9 BEST UNDER SEAT SUBWOOFER WITH BUILT IN AMPLIFIER

Under-seat subwoofers are one of the best ways to add bass to your car without having to install a custom subwoofer or spend a lot of money. But what if you’re looking for something that sounds better than a stock subwoofer?

You can get a better sound and longer life from an under seat subwoofer that has a built in amplifier. The subwoofer has its own power supply and amp and is placed directly under the seat. The amplifier is also located under the seat.

Why do you need best under-seat subwoofer with built-in amplifier? For a number of reasons, under-seat subwoofers are a great choice. In addition to being compact, they also come with their own enclosures, so you don’t have to buy or build a subwoofer box for them.

TOP 3 BEST UNDER SEAT SUBWOOFERS WITH BUILT IN AMPLIFIERS

With built in car amplifier you don’t need a professional technician for its installation. Furthermore, most subwoofers come with built-in amplifiers, so you don’t have to buy or build a box.

If you want to listen to your favorite music, you need a good sound system. But if you’re looking for a great sound system that’s small enough to fit under your seat, you might want to consider the best under seat subwoofer with built-in amplifier.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best under seat subwoofers with built-in amplifier models that are currently available.

Our Product Review Process

BEST UNDER SEAT SUBWOOFER WITH BUILT IN AMPLIFIER REVIEWS 2023

If you are looking for Best Under Seat Subwoofer 2022, then you are at the right place. Here we have listed the top under seat subwoofers that will help you to make your decision. You can read more about these subwoofers below:

1. KENWOOD UNDERSEAT SUBWOOFER

The Kenwood KSC-PSW8 is a powerful underseat subwoofer that delivers impressive bass response from a compact, lightweight package. This Kenwood KSC-PSW8 powered subwoofer delivers impressive bass in a much smaller package than other, comparable subs.

This compact powered enclosure fits under the seat in most vehicles, where it produces bass response that’s equal to that of a larger subwoofer in your trunk.

The Kenwood KSC-PSW8 250W Max (150W RMS) Single 8" Under Seat Powered Subwoofer Enclosure W/Remote Control is a very powerful car under seat subwoofer that has the power to produce deep bass sounds.

This subwoofer comes with a remote control to allow you to adjust the volume, and frequency, or even turn the system on and off.

The Kenwood KSC-PSW8 250W Max (150W RMS) Single 8" Under Seat Powered Subwoofer Enclosure W/Remote Control also comes with a remote control to control the subwoofer’s volume, frequency, and more.

This subwoofer is built with a class D amplifier to drive its massive sound, which can easily fill a room with powerful bass sounds.

Although this subwoofer is a bit big to fit under the seat of your car, it is a great solution for people who want to add powerful bass sounds to their car audio system.

You can connect your car audio system with a lot of speakers using this Kenwood KSC-PSW8 250W Max (150W RMS) Single 8" Under Seat Powered Subwoofer Enclosure W/Remote Control.

Reasons to Buy

  • Powerful bass output
  • Very easy to operate & install
  • Compact powered
  • Compatible with all kinds of car audio systems
  • Good base for a mature sound stage
  • Small size, fit under front passenger seat
  • Simple connection, 2 plugs, that’s it.
  • Enough punch (150 watt RMS) and clear

Reasons to Avoid

  • Not for those who want to shake the windows

Sample Customer Review:

“At first not sure if i made the right choice purchasing this unit. So I went to the professional Installer to be installed I’m so amazed to what I discovered this subwoofer can kick a punch I’m happy and no regrets for buying this unit. I recommend to anyone who doesn’t want to break the bank”

2. BEST UNDER SEAT SUBWOOFER FOR CAR

This Rockville RW8CA is a powerful subwoofer for your car that will give you a better sound and improve the overall quality of your music.

This sub is built to provide high performance with great bass. It is a sealed sub that is made to fit in the sub compartment of your vehicle.

