The Best 8 Inch Subwoofers in Market
Choosing the best 8-inch subwoofers to buy for your car can be a bit daunting. So often, it is hard to pick the right subwoofer because there are so many sizes to choose. Depending on your needs and preference, you can get a 7, 8, 10, 12, or a 15- inch subwoofer for your car. Of course, different sizes come with different prices and capabilities. If you are looking for the best 8-inch subwoofer in the market today, you have come to the right place.
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** Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews by click in "Reviews" column, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.com.
More often, 8-inch speakers do not produce the greatest sound as compared to the bigger subwoofers but if you pick the best one among all the subwoofers under the 8-inch category, you will be pleased with your purchase and you will surely be happy with your investment. Below, we will provide you with a list of 8-inch subwoofers that will pleasantly surprise you. We will also give you all the information that you will need especially when it comes to the different features of subwoofers namely, sound, design, and durability. Also, before we jump right into the product reviews that will help you decide on which subwoofer to purchase, it pays to know a little about the make-up and history of subwoofers. So, read on…
What is a Subwoofer?
A subwoofer is a loudspeaker that is complete in its development. This means that a subwoofer completes the whole sound of music. These devices are dedicated to mak-ing an audio system better with its low-pitched frequencies, better known as bass. A common frequency range for a subwoofer is between 20 Hz and 200 Hz. Anything below 100 Hz is for professional use, and below 80 Hz is for approved systems that are THX certified. A subwoofers’ job is to complete the range of the loudspeakers, by inserting more low sounds to cover up some of the higher sounds made by regular speakers. The term subwoofer is referred to as a ‘speaker drive,’ and is usually mounted some way within a vehicle.
History of the Subwoofer
Subwoofers were first produced in the early 1960’s. They were created to add bass to stereo systems at home. The popularity of subwoofers started to catch fire in the 1970s, with the production of the ‘Earthquake,’ which added low-frequency additions to high-frequency music. In the 1980’s, recording studios began to emphasize bass in their tracks, so it could be heard on a home stereo system.
In the 1990’s, DVDs increased the recorded sounds of bass, and surround sound was born, bringing sub-woofers fully into the fold of audio electronic device. Subwoofers started to become the norm for home theater systems and in car audio settings as well.
By the early 2000’s, subwoofers became universal in concert and nightclub settings. Today, sub-woofers are everywhere, and they are becoming better and less expensive than ever. This is good news because from today, people already have plenty of options to choose from and many can already afford to invest in a good quality subwoofer for their cars.
Loud Subwoofers
To find a subwoofer that plays the loudest or delivers the best SPL, you will need to think about sensitivity, available power, and the enclosure type. With sensitivity, find a subwoofer that has great efficiency; these are usually rated in a bandpass box or a ported box (mention of these two later in the article). Next, the power for the sub comes from an amplifier.
Each sub has a recommended range of power that consumers can usually use up to the top 1/3. Going over this range could be detrimental to your hearing and the subwoofers themselves. If you are looking for the slam of power when using subs, consider using a bass boost control to help. Also, using more than one subwoofer could help with overall sound. More power will always make for a louder sound, but more power cost more money in the form of an amplifier.
Subwoofer Depth
If you are looking for the lowest possible sound from your subwoofer, then select a large woofer in a box that is sealed. An enclosure like this will drive the frequency response time down, giving you a sound with more depth. Make sure you know how much your amplifier can handle, in the form of watts. The more wattage you have, the lower frequency you will get to your subwoofers.
More often than not, larger subwoofers give off a deeper sound than small devices, but this is not always the case. Depending on the brand, smaller subwoofers can give out a great, deep sound, too. If you are looking for more depth in your vehicle, take your subwoofers to a trained professional. They may be able to tell you what you need to get a deeper sound in your car. Sure, this might end up costing more than you do-ing the installation or the fix yourself, but you will get a professional opinion as to what you could do next.
Subwoofer Enclosures
Usually, subwoofers have one or two woofers mounted in an enclosure, within your vehicle. These are made of wood which is capable of withstanding the pressure that comes from the air within the speakers. Subwoofer enclosures help resist deformation of the speaker and the enclosure space itself. Enclosures can come in a variety of options.
