Willie Greer
- August 17, 2021
Subwoofers are an incredible innovation. They make it more delightful to enjoy bass from a song or a movie. While a wireless subwoofer can save you from the hassle of unsightly wires, not all models can produce and translate booming bass from your audio system.
To avoid the stress of a lengthy return process, our technical experts have tested the top wireless subwoofer options below.
Dynamo 700
- Impressive wireless transmitter
- Front-firing and down-firing driver
- SW-2 connection for quality sound
- Best wireless subwoofer available
- Adjustable crossover and LFE
- Front and satellite speaker options
R -10SWi
- All-digital amplifier
- Low-phase control
- Spun copper subwoofer
Reviews of the Top Wireless Subwoofers
Orb Audio SubMINI Small Subwoofer
Starting our list of the top wireless subwoofer options is the Orb Audio SubMINI.
This subwoofer unit comes with everything you need to connect and get going – including an AV receiver, front, and satellite speaker, and the subwoofer itself. With all of these, you’ll be able to get your home theater up and ready in a few seconds.
As you can expect, this subwoofer is really small. But, it comes with some top-notch features. These include a powered class D amp, a dual-port system, and a custom driver. With such premium features and seamless control, this sub measures up to the two force subs and more.
Pros
- Versatile wireless subwoofer
- Offers great bass for all parts of the home
- Comes with an adjustable crossover and LFE setting
- Easy to set your home theater up in one package
Cons
- Not designed to work in large rooms
- Pretty high price
Klipsch R-10SWi
There are a lot of similar features between this Klipsch R-10SWi Wireless Subwoofer and the Sonos Sub. For one, this option doesn’t need any type of adapter kit to play audio. As a pre-paired sub, you can place it wherever in the room. It resonates deeply regardless.
With the Klipsch-R sub, you get 10-inch drivers that are front-firing. The subwoofer comes with an all-digital amplifier, and you’ll be glad to know that its pass crossover is pretty low. For quality bass, you’re great with this Klipsch-R sub too.
The wireless subwoofer has a power indicator too that shows a LED display, and it is also front-mounted.
Pros
- Offers high-quality, premium bass and a compact build
- LFE and Line inputs are available for different volume range options
- Placement is available anywhere in the room
- Allows you to blend low-frequency range for music
Cons
- Body isn’t waterproof, so you need to be careful
- Subwoofer is pretty heavy
MartinLogan Dynamo
The MartinLogan Dynamo 700 is a 700W powered wireless subwoofer that is easily connected to any device you would like. The design of the subwoofer is quite compact, but you don’t have to worry about that affecting its outstanding bass quality in any way.
Beyond all this, the wireless subwoofer offers a 10-inch driver that is both front-firing and down-firing. It makes use of an SW-2 connection for wireless activation, and it comes with a sealed cabinet. With a weight of 26.5 lbs, this subwoofer is easy to connect and move around.
The sub’s receiver is also strong, with an impressive frequency range.
Pros
- Works great with a soundbar and transmitter, offering minimal sound distortion
- Force canceling drivers eliminate unwanted vibrations
- Works both as a front-firing and down-firing
- Easy to connect and move around
- Emits great bass for less
Cons
- Wireless subwoofer isn’t humidity-proof
- Compact design is not suitable for large rooms
Polk DSWPRO 550wi Wireless-ready Powered Subwoofer
Like Klipsch-R, Polk is no stranger to lovers of quality bass. It is packed with very impressive features for a wireless sub. Coming fresh with its manufacturer’s Polk Room Optimizer (PRO) technology, this subwoofer can literally be placed anywhere in a room. This makes it a pre-paired subwoofer.
Polk DSWPRO 550wi sub offers a 200-Watt amplifier and a smart digital amplifier, both of which drive the 10-inch driver to provide 400 Watts of power.
It is easy to connect, so you don’t have to spend so much time. The wireless subwoofer comes with Polk’s Feed Forward
technology, which improves bass and sound.
Pros
- Polk Room optimizer allows you to find the right room to place it
- Feed Forward technology optimizes bass accuracy and volume
- Seamless phase control and compact build ensures minimal bass distortion
- Perfect for large rooms and a home theater
Cons
- Wireless subwoofer connects using infrared technology
- Sound quality on the wireless subwoofer isn’t the best
The Sonos Sub
Coming in at the last spot on our list of the best wireless subwoofers is the Sonos wireless sub, a beautifully designed subwoofer with a futuristic build and a powered design. With black and white variants available, the Sonos sub will impact your wireless audio experience and your home decor too.
One of the best things about the Sonos wireless sub is that it requires little from you. Its wireless connection means it is easy to place it wherever you want, and you can rest assured that its sound won’t be hampered.
This wireless subwoofer adds more bounce to your deep bass than just about any fan token. The Sonos Sub is flexible in connection, so compatibility is easy.