The sub has a remote control that can be used for adjusting the volume level and turning the sub on or off. The sub can be turned on using the remote without having to reach under the seat

You can also use the sub’s remote to adjust the volume level and turn the sub on or off. The sub also comes with a manual that will tell you how to connect the sub with the car’s speakers. In terms of bass output, the sub can produce up to 300 watts of power. It’s got enough bass to cover up to 90 Hz.

It is also equipped with a thermal protection circuit, short protection circuit, overload protection circuit, phase switch 0° or 180°, low pass filter of 50Hz – 150Hz, bass boost of 0 – 18dB at 45Hz, and a subsonic filter at 29Hz.

Overall, the Rockville RW8CA is a powerful and an efficient subwoofer for your car.

Reasons to Buy

  • Active Sealed Slim Car Subwoofer
  • Auto Turn-On Technology
  • Soft Delayed Remote Turn-On
  • Adjustable Input Sensitivity
  • PWM MOSFET Power Supply

Reasons to Avoid

  • The bass knob seems to not be so good

Sample Customer Review:

“I wanted to feel my music again. And hear songs in a harder bass hitting way. THis does the job. Like people have said this isn’t for insane break your windows bass. It is for adding more low end under or behind your seat for that “concert feel”. That is what my son called it after sitting with me in the truck for a bit. I ended up having it right behind the seat since on my truck with the electric seats there isn’t a way to fit them under.

But i am fine with that wanted it to vibrate my back not my bottom. And it does, on max my back will become numb. At first i thought i had hooked it up wrong or i got a bad one. Because i was not getting any sound. Found out that i needed to go into my stereos settings and up the volume to the sub.

That did the trick. Was worried that this small speaker wouldn’t be enough bass for me but it is really a decent amount. Don’t let the size fool you. And make sure to check your settings on your stereo.”

3. ALPINE UNDERSEAT SUBWOOFER

The Alpine Electronics PWE-S8 Restyle Compact Powered 8-Inch Subwoofer is a very good car subwoofer for those who want something that will be portable. It’s quite compact and light, and it has an output of 120 watts.

This sub woofer has a frequency response range of 32 Hz-150 Hz. It comes with RCA and auto-sensing speaker level inputs that you can connect to the amplifier that’s included with the subwoofer.

If you plan to install the subwoofer under the seat in your car, then you need to measure the space to ensure that you don’t install it too close to the center console or airbag.

There are controls for the crossover, gain, and volume level of the subwoofer. You can also adjust the volume level through the amplifier’s remote.

Reasons to Buy

  • Compact Size
  • A Cast Aluminum Enclosure
  • Rca And Auto-Sensing Speaker Level Inputs

Reasons to Avoid

  • Little bit expensive

Sample Customer Review:

“I was initially extremely disappointed. The sub wouldn’t even generate bass enough to keep up with the factory setup in my wife’s 2019 Blazer, let alone enhance the bottom end. I even ran the sub up to full volume for a moment just to be sure, and it was simply not there.

I continued to play with phase, volume, and some light eq tweaks and, finally, it came to life (amp volume set to 6/10). This thing is actually pretty amazing for its size. Very punchy ..within reason. The biggest limitation is its ability to replicate notes below 50k but you cannot expect that from something so compact.

If you are looking to keep a factory setup and make it more enjoyable, this is worth the money. You have to be patient but you will be impressed. If you want to just take this out of the box and expect it to perform a miracle without some thoughtful adjustments, then you will probably be let down.

I ultimately purchased a second one to balance out the sound since I could feel the bass pulling to one side. This truck sounds so good now considering there are no visible amps or subs to take away from the use of the vehicle. I am very happy I took a chance and bought this. My wife is absolutely thrilled with the results.”

4. BEST UNDERSEAT POWERED SUBWOOFER

Rockville RockGhost is a hidden car subwoofer under the spare tire. The sub is built into the spare tire which makes it much easier to install. The sub is capable of producing 800 watts RMS, so it’s pretty loud.

The sub is rated at 8 inches of excursion, which means that it is capable of producing deep and clear bass. The sub produces a musical sound that is not fatiguing to the ears.

