Whether you’ve upgraded the factory best shallow mount subwoofer car speaker set you have with new ones ready to rip, or are sticking with your built-in set, but want to give your bass projection a boost, knowing how to look for a subwoofer will become important if you want to guarantee you’re getting your money’s worth. In particular, is something of interest to anyone who has limited space in a car, as shallow mount subwoofers allow you to maximize that bass and get those windows vibrating without sacrificing room in your vehicle.
If you think that a subwoofer may not be for you, do consider the fact that if your speaker set handles mids and highs well, a muddy or underpowered bass may ruin your listening experience on the road. But with a subwoofer? Bass notes you may not ever have noticed before will add depth and richness to the other layers of sound. There’s a reason why even non-audiophiles buy subwoofers for their cars.
Shallow mount subwoofers are particularly ideal for those who own trucks, sports cars and other compact vehicles, as they often provide comparable volume and clarity even with a lack of model depth. They typically come in the dimensions of 8, 10 or 12 in terms of inches, making it the perfect option to sneak into the rear. JL Audio, Alpine and Pioneer in particular are excellent brands if you’re looking for a name that will guarantee quality. Here are a few of our own picks for shallow mount subwoofers which may interest you.
Alpine Swr-t12 12-Inch 1800 Watt 4 Ohm Shallow Mount Subwoofer Review
A subwoofer is no joke for someone who wants a great sound system for the road. As someone who likes to do a lot of traveling and listens to new tracks frequently, I increasingly found my old sound system needed a bit of a boost in the bass department. A friend who recently vamped up his car recommended Alpine to me, and my initial misgivings soon gave way. I’m so happy with the performance of this subwoofer. Thanks to all its great features and the quality of the design, I’m guaranteed to enjoy my music in whatever weather, wherever I happen to be.
Well-powered, shallow mount model which maximizes the small make
There’s been some grief online that it’s not as strong as a full-size subwoofer, which I strongly disagree with. The SWR-T12’s shallow mount design means that even when I was forced to install it in a smaller space than most, it fit just fine in the rear of my car without any loose bits and transmits sound just fine. I haven’t experienced any distortion or
Multimedia Video Receiver Fits On Your Dashboard And Is Super Convenient
What really got me sold on the Pyle PLBT73G was the fact that this had a video as well as audio receiver. Now, of course I won’t be staring at the screen while I’m driving. But we alternate driving duties, and after a while, you kind of get in the mood to watch something—so the screen was well-sized, had a good resolution and played our movies just fine, allowing for visual entertainment on the road.
Features and Specifications
- 1800 Watts power handling
- 600 Watts RMS power handling
- Comes with a built-in microphone
- GPS Navigation system ensures you won’t be wandering in circles on the road
- 1 pounds in weight
- Comes with a 1-year limited warranty
Disadvantages
There are some times when the Bluetooth audio playing or GPS navigation system stutters a bit—but these blips are rare and very brief. Installing may also take some time because you have to remember that the GPS system has its separate SD card, for example—Pyle’s tech support staff are very helpful, and the manual is adequate, so I didn’t experience much difficulty.
Conclusion
Overall, this was a solid investment that has made my weekend adventures out on the road a lot easier and more fun. I would highly recommend the Pyle PLBT73G if you’re looking for an all-in-one system that can do virtually whatever you require for entertainment. Definitely rates high in my book!
| Subwoofer Size | Alpine Shallow Mount Subwoofer | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 12″ | Alpine Swr-t12 12-Inch 1800 Watt 4 Ohm | 4.1 |
| 10″ | Alpine Swr-t10 10-Inch 1800 Watt 4 Ohm | 5.0 |
JL Audio 10tw3-d4 Shallow-mount 10 Review
There are so many options in every car equipment store nowadays that it takes quite a bit of time and comparison to decide what you really need to round out your car’s sound system. I heard lots of recommendations left and right from various friends, and in the end I settled with the JL Audio 10tw3-d4. This turned out to be an incredible pick which fit well in my car and delivered consistently good sound, even when I fiddled with the volume knob. Now I can mess with the equalizer in traffic and still have crisp, clear music that makes waiting for cars to move a breeze.
A shallow mount subwoofer that still provides excellent bass—thanks to a wide power handling range
I had really limited space in my car, and the first worry I had was that no full-size sub would be able to make it in—so I bit the bullet and went for the shallow mount one from JL Audio. Little did I know that I had gotten so many great specs in a small package. The wide watt range for RMS power handling—100 to 400 watts—means that my basslines are projected as accurately and as clearly as if I had been dealing with professional equipment. Definitely a car-shaker sub.
The special make and materials of the cone maximize the small size of the subwoofer
The key here is really the material and method of making the cone. As a subwoofer cone that’s made of polypropylene and filled with mica, this makes a very strong, dense material that allows sound to travel through it smoothly and eliminates distortions. The injection molding process also keeps the size and surface area of the cone uniform and free of lumps and bumps, so you can expect an evenness of sound that cheaper cones made of paper definitely won’t have up their sleeves.
