Which subwoofer

In ported max headroom mode, the respective numbers were In sealed max headroom mode, they were The VTF-2 MK5 offers both line-level RCA stereo inputs and speaker-cable inputs, so it can work with any surround-sound receiver and with any stereo receiver or preamp. The SB Pro is basically the same as our former also-great pick, the SB, with the addition of an app-controlled equalizer that allows precise tuning of the bass levels at different frequencies—so you can make the bass sound more or less!

When we tested the original SB, our panelists all liked its punchy, precise sound when they were listening to music, although even with the size of the sub concealed, it was obvious to them that the SB was no home theater bruiser.

Although we found that the EQ could make the SB Pro sound even smoother and better defined when playing music, it did nothing to help the subwoofer reproduce the lowest bass frequencies, which are necessary for realistic reproduction of movie soundtracks. However, for a small home theater system, played at modest levels, the SB Pro will get the job done. The Bluetooth-connected smartphone app links quickly to the subwoofer and allows precise adjustment of such functions as volume and crossover frequency, as well as selection of Movie and Music listening modes plus a user-programmable Custom mode.

The big advantage of the app is the parametric equalizer, which allows you to boost or cut three different bands of audio; you can select the frequencies and widths of these bands in the app. Using the pink-noise generator and audio spectrum analyzer included in the inexpensive AudioTool Android app, connected to my sound system via Bluetooth, I was able to quickly adjust the parametric EQ to get an even, flat bass response from my listening seat, and then from there to fine-tune the sound to my liking.

These numbers are, respectively, 0. It outperformed the Rogersound Labs Speedwoofer 10S by 1. The SB Pro has line- and speaker-level inputs and line-level outputs. Thus, it can connect to any receiver or preamp with a subwoofer output or a spare line output, and it can also connect directly to speakers or an amp in systems that have no subwoofer or line outputs. Many Wirecutter readers are concerned about how the manufacturing, shipping, and normal use of the products we recommend impact the world.

The former is a big plus. The latter should be a plus, ideally, because most electronics contain many recyclable materials, but the methods of recycling these products may have their own adverse impacts. In addition, we looked at how much power each subwoofer consumes in standby mode.

First, some general notes. Almost all subwoofers can be repaired, in most cases by any audio-gear repair shop or even by technically proficient owners. The metal parts inside a subwoofer, including the metal woofer frames and amplifier heat sinks, are generally easy to remove and can be recycled at e-waste facilities. But the enclosures, for the most part, are made from medium-density fiberboard, which cannot be recycled, and the recyclability of the circuit boards is, as with all circuit boards, technically possible but practically questionable.

Those numbers are in the same range as the standby power consumption of a typical TV set. Of course, both electrical consumption and cost increase the more often you use the subwoofer and the louder you play it. Sound United, the parent company of Polk Audio, says it is currently working to create and implement a set of sustainability policies, and that the HTS 10 and its packaging are not made from recycled materials and are not recyclable.

The electronics are analog and do not use firmware, and thus cannot be updated. SVS says that most of the packaging for its subwoofers is recyclable. Several new subwoofers were introduced in conjunction with the CEDIA Expo , and we hope to get some of them in for our next round of tests. Following are brief notes about the other subwoofers and subwoofer-related products we tested. The complete CTA results for all of these subs and many more are available in this spreadsheet.

Definitive Technology SuperCube : The ultra-compact SuperCube , measuring less than 11 inches on all sides, sounded pretty good in our tests, but it fell well short of the slightly larger SVS SB in its deep-bass output. ELAC Debut 2. Its reproduction of midbass tones was excellent, but our panelists found its low-bass output lacking.

KEF Kube 10b : This sleek subwoofer looks nice but is a little expensive for the output it offers. It would be great for a small, high-quality audiophile music system. Q Acoustics S : This slim sub looks great, is easy to hide, and is fairly affordable, but we found its low-bass output to be particularly weak.

SVS Micro : This tiny subwoofer is only about half the size by volume as our also-great pick, the SB Pro, and it adds the same advanced, app-driven signal processing. Brent Butterworth, Subwoofers: 4, 2 or 1?

Brent Butterworth is a senior staff writer covering audio and musical instruments at Wirecutter. He regularly gigs on double bass and occasionally ukulele with Los Angeles—area jazz groups. How we pick and test Panel testing.

Our pick. Rogersound Labs Speedwoofer 10S Superb all-around performance The Speedwoofer 10S offers an ideal blend of bass power and finesse in a compact and affordable package. Polk Audio HTS 10 If looks matter This subwoofer combines good performance with a more attractive design than you get from many subwoofers at this price. And a dedicated bass speaker is often the best way to do it.

Read on for our pick of the best subwoofers for stereo and surround sound systems, and think about treating home cinema at this time when you'll be using it most. The QB12 smashes through the action like a steam train, hitting you right in the stomach and taking your whole body along with it. There are three things to consider before you get your wallet out to buy a QB12 subwoofer: space, your budget and your neighbours. Read the full review: Q Acoustics QB Precision is paramount, and you really feel the big wallops.

There's depth, drive and authority to belie its size, with a brilliant blend of power and musicality. It can deliver bass with subtlety and speed, making it a genuine all-rounder when it comes to delivering solid bass as part of a hi-fi or home cinema.

It has both line and speaker level inputs, remote control and offers four preset modes to optimise performance to the source material. It's large and fairly minimal but we're impressed by what it can do.

Similar sonic characteristics ensure the Sub integrates well with the company's other wireless speakers, and the extra weight, power and scale is obvious. With music, bass lines are controlled nicely, albeit a little on the fat side.

Flick the Sub on and off, and the differences in dynamics are apparent. Read the full review: Sonos Sub. What Hi-Fi? Why we picked the Paradigm MilleniaSub :. The MilleniaSub fits neatly behind couches, chairs, and tables, and the extruded aluminum housing means it weighs just 24 pounds.

Those looking for a more affordable subwoofer that still delivers will find this inch Polk speaker an ideal solution: It offers a simple, durable design with a detachable subwoofer encloser, including speaker and line-level inputs as well as speaker-level outputs, a low pass filter, and a phase toggle switch on the back. It also has a built-in watt RMS amp for bass boost that you can enable for an overall watts of sound power. It offers Hz crossover and Hz frequency response. The Polk Audio Subwoofer is designed to work with any existing system including sound systems put together by aspiring musicians , but you can choose to bundle it with a centra channel speaker if you prefer the most compatibility possible.

Why you should buy it : Any home theater looks better with it, and its value and performance are worth every penny. This subwoofer is available at a bargain these days, coming with a inch driver powered by W Class-D amplifiers. Klipsch includes a cloth grille to cover the front, but the copper cone looks so much better when exposed. This powerful inch, dual 4-ohm subwoofer is guaranteed to pump things up, and the anodized aluminum voice coils will ensure the speaker lasts without suffering too much from wear, tear, or heat.

Oh, and everything comes with a full 1-year warranty if anything goes wrong with the sealed subwoofer. Before we get to performance-based evaluations, we take a step back and look at the subwoofer on the whole. Is it bulky or compact? Is it solidly constructed or does it feel a bit flimsy or cheap? How extensive are the connection options and how do those affect connectivity?