Best 12 Inch Subwoofers 2020: The Bass Heads’ Favorite Is Here
Equipping your car’s audio system with high-quality speakers is a great way of making the sound you’ll be getting better and more enjoyable. Big car speakers like the 6X9s are known to provide a good deal of bass. However, there’s a limit to the amount of bass these speakers and even smaller bass sources like the 8” subwoofers and 10” subwoofers can give.
You are now looking for 12-inch subs because you need bigger, heavier bass and the speakers currently installed in your car cannot rise up to the task.
You came to the right place.
We’ve taken our time to bring together a list of best 12 inch subwoofers so you don’t have a hard time choosing the one you desire. Our review consists of top 10 performers because we know you want the best of the best. Have a look at what we’ve got here:
Comparison Table for Top 10 12-Inch Subwoofers 2020
Subwoofer Name | Power handling | Sensitivity | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12 [Overall best] | RMS:600 W | 85 dB | ||
RMS:600 W | 96 dB | |||
RMS:900 W | 88 dB | |||
RMS:400 W | 82 dB | |||
RMS:800 W | 90 dB | |||
RMS:1250 W | 85.1 dB | |||
RMS:600 W | 99.9 dB | |||
RMS:1000 W | 89.6 dB | |||
RMS:300 W | 85.64 dB | |||
RMS:750 W | 88 dB |
Our Review and Selection Process
It’s relieving to find a subwoofer that fits your requirements and one that is praiseworthy. All subs reviewed here are praiseworthy, but you are the one to determine if they fit your bill. A lot of research work was put into this review. Our sound engineers and expert installers teamed up with experienced reviewers and real users to provide unbiased and accurate content on different aspects of each speaker. That’s how we were able to provide you with in-depth subwoofer reviews that you’ll find highly useful in your search for the best 12 inch sub.
We first performed a thorough market research to know which speakers are most preferred. From the research we got quite a huge number of well-performing subs. We focused our efforts on the best of each top-performing subwoofer brand, carried out numerous tests and incorporated diverse comments from team members to come up with this comprehensive review.
1. Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12: Best 12” sub 2020
Quick Highlights: | |
RMS: | 600 W |
Peak Power: | 1200 W |
Impedance: | 4 Ohms |
Sensitivity: | 85 dB |
Frequency Range: | 27.7 - 250 Hz |
Rockford Fosgate has always led the subwoofer market with bass systems that best match your lifestyle and passion for music. The P3D4-12 12-inch sub is where innovation and efficiency in sound production meets. The sub delivers a deep, aggressive bass and has stunning aesthetic features that will make your car’s interior more attractive.
The winning features of the P3D4-12 subwoofer
Pros
Cons
Our say: If you want to get the best value from your subwoofer installation, have this bass leader installed in your car. The P3D4-12 offers resounding bass, excellent sound quality and unrivalled heat dissipation.
Go to Amazon and check out the P3D4-12. We think it’s the best of the best subs you can get today.
2. Pioneer TS-W3003D4 – Best of Champion Series
Quick Highlights: | |
RMS: | 600 W |
Peak Power: | 2000 W |
Impedance: | 4 Ohms |
Sensitivity: | 96 dB |
Frequency Range: | 20Hz-80Hz |
Many of the 12-inch subs that passed through our review panel proved to be durable and portable. However, the flexibility of the TS-W3003D4 tickled the interest of many real users. Wire this subwoofer according to your needs: together at 1- or 4-ohm, or separately at 2 or 8 ohms – and see what you get.
Benefits of installing Pioneer TS-W3003D4
Pros
Cons
Verdict: Pioneer TS-W3003D4 excellently balances quality, performance and aesthetics. It seems like a highly attractive option if you are looking for bigger bass and don’t mind having a big, heavy sub in your car’s trunk.
We are sure you can find some unique value from this sub. See current price on Amazon.
3. Planet Audio AC12D - Best for Sealed Box
Quick Highlights: | |
RMS: | 900 W |
Peak Power: | 1800 W |
Impedance: | 4 Ohms |
Sensitivity: | 88 dB |
Frequency Range: | 32Hz |
Earn the bragging rights for bass wherever you drive. With an RMS of 900w, Planet Audio’s best sub, the AC12D, rules the bass effortlessly. It’s designed with different enclosure types in mind but one thing doesn’t change: it is a bass beast. See its powerful features below.
