For most systems, our experts think you should just buy the BIC Acoustech PL-200 II Subwoofer. With its simplistic black and copper color scheme, the PL-200 II is an attractive addition to a home theater system, and at less than $300, it’s still (just about) budget friendly. Wattage: 250 RMS, 1,000 Peak | Driver Size: 12-inch | Direction: Front-firing Our reviewer was impressed with the design, as the MDF cabinet has a black-ash finish that makes it look like solid wood, but she felt it lacked the punchiness that some other woofers provided. Wattage: 100 RMS, 200 Peak | Driver Size: 10-inch | Direction: Down-firing The cabinet is made of non-resonant material and has permanently joined pieces to reduce rattle and preserve sound quality. It also features adjustable rubber feet to protect your flooring and keep your subwoofer steady on uneven surfaces. With a 10-inch front firing driver and radiator, this subwoofer creates a radiation area that’s larger than previous models. The Prosub has an automatic on/off function, so you shouldn’t have to worry about flipping a switch or unplugging it when not in use. Wattage: Up to 300 RMS | Driver Size: 10-inch | Direction: Front-firing This model’s biggest perk outside of the powerful bass response is the fact that it can be wireless, so you can place the subwoofer wherever it sounds best in your desired room i(f you add the optional Klipsch WA-2 Wireless Subwoofer Kit). With the unit measuring 18.2 x 15.5 x 17.4 inches and weighing nearly 50 pounds, that flexibility of placement will come in handy. Overall, this subwoofer works great for both music and movies, with a booming sound that’s clean and distortion-free. On the downside, this model can also be easily scratched, so you’ll want to be careful when unboxing it and moving it around the house. Wattage: 150 RMS, 300 Peak | Driver Size: 10-inch | Direction: Front-firing When it comes to wireless sound systems, Sonos has really secured its place in the market. You can hardly even talk about Bluetooth speakers without bringing up the company’s multi-room, speaker handoff systems. But when you’re looking at the Play:1s or Play:3s, you can easily forget that these smaller speakers, even if paired in stereo doubles, don’t offer much in the way of low end. That’s where the latest generation of Sonos’s SUB system comes into play. The slim, stylish subwoofer can either be displayed on the floor outside the system or slid inside of a cabinet. There are force-canceling drivers positioned inside the cabinet face-to-face that allow for a full, unfettered bass response, so you don’t have to worry about cabinet buzzing, rattling or any other artifacts to the sound. And just like the rest of the Sonos family, it can be wirelessly connected to the entire system and controlled with the Sonos app. Wattage: Unpublished (50-100 estimated) | Driver Size: Dual 6-inch | Direction: Down-firing It’s got some hi-tech tricks to minimize distortion, but you can’t really place it somewhere hidden away. The frequency response range is wide enough to cover all of the low ends, but doesn’t offer the full spectrum of depth that some of the more expensive models give you. Round this all out with a white speaker cone in front of the black enclosure, and it gives you a pretty eye-catching look, too. Wattage: 50 RMS, 100 Peak | Driver Size: 10-inch | Direction: Front-firing Wattage: 150 RMS, 200 Peak | Driver Size: 12-inch | Direction: Front-firing At a price of around $120 on sale, this is a solid budget pick for anyone looking to add a compact subwoofer to their home theater without spending too much cash. Wattage: 50 to 100 | Driver Size: 8-inch | Direction: Front-firing
Placement
You’ll need to choose between a front-firing and down-firing subwoofer—and which one is best for your space depends on where you’ll put it. If it’ll sit near your other speakers, we recommend a front-firing subwoofer. But if it’ll be positioned in a corner or on a side wall, go for a down-firing subwoofer.
Power
Subwoofers have built-in amplifiers that are optimized to collaborate with the drivers. This yields maximum performance, so you generally don’t need much power to deliver booming bass. Still, the larger the room, the more powerful the subwoofer you’ll need.
About Our Trusted Experts
Erika Rawes has been writing professionally for more than a decade, and she’s spent the last five years writing about consumer technology, such as subwoofers for the home. Erika has reviewed roughly 150 gadgets, including computers, peripherals, audiovisual equipment, mobile devices, and smart home gadgets. Erika currently writes for Digital Trends and Lifewire. Benjamin Zeman is a business consultant, musician and writer based in southern Vermont. He is an expert in audio equipment, including subwoofers.
