and thumping bass. The  temperature coils and are what gives this Kicker sub the boost it needs for such high power handling. 

One of the best parts about the Kicker 43CWER102 is the injection molded cone with rubber surround that makes these shallow subs weatherproof. Due to this, they are a great choice for convertibles and jeeps without tops.

Pros

Cons

6. Kenwood Excelon KFC-XW1200F 12in Mount Subwoofer Car

Kenwood Excelon KFC-XW1200F 12in Mount Subwoofer Car

The Kenwood Excelon KFC-XW1200F is another 12 inch 4 ohm subwoofer that can bring the bass. The cast aluminum basket holds a carbon glass fiber composite cone with a butyl rubber surround. The Kenwood car audio subwoofer is an excellent addition with an unassuming appearance.

The Kenwood Excelon KFC-XW1200F is not the most affordable single shallow subwoofer you can find on the market, but as a 12″ shallow sub, it can outperform 10″ subs and requires only one to do the job of two. If you do the calculations, the cost of just one of these will save you more money than getting two more affordable options.

Pros

Cons

7. Alpine S-W12D2 S-Series 12" Dual 2-Ohm Subwoofer

Alpine S-W12D2 S-Series 12 Dual 2-Ohm Subwoofer

Alpine is known for the Alpine SWR T10. But now the Alpine S-W12D2 S-Series are making some noise as it is the shallowest subwoofers in the market and are 1 inch shallower than their previous models. The voice coil is high temperature and high excursion, which is why this 12 inch is a better choice than more affordable 10 inch subwoofer. 

Like the type r, these subwoofers have an improved power handling up to 600 watts RMS, which is great for those who like to blast tunes in their vehicle without fear of blowing out the subs. Made with the strongest materials including a mix of Kevlar and mica among others, the oversized cone and dust cap can withstand the heat and resonance. Thanks to the inbuilt airflow management system.

Pros

Cons

Shallow Mount Subwoofers Buyer’s Guide

What constitutes a great shallow subwoofer? Is it just the mounting depth or is it also the power handling, dual voice coil, or the frequency range? Our team is here to help you pick the best one to suit your vehicle and produce great sound quality you were previously missing.

Size

Unlike with home theater subwoofer size, a bigger subwoofer size doesn’t mean better and bigger bass in the case of car subwoofer models. The smallest recommended subwoofer size by our team is the 8-inch, and the smaller profile allows it to produce a faster bass frequency response (25 – 500 hz)and punchier notes. 

10-inch subwoofers are the most common and offer the best balance between subwoofer size, sound and performance. They can handle faster-paced content but can still deliver on the deep bass tones.

12-inch subwoofers are the best for heavier and richer bass but they do require more space to mount. They usually have a higher power handling and a lower bass frequency range. However, not all cars have the space to accommodate a 12-inch, so you need to be sure it will fit into your vehicle.

Kicker 43CWRT102 CompRT 10 2Ohm Subwoofer - close up

There are also 6 and top-quality 15 inch subs but our experts feel that they are too small and too large for everyday car models and are much less common. Sticking with 8, 10 and 12 inches will bring you the best of both worlds.

Sound Quality and Bass

The audio quality will depend on a variety of factors such as the materials used to create the shallow subwoofer and the more technical capabilities such as the power handling and the sensitivity. 

In general, you want your 8, 10 or 12 inch shallow mount subwoofers to be made with durable but flexible enough materials to handle the resonance and vibrations. If they are too rigid or too flexible, you won’t have enough give to mirror the precise bass.

Mica injected or filled polypropylene cones, santoprene rubber surround, or an anodized aluminum cone are the best for shallow subwoofers on the market. You will also find that some brands have their own patented or extra technologies to help with the bass delivery such as Rockford Fosgate best subwoofers using spider vents and JL Audio with their Centered Tube Suspension Design. 

Pioneer 8 Shallow Mount Subwoofer - Close up

Another important factor that will impact the audio quality of your sub is the frequency range. Since these are subwoofers we’re talking about, we don’t need them to hit high notes as often as we would with regular speakers. Most regular consumers are happy with subs that can produce somewhere within the range of 20 hz -200 Hz.

Our team will now dive further into the different factors that contribute to the overall sound quality of your shallow subwoofer.

Power Rating

The power in your shallow subwoofers are the key to powerful audio. When comparing a 300 watts RMS or even 400 watts vs 600 watt RMS, a 300 watts RMS subwoofer will not deliver powerful bass like a 600 watt sub will. The higher the number, the more power your shallow subwoofer generates. You will find two different rating figures, so what do they mean? 

The max power or peak power handling is how much power your subwoofer can handle for a short time without blowing out. When choosing a subwoofer, you always to find that has a high handling power. The RMS rating is how many watts your sub can handle over a long period. The RMS wattage is lower than the power handling, and usually by double. For example, a peak power of 600 watts or power handling, it’s more than likely you will get 300 watts RMS for continuous power.

Our experts say go for higher numbers if you crave more bass power. Take the size of your cabin and the size of the subwoofer into consideration as well. The larger the subwoofer is, the better chance you will have at more power. With a smaller cabin, you won’t need a lot of RMS power like 1800 watts to produce enveloping sound.

