Best Subwoofers with Built-In Amp (2023) | Powered Car Subs

A powered subwoofer car setup is extremely convenient when building your car audio system. Powered subwoofers are subwoofers with built-in amps and they can save you money and car space. Skipping the external amp and installing a powered subwoofer in your car can also be more manageable. But how do you find the best powered subwoofer for cars? That’s why we’re here to help! We’ll break down the best subwoofers with built-in amp for cars. You’ll also find information about the pros and cons of car subwoofers with built-in amplifiers. Check out our article for a detailed breakdown.

What Are Powered Car Subwoofers?

Powered car subwoofers are subwoofers with a built-in amplifier for power. This differs from passive subwoofers that rely on external amps for power output. A powered subwoofer with an internal amplifier allows for flexible placement. The best powered car subwoofers can improve the reproduction of low frequencies in compact cars with limited space. Compact powered subwoofers with built-in amps are often seen as a substitute for passive subwoofers.

With that being said, powered subwoofers for cars are not a perfect solution. Even the best subwoofers with built-in amp for cars have their skeptics. They are also not the norm in the car audio industry. It’s understandable for people to wonder about the actual performance of powered car subs vs passive subs with external amps.

Are Powered Subwoofers Good?

Don’t discount the performance of powered car subwoofers. Powered car subwoofers can provide a space-saving and efficient solution for adding powerful bass to your car speakers. Most car speaker systems have very poor reproduction of deep bass and sub-bass. The best subwoofers with built-in amp for cars will undeniably upgrade the average car audio system.

Most car subwoofers are not powered. Most car subs are passive speakers and need an external amplifier. This is the default in the car audio industry for good reason. That doesn’t mean subwoofers with built-in amp can’t perform well. These powered car subs are often marketed as space-saving substitutes. This can mean more limited woofer excursion to produce deep bass. Other subwoofers strike a better balance between woofer size and a compact enclosure. The powered car subwoofer for you will depend on your exact use case and space limitations.

Car speakers without adequate low-frequency production is an incomplete sound system. A subwoofer with a built-in amp can provide a big improvement in bass response and overall sound quality.

Subwoofers With Built-In Amp For Cars: Pros and Cons

As you can imagine, powered subwoofers don’t come without sacrifices. Giving a car subwoofer a built-in amplifier comes with added opportunities to bass boost your car audio. But there are limitations just as there are with most audio equipment. We’ll break them all down.

Pros of Powered Car Subwoofers

Convenience

A powered subwoofer car setup can be easy to install compared to a normal setup. An external amplifier requires a lot of work to pair with subwoofers. With external amps, you also have to ensure power handling requirements are correct so your subwoofer isn’t damaged. Lastly, many purchase a subwoofer enclosure and a woofer separately. Subwoofers with built-in amp for cars come in their own ported or sealed enclosure. Almost all power car subwoofers will require an amp wiring kit though. You may not need all the requirements of the amp wiring kit. That includes a cable to draw power from your car’s battery.

Compact Fit in Tight Spaces

You can buy one passive car subwoofer in a small enclosure. But many aim for 2 or more subwoofers with an enclosure. Even with a single subwoofer, an external amp is still required. On the other hand, compact powered subwoofers are often made smaller for limited space. This allows all the components to fit in small cars without enough space for larger car speakers.

Price and Value

Price is the last advantage on our list. A subwoofer with built-in amp for cars will cut down on cost for those adding bass to their system. This is an important aspect for those shopping on a budget. Audio equipment for cars isn’t cheap. Consumers looking to save a few bucks can with a powered sub.

Cons of Powered Car Subwoofers

Sound Quality Limitations

Achieving quality deep bass takes power output and woofer excursion. While a compact powered sub has its benefits, its small size makes this more difficult. This is more of an issue with smaller powered subs designed to be mounted on a seat. Not all every subwoofer with built-in amp for cars has a small size as a top priority. While those won’t be reaching Sub-20 Hz bass levels, some larger models can. In general, a powered subwoofer car setup will struggle to match the deep bass response of a normal set up.

