Today we are going to discuss some of the top small subwoofers for home and studio use. We have rounded up a few deserving candidates. We analyzed their bass performance, technology and features to assess their overall quality. We have laid it out here for you to peruse. Hope you find our research useful. Here it goes.
Best Small Subwoofer – For Home Theater & Home Entertainment
Let us now take a look at few best small subwoofers in the market in following table.
Acoustic Audio PSW-6 Down-Firing Mini Powered Subwoofer
When it comes to small compact subwoofers, very few can beat the thunderous sound of the Acoustic Audio PSW-6. It is a powered down-firing long-throw subwoofer from the PSW Series of home theatre subwoofers by the Goldwood. It is best suited for in-wall and in-ceiling home theatre systems, multi-room audio systems and surround sound systems. The Acoustic Audio PSW-6 packs a ton of power into a small package. It has an integrated digital drive amplifier that delivers a peak power of 250 watts. Frequency response of the speaker is 30 Hz to 250 Hz, impedance is 8 ohms and efficiency is 96 dB. The gadget has a rigid 6.5-inch PVA-treated cone capable of extreme excursions. The cone is positioned at the bottom of the box for accurate bass response. The sub has adjustable gain and switchable phase control. For connectivity, it has low-level and high-level inputs and outputs. It has a low-pass filter for controlling the frequencies entering the subwoofer. The filter prevents higher frequency bands from interfering with the bass processing of the sub. The PSW-6 has a signal sensing auto shut on/off function. It has a bottom-slotted bass port through which it fires the sound. It has a high-quality MDF enclosure with an RFL bass reflex design. It has a bottom-slotted bass port through which it fires the sound. The enclosure is 9.25 inches wide, 10.04 inches deep and 11.1 inches high. It is designed and manufactured in the USA. It has internal bracing and damping to eliminate standing waves inside the box and other performance-inhibiting factors. It is specially crafted to reduce distortion and resonance and maximize pure bass. The box has an eye-catching black ash wood finish that compliments the décor of modern urban homes. The triangular feet add to the elegant look while also optimizing bass. The package contains the small subwoofer, dual RCA cables, a ‘Y’ adapter and a user manual.
Key Features :
- 250-watt peak power down-firing small powered subwoofer.
- 5-inch PVA-treated long-excursion woofer, built-in digital drive amplifier.
- Low-level and high-level inputs and outputs, signal sensing auto shut off, low-pass filter.
- Variable gain, phase switch, 30 Hz to 250 Hz frequency response, 8 ohms impedance.
- RFL bass reflex MDF enclosure, internally braced and damped, black ash wood finish.
Theater Solutions SUB8SM Slim Mini Subwoofer
The SUB8SM by Theatre Solutions is one of the best small subwoofers you can get your hands on. It has a shallow bass reflex ported MDF enclosure. It is 4.75 inches high, 24.6 inches wide and 15.75 inches deep. It has a peak power output of 250 watts, frequency response of 35 Hz to 150 Hz and impedance of 8 ohms. The Theater Solutions SUB8SM adds plenty of low-end notes previously missing from your music. It makes the sound deeper and more well-rounded. It can be clubbed with your existing home theatre system, stereo system or stereo TV. It has an 8-inch reinforced down-firing high-excursion long-throw transducer that pushes out massive amounts of air for a rumbling bass response. The woofer is powered by a digital drive amplifier built into the frame of the sub. The SUB8SM has a 24 dB per octave low-pass crossover for screening higher frequencies. It has left and right RCA inputs, left and right high-level inputs and output spring terminals for flexible connections with different audio components. The sub has variable gain control and a 0 to 180 degree phase switch. It has an LED indicator to show the power status of the system. It also has auto turn on/off function. If the sub does not sense an input signal for more than 2 minutes, it goes into stand-by. The best thing about the subwoofer is that it is compact and has a low height allowing it to easily slide under couches and cabinets. It comes with stand mounts for standing it on flat surfaces like floors and console tops. It also has hanging stands/ mounting brackets and screws for affixing it to walls. The flexible mounting options allow you a lot of freedom to install the device wherever you want. The sub enclosure is made from moisture-resistant materials for greater longevity. It sports a smart mahogany wood finish that resembles natural mahogany wood in color and texture. The box has a bottom-slotted bass port that allows air to move freely in and out of the box. The port design boosts linearity and reduces turbulence, distortion and port noise. It also minimizes 5th order harmonic distortion and increases bass output by 2 to 3 dB. The subwoofer is accompanied by an AC 115 cord, 2 RCA cables (9-inch and 10-inch), an RCA ‘Y’ adapter, standing feet, mounting equipment and a user manual.
