Best 15 Inch Subwoofer: More Bass and Better Sound From Your Audio System
For you, loudness is cool.
You can’t imagine what enjoyment there is in listening to music without monster bass. Small subs don’t hit the mark of sound quality you want.
15–inch subwoofers are made for you. They give out that crazy, amazing bass that will make your car the sound benchmark. Big box, big bass, and loud sound are the deal with these massive subs. If you are tired of the mid-tier bass in your car today, have bigger subs installed. They will rock your music with voluminous bass and give you the best listening experience you’ve ever had.
We reviewed the best 15 inch subwoofers to make sure you make no mistake when upgrading your system to produce heavier bass. Not all subwoofers are able to balance precision and power and that’s where our task was.Find out which ones do as you review the following top models one by on.
Comparison Table of Top 15 Inch Subwoofers
Subwoofer Name | Power handling | Sensitivity | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Orion HCCA152 [Overall best] | 2500w RMS; | 87.2 dB | ||
[Budget choice] | 1050w RMS; | 88dB | ||
2000w RMS; | 89.2dB | |||
1700w RMS; | 85 dB | |||
600w RMS; | 86dB | |||
1500w RMS; 3000w MAX | 86.3dB | |||
250w RMS; | 90.2dB | |||
600w RMS; | 86dB |
How We Chose the Top Subs
As we reviewed the 8 top rated 15 - inch subs, we paid keen interest on power handling qualities. You already know that without higher power output you cannot get a heavier and deeper bass. Also, big subs require a higher power capability because they often work with amplifiers in the audio system to give loud sound.
It’s also noteworthy that sensitivity and sound output are closely related. We therefore didn’t ignore subs that users cited as great even though they have lower comparative power handling. We tried our best to balance all the factors that determine bass and sound performance in a sub and our efforts bore 8 subs.
As usual, our review team comprised of highly-experienced sound engineers and installers, real users who are well-versed with car subwoofers and seasoned car audio equipment reviewers.
See how the best subwoofer brands are faring in 2018.
1. Orion HCCA152 – Best on the Market
The HCCA152 is one big rugged box of powerful sound. It produces music with the punch and depth only a few of its competitors would achieve at their best. This booming bass beast comes in heavy and has capacity to reach 5000w of peak power.
Orion HCCA152 Features:
Pros
Cons
Verdict: Orion HCCA152 has an outstanding build quality and gives really loud but precise bass notes. If you are in for crazy powerful bass, this competition subwoofer will definitely delight you.
Discover Orion’s dedication to big, sweet bass in the HCCA152. Check price on Amazon.
2. Planet Audio AC15D – Best Budget 15-inch Subwoofer
Are you looking for clean, powerful bass? You don’t have to break the bank for this.
The AC15D combines great power handling and the least resistance to deliver excellent amplification. Enclose this 15-inch sub in a ported or sealed enclosure and achieve superior bass without compromising on loudness or volume.
What makes Planet Audio the small sound beast with exceptional bass?
Pros
Cons
Verdict: This sub won a place among the top-performing 12" subs for intelligently combining high power performance and low resistance. It is quite cheap too, which makes it a good purchase under a limited budget.
On a hurry to upgrade car stereo bass output? Check out Planet Audio AC15D on Amazon.
3. Q Power QP15
Our searching and hunting for the best 15 inch subwoofers 2018 landed us on Q Power’s best sub: the QP15. Handling up to 4000w of power and with a strong voice coil, this sub exhibits exemplary bass production. The massive magnet used and high-quality engineering also help to place Q Power QP15 among the most preferred subs in 2018.
Q Power Subwoofer Unique Features
Pros
Cons
Verdict: Go for the QP15 if you are here for loud sound. If it were not for its heftiness, the QP15 would probably be our best pick.
Q Power QP15 is absolutely powerful and strong and so is the bass you get. Check price on Amazon.
4. Power Acoustik MOFO-152X 15" Subwoofer
High power on low budget!
This is the statement Power Acoustik MOFO-152X left among our team of reviewers. We try to balance all things when choosing the best product in every review. Now, this 15-inch subwoofer presented a number of attractive features at a favorable price. This catapulted it to the fourth position in our ranking.
Features of MOFO-152X 15" Sub
Pros
Cons
The Verdict: Power Acoustik MOFO-152X is a great choice if you want to shake up your listening experience with excellent bass output. It’s also highly durable and comes with a very reasonable price tag.
Add these amazing subs in your trunk and they will give back some good value for your money.
5. Rockford Fosgate P3D4
By now, we are convinced that Rockford Fosgate's Punch series of subs has raised the bar when it comes to sonic excellence. Their dedication to this cause is clearly evidenced by the P3D4 15” 600w RMS and 1200w Peak Power subwoofer. It gives out potent, powerful music that adds an exceptional feeling to your music.
Features of Rockford Fosgate P3D4 Sub
Pros
Cons
Our say: Rockford Fosgate P3D4 is a hard-hitting product with louder and deeper bass than many subs out there. Most users found the sub to be compatible with their vehicles thanks to the unique flex-fit basket design.
You can bet on the P3D4 15-inch sub for punchier and deeper bass output.
6. Skar Audio ZVX-15v2
Skar Audio ZVX-15v2 is your quickest way to hook your music up with some good bass. From a 3-inch high-temp voice coil and a massive 3-slug magnet to a high-quality roll foam surround and premium grade paper cone, this sub is a great promise for excellent sound performance and durability.