Less Flexibility

Want three 15-inch subwoofers in a sealed enclosure? An external amp with a ton of power output? Or maybe you want to buy a single subwoofer and later buy two more for a larger enclosure. While powered subs are easy to install, they greatly limit your future options. All the components work together in a compact unit. Powered subwoofer don’t provide nearly as much flexibility for upgrading and building as other audio equipment.

Best Subwoofers With Built-In Amp For Cars

Rockford Fosgate P300-12 – Best 12″ Powered Car Subwoofer

The Rockford Fosgate name is revered in the car audio industry. It’s no surprise we love their P300 12-inch powered subwoofer so much. While it’s not the most compact subwoofer option here, its footprint is relatively small. There’s a nice and refined black vinyl finish on the P300. Its wedged design dimensions are just 15″ H x 19.8″ W x 11″ D x 7″ D (top of wedge) will still work for a small trunk. Rockford Fosgate’s P300 still manages great max power output (600 Watts) from its class D amplifier. It reaches an impressive 300 Watts (RMS) on a continuos basis. The 12-inch subwoofer within the sealed enclosure provides some deep bass thump without becoming overwhelming at normal levels. Increasing the bass can definitely shake and rumble the cabin. There is also a wired remote for bass level control that allows you to crank up the bass even more from your front seat. The P300-12 pushes quality, powerful bass that’s a wonder to see in action.

While you will need an amp wiring kit for installation, the P300 12″ subwoofer comes with RCA cables to connect with your head unit. Additional controls on the side of the P300 include low pass crossover, gain dial, and a bass boost dial. You’ll also find switches for phase control, input level, and power modes. You can connect the powered sub to your car audio system using RCA or speaker-level signals. Frequency response is 35 – 150 Hz. With the P-300, your getting a sealed enclosure that delivers punchy bass and impressively punchy bass. There are powered car subwoofers that can thump harder and deeper. But few can while matching the smaller size and price of the Rockford Fosgate P300-12. It’s our pick for the best subwoofer with built-in amp for cars because of the great balance it strikes.

Kenwood KSC-SW11 – Best Low Profile Powered Car Subwoofer Under $200

Some will prioritize size when building their powered sub car setup. The Kenwood KSC-SW11 is our favorite option if space is at a premium. The KSC-SW11 has a built-in amplifier and manages to hit 150 Watts of peak power (75 Watts RMS) in a ridiculously small compact unit. The small enclosure houses an 8-inch speaker along with its internal amp. With a frequency response of 32 to 120Hz, this Kenwood subwoofer delivers a bass boost that doesn’t seem possible. Will it violently shake your car? No, but it provides enough thump that you’ll know it’s there. The added bass response will be a definite upgrade over many OEM car speakers.

While it can add some punch to your sound system, its compact design is the headline. The KSC-SW11’s aluminum enclosure is 11 inches long and 7.5 inches wide. That’s not a typo. Along with width and length smaller than standard A4 paper, this compact enclosure has a 2.75-inch depth. That’s because the Kenwood KSC-SW11 is specifically designed to be mounted in tight spaces. It can even be mounted behind or under your seat. Kenwood provides mounting hardware to make installation even easier. A wiring harness and two mounting brackets come included. This makes for extremely flexible subwoofer placement options when enough space isn’t available.

Despite it’s tiny size, the KSC-SW11 still produces enough sound to add some depth to your car’s audio setup. The included wired remote control can control bass level, the variable low-pass crossover, and phase control. The Kenwood KSC-SW11 is also one of the best values with the necessary harness, brackets, and screws included. It’s simply one of the best powered subwoofers for cars if you want a low-profile solution that saves space.

Rockville SS8P – Best Low Profile Powered Car Subwoofer Under $100

The Rockville SS8P is another great option for those who don’t one to sacrifice space. This compact powered subwoofer also comes at an amazing sub-$100 price point. With the Rockville SS8P, you’re getting an extremely slim sealed 8″ car subwoofer that outputs 100 Watts RMS (400W Peak). At 12×11 inches and 2.7 inches deep, the SS8P can be easily mounted under your seat or elsewhere in your cabin. It’s a no-brainer for those who want extra bass and have compact cars. While this 8″ sub can shake your cabin a little, don’t expect to wake up the neighborhood. It delivers clean bass with some surprising thump behind it.