Features and Specifications
- 100-400 Watt Range for RMS power handling
- Injection molded subwoofer cone made of polypropylene and filled with mica for strength and density
- Unique concentric tube construction maximizes shallow mount space
- Comes with dust and rear caps
- 4 pounds in weight
- Subwoofer dimensions in inches: 12.4 x 11.4 x 5.5
Disadvantages
This JL Audio subwoofer is more expensive than most models, so if you’re working with a very tight budget, it may not be the top option on your list. It also doesn’t fit in a 10-inch hole, so you may need to do a bit of sawing. However, I still believe this is one worth saving up for, as it definitely delivers in terms of tech and performance.
Conclusion
Why get a full-on subwoofer when this shallow-mount one by JL Audio easily beats them hands down? For sheer excellence of sound projection and the fact that it has such durability, I think this is definitely one that will last in your car and bring you awesome music for a long, long time. It certainly is a winner for me!
| Subwoofer Size | JL Shallow Mount Subwoofer | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 10″ | JL Audio 10tw3-d4 | 4.9 |
| 13.5″ | JL Audio 13TW5V2-4 4-Ohm |
5.0 |
| 13.5″ | JL Audio 13TW5V2-2 2-Ohm |
4.9 |
Kicker 10CVT104 10-Inch CompVT Series Shallow Mount Subwoofer Review
For the past few months, I had been making do with the factory sound system that came with my car, but as someone who likes to listen to the radio or some songs when I’m stuck in a jam on the road, I figured it was time to treat my ears to some quality sound equipment. Since some of my favorite songs are heavy on the bass, I decided that the way to go was to get a decent subwoofer at a good price—so when this model by Kicker went on sale, I just couldn’t resist. Now I’m certain that I would’ve been willing to pay the full price for it, as it’s never let me down.
A uniquely designed cone and the stable surround make for a great fit and sound projection
One of the first problems anyone will have is dealing with a cone made from shoddy materials, so no matter what a bargain some models may look like, if you’re going to have to replace it in a few months, that’s definitely not a steal for me. Fortunately, the reasonably-priced Kicker 10CVT104 comes with a cone made of SoloKon, injection molded for uniformity of shape and surface area. The surround is also ribbed Santoprene, which will minimize bass “muddiness”—a common issue when you turn up the volume or mess with the equalizer in lesser makes.
With strong power handling, you can keep the party going even in your own car
My friends have since designated my car as the group’s party van, and this is because of the fact that my sound system is so awesome that just turning it up a little bit can make the windows shake from the thump of the bass. Despite the vibrations coming from the outside and really abusing the volume control on my sound system, every note is as clear to the ear as it is on my expensive headset, and I chalk this up to the solid peak power handling of 800 watts with this subwoofer.
Features and Specifications
- 400 Watts RMS power handling
- 800 Watts power handling at peak
- Unique injection-molded subwoofer cone made of SoloKon
- Perimeter venting to cool subwoofer coils
- 7 pounds in weight
- Subwoofer dimensions in inches: 12 x 12 x 6
Disadvantages
Make sure that the box enclosing it is a good, tight fit—otherwise sound will leak out and prevent you from maximizing the quality technology of this baby. This sound leakage will definitely make this subwoofer sound like they’ve already blown, so don’t get a vented box—seal it properly and you’ll get the rich thumping that I enjoy everyday!
Conclusion
For such a small and shallow subwoofer, it really answers all my needs—and for a price tag which won’t hurt the wallet, at that! This Kicker 10CVT104 subwoofer delivers above and beyond what you’d expect, so ignore the shallow design and instead celebrate the fact you can get one this good that can fit easily in any space!
| Subwoofer Size | Kicker Shallow Mount Subwoofer | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 10″ | Kicker 10CVT104 10-Inch CompVT Series | 4.5 |
| 12″ | Kicker CVT124 12″ Single 4 ohm | 4.6 |
| 12″ | Kicker 10CVT122 12″ Single 2 ohm | 3.5 |
PIONEER TS-SW2502S4 Shallow Subwoofer Review
Forget about the clunky, chunky underseat combos which have underwhelming subwoofers taking up way too much space in your car. I tried handling one of those for around five months, when the sound fizzled and began to crackle out when I turned up the volume—something I didn’t want repeated. When I was shopping around for a new model that would match up to my revamped car sound system, I knew I didn’t want to settle for anything less than intensely clear bass projection that could keep up with the rest of what I had. Fortunately, when a friend recommended Pioneer’s TS-SW2502S4 as a possible replacement, I jumped at it, and I’ve been happy with it ever since.
100-300 watts RMS means you have the power range to push it to the limit
Admittedly, I’m one of those people who likes to turn it up—so with 1,200 watts for peak power, I can push up the volume without compromising the end transmission of the song I’m playing, making for clean playing that won’t bust my speakers out in a short period of time. With stability at 2 ohms or 4, it’s quite a versatile subwoofer. Distortion isn’t an issue here!