The sub is hidden so there is no interference with other sounds that come from the car. The sound is not only audible but it can be felt through the vehicle.

The sub requires an input of 24 volts DC, so if you are using a 12 volt system, you will have to convert it. The amp that comes with the sub has an output of 25 watts.

The amp also features RCA inputs which allow you to plug in additional amplifiers. It also features an onboard speaker protection circuit, short protection circuit, overload protection circuit and thermal protection circuit.

Rockville RockGhost is a great sub that will fill the gap between your factory speakers and a full size sub. If you want something that will enhance the sounds of your car and won’t interfere with the factory speakers, then Rockville RockGhost is the one for you.

Reasons to Buy

  • Protected against theft
  • Tunnel air port design
  • PWM MOSFET power supply amplifier built in
  • Low level RCA inputs
  • Plug and play installation with wire harnes
  • Auto turn on and turn off

Reasons to Avoid

  • The bass knob seems to not be so good

Sample Customer Review:

“I installed this in my F350 work truck on the ledge behind the bench seat. It rattled really bad so I added some foam seal strip underneith it and now I love it. Super tight punchy bass that perfectly complements my other speakers.”

5. 12 INCHES UNDER SEAT SUBWOOFER

This Rockford Fosgate P300-12 Punch 300 Watt Powered Loaded 12-Inch Subwoofer Enclosure is a good under-seat subwoofer for cars and comes with attractive packaging.

This subwoofer is designed to provide a smooth bass experience for the driver while keeping out of the way of the other passengers. It comes with a powerful 300 watt amplifier and a 12" driver that is capable of producing bass notes of up to 200 Hz and above.

The subwoofer comes with an adjustable 12 db/Octave low pass crossover, built-in adjustable bass EQ, built-in 0°/180° phase switch, and Remote bass level control. This subwoofer also comes with a 1-year limited warranty. The only downside of this product is that it is a bit expensive.

Reasons to Buy

  • Adjustable 12db/Octave low pass crossover
  • Built-in adjustable bass EQ
  • Amplifier and enclosure with easy integration

Reasons to Avoid

  • Little bit expensive

Sample Customer Review:

“Purchased the 12” and it is everything you need with minimal trunk space taken up. No aftermarket parts are required, just the box and an amp kit and you are ready to go. It easily splices with rear speaker wires for audio. My 2018 altima has excellent bass now. This isn’t a wake up your neighbor’s box, its a feel it in your chest (inside the car) box. Exactly what my mid-life crisis persona desired."

6. JBL UNDERSEAT SUBWOOFER

The BassPro SL Under-Seat subwoofer enclosure is an under-seat compact, car stereo system that comes equipped with a 125 watt JBL powered subwoofer. The system has a peak power output of 250 watts, a maximum input voltage of 15 volts, and a maximum output current of 6 amps.

The unit can be installed in a variety of locations, but it is designed to be placed under the rear seat. The unit is equipped with a low-pass filter, variable bass boost, and a phase switch.

The enclosure comes with a built-in LED power indicator, 3-way protection circuitry and it also comes with a soft start turn on.

It is compatible with the GTO-RBC (Remote Bass Control) receiver. The BassPro SL Under-Seat system comes with a wired remote and a wired controller.

The remote is designed to be placed within easy reach of the driver, and it lets you adjust the volume without getting up from the vehicle.

Reasons to Buy

  • Also Useful for behind the rear seat
  • Easy to setup
  • Affordable Price
  • LED power (green) and protect (red) indicators

Reasons to Avoid

  • The only downside is there is no remote to control the volume

Sample Customer Review:

“This was exactly the right addition to my 2015 Toyota Tacoma to round out my stereo upgrade. It provides just enough power and bass to even out the sound and gives concert quality audio in a small space. Super easy to install and just right for a basic upgrade.

If you want a bass that really “hits” this is not the option for you, but if you want to make sure that your low end keeps up when you crank the volume and you have just enough to “feel” the music in your chest then this application should work well for your system. Very pleased.”