Alpine S-W12D2 S-Series 12 Dual 2-Ohm Subwoofer - close up

Sensitivity

Sensitivity is another factor that contributes to the sound quality and how loud a subwoofer is. You can have sub with 300 watts RMS that produces less power than one with a lower rating if it has a low sensitivity. When looking for loud volumes, the sensitivity and the power rating go hand in hand.


The sensitivity is basically the rating of how efficient your sub is. How much power can it convert directly into sound? For the sensitivity rating, the higher the number the better. The figures will vary, but our team suggests looking for subwoofer options that have a sensitivity rating of around 90 dB [1].

Impedance

We then have the impedance of subwoofers, which outlines how efficient it is. The impedance refers to the resistance your subs have against the electrical current. 2, 4, 6 and 8 ohms are most common. You might also find that your sound system will allow you to switch between different impedances, but this is more commonly found in home theater systems. 

The impedance is an important figure to pay attention to when pairing a sub with an amplifier. Amplifiers are optimized to work with subs of a specific impedance, so make sure they match!

JL Audio 13TW5V2-4 Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer - close up

Voice Coils

You then have the coils, which should be temperature resistant for better performance. You will have an option of single voice coil or dual voice coil models. The difference is in the wiring. Dual coils offer more compatibility with different wiring options that can go with series and parallel installations. 

Single coils will give you less flexibility but they are the more affordable options, which make them great for upgrading your car audio system or sound system on a budget. For example, a shallow sub with dual 2 ohm coils will produce the best sound. 

Installation

For installation, first understand if your sub will be better suited with a sealed or vented enclosure. The setup process should be easy and the instruction manual should be clear, hopefully with step-by-step diagrams.

A sealed box or enclosure is better for more precise bass relays and it usually has a smaller profile. However, a closed enclosure will require more power to reach sonic heights.

Kenwood Excelon KFC-XW1200F 12in Mount Subwoofer Car - close up

A vented enclosure provides louder bass, but you sacrifice the accuracy for the larger booms. Contrary to closed enclosures, a vented one is usually larger but it requires less power to reach high volumes.

Price and Warranty

Our experts often come across consumers complaining about broken parts, damaged products and more in product reviews. For these reasons, our team always suggests purchasing a product with an extensive warranty. Preferably there will also be a money-back period or customer satisfaction guarantee. However, there will most likely only be a warranty.

As a helpful tip, our team says to look for a warranty that covers you for the longest period. You may find ones that are just valid for three months but other ones that cover you for a lifetime. Other than the length of the warranty, it’s also a smart idea to look into what’s covered. Is it just damaged parts or certain components?

The next consideration is the price. Shallow subwoofers have pretty affordable price, although we do include a premium option on our list. The better the sound quality, the higher the price, so for a dual 2 ohm sub, you can expect it will cost more. 

For the most part, you get what you pay for, but if you decide to go with a reliable brand, then you will most likely end up with a satisfactory product. But our team doesn’t recommend going for the brand alone without compromising the other factors mentioned.

Skar Audio VD-10 D4 10 Inch Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer - close up

FAQ

What is the hardest hitting shallow Mount Subwoofer?

The hardest hitting shallow mount subwoofer is the JL Audio 13T5V2-4 Shallow Car Subwoofer. The peak power of the JL Audio masterpiece is an impressive 1200 watts with a 600 watt RMS to emphasize deep and rich bass. This subwoofer is even than the famous JL audio 10tw3 d4.

Who makes the best shallow Mount Subwoofer?

Rockford Fosgate makes the best shallow mount subwoofer. Rockford fosgate use the most durable materials that guarantee longevity but also sonic precision. The Rockford Fosgate also offer a variety of sizes, each with their own capability of pumping out heavy bass.

Are Shallow Mount Subs any good?

Yes, shallow mount subwoofers are good. Shallow subwoofers are the best choice for smaller spaces and a cleaner setup. These subs often have a smaller profile and are lighter and easier to install, so you won’t have to worry about weighing down your car.

What subwoofer has the deepest bass?

The JL Audio 13T5V2-4 has the deepest bass. Not only do they produce rich bass tones, but they are also one of the loudest ones in their class. For this reason, many often opt for just one of the JL audio subs to match the power of two from another brand.

Our Top Pick For a Shallow Mount Subwoofer: Rockford Fosgate 10 Inch Shallow Mount DVC Subwoofer

Rockford Fosgate 10 Inch Shallow Mount DVC Subwoofer - Close up

Our team’s top choice for best shallow mount subwoofer is the Rockford Fosgate 10-Inch Shallow Mount DVC Subwoofer. This Rockford Fosgate model is made with premium materials such as mica and aluminum cone that are lightweight, durable and help with sound production. 

Best for closed enclosures, the 10″ shallow mount sub is an excellent choice for those that like heavy thumps but also bass accuracy. The very shallow profile will allow for an easy installation and is the perfect choice for tight spaces.

For more sub options, you can consider our list below: 

Top-rated Klipsch subwoofers today

The post What is the Best Shallow Mount Subwoofer? — Compact Picks to Amplify Your Car Audio System (2021) appeared first on The Product Analyst.



from The Product Analyst https://theproductanalyst.com/best-shallow-mount-subwoofer/

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