Clean, clear sound thanks to the cone design and materials
Shallow subwoofers aren’t often expected to be as good as standard-size speakers, but this Pioneer model performed beyond my expectations, and I think that has a lot to do with the mica-injected resin it’s made out of. Mica increases the strength of the resin. This mineral also happens to make it denser—an ideal material for woofer cones. The crisp projection of music and transition from highs to lows without any loss of sound quality has made this one an absolute winner for me.
Features and Specifications
- A steady frequency response of 20-125 Hz
- Shallow sub design means a good fit even in tight spaces
- Subwoofer dimensions in inches: 12.5 x 12.5 x 5
- 6 pounds in weight
- A cone that’s made of resin and injected with mica
Disadvantages
Though it’s a shallow model, some people may have issues with the fit of this subwoofer in their car, as the standard box hole for a subwoofer will be 9 and 1/8 inches—while the sub itself is actually and 9 ¾ inches in dimension. This is easily modified with a jigsaw, meaning it should be no sweat for the average person to set up. A preloaded box is also another good option that negates this issue.
Conclusion
The Pioneer TS-SW2502S4 has everything I’m looking for in one neat little package—the power for a good, strong transmission of sound, a solid design out of quality materials that will last for quite some time, and an affordable price tag that puts something as awesome as this model within reach of my budget. I would definitely present this as an option if you are looking for a subwoofer.
| Subwoofer Size | Pioneer Shallow Mount Subwoofer | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 10″ | PIONEER TS-SW2502S4 10″ 1,200-Watt | 4.9 |
| 10″ | PIONEER TSSWX2502 10-Inch Shallow-Mount Pre-Loaded Enclosure Sub Woofer | 4.7 |
| 12″ | Pioneer TS-SW3002S4 | 4.8 |
| 8″ | Pioneer TS-SW2002D2 with 600 Watts Max Power | 4.6 |
Rockford Fosgate P3SD4-10 Punch P3S 10-Inch 4-Ohm DVC Shallow Subwoofer Review
I’m the kind of driver who listens to virtually every genre of music there is—from techno tracks to jazz beats, I’m bound to want to try to give it a blast at least once. But one thing that I’ll always pay attention to is a strong bass line. I find that it really rounds out the sound of a song, so to hear the rich bass getting muddy because of my inadequate car speakers was really quite a drag. I almost thought of ditching my set, but the highs and mids were coming out just fine, so when my friend suggested I just get a good subwoofer, it was an obvious buy—and the Rockford FosgateP3SD4-10 turned out to be quite the pick.
This subwoofer packs quite a punch in a small space!
There honestly wasn’t much space left for installing a subwoofer in the rear part of my car interior, but this one still fit quite nicely—and even though the design is quite shallow compared to other models, this does not compromise the sound transmission in any way. There’s absolutely no distortion with the Rockford Fosgate P3SD4-10, even with the bass turned to maximum settings on your system.
The Santoprene surround, combined with the cone and venting, make for a good listening experience
Apart from being able to fit in a limited amount of space in the rear, it was really important to ensure that the subwoofer was made of good material, so when I found out that the surround was made of Santoprene, I heaved a sigh of relief—surrounds are often made of rubber, which is a good material for sound insulation, but Santoprene is even better and much more durable. The cone was a lightweight, sturdy aluminum that conducted sound well—definitely good in my book!
Features and Specifications
- Surround made of Santoprene will keep your subwoofer firmly in place and eliminate outside disturbance, maintaining sound clarity
- 9 pounds in weight
- Subwoofer basket design is spider-vented
- Comes with dustcap and cone made of anodized aluminum
- Dimensions in inches: 6.5 x 12.8 x 13
Disadvantages
These are great with any sound system, but this is pretty made for listening inside your car. If you’re looking for something that’s going to make your car rock and thump as some more expensive models will do, this is not the subwoofer for you. There’s also a wee bit of that warm plastic-metal smell you get sometimes when your electronics get hotter, but that’s with really prolonged use in the day. This is otherwise worth every penny.
| Subwoofer Size | Rockford Shallow Mount Subwoofer | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 8″ | Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 8″ Dual 2-Ohm Punch Series | 4.5 |
| 8″ | Rockford P3SD48 P3 Punch DVC 4-Ohm Subwoofer | 4.8 |
| 12″ | Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-12 P3 Punch Shallow mount 12-Inch DVC 2-Ohm Subwoofer | 4.2 |
| 8″ | P3SD4-8 – Rockford Fosgate 8″ 150W RMS Dual 4-Ohm Punch Series | 5.0 |
| 12″ | Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-12 P3 Punch Shallow mount 12-Inch DVC 2-Ohm Subwoofer | 4.2 |
Conclusion
Driving around with a new playlist on has become infinitely more satisfying thanks to this best shallow mount subwoofer made by Rockford—it continues to deliver even after all these months. It’s so good that I’m strongly tempted to rethink the decision to keep my sound system, if only because it lags behind this subwoofer in terms of sound transmission. If this is an option on your list, I heartily approve!