Key Features :
- Slim-profile small subwoofer with 250 watts peak power.
- Bass reflex MDF enclosure with 8-inch down-firing long-throw reinforced transducer.
- Built-in digital drive amplifier, low-pass crossover, variable gain, phase switch.
- RCA (L&R) inputs, high-level (L&R) input and output spring terminals, auto turn on/off.
- Frequency response 35 Hz to 150 Hz, impedance 8 ohms, flexible mounting.
Yamaha NS-SW050BL Powered Small Subwoofer
The Yamaha NS-SW050BL is built for power. It features a new Twisted Flare Port design for ultra-clear bass reproduction. It is a compact sub with a dynamic power output of 100 watts @ 5 ohms. The NS-SW050BL belongs to the NS-SW Series of home subwoofers by Yamaha. It takes in a low-amplitude signal and converts it to a powerful high-amplitude bass sound. It is built with Yamaha’s Advanced YST II (Yamaha Active Servo Technology II). This technology combines negative impedance and constant current principles to control the cone’s movement and response. The sub also uses Advanced Negative Impedance Converter circuits to dynamically optimize the woofer’s impedance for increased linearity. This in turn makes the bass effect more accurate and improves the overall listening experience. The Yamaha NS-SW050BL is fitted with a discreet amplifier circuitry and a super-rigid long-throw 8-inch woofer cone to generate ground-shaking bass with your existing home theatre system. Yamaha has developed a unique Twisted Flare Port which ensures unhindered flow of air in and out of the enclosure. The gentle twisted flared contours on the port’s surface produce a smooth airflow around the edge of the port as compared to conventional ports with smooth surfaces. The port design removes turbulence and external noise that might impede the original signal. The result is tighter and crisper low-end sound. The enclosure of the sub has a gently rounded form with a slanted front panel. It has a textured black finish for blending in with most speaker systems. It is 11 ½ inches wide, 11 ½ inches high and 13 3/8 inches deep. It weighs 18.7 lbs. You can stand the subwoofer under the TV or next to a media console. The device has a frequency response of 28 Hz to 200 Hz. Its dynamic power is 100 watts @ 5 ohms and output power is 50 watts (100 Hz, 5 ohms, 10% THD).
Key Features :
- Active small subwoofer for home cinema system.
- Twisted Flare Port design, Advanced Yamaha Active Servo Technology II.
- Negative Impedance Converter circuitry, 8-inch woofer, built-in amp.
- Floor standing, textured black finish, 28 Hz to 200 Hz frequency response.
- Power rating: Dynamic power 100 watts @ 5 ohms, Output power 50 watts (100 Hz, 5 ohms, 10% THD).
Audioengine S8 250W Powered Small Subwoofer
Another high-performance powered small subwoofer is the Audioengine S8. It is a versatile wireless-ready super-compact subwoofer for surround sound systems, stereo speakers, TVs, desktop computers and laptops. It is great for listening to music, watching movies and playing video games. The Audioengine S8 is equipped with an 8-inch down-firing woofer driver. It has an anti-resonant steel frame and a rubber surround for generating precise bass. It has a Class D amplifier with a power output of 250 watts peak and 125 watts RMS. Setting up the sub is a breeze. It comes with dual audio line-level inputs for accepting signals from various devices. It has a stereo RCA/ LFE input and a stereo mini jack 3.5mm input. All the cables are included so you won’t have to buy anything separately. There is a 2 meter 3.5mm mini jack audio cable, a 2 meter RCA audio cable and an AC power cable. The Audioengine S8 has a low-pass crossover (50 Hz to 130 Hz) and a 0-180 degree phase witch. It has a front-ported MDF enclosure with a thickness of 15.6mm. It has a solid hand-finished texture and sturdy triangular Isolation Elastomer feet that prevent skidding during max-capacity operation. All the connections, controls and indicators are at the back. These include audio inputs, a knob for volume control, another for crossover control, a phase switch, a power/stand-by indicator, a charging port, an AC power inlet and a power switch. The subwoofer has an auto sleep mode for conserving power. If it does not receive an input signal for a stipulated period of time, it goes into sleep mode to save electricity. Frequency response of the device is 27 Hz to 180 Hz (+/-1.5dB), signal-to-noise ratio is > 95 dB, and total harmonic distortion is <0.05% at all power ratings. Sensitivity is 88 dB SPL 1w/ 1m and input impedance is 10 K ohms unbalanced. Input voltage is 100-240V AC, 50/60Hz auto-switching. The gadget has thermal protection and output current limiting protection. It can be used in wireless mode with the optional Audioengine W3 Wireless Adapter. The subwoofer has a transferable warranty of 3 years. Its dimensions are: 11.25 inches (W) x 11.25 inches (H) x 11.25 inches (D). It weighs 30 lbs. The package includes a microfiber speaker bag and a cable bag.