7. PIONEER UNDER SEAT SUBWOOFER

Pioneer TS-WX130DA is a compact 8-inch high power active subwoofer with class d amplifier that delivers powerful, accurate sound with great clarity and detail.

It’s built with a solid cast aluminum cabinet and a premium speaker driver with high sensitivity voice coil to ensure great sound reproduction at any volume. The built-in amplifier has 160 watts of peak power output for clean, detailed, and dynamic sound.

So you don’t need an external amplifier. It supports the following playback formats: CD, DVD, Blu-ray, MP3, AM/FM radio, and more.

It comes with onboard digital bass control and remote control with gain, phase, and bass mode selections. You can also fine-tune the speakers’ frequency response and adjust their bass and treble levels.

The subwoofer provides enough deep and powerful bass response and sound for an all-purpose subwoofer in a car. It also offers a range of controls, such as gain, phase, LPF, and bass mode.

Reasons to Buy

  • Selectable Bass Mode
  • Wired Remote Control
  • Aluminum cone
  • Built-in Class D amp

Reasons to Avoid

  • It is not too loud but just right

Sample Customer Review:

“Installed under the seat of our Forester and the hardest part was just running all the wires properly. Easy to connect otherwise. I’m in no way an audiophile, so this thing sounds GREAT! It provides some really good bass for the price and especially for how compact it is.”

8. BEST COMPACT UNDER SEAT SUBWOOFER

Rockville SS8P is a very powerful, high-performance subwoofer that will surely bring a pleasant sound to your car. This subwoofer is not too loud. So you will not need to worry about turning down the volume in your vehicle’s audio system.

However, if you want to improve the bass response of your car stereo, this subwoofer is the best solution for that. It will improve the bass response without causing distortion.

Furthermore, it comes with high-level inputs that allow you to connect it to any audio equipment. The speaker cable is fully shielded and the enclosure is made out of cast aluminum which stays cool at all times.

The peak power handling of this speaker is 400 watts and it features short circuit protection and thermal protection circuits. The output impedance of this speaker is 2 ohms.

You can adjust the input sensitivity and the speaker level remotely, so you won’t need to worry about adjusting the volume while driving. Besides, this subwoofer is completely protected by over-temperature and overload circuits.

The speaker comes with a fuse rating of 15 amps. The red power LED turns on when the subwoofer is on overload and it shows you that the subwoofer is overloading.

Reasons to Buy

  • High Level Inputs with Auto Turn-On Technology
  • Adjustable Input Sensitivity
  • Soft Delayed Remote Turn-On
  • Thermal Protection Circuit, Short Protection Circuit
  • Overload Protection Circuit

Reasons to Avoid

  • It is not too loud but just right

Sample Customer Review:

“This thing performs better than I was expecting. I was replacing a 10” sub in a 1.2 cubic foot box and a 400 watt amp with this. This setup only takes up a little more room than the old amp did and sounds almost as good. Well worth it to have the extra space. Really adjustable too. Install was under the back seat in crew cab F-250. Fits really well."

9. BOSS AUDIO UNDER SEAT SUBWOOFER

The BOSS Audio Systems BAB8 Amplified Car Subwoofer – 800 Watts Max Power, Low Profile, 8 Inch Subwoofer, Remote Subwoofer Control, Great for Vehicles That Need Bass But Have Limited Space

If you want to add some low end to your vehicle, then look no further than the BOSS Audio Systems BAB8. This is a perfect solution if you have limited space.

The BAB8 will get you low bass sound without the hassle of installing any additional components. It has a built-in amplifier, speaker level inputs, and variable bass boost. It has the ability to fit anywhere in your vehicle, including under the seat and under the dash.

This subwoofer also includes a remote subwoofer control. You can control the bass from the backseat, passenger seat or even from the front of the vehicle.

It’s easy to install and simple to set up. All you need to do is just plug the cables into the back of the BAB8 and then connect the subwoofer to the amplifier using the provided cable.

