For those in a hurry, the best 10 inch subwoofer is the Rockford Fosgate Punch P3. It hits hard, handles a lot of power, and produces deeper bass than others.
I love rolling down the windows, turning up the radio, and enjoying the music while out on a drive. A few years ago I was enjoying a summer drive and wanted to crank up the radio a little more. The louder I turned it the more I heard my speakers distorting the bass.
To fix this, I installed a new subwoofer in my car. It’s simple, fun, and will change the way you listen to music.
What To Look For In a 10-inch Subwoofer
Finding the best ten-inch subwoofer isn’t impossible. All you need is an understanding of the basics, and then you can choose the sub that will work best for your vehicle.
First off, I recommend figuring out what’s at the top of your list of priorities. Would you prefer more bass? Does the subwoofer need to be smaller to fit in your car? How much power do you want it to handle?
Next, it is important to take into account price. Some features are more expensive than others. As a result, you should choose your budget and then decide on the essentials that you want. For example, if dual voice coils aren’t as important, then you could choose the cheaper single voice coils.
Take some time and decide what you want. Then you can make an informed decision. If you need some more help, I’ll be outlining some basic information about subwoofers.
Sensitivity
One common term used to describe subwoofers is their sensitivity. The overall sensitivity of a subwoofer will determine its ability to convert power to sound.
For example, if a speaker has the ability to handle high power but has low sensitivity, then it won’t sound very good. You want a sub that will offer a balance between both of these elements.
Basically, if you want to turn up your speaker loud, then you would want to pick a sub that offers high sensitivity. For these people, I recommend one that is rated between 75 and 100 decibels.
If you won’t be cranking your sub, then you won’t need as high of sensitivity!
Power Handling
Next up, we have the power handling. The primary purpose of subwoofers is to provide extreme levels of bass. To do this, they need plenty of power. The power level of subwoofers is measured with two numbers: the RMS and peak power rating (Max).
Before you purchase a sub, you should always check on the power handling. I’ve found that manufacturers will sometimes exaggerate the peak power rating of their speakers. However, the RMS is generally reliable. If you want to learn more the Consumer Electronics Association writes the standards for mobile audio power measurement.
Speakers with a higher RMS rating will be more powerful. That’s not always the case, but it’s a general rule.
As you choose a sub, it is also important to double-check to make sure that its power rating matches your amp’s. Double check your amplifier and find the RMS power handling.
Both your amp and your sub should have similar numbers to achieve the highest sound quality and avoid damage.
Follow our guide on installing a subwoofer if you’re going to install it yourself.
Cone Size
You also should account for the size of the cone and the material used to construct the cone. The cone is one of the most important parts of the subwoofer!
The surface area of the cone will dictate how loud your subwoofer can get. The larger the cone, the louder it will get. Over the past few years, manufacturers have been adding several innovative features to cones. They hope to enhance sound reproduction even further.
As for cone materials, manufacturers will usually use paper, synthetic molds, or composites. Sometimes aluminum or other metals will be used as they are more durable.
What Type of Enclosure?
The type of enclosure used for the subwoofer will also influence the overall sound. Some subs are built in smaller enclosures to fit in confined spaces. Others will use unique innovations to offer higher sound quality.
Generally, one of the most-important elements to consider about enclosures is whether they will be sealed or vented. Both offer unique pros and cons.
A sealed ring enclosure will deliver deeper bass frequencies. A vented enclosure will deliver higher volumes. Each of these are beneficial in certain cases. You need to choose which is best for your vehicle and listening habits.
Single or Dual Voice Coils?
Another element that will influence sound quality is whether the speaker has single or dual voice coils. In general, subs will have either one or two voice coils. These are attached to the cone, and they help produce sound by pulling the cone up and down.
If you want more bass, then you’ll want a subwoofer with two voice coils. You’ll see the abbreviation DVC. A cone with dual voice coils will help you produce the maximum amount of bass output. Dual voice coils are often more expensive.
You won’t hear a massive increase over single voice coils. Dual voice coils do offer more wiring options though. This helps if you’re wiring two subs together or want to change the resistance level.
Skar SDR-10 D4
Skar engineered the SDR-10 D4 to deliver rich, low frequencies while remaining responsive and musical.
One feature of this sub is its high flux ferrite motor which helps it achieve an RMS rating of 600 Watts. At a peak, this sub can handle an impressive 1200 Watts. This should be plenty of power for most.
It also boasts an advanced air flow cooling design. This helps it function properly for hours on end. Skar also included a 2.5” high-temperature, copper voice coil which further enhances the reliability.
Plus, the pressed-paper cone is competition grade. This cone is surrounded by high roll foam which produces impressive low end bass response.
Unfortunately, paper cones are not as durable as other materials. The Skar cone may tear, so installation can be a tad trickier.
Pros
- The high flux ferrite motor enhances the overall power handling.