There are some standout features like a subsonic filter and thermal protection. You’ll also find the usual features like low pass filter, bass boost, and gain control. A wired remote with a bass knob is included too. High and low level input connections are available for max flexibility. Those looking to mount the SS8P will be happy to hear that mounting hardware is also included. The Rockville SS8P is an all-around great value offering a lot for under $100. It deserves consideration for the best under-seat powered subwoofer for those on a budget.

Pioneer TS-WX1210A – Best 12″ Powered Car Subwoofer Under $200

Pioneer’s TS-WX1210A is another option that offers a little bit of everything. It’s got a slim trapezoid design, good power, and one of the more refined designs on our list. The 12″ woofer will deliver improved thump and for those looking to increase the bass level in their sound system. Its size (15″ H x 20.75″ W x 11″ D) also makes it a solid choice to save a little space. While the TS-WX1210A can rattle your car and mirrors when turned up, it’s power rating (350 Watts RMS) is likely inflated. Especially when you consider the meager 20 amp fuse that comes with the class D amplifier. It still manages to deliver enough thumping bass with low distortion.

The sealed enclosure of the TS-WX1210A has a gray carpet finish. Connection options are available for RCA or speaker level input. A phase switch is available in addition to 4 turning dial. That includes dials for low pass crossover, bass boost, and bass boost frequency. The Pioneer TS-WX1210A also includes a wired remote bass controller, mounting brackets, and screws. It’s our pick for the best powered subwoofer in this price range in you want a 12-inch sub with some power.

MTX Audio RT8PT – Best Bass Tube With Built-In Amp For Cars

The MTX Audio is another option if you’re searching for a powered subwoofer car setup in a small car. While it can’t be mounted under your seat, the vented tube subwoofer can fit in some tight spaces. The relatively compact enclosure packs an 8″ woofer and an internal class D amplifier. The built-in amplifier pushes 120 Watts RMS power with a max power output of 360 Watts. It also has a frequency response of 35-250Hz. It’s all way more than you would expect coming from an 8″ powered subwoofer. While the form factor makes the MTX Audio RT8PT stand out, it’s value might be its best quality. At $150 or less, it’s one of the best budget options for car speakers. With the RT8PT, you’re getting all the components needed to add some much-needed low frequencies to your sound system.

Gray carpet surrounds the MTX Audio RT8PT. While we don’t prefer the carpet-covered design for powered dubs, it’s executed well here. While the RT8PT puts out quality bass, we’re not talking about mirror-shaking low-end bass here. You’ll still get bass with minimal distortion and full sound. One end of the tube houses the 8″ woofer and the control panel can be found on the other. On that panel, you’ll find low and high-level inputs, a gain knob, and a low pass filter. There’s also a port for the wired remote, which allows for external bass control. Mounting hardware and two 10-amp fuses (one installed) are included with the RT8PT. It’s an all-around great value for those looking for the best powered car subwoofers for small cars.

JBL GT-BassPro12 – Best Ported Powered Car Subwoofer

For those prioritizing power output above saving space, the JBL GT-BassPro 12 deserves your consideration. Along with a 12-inch subwoofer, it packs a 120 Watts RMS amplifier (450 peak Watts). It’s the choice you want you’re looking for something to shake your cabin, windows, and mirrors. There’s also a good 35-120Hz frequency response. The JBL GT-BassPro12 also has ported enclosure. Ported enclosures produce boomier bass compared to the punchier bass from sealed enclosures.

The GT-Bass Pro12’s enclosure has a mostly tame wedge design though we could have done without the orange accents on the front. Along with the woofer, the Slipstream port can also be found on the front. You can find the speaker and line level inputs on the rear panel. There is also a phase switch, low pass crossover (40-200Hz), and variable bass boost. The hook-up for the wired remote is there for bass level control (cable included). We love the JBL GT-Bass Pro12 for those who want some thunderous bass without taking up too much bass.

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