Key Features :
- Wireless-ready small subwoofer with built-in Class D amp.
- Max power 250 watts, RMS power 125 watts RMS.
- 8-inch down-firing woofer with anti-resonant steel frame and rubber surround.
- Stereo RCA/ LFE input and a stereo mini jack 3.5mm input, auto sleep mode.
- Low-pass crossover, phase switch, MDF enclosure with single front port and Isolation Elastomer feet.
Orb Audio subMINI Small Subwoofer
The Orb Audio subMINI is an uber-compact powered subwoofer housed inside a 9-inch cubic enclosure. It has dual high-velocity ports and a Class D amplifier for generating accurate high-impact bass. It is the perfect companion for small stereo speakers, small soundbars, compact surround sound systems, flat-panel TVs and desktops computers. The Orb Audio subMINI is designed to fit tight spaces, and is ideal ffor homes with space limitations. It is 9 inches wide, 9 inches deep and 10 inches high (including the feet). It produces bass with the help of a 6-inch long-throw treated paper cone. The two ports of the sub are located at the bottom of the box for tighter bass response. The gadget has a power output of 50 watts. It has gold-plated RCA line-level inputs for receiving input signals. It has auto voltage sensing technology which helps it adapt in any country. The subMINI is wireless-compatible. It can be used with a wireless adapter for remote installation. Since bass does not have any direction, you can place the sub anywhere you want. It doesn’t have to be next to the speaker. You can tuck it away on a shelf or under a table or chair using the wireless function. The subwoofer has adjustable crossover settings between 50 Hz to 180 Hz so you can fine-tune the output to suit your listening preferences. The front side of the enclosure has a fabric cover while the controls and inputs are at the back. There are 4 anti-skid feet for standing the sub. Orb Audio provides lifetime customer support. So, if you have any queries, you can just dial in and have your issues resolved.
Key Features :
- 50-watt ultra-compact subwoofer with built-in Class D amplifier.
- 6-inch treated paper cone, 9-inch cube enclosure with dual high-velocity ports.
- Gold-plated RCA line-level input, voltage sensing technology, wireless-ready.
- Adjustable crossover and LFE, lifetime customer support, ideal for small speakers.
Monoprice 60-watt Small Powered Subwoofer
The Monoprice 60-watt subwoofer is a good choice for a compact sub. It goes well with home theatre systems, stereo speakers and soundbars. It has an onboard amplifier that provides a constant RMS output of 60 watts. It has a low-pass crossover for adjusting the flow of incoming signals. The Monoprice subwoofer features an 8-inch reinforced woofer driver that cranks out bass that you can feel through your skin. It has a frequency response of 50 Hz to 250 Hz. It has variable gain control and a low-pass filter (50 to 250 Hz) for adjusting the bass to match the output of the main speakers. This helps you create a beautifully balanced sound with all the notes from the high end to the low end accurately reproduced. The device offers multiple inputs for flexible connectivity with 5.1 channel or 7.1 surround sound systems. Every input has a corresponding output. The high-level inputs receive full-range signal from the amplifier’s stereo speaker outputs. The left and right line-level inputs come in handy when you are connecting the sub to a stereo system that lacks a subwoofer output. These inputs connect to the left and right line-level outputs on the amp. The sub then combines the signals and processes the mono signal it requires for bass reproduction. If you want to use an amp with a single mono subwoofer line-level output, you need to use an RCA ‘Y’ cable to split the output signal so you can route it to the two left and right line-level inputs on the sub. The Monoprice subwoofer has a black ported wood enclosure with a textured finish. It has sturdy feet that prevent vibration. The driver and the port both open into the front which is covered by a black fabric speaker mesh. The cabinet is 13.75 inches high, 11.75 inches wide and 11.75 inches deep. The port is 2 ¾ inches. The compact size of the sub lets you tuck it anywhere you want. You can stand it on the floor next to a couch or under a table to save space.
Key Features :
- Active small subwoofer with 60-watt RMS power.
- 8-inch reinforced woofer, ported wood cabinet, fabric speaker grille.
- Low-level and high-level inputs, low-pass crossover, variable gain.
- Frequency response 50 Hz to 250 Hz, compatible with 5.1 channel and higher sound systems.