- With the help of the pressed-paper cone and surrounding of high roll foam, the Skar sub offers plenty of bass.
- At its price point, the Skar offers plenty of bang for your buck.
Cons
- The pressed-paper cone may be more liable to tears.
- At low volume it is not as responsive as competitors.
Infinity Kappa
The Infinity Kappa subwoofer is one of the most unique. With a number of unique features, the Infinity Kappa 1000W sub stands apart from the competition.
First off, this subwoofer has a Selectable Smart Impedance design. This lets you flip a switch and choose between 2 and 4 Ohms of impedance. Due to this, the Infinity Kappa is much more versatile than others. Plus, there is no complicated wiring involved which makes it simple to use and install.
As for its RMS rating, this sub can handle 450 Watts as well as up to 1800 Watts for peak power. The manufacturer rated its frequency response as between 24-300Hz which is an impressive number. Compared to other 10-inch subwoofers, this is especially impressive.
The cone of the Kappa is constructed from a glass-fiber composite which reduces distortion. The cone helps enhance bass frequencies.
Pros
- The unique fiber-glass cone will improve the overall bass power.
- With its selectable impedance design, this subwoofer is very versatile.
- The high RMS rating means you can crank the sub for hours on end without risking damage.
Cons
- Unfortunately, heat dissipation is sometimes an issue within the subwoofer.
Pioneer TS-SW2502S4
With a slender enclosure, the Pioneer is a hard-hitting subwoofer that provides plenty of performance. This sub will elevate the rest of your car’s stereo.
One of the strongest features of this sub is its over sized, resin cone. This molded resin cone is mica injected which means that it will deliver a more accurate bass. This type of cone highlights the low frequencies better.
This subwoofer is also extremely small. It can fit in most spaces and interiors that other subs may not be able to. With this innovative design, strong bass frequencies are now more accessible. It also boasts an RMS rating of 100-300 Watts with a peak of 1200 Watts.
The Pioneer is wrapped in a scratch-resistant, durable back cover that will protect it from any bumps and bruises during installation.
Pros
- Extremely reliable power handling with high energy efficiency and sensitivity.
- Super small, so it can be installed in most vehicles.
- This sub is reliable because of it’s durable design.
Cons
- Compared to other subwoofers, the bass is not as pronounced.
- You may need to tweak the sub to fit inside some boxes.
Rockville W10K9D2
The Rockville W10K9D2 subwoofer is impressive and packed with features. At a lower price than other competitors, this sub is one of the most cost-effective options.
The Rockville sub boasts 800 Watts of RMS power handling and a peak of 1600 Watts. Rockville included ultra-stiff cones which they designed to hold up under high amounts of power.
Constructed with a cast-aluminum basket, the Rockville W10K9D2 is very light and extremely efficient. The cones are also surrounded by a thick ring of foam which will decrease distortion while enhancing bass frequencies.
There has been some controversy regarding these subs. Users began seeing failures when turning up the volume. The controversy is around the power handling capabilities being overstated. Some reviewers test these subs to the advertised power levels and some eventually fail. I suggest doing your own research.
Pros
- The aluminum basket helps decrease the overall weight and bulkiness of this sub.
- Rockville’s ultra-stiff cones increase the durability of the subwoofer while improving the bass frequencies.
Cons
- The voice coils are known to fail if placed under high power for extended periods of time.
- The Rockville may be more difficult to wire due to confusing directions from the manufacturer.
Rockford Fosgate P3D4-10
With a full metal cone, this subwoofer offers a much richer, deeper sound than competitors. The cone is constructed from anodized aluminum which helps elevate the bass notes.
This model features 1000 watt peak power and 500 watt RMS power which is impressive for a 10-inch. This superior power handling means you can run it for hours on end without worrying about damaging it.
Along with these features, the Rockford Fosgate also offers users a 2 ½” aluminum/copper voice coil, an all-aluminum trim ring, and 10-AWG nickel plated push terminals.
These features combine to give a uniquely-rich sound.
Pros
- A unique FlexFit basket which helps it cope with extreme conditions.
- Impressive amount of power handling.
- With the metal cone it offers clear bass, clean bumps, and higher RMS.
Cons
- It’s a little more expensive than others
- It offers only a one-year warranty.
- This speaker requires a higher power input than other subwoofers. Make sure you have an appropriate amp.
Conclusion
If you’re wanting to upgrade your factory stereo, adding a sub is one of the best things you can do! It will improve the volume of the low end frequency. You’ll start hearing songs like you never did before.
I recommend the Rockford Fosgate Punch P3 as the best 10 inch subwoofer. It offers a high level of power handling paired with an impressive sensitivity rating. This enables the sub to achieve deep, accurate bass as well as being exceptionally loud.
Rockford also includes many unique innovations with the FlexFit basket and VAST cone technology. These features mark the Rockford Fosgate P3D4 as my favorite 10-inch subwoofer.