Planet Audio AC12D Attributes
Pros
Cons
Our say: This sub comes with outstanding features and you don’t have to be an expert to install it. We think it a great bang for your buck especially if you want greater bass at higher volumes without roughing up your budget.
Order Planet Audio AC12D today and start ruling the bass wherever you drive.
4. Kenwood KFC-W3016PS
Quick Highlights: | |
RMS: | 400 W |
Peak Power: | 2000 W |
Impedance: | 4 Ohms |
Sensitivity: | 82dB |
Frequency Range: | 27 - 300Hz |
What does Kenwood mean to you?
Power, reliability, high-quality sound, and attractiveness are what you get from Kenwood KFC-W3016PS. The sub is one of Kenwood’s Performance Series subs. It comes with nothing less than a promise of punchy, reliable bass in your car. Let’s get deeper into the specs of this award-winning 12-inch subwoofer.
Features of Kenwood KFC-W3016PS
Pros
Cons
Our say: Take advantage of Kenwood’s decades of extensive experience in building market leading subs. The KFC-W3016PS 12" sub is a sure bet to more powerful and reliable bass in your car.
Upgrade your sound system with KFC-W3016PS and you’ll love its design and performance.
5. Pyle PLPW12D
Quick Highlights: | |
RMS: | 800 W |
Peak Power: | 1600 W |
Impedance: | 4 Ohms |
Sensitivity: | 90dB |
Frequency Range: | 27 - 300Hz |
Pyle is slowly becoming the go-to place for a wide range of electronics. The brand has endowed the car audio market with a rich collection of subs that enrich your media experiences on the go. For the 12-inch subwoofer category, Pyle presents the PLPW12D 1600W dual 4-ohm sub, built with top notch technology to revolutionize your car stereo’s sound.
Features and Benefits of Pyle PLPW12D
Pros
Cons
Verdict: This intelligently engineered premium-quality sub is functionally able to deliver lows that add a pleasurable hue to your audios. It’s a great addition to a stereo that needs a highly efficient bass-focused driver.
Check price on Amazon and seize the opportunity to upgrade your car stereo.
6. Skar Audio EVL-12 D2
Quick Highlights: | |
RMS: | 1250W |
Peak Power: | 2500 W |
Impedance: | 4 Ohms |
Sensitivity: | 85.1dB |
Frequency Range: | 30 - 300Hz |
We thought we had exhausted everything about bass production until the EVL-12 D2 provided us with a sneak peek of the unique value offered by the Skar Audio EVL series of subs. Viewed from any angle, this sub features an array of distinctive features that enable it to handle low frequency notes with authority.
What to expect from SkarAudio EVL-12 D2
Pros
Cons
Our view: If you are here for a powerful 12” sub that will turn your car into a bass powerhouse, suit yourself with Skar Audio EVL-12 D2. It’s the best you’ll get around.
Enjoy harder kicks on your favorite tunes with the EVL-12 D2.
7. Kicker-44DCWC122
Quick Highlights: | |
RMS: | 600W |
Peak Power: | 1200 W |
Impedance: | 2 Ohms |
Sensitivity: | 99.9 dB |
Frequency Range: | 27 - 500Hz |
You only have a little trunk space left for subwoofer installation. Are you wondering where to get the best 12-inch sub for some low-end muscle in your music? This Kicker sub will kick big bass from the trunk to the entire car. It’s compact, powerful and highly efficient.
Features of Kicker-44DCWC122
Pros
Cons
Verdict: We recommend Kicker 44DCWC122 to you if you need a quick upgrade to your sound system. It’s especially great as a first-time set of subwoofers
Order Kicker 44DCWC122 and have monstrous bass rolling out of your stereo immediately after unboxing it.
8. American Bass XFL1244
Quick Highlights: | |
RMS: | 1000W |
Peak Power: | 2000 W |
Impedance: | 4 Ohms |
Sensitivity: | 89.6 dB |
Still looking for a smaller sub that adds packs of punch?