Pros
- Sonos sub has a sleek, futuristic design and works well with speakers
- Sonos sub connects to different music platforms
- Waterproof body makes it compatible with your bathroom or pool area
- Minimal sound distortion, and it works with a soundbar
- Deeper, accentuated bass
Cons
- Limited product warranty
- Subwoofer is quite heavy
Wireless Subwoofers Buyer’s Guide
Now that we know the best wireless subwoofers available, let’s consider some of the features you need to know about these devices:
Size
Size plays an important factor in your choice of a wireless subwoofer. You could want something easy to carry around or something much bigger and bulkier.
Your choice for size will mostly depend on whether you want to move the sub around or not. A bulkier sub is essentially stationary, so you want to ensure that it is placed in an optimal position. So, an excellent wireless subwoofer for you needs to have adequate size.
An optimized size will also help reduce distortion in the sound. Think of it like getting a soundbar – you want something compact enough to hold the good sound range; otherwise, there will be a lot of distortion in the output and what you hear.
Manufacturers like Sonos allow you to get different speaker sizes for a competitive price.
Power
Power is another factor that will determine the best wireless sub for your needs. As usual, this factor also depends on your preference. Some people prefer more power, while others will want less.
Also known as wattage, the power simply describes the ability of the subwoofer to work and maximize sound. Generally speaking, a subwoofer with a higher power rating (in Watts) will be louder and will offer lesser sound distortions.
You should also consider the sub’s RMS power rating. Essentially, RMS is a measure of how much continuous power the sub can handle. If you want to play music at high volume continuously, this is an important factor. Subs with a higher price tend to come with this feature.
A mix of RMS and actual power will help in optimizing the sub and speaker performance.
A sub with more power will be more expensive than one with lower power. If you are looking for bass optimization and clarity, then there is no doubt that you should consider power as a factor.
Sound Quality
The entire point of subwoofers is to provide sound – just like a speaker. So, you will want to consider sound quality and bass when choosing a subwoofer.
To be fair, this is a bit of a tricky one. It is one thing for a sub to offer great sound, and it is another thing for the sub to be loud. However, if you can get one that perfectly combines both characteristics, then you’ve hit the gold standard.
Generally speaking, the best wireless sub for you will emit crisp and clear sound and bass. You don’t want to hear any static or interference, and you want something that will be smooth.
The frequency response is another factor you want to consider when determining sound quality. This is where manufacturers like Sonos and Klipsch-R do great. You hear the bass, and you just know their subs are awesome.
Driver
Among the features you should closely look our for is the driver size. Generally, this will depend on the size of your apartment. If you live in a smaller space, then you can get a wireless subwoofer with an 8-inch driver, and you’ll be more than fine. Also, this situation means that you’ll need a more compact unit that you can easily hide under a couch or in a corner. So, it won’t take more space than it needs to.
But, if your home is larger, then your sub should have at least 10 inches in driver size. You can also use a large and more prominent subwoofer, although you should consider the aesthetic appeal of the sub and its positioning before you get it.
Phase and Crossover
Also known as the polarity switch, the phase helps the wireless subwoofer by adding an electrical relay to the audio signal. It essentially makes it easier to integrate a sub into a room. You can set the phase by placing your subwoofers in the same direction. This will help you to determine the best way to get the clearest bass from the subwoofers.
When subwoofers are out of phase, the sound bass will cancel out, and you won’t get the best deep bass quality.
As for crossover, it is the frequency response level at which the speakers start to roll off – at which point, the sub takes over with bass notes. Most amplifiers and receivers have an automatic EQ that adjusts the crossover depending on your subwoofer’s capacity. But, if your system doesn’t have the auto EQ, you can adjust the crossover yourself.
Type of Subwoofer
Wireless subwoofer options don’t come in the same type. As with everything else, there are variants available for you to consider and features that they come with. When it comes to subwoofers, the major options you need to consider are:
Ported vs. Sealed Subwoofer
The sealed sound system r is perhaps the easiest to construct. It comes with an enclosure, a driver, and an amplifier. In this type of subwoofer, the driver is responsible for all the output you get. The sealed sound system is much easier to place in your house. Everything – including the speakers – is in one palace. Many manufacturers, including Sonos, use the sealed sound system.
On the flip side, the ported wireless subwoofer has the woofer and possibly more than one port. These port options help air to escape from the box, allowing you to get a bigger bass out of the speaker enclosure. The ported system is better for several situations.
A subwoofer with a port is better if you have a large room. But, you should note that they tend to be larger than their sealed counterparts and their powered requirements are greater. The port can also affect sound distortion, so be wary of that.
Front-Firing vs Down-Firing Subwoofer
Besides the size, you will also need to consider whether you want your sub to be a down-firing or front-firing system. They come with different features, which will affect your speakers performance.