There are bass reflex enclosures which have a passive or port radiator inside. There are acoustic suspension enclosures which are completely sealed, keeping the sub-woofers stable. There are also infinite baffle, bandpass, and horn-loaded designs, which represent different tradeoffs of bandwidth, size, price, and efficiency for each subwoofer. Depending on which one is right for you, there are many enclosures that will fit your needs and preference.
Active vs. Passive Subwoofers
There are 2 versions of subwoofers. These are 2 things that you should also consider before picking and deciding on which subwoofer to purchase. Active subwoofers have an amplifier that is built-in, giving you direct power from the device itself. A passive subwoofer has a drive and enclosure but is powered by a different amplifier that is not built-in.
Each of these versions has its pros and cons, but ultimately, it comes down to price. Passive subwoofers are usually cheaper, but then you would have to purchase an amplifier on the side. Active subwoofers are more expensive, but everything you will need is in one subwoofer.
The Best 8 inch Car Subwoofers - My Top Picks
#1 - Kicker 8” Solo-Baric L7 Car Subwoofer 4 OHM 11S8L74
Via: Amazon.com
This 8” Solo-Baric L7 Car Subwoofer is Kicker’s newest addition to their masterpieces. This delivers more decibels from its speakers with its patented cone area protection. With this subwoofer being Solo-Baric, Kicker has used its technology concepts to innovate the audio system world. To protect these subs, they are aligned with a one-price SoloKon. This provides full bracing for no distortion and overall toughness.
Moreover, the surround is reliably stitched to keep it stable for many years to come thereby giving more value to your money. This subwoofer will last long with its solid pole pieces, coil wire that is high-temperature resistant, and with a heat-dissipating system. Some of the things about this subwoofer are as follows:
Pros
- Portable subwoofers can go under a truck's rear bench seat (it won’t lose any space in the process)
- These subs have a great hitting sound
- Its sound crate and sealed enclosure are incredible in combination
Cons
- These subs are not American-made. It is actually made in China
- It will not hit as hard as the bigger inch subwoofers. Remember, smaller is not al-ways better with sound
#2 - Kicker Comp 07C84 8-Inch 4-Ohm Subwoofer
Via: Amazon.com
These Kicker Comp 07C84 8-Inch 4-Ohm Subwoofers have thundering bass and ravaging mids. Even the highs on these subwoofers soar. The goal of Kicker is for you to actually feel your music, not just to hear it. On a Kicker system, you will feel all of these and more.
This 8 inch Comp Subwoofer has an impedance of 4-ohm. With these Kicker Subs, they perform free-air applications that are sealed and well-vented within each box. With 200 Watts of RMS and 100 Watts of pure peak power handling, you will be sure to get the perfect sound. The frequency response for each subwoofer is 30 to 500 Hz.
If you are looking for a warranty for your subwoofers, then look no further than a one-year plan that could save you time and money. Even if you are not loaded with massive amounts of money, Kicker can still fit into a price range for most people. This Comp Subwoofer gives you a balance of high performance and value compared to most brands on the market today.
Kicker has engineered this device with high expectations moving forward. Its new look is sleek which leaves an impression on all who purchase it. Along with its great looks, these subwoofers come with some serious muscle that is double stitched for extra protection. The Inverted Structural Dome (ISD) does not allow the surround speaker to flex out of position, to prevent breakage. This Comp Subwoofer will leave you with extra money in your pocket to add an amplifier to increase the performance. The ridge for the Kicker cone helps eliminate distortion completely and gives you the best bass sound on the market. Each subwoofer is full of these amazing C8 Features:
- It has a surround that is ribbed.
- Features A Spiral-Lead Tinsel (High Excursion)
- Flaunts a Nomex reinforcement throughout the subwoofer
- Comes with Magnetic Field Strength
- Boats Strength and Accuracy from SoloKon
In each box, you will receive a C8 subwoofer, hardware for each installation, and a User’s Guide.