Overall, this is a great subwoofer for the price. You get quality construction, a high-quality sound, and best of all, you don’t have to worry about it breaking because of excessive vibration.

Reasons to Buy

  • MOSFET power supply
  • RCA & speaker level input
  • Phase control & Bass boost
  • Low pass filter
  • Remote subwoofer control
  • Easy to install and small

Reasons to Avoid

  • Need some heat shrink for the connections

Sample Customer Review:

“I don’t write reviews unless I really feel the need to. This little thing impressed me. No, it’s not gonna blow you out of the car but it only took an hour or so to install in my old suburban with factory head unit. I just tapped into the speaker wires and ran a power cable to it (power cable and fuse are not included in the kit by the way) but it sounds great. It’s way more powerful than I expected.

I just installed though, We’ll see how long it holds up but it does seem well built. For an 8” sub I can fit under the seat. I’m very impressed so far."

CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE BUYING BEST UNDER SEAT SUBWOOFER WITH BUILT IN AMPLIFIER

There’s a good reason why many people go to great lengths trying to find a perfect set of under seat speakers for their vehicle. These days, most vehicles come equipped with some sort of built-in amplifier or audio system.

And while this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, there’s still a chance that you may not be using these systems to their fullest potential.

The truth is, there are lots of things to consider before choosing the Best Under Seat Subwoofer with Built in Amplifier.

POWER-HANDLING:

The RMS (Root Mean Square) is one of the most important figures when buying an amplifier. This figure tells you how loud a speaker can play. So, if you want to buy a cheap amp, you might be disappointed. However, if you want to spend more money, then you’re going to get better sound quality and power handling.

So, what does this mean? A low RMS value means that the speaker will not be able to produce a lot of volume. But, it will also have a lower peak power. This means that the speaker is less powerful.

On the contrary, a high RMS value means that you’ll be able to hear a lot of volume.

SENSITIVITY:

The sensitivity of your speakers is another thing that you need to pay attention to. Your best under seat subwoofer with built-in amplifier has to have a sensitivity rating of about 100.

That means that it can produce a maximum output of 100 watts. This means that it will be able to handle the maximum volume that you want to use. This is why it is important to check its sensitivity rating before you buy one.

The sensitivity rating of the speaker will indicate the volume level at which the speaker can produce sound without distortion. This also shows how loud the speaker can go before it becomes distorted. However, the higher the sensitivity rating, the louder the volume that the speaker can produce.

FREQUENCY RESPONSE:

The frequency response refers to the frequency range that the speaker can handle. If the speaker has a wide frequency response, then it means that it can reproduce the entire range of frequencies.

If your speaker has a narrow frequency response, then it can only handle a small portion of the frequency spectrum. A speaker with a narrow frequency response can’t handle loud sounds very well. This is why it is important to choose a speaker with a wide frequency response.

IMPEDANCE:

is the measure of resistance to the flow of current. A speaker with low impedance means that it can handle high volume with ease. This is a good feature if you play the music that has a lot of bass or loud sounds.

It is recommended that you pick a speaker that has a low impedance to avoid distortion. High Impedance is bad because it limits the amount of power that the speaker can handle.

THE SURROUND MATERIAL:

Surround is the thin material that covers the edge of the subwoofer cone. Its purpose is to prevent the cone from coming loose from its position, thereby absorbing any excessive pressure applied to it.

Rubber is the most popular material for surrounds today. Rubber has the advantage of being stiff and flexible at the same time, as well as resistant to heat and humidity. As a result, rubber surrounds last for years.

There are other alternatives to rubber, such as foam and cloth. While these are also stiff and flexible, they are not as durable as rubber. That is unless another material is mixed in to make them more resistant to extreme temperatures and humidity.

THE CONE MATERIAL:

Subwoofers are very small speakers that produce bass frequencies by using cones, which are usually made of paper, plastic, glass fiber, wood, and metal. They come in various shapes such as round, rectangular, elliptical, etc. But, they all basically work on the same principle; that is to move air from one place to another.