American Bass XFL1244 is for the people who cannot compromise on their love for music. Its extra strong construction and great sonic capabilities landed a place among the best subs 2020. Even the most demanding sound enthusiast finds the XFL1244 satisfying.
What features makes the XFL1244 the best?
Pros
Cons
Verdict: This sound beast is reasonably priced and we think it is a perfect choice if you are searching for high power handling and above average sonic performance.
Don’t spend too much to get hard-hitting bass and better sound performance. Check out the American Bass XFL1244 on Amazon.
9. 12W0V3-4 - JL Audio
Quick Highlights: | |
RMS: | 300W |
Peak Power: | 600 W |
Impedance: | 4 Ohms |
Sensitivity: | 85.64 dB |
Frequency Range: | 22 - 250Hz |
JL Audio combines a number of patented technologies to achieve great efficiency, excursion and linearity. Its power handling may be lower than the majority of competitor subs but its performance speaks for itself.
Let’s review some of the features that make the 12W0V3 an attractive option.
12W0V3-4 - JL Audio Features
Pros
Cons
Verdict: The 12W0V3-4 is well built despite its low power output. The subs can give out a thumping bass and bring a big impact to your sound.
Choose the 12W0V3-4 for bass that shakes the ground.
10. Audiopipe TXX-BD2-12
Quick Highlights: | |
RMS: | 750W |
Peak Power: | 1500 W |
Impedance: | 4 Ohms |
Sensitivity: | 88 dB |
Frequency Range: | 20 - 900Hz |
The Audiopipe TXX-BD2-12 subwoofer came in at number 10 because of its good performance and affordability. Our tests showed that its 750W RMS is enough to satisfy just about any bass lover out there. The sub’s nice features, a wide frequency range, and enhanced durability convinced us that it rightfully belongs to the class of best 12 inch subwoofers 2020.
Features of AudiopipeTXX-BD2-12 sub
Pros
Cons
Verdict: Audiopipe TXX-BD2-12 hits the spot for music enthusiasts who are keen on getting a great deal of value for their investment in a 12-inch sub.
Have these subs in your car and enhance your passion for great music.
How to find the Best 12-Inch Subwoofer
There are many types of speakers that you can install in your car to have the desired listening experience while on the road. You need something bigger and stronger, and you think a 12-inch sub fits the bill.
Now, you will have to compare different specifications to ensure that you end up with the best 12” sub.
Here are the most important factors to consider when choosing a subwoofer:
Power needs and handling capacity
The discussion about subwoofer power is multi-dimensional.
There is the question of: can the existing audio system adequately power my new subwoofer? 12-inch subs consume different amounts of power to produce varying amounts of bass. If you want a sub that produces a lot of bass, know that it’ll consume a lot of current. Your audio system should, therefore, have power abilities close to that of the sub.
The other important consideration about power is how much power the sub can actually handle. In some reviews, you’ll see complains of voice coils smoking,or the sub heating up or burning because too much current was driven through them.
It’s crucial to determine the real power handling capabilities of the sub before putting it in the shopping cart. Unfortunately, there are subs that promise high power handling in words but they don’t deliver.
Does it have a motor cooling mechanism?
When you decide that you’ll go for a high-power 12-inch sub, look for the ones with a motor cooling system. Such a system makes sure that the sub doesn’t heat up and/or break down during long hours of application.
What about voice coils?
Although the question of single and double voice coils is crucial, it is rarely explained well. First, the choice between SVC and DVC depends on what you want from your subwoofer. So, we cannot say which is better between a single voice coil sub and a DVC one.
If your main concern is how much power the sub will put out, consider the ohm load of the voice coil rather than the number of coils. Ohms measure electrical resistance and the less the ohms, the more power the sub puts out assuming a constant power supply.
You could be looking for flexibility; that is, you care about wiring options and intend to attach additional drivers to your stereo system. In this case, a DVC subwoofer is better than a SVC sub.
How does your budget look like?
It’s more likely than not that you are shopping for a 12-inch sub on a budget. To make your selection task easier, classify the available subs into two groups: the ones that are within your budget and those that rough it up. It’s good to stick to your budget since after purchasing the sub you might need to spend more money on a good enclosure or on installation.
Subwoofer installation
Do you want to install the sub or have it professionally installed?
