Hi! I am an enthusiast of car audio. In this article, I have heard this question many time that “Do I need a subwoofer in my car?” To be honest, that’s not an easy one to answer because it depends on what you’re listening to. For instance, if you are into rap or hip-hop music then yes, you do need a subwoofer in your car. If you’re more into the country or alternative rock then no, you don’t need a subwoofer but for the sake of this article let’s assume that we’re talking about someone who listens to pop music and some other mainstream genres like jazz.
If you’re listening to pop music then no, a subwoofer is not necessary. The bass in your car stereo system will be enough for the type of music that you are listening to and it won’t need any additional help from an external device like a subwoofer. However, if you listen to jazz or classical on occasion then it would be better to purchase a subwoofer for you carves because the bass will need to be more controlled and uniform.
The subwoofer is also very important if you are listening to hip-hop or rap music in your car. The deep, heavy beats that these genres cannot be reproduced accurately without a subwoofer and it would sound pretty lame with just a regular speaker system.
Do I need a Subwoofer in My car: A quick guide
Think about where you are playing music from and what type of surface that the speaker sits on top of. The majority of people who listen to their radio or music through speakers built into their dashboard don’t usually require subwoofers for additional low-frequency output because there is already plenty being emitted by those factory speakers sitting atop your dash. But if you’re listening via an external sound source (iPod dock, Bluetooth device), then adding an enclosure with some active drivers will enhance the sound experience of your car.
A subwoofer enclosure will most likely not provide any added benefit for those with built-in sound systems, but if you’re listening to your music wirelessly or from an external speaker that sits on top of its own surface then adding some low frequency response may make all the difference in how much bass is being heard.
You can also create a custom box and use passive drivers instead of active ones which are more expensive and require more power to operate effectively. If you know what size enclosure you want beforehand or have access to enough extra space inside your vehicle, this is often a cheaper option than buying prebuilt enclosure for the subwoofer.
Here is a checklist that you should follow in terms of choosing a subwoofer for the car:
1.Decide what type of music do you listen to most often? If it is hip-hop or rap then a 12″ subwoofer would be best for your car, and if the majority of your favorite artists are death metal musicians then an 18″ subwoofer may suit your needs better.
2.See at what frequency range does this particular model go up to? For example, can this model produce bass frequencies that range from 20Hz up to 200 Hz or more? A good rule of thumb is that higher-end models will usually have lower limits on their frequency ranges while cheaper models will only cover less spectrum in terms of sound wavelengths. It’s always worth paying as much as possible when buying any audio equipment because they typically last very long and gives the best out of them.
3.How much power does this particular model produce? The more watts a subwoofer produces, the louder and better they are at producing bass frequencies. It is recommended to stay within 150W when looking for a subwoofer because anything higher than that can damage your speakers if it’s not equipped with protection circuits against such problems.
4.Is there any installation kit included or will you need tools? Some models may come with these kits while others require specialized knowledge on how to install them properly which means some research might have been done beforehand before purchasing one. Make sure you’re prepared before buying something like wouldn’t even fit with your car.
Subwoofer size guide
You may not be thinking about it now, but subwoofer size is going to play an important role in how well they work with your audio system setup. Buy too small of a woofer and everything sounds like its coming from far away even if it’s just 20 feet back; larger subs won’t sound as good at low frequencies when positioned close together or next door because their cones will interfere with each other causing distortion that might still have enough power to blow up windows.
Conclusion
Subwoofers are a great purchase for any music aficionado. Buying one of these speakers can make all the difference in your listening experience and bass quality. But before purchasing make sure you have checked that the power capacity for both amplification and frequencies while also checking if installation kits are included or not because they might come already installed in certain models from different manufacturers so some research will need to be done beforehand about what ones fit properly inside your specific car model.
Welcome to Audio Topper, your trusted source for all Things audio! I’m Lee Buckalew, a passionate audio enthusiast with years of experience exploring and reviewing top-notch audio equipment. My goal is to help you make informed decisions by offering honest reviews, expert insights, and detailed guides. Whether you're upgrading your home sound system or looking for the perfect gear to enhance your experience, I’m here to guide you every step of the way. At Audio Topper, I believe great sound transforms how we experience the world. Join me in uncovering the best in audio technology and elevating your listening experience.