Pros
- It is lightweight at only 3 pounds.
- It’s a very good value for the price.
- The speaker covers fit perfectly with these subs.
- Increase in bass with any amplifier (make a difference in sound quality).
- Easy-Installation within the day
- Solid and Tight Manufacturing
- Trunk will rattle
Cons
- These subwoofers do not fit perfectly in a plastic adapter for the car frame.
- The sub holes will not fit perfectly with each vehicle.
- The speakers do not come with wiring.
#3 - New Kicker COMPS 40CWS84 8” 400 Watt Car Subwoofer Power Sub SVC 4 Ohm CWS84
Via: Amazon.com
These New Kicker COMPS 40CWS84 Subwoofers have great 400 Watt power in an 8-inch speaker. They have 200 watts RMS and 400 Watt of Max Power. Kicker has one of the world’s best values when it comes to subwoofers. Kicker has great durability and power over the life of this subwoofer. They have created COMPS Subwoofers that are perfect for sealed and vented enclosures.
If you are looking to use the subs with a free-air application or have it handle more power than usually, the Comp Series will be able to play any music it puts out. The cone of these subwoofers is made from polypropylene that is mold-injected. This lightweight feature is ribbed around the surround to eliminate any distortion or flexing in the speaker. The motor structure of these Kicker Subwoofers are rip-resistant and have an ultra-strength signal transfer that will keep the device good as new. The coil wire in these subwoofers is vented and have innovated venting slots to keep the woofer cool to obtain durability. The steel basket that covers the subs are shallower than most Comp baskets, but they fit more applications and still are heavy duty protection units. At 5 1/2 total pounds, these subwoofers are quite lightweight. There are many other amazing features of this device. They are as follows:
Pros
- Its bass goes ultra-low (lower than most expect)
- Early sales have proven to be positive for most customers
- They sound like they are a bigger inch variety of subwoofers
Cons
- The product is so new that Kicker is unsure of the products longevity.
- Some modifications will be needed when installing the mounting ring and the metal holes.
#4 - Kicker CompR 8” 2-Ohm Subwoofer
Via: Amazon.com
This subwoofer, from Kicker, is a 600 watt Dual Voice Coil device. It has great power handling and an RMS of 300 watts. These subs are exactly as described. At less than 8 pounds a sub, these are lightweight devices. They are equipped with a steel stamped basket that has spring-loaded terminals. The double stacked magnet keeps the sub-woofers together during music play.
Pros
- This is considered as the best subwoofers of Kicker’s class.
- It is a workhorse woofer.
- It has a large-diameter for great sound
- Quad Venting
Cons
- It has no Wireless Remote
- Its size is not great for big vehicles
#5 - DS18 SLC8S Select Series 8-Inch Single Voice Coil 400 Watts Max Subwoofer
Via: Amazon.com
These subwoofers, by DS18, have amazing power at 400 Max Watts. They have the highest quality performance at 84 dB. DS18 Subwoofers have great sensitivity, frequency response, and mounting depth. There is great configuration freedom for each device and the installation is easy and simple.
Pros
- It is lightweight at 7 pounds.
- Its packaging is nice and secure.
- These are well-built subs.
Cons
- The Batteries are not included.
- The Speakers will blow if not properly assembled.
So, who is the clear winner when it comes to the best 8-inch subwoofer? After much research and review, the winner is the New Kicker COMPS Car Subwoofer. These subwoofers pack a great punch for people who are looking for great bass. The newness of this product makes this the clear winner in the short term.
One thing to monitor: since this product is so new, it will be interesting to see how it holds up over time. But, over the last year, most reports have been very fond of these subwoofers. The bass goes lower than any of the other subwoofers mentioned in this article. They have a great sound that rivals some 10 and 12-inch subwoofers. Even though this subwoofer doesn’t have the highest wattage power, like the Pioneer does, this does not affect they overall greatness of this product.
Ultimately, you need to find a subwoofer that fits you best. First, come up with a budget and a list of things you want in a subwoofer. Then, go out there and purchase a subwoofer to get your car rocking again.