A front-firing subwoofer system dispenses sound the way you would expect from regular speakers. They are built to emit sound and bass directly, either from the front or the side. Due to this design, you can’t put a front-firing subwoofer against the wall. However, when placed right, the front-firing subwoofer will effectively project the bass and provide a more accurate audible experience. The speakers also function more efficiently this way, emitting proper bass and making you feel everything.
On the flip side, the down-firing subwoofer pushes the sound downwards. The entire point of this system is to prevent the bass from being pushed directly into the face of the listener – most especially because it is difficult to localize the source of low-frequency bass. These speakers and subwoofers can be placed just about anywhere, and they offer good bass without distortion.
How do Wireless Subs Function?
Wireless subwoofers are an impressive innovation that has essentially transformed the media landscape. Normally, when it comes to subwoofers, you will need to have another cable to run through a wall or move over the ground to connect the subwoofer and other media components.
The wireless subwoofer essentially changed this. These tools usually come with a transmitter, an amplifier, and the sub. A sub can be configured independently to tweak their settings and create perfect sync with your sound setup.
Wireless subwoofers transmit audio signals through different methods. It could be GHz radio frequency, Bluetooth technology [1], infrared technology, or even WiFi. There is also Qualcomm® aptX – a type of technology that makes it easier for the subs to transmit audio without dealing with the latency issues that things like Bluetooth and infrared might suffer from.
All of these connectivity methods come with their features, merits, and demerits. But they work pretty well in the long run when it comes to getting the right bass.
Note that wireless subwoofers will need to be placed within a range. This is usually measured in feet. So, check the manufacturer’s details on the box. If the box says the sub should be placed within 10 feet, you have to adhere to that. Anything more than 10 feet, and the connection will be lost.
The placement range also affects the box and your ability to control it. If your control is shaky, adjustments won’t be so easy. But, keep in mind that the gold standard is if you can get speakers that offer high-quality sound without distortion.
Setting Up Wireless Subs
To set your wireless subwoofer up, you will need to consider several factors. The first – and perhaps, most important – is the placement. The type of subwoofer you have will determine how you place it. You want to look for the best location in the room for the installation of the subwoofer in order to combine sound quality and reach.
You also don’t want the subwoofer to be a disturbance to anyone or make your room look cluttered. So, find somewhere great in your room to place the sub.
Then, you should consider the type of technology that powers the subwoofer before the setup process. This will determine the procedure of connecting it and how easy the installation is. The setup method that goes for WiFi isn’t the same as infrared technology.
Also, check on features of the amplifier – like the transmitter RMS power and the receiver – to understand if it will be the perfect fit for you. Again, thanks to wireless connectivity, the task is much easier here.
Some subs even come with an app that allows you to easily setup in a room. The app shows different details, including optimal placement, the right sound volume, and compatibility with a soundbar. With this app, installing the product will be way easier. Many of them are free, too, so you don’t need to pay for effective control of your sub.
Lastly, if you feel confused about the connectivity or speaker setup and installation process, then consider checking the manufacturer’s website for more information. Products from Sonos, Klipsch, and other manufacturers come with manuals and review pages. They know how best to work with the sub, so you’re in good hands. In truth, speakers can be a challenge to work with.
FAQ
Are wireless subwoofers any good?
Yes, wireless subwoofers are good. There is no denying that wireless subwoofers are a great addition to any sound system or room. Do you want to have great bass and sound for your event? Get a subwoofer.
With wireless transmitter options, a wireless subwoofer can help you to improve your sound, and they remain unmatched in their convenience offering. But, you need to be sure that the wireless subwoofer has connectivity and power features that are the right fit for you and the room you’re putting it in. don’t forget about the bass too.
Do wireless subwoofers interfere with WiFi?
No, wireless subwoofers do not interfere with WiFi in a room. Some wireless subwoofers connect through WiFi, giving you a wireless audio experience. So, there’s no problem as far as they are concerned. Of course, you also need a high-quality subwoofer to get this.
They ensure minimal distortion to your network, and placement for them is more seamless. But, they come at a higher price too. Nothing good is ever free, right?
Note that you can get your manufacturer’s installation guide for more details.
Our Top Pick For a Wireless Subwoofer:
Orb Audio SubMINI Small Subwoofer
After thorough tests and review of its features, our experts landed on the Orb Audio SubMINI as the best wireless subwoofer. With its small size, the wireless subwoofer is perfect for use in your room. It comes with front and satellite speakers, an AV receiver, and a dual port system for connections. Its wireless connectivity is sharp and seamless, and you’ll get a strong receiver for your music.
The post What is the Best Wireless Subwoofer? (2021) — Pick From Budget to High-End Options appeared first on The Product Analyst.
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