So, a cone will vibrate when it moves through a medium. It will then change direction at its extreme points (where the vibrations stop). And the sound waves generated will be heard when these changed directions reach our ears.

For deep information watch the video:

POLYPROPYLENE:

Subwoofers can be made out of different materials. But, polypropylene is one of the most popular choices. Why? Because it’s very strong and durable. And, it also makes subwoofers lighter than other types of cones.

Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer that is used in many applications including medical devices, food packaging, automotive parts, clothing, toys, furniture, and more. This material is also commonly known as PP or propylene. So, if you want to build a subwoofer, then you can use polypropylene.

But, you should make sure that you choose the right size. For example, you should make sure that your cone is big enough for the volume of the bass you are trying to reproduce. If you don’t do this, you will end up having a lot of distortion. Also, you should make sure that the cone has the correct shape.

If you want to know more about building a subwoofer, you should read the article below.

CARBON FIBER:

The cone material for a subwoofer is an important part of its design. A cone is the main component that produces sound. There are two kinds of materials that can be used to make a cone.

The first one is wood. Wood is a very popular choice because it is easy to work with and is cheap to purchase. However, this type of cone is not suitable if you want to play music at high volumes.

Carbon fiber cones are a better option. This is because carbon fiber is stronger than wood and is also more durable. Therefore, these types of cones are often preferred by people who listen to loud music.

Another important factor when choosing a cone material is the size. Smaller cones are easier to handle and are less likely to break.

KEVLAR:

Cones are made out of plastic. They are very lightweight but they don’t last as long as other materials. A cone is usually used for low-frequency sounds. But, if you use it for a higher range, then you could damage the speaker.

Kevlar is a strong synthetic fiber that is often found in bulletproof vests. It’s also known as aramid. This is because it is derived from a plant called KEVLAR. It’s durable, flexible, and lightweight. However, it doesn’t absorb sound as cones do.

So, when you buy a subwoofer, make sure that you choose the right cone material and the right Kevlar.

TREATED PAPER:

When choosing a cone material, you need to pay attention to two things. First, you need to make sure that it is made from durable materials. Second, you need to make sure that it is treated.

The most lightweight cone material is treated paper. Therefore, it gives the quickest response time, which is the speed at which a cone can move back and forth in order to produce sound waves.

In contrast to regular paper, treated paper is coated with materials that make it durable against heat and humidity. These include carbon fiber, poly glass, and kevlar.

FAQS:

1. Are under-seat subwoofers any good?

Yes. Subwoofers are used in large venues to reduce the noise level. Some subwoofers are placed under a seat, or behind the stage, but others are used by a live sound engineer to create bass.

And yes these under seat subwoofers are good, but only for bass, not all sound. A subwoofer is a great tool for deep bass that can fill up large rooms, but most movies do not have deep bass content.

2. How thick should under seat car subwoofers be?

It is usually advisable to install an under seat subwoofer that is less than 3 inches thick. You can place it under either the driver’s or passenger’s seat for the best experience.

3. Does under seat subs need amplifier?

Yes, you do need a power amp for the car subwoofer. A powered sub will always sound better than one that is not. If you have two subwoofers or one sub with two channels, you can use one channel to act as a receiver for the other channel.

In contrast, powered car subwoofers already include an amplifier built in, and they are all packaged in one compact enclosure, so you don’t have to buy all the components separately. The amplifier and the subwoofer enclosure don’t have to be purchased separately if you like the subwoofer you like.

4. Where should underseat subwoofer be placed?

If you want to listen to a subwoofer, you need to place it behind you. So, if you sit on the front seat, you won’t be able to hear the bass effect well.

If you place it under the front seat, the speaker is facing the dashboard. And if you put it under the back seat, then you are facing backward. So, the right place for a subwoofer is under the driver’s seat.

CONCLUSION:

We have discussed the topic, of the best under seat subwoofer with built in amplifier. I hope you are knowledgeable about the best products and considerations before making a purchase.

Please share this knowledge with your friends and help them to make the perfect selection for their products. Thank you for reading attentively!