Velodyne 80-IMPMINIW Impact Mini 6.5-Inch Small Subwoofer
The next product on our list is the Velodyne 80-IMPMINIW Impact Mini. It is one of the best small subwoofers for home and store use. It fills in the low-end frequencies of the sound and makes it fuller, deeper and more natural. It works great in small and medium-sized spaces like bedrooms and living rooms. The 80-IMPMINIW Impact Mini uses a 6.5-inch active anodized aluminum woofer and an 8-inch anodized aluminum passive bass radiator to pump out high-impact bass. The cones are durable, and have excellent long-throw and excursion abilities. The active driver fires through the front panel while the bass radiator fires out of the bottom of the subwoofer for extra punch. This design reduces distortion and enhances accuracy and force of the bass. The subwoofer uses 2-inch copper-wound voice coils for greater reliability and power. It has a 4 lbs magnet structure. It is driven by a ‘Green’ MDP amplifier with a dynamic power rating of 300 watts and RMS power of 180 watts. The device has a frequency response of 30 Hz to 140 Hz. It has an adjustable low-pass crossover (50 Hz to 200 Hz) and full-range high-pass crossover for fine tuning the bass to match the satellite speakers. It also has variable phase (0ᵒto 180ᵒ) for more sound adjustments. The Impact Mini small subwoofer has stereo, left and right, speaker-level outputs and RCA line-level, speaker-level and LFE inputs. It has auto on/off function for saving power when not in use. It has LED power indicators. Red means it is on stand-by and green means it is in active operation. The product is available in black and white. It has a removable front fabric mesh. Dimensions of the sub are: width 10 inches x height 10 inches x depth 12 inches. It weighs 18.5 lbs. Warranty period in North America for parts and labor is 3 years and for the drivers is 5 years.
Key Features :
- Powered small subwoofer with dual long-throw anodized aluminum drivers.
- One 6.5-inch active woofer, one 8-inch passive down-firing bass radiator.
- 2-inch copper-wound voice coils, 4 lbs magnet structure, low-pass and high-pass crossovers.
- Built-in ‘Green’ MDP amp with 180 watts RMS power and 300 watts dynamic power.
- Variable gain, phase switch, LED power indicators, auto turn on/off.
- Low-level, high-level and LFE inputs, stereo speaker-level outputs.
Earthquake Sound MiniMe P8 Passive Tuned Mini Subwoofer
The Earthquake Sound MiniMe P8 is a favorite among bass lovers. It is a small subwoofer with massive amounts of power packed into a tiny enclosure. It has a patented Symmetrically Loaded Audio Passive System (SLAPS) that pumps out surprisingly high-impact bass. The MiniMe P8 subwoofer has an 8-inch long-throw driver powered by a Class D amp with a peak power output of 320 watts. It has a unique symmetrically loaded passive radiator system that increases output without increasing the size of the subwoofer. The patented design does away with the need to work in a spider and a basket. It also lets the sub process infrasonic frequencies and produce an output similar to a sealed enclosure sub but with a much smaller box. The gadget has low-level and high-level inputs for accepting signals from a variety of sound devices. The low-level inputs connect to other full-range speakers while the high-level inputs let you run the speaker wires into the amp for audio input. The sub can be integrated seamlessly with a two-channel or a multi-channel sound system. There is a low-pass filter adjustable at 24 dB/octave between 35 Hz to 100 Hz, and a 0 to 180 degree phase switch for fine tuning the bass response. It has LED indicators to show power and operation statuses. The circuit board has Auto-on Sensing which detects the input signal when a device is connected and automatically turns on the system. If it does not receive an input signal for 30 minutes, it shuts down on its own to conserve power. The sub has dual bypassed high-level speaker outputs which can be used to power full-range speakers in your home sound system using the sub’s built-in amplifier. In other words, the sub’s amp is powerful enough to drive other speakers apart from the sub. The Earthquake Sound MiniMe P8 is available in black and white. The black model has a high-gloss 7-layer piano black finish and the white model has a white lacquer finish. The front panel has a fabric cover while the inputs, outputs and controls are on a side wall.
Key Features :
- Small subwoofer with built-in 320-watt Class D amplifier.
- Patented Symmetrically Loaded Audio Passive System (SLAPS) design.
- 8-inch long-throw woofer, low-level and high-level inputs, low-pass crossover.
- Phase switch, automatic signal detection, auto-on sensing, LED status indicator.
- Dual bypassed high-level speaker outputs, available in black and white.
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Get to know what is a subwoofer ?
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