Is the seller offering free installation?
Most subwoofers are easy to install but you might come across a 12-inch that could make you sweat. It’s good to know beforehand about a sub’s installation. Look at the installation manual and be sure you can handle the wiring steps if you intend to do it yourself.
Other inevitable considerations include the weight and size of the sub and the required enclosure. Can the sub fit in the available space in your car?
We are sure you will find one or several of the top 12 inch subs reviewed above perfect for your listening needs and matching your car’s existing audio system.
Best 12 Inch Subwoofers 2020 FAQs
Q: How much power does a 12-inch sub need or can handle, and how does this power handling influence how loud the sub will be?
A: Two factors determine the amount of sound any sub produces – RMS power handling and sensitivity rating. RMS power is the amount of power a subwoofer can handle continuously. The higher the RMS, the better the sub all other factors constant. Note that more power doesn’t always mean louder or more precise sound output. Sensitivity rating (measured in dB) is an indication of how efficient the sub is in translating the power to booming sound. A higher sensitivity rating implies that you get better audio even with lower RMS power handling.
Q: How much space do I need for the installation of a 12-inch subwoofer?
A: It is always a good idea to make a list of requirements before you set out to purchase car audio equipment. The shortlist of requirements combined with a detailed buying guide help you to find the right pick. As you target to attain a certain type and level of audio, consider the space available in your car for installation of a sub. If you have plenty of space, you have more freedom over the sub to choose. If you lack space, you can still enjoy enhanced bass output by installing shallow-mount 12-inch subs.
Q: What are shallow-mount subwoofers?
A: A shallow-mount subwoofer works similarly to a traditional subwoofer but in a smaller package. Unlike regular subs that are deep and heavy, shallow-mount subwoofers are lightweight and shallow. Their size allows for installation in small spaces. Some manufacturers have realized the growing demand for smaller subs and now build shallow-mount units that require only about 4 inches of mounting clearance.
Q: How do I make sure that I get earth-shattering, deep bass?
A: We frequently receive many questions on how to choose a subwoofer that delivers hard-hitting bass without affecting overall sound quality. The best 12-inch subs for deep bass don’t only have a high power handling but also use high-quality woofer cone and surround material. A high power-handling capacity ensures that the sub gives hard kicks while the sturdy materials maintain excellent sound quality. Some of the top-performing 12-inch bass champions in our review use polypropylene woofer cones and rubber surrounds.
Q: Can you run two 12-inch subs in a truck box?
A: 12-inch subs need space to breathe. Each sub requires at least 14 inches deep to operate without heating up. If you are placing them behind or under a car seat, make sure each has a 4-inch throw. If you are short of space in a truck, a blow threw can work well so that you have enough box space.
Q. How do I choose an amplifier for my 12-inch sub?
A: Use RMS power rating to match your sub with the right amp. Go for an amplifier whose RMS power rating is between 75 and 150 per cent the RMS rating of your subwoofer, that is, the power your sub can take at chosen impedance.
Q: I already have an amplifier. How do I find a matching sub?
A: First, check the amp’s RMS power output at varying impedance levels. Divide the amp’s power output by the number of subwoofers you intend to add. The result of the division is the optimal RMS power for each sub. Also match the impedance of the amp and the subs. Note that the wiring of subwoofers that have more than one voice coil can affect the sub’s impedance.
Q: Must I hire a professional to install my 12-inch subwoofer?
A: If you have skills and experience in car audio customization, you can handle the installation as long as you have the right tools. Otherwise, the best idea is to hire a professional. You want to end up with a flawlessly installed sub for your car audio system to deliver at its best.
Why we picked Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12
We promised to give you our recommendation of the best 12 inch sub. Considering all factors, the Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12 sub emerges as the winner in our review. Here are our reasons....
Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12 has a very robust build and this makes it reliable for loud sound and superior bass production. The sub’s heat dissipation is outstanding so you have zero worries that it might heat up or suffer a thermal breakdown. The P3D4-12 can withstand high power applications for longer than the majority of equally sized subs. Its power handling of 600w RMS is quite impressive too. And what do you pay for this top-notch sub? The price is very reasonable compared to other high-performing subs in this review and on the market.
This is our pick. What’s yours?