Skar Audio ZVX-15v2 Highlights
Pros
Cons
Verdict: Skar Audio ZVX-15v2 makes a good attempt to challenge leading subwoofer brands. It deserves a place among the bests.
Try this 15-inch sub and experience the best of Skar Audio.
7. Pyle 15 Inch 8-ohm Woofer
Is a low-frequency upgrade to your car audio system the only thing lacking in your system? We noted a rather strong engineering and satisfactory bass from this sub.Its power handling may be lower than for most of the 15-inch subs we’ve reviewed here but you’ll realize it produces the greatest bass you can get at that price.
Pyle 80-Ohm 15-inch Sub Highlights
Pros
Cons
Verdict: Pyle 8-ohm 15-inch subwoofer can give you clearer and deeper bass if well mounted on an appropriate enclosure. It’s rugged and highly durable; thus giving you a long lasting solution to the weak bass currently ailing your system.
Its price on Amazon will surprise you. You’d only be lucky to have these in your car.
8. Hifonics BRZ15D4
Here is yet another high performer that comes with a tempting price tag. The Hifonics BRZ15D4 Brutus seems to be making a strong debut into the league of best subs. With premium features and modest power handling, this sub is designed for production of a robust sound.
Why Choose the Hifonics BRZ15D4 Brutus subwoofer
Pros
Cons
Our say: This Hifonics sub ranks almost the same with Pyle but scores higher in sound performance and heat dissipation. It gives great value for your money and we think many users will find it a great bass upgrade.
Pick Hifonics BRZ15D4 if you are on a budget and want one of the strongest and loudest 15-inch subs on the market.
Things to Consider Before Buying the Best 15-Inch Subwoofer
Why do you need a 15-inch subwoofer buying guide?
Big subwoofers are designed to reproduce low frequencies. When these frequencies are delivered properly, they improve the overall listening experience. And this is for all music types. So whether you like soft or rocky or metallic jams, 15-inch subs can really improve sound depth and give your music the realism that lacks when played through small speakers.
So what should you focus on when selecting a 15-inch sub to make a great-sounding system?
Technical Specs to Check in Every Sub
However simple or complicated you want your 15-inch sub to be, there are a few key specs that you must understand. You’ll have to consider the power, sensitivity, frequency range, enclosure type and number of voice coils when comparing different subs।
Let’s consider each of these specs individually.
Power – Big boom equals plenty of power. The RMS power rating indicates the continuous power output/handling of the speaker. Check this rating to ensure that the 15-inch sub you choose has power handling that matches your system and important components such as the amplifier.
Frequency range: Low frequencies produce bass. If you are comparing two subs using this criterion, a sub whose frequency range includes lower frequencies can produce more bass, assuming all other factors such as enclosure type are held constant
This brings us to the type of enclosure।
How enclosure type affects bass production: Sealed boxes produce the deepest and most accurate sound. But if you are looking for more volume then you will be well suited for ported and bandpass enclosure types.
Sensitivity: Measured in decibels(dB), sensitivity measures the efficiency of a sub to produce sound at a given power level. If you have a low-powered stereo, a sub with high sensitivity rating is better because it requires less power to perform. High-powered audio systems can work well with low sensitivity subs.
The number of voice coils: Many users prefer dual voice coil (DVC) subs to those with single voice coils. Dual voice coils allow more wiring flexibility. Most high-end 15-subs have DVC; check the performance of such subs in the list of best subwoofers of this category above.
What are You Looking for in a 15-inch Sub?
The perfect 15-inch sub for a truly personalized system
Component subs can be mounted in a box of your choice. They allow you to add an external amplifier to increase the sound production potential.
You can find 15-inch subs with different types of enclosures, varying voice coil and impedance setups, and operating on low or high power. Choose the model that most closely matches your audio system design or suits the requirements of your desired stereo.
Simple, space-efficient bass system
In case you have a small car and the space you have is inadequate for installation of the biggest subs, look for powered, compact 15-inch subwoofers. These are usually designed with a woofer and in-built amplifier in one enclosure. So, you only have one equipment to install.
Compact speakers don’t take a lot of space in the vehicle.
Are compact subs still effective in bass production?
With the built-in amplifier, compact 15-inch subwoofers are still highly effective in producing low frequencies. They are also simpler to install which makes them the perfect subwoofer choice if you want a great but quick bass upgrade.
You can get what the subwoofer you need to add deeper and stronger bass to your listening experience. The above tips should land you to the 15-inch sub that will best fulfil your requirements.
Why Orion HCCA152 Subwoofer is the Overall best
Orion HCCA152 blows you away with its power. It’s agreeable that an RMS of 2000w is enough to satisfy most bass lovers’ thirst for bass. This sub gives you even more bass with its 2500w RMS and 5000w peak power rating. We found out that the sub can consistently produce deep, clear bass and high-quality sound without overheating or blinking a second. Its rugged build is designed to last so you can prepare to enjoy your big-bass music for years without thinking about going back to the shop.
Premium price…yes, and you get premium-grade bass and an extraordinary bass upgrade for your audio system. If you are not limited by budget, this is definitely the best 15-inch sub to have in your car. This thing is a real bass monster. After installing it, you’ll consider sound dampening your truck for it will make you feel like you are swimming in a pool of bass kicks.
