Best Cheap Subwoofers

In the market of audio products, subwoofers are always popular, and there are many different models. But how to choose the best budget subwoofer if you are new in this sphere and your budget is limited? And in this case, I will help you choose the best budget home theater subwoofer.

If you are an audiophile beginner, you may not want to spend too much on expensive subwoofers. Some budget models also can provide you with a new experience of listening to music or watching movies. By learning more about everything connected with sound quality, people, with time, get new devices to receive another level of sounds and satisfy personal tastes.

Subwoofers are money investments for more advanced users and those who know more about audio equipment. Therefore, finding out everything about the loudspeaker you plan to buy is important to get the most suitable option. Even a budget sub can be useful to professionals, saving them money.

Our pick

BIC America F12

Best budget subwoofer

The 12-inch front-firing F-12 powered subwoofer incorporates a high current 475-watt peak amplifier designed by BASH Technology in combination with a 12-inch long-throw woofer. Read the full review.

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Cheap home subwoofers comparison table

We don’t recommend

Polk Audio PSW108

Best Budget Home Theater Subwoofer Reviews

BIC America F12 – best overall

BIC America is a sound equipment manufacturer that has been on the market for a long time. It offers different models of loudspeakers. One of the company’s main goals is to provide customers with affordable acoustics. If you are focused on a budget subwoofer, then you should definitely pay attention to the BIC America F12. It is one of the manufacturer’s most interesting and popular models in this price segment. Well, let’s take a closer look at it.

At first glance, you see a rectangular speaker with a weight of 42.7 lbs. The housing is done with an MDF board and black laminate. On the bottom side, it has rubber feet, which increase the stability of the unit. Besides, it reduces vibrations when you use BIC America F12 at loud volume levels. As a result, it will not shake and drift from its place. Everything is simple, and nothing is superfluous. Minimalism and ergonomics.

BIC America F12 is equipped with a 12-inch driver. You will enjoy a wonderful sound quality at a maximum output of 475 watts. As it has front-firing, it is recommended not to place any obstacles in front of the speaker. It guarantees you sound without interference.

The front side of the subwoofer does not have any LED indicators. This is not a bad thing, as it will not distract you while watching a movie. Personally, I don’t like the flashing lights and indicators that make the device look like a Christmas tree. On the rear side, you have all the adjustments. There are also power controls. It has a standby mode because you may not want to use it all the time and plan to save power. By selecting it, you increase the life expectancy of the unit.

Additionally, you will not have difficulties using this model in combination with other speakers. There are crossover and volume knobs to adjust all the needed settings.

SVS SB-1000 – also a great choice

The SB-1000 subwoofer might become your favorite cost-effective subwoofer. It’s compact enough to fit smaller rooms (13.5 (H) x 13 (W) x 14.6 (D) inches and would match any interior due to the chic finish options of your choice (black ash, piano gloss black, and piano gloss white). At the same time, the 300 watts RMS and 700+ watts peak power amplifier ensures a well-articulated bass in the room. By featuring a front-firing 12-inch driver, FEA-optimized internal motor technology, and massive dual ferrite magnets, you are guaranteed to get high-quality output with low distortions.

Unlike the wireless Klipsch Reference R-10SWi, the SB-1000 subwoofer has a detachable power cord with the main power switch for convenience. The thermal management is critical for a robust amplifier and a motor sealed in the cabinet, so there is a vented pole piece to prevent overheating.

You will also find a DSP control to deliver a precise response in all operating conditions. The sound is juicy with tight drum beats, airy midranges, and never-muddy highs. But do not expect to get big explosion thumps as you watch battle-rich movie scenes. Because it’s a sealed sub, it requires more volume (you’ve got to set it at 7 to match the same output of the ported subwoofer configured at the 2 volume setting).

Bic Acoustech PL-200 II

BIC America is a longstanding manufacturer of sound equipment. It has plenty of various loudspeaker models. One of the main goals is to provide an affordable speaker to customers, and if you want to get one of the best budget subwoofer, you should consider BIC America F12. It is one of the most popular models of this manufacturer in the low price category.

At first glance, you see a rectangular speaker with a weight of 42.7lbs. The housing is done with an MDF board and black laminate. On the bottom side, it has rubber feet, which increase the stability of the unit. Besides, it reduces vibrations when you use BIC America F12 at loud volume levels. As a result, it will not shake and drift from its place.

This subwoofer is equipped with a 12-inch driver. At the maximum output of 475-watt, you will enjoy a wonderful sound quality. As it has front-firing, it is recommended not to place any obstacles in front of the speaker. It allows you to always receive wonderful sound.

The front side of the subwoofer does not have any LED indicators, which is better while you watch your favorite movies, as it does not disturb you. On the rear side, you have all the adjustments. There are also power controls. As you may not want to use it all the time and save power, it has a standby mode. By selecting it, you increase the life expectancy of the unit.

Additionally, you will not have difficulties using this model in combination with other speakers. Crossover and volume knobs to adjust all the needed settings.

Klipsch Reference R-10SWi – wireless (optional)

The subwoofers of the Klipsch Reference series are conceptual and designed and executed down to the smallest detail – as a timeless luxury, as eternal value, as embodied elegance, and as an example of modern design, as an absolute expression of the technical achievements of the company throughout its history. In contrast to conservative audio, Reference is in many ways open to future solutions and audio formats and anticipates them.

The Klipsch R-10SWi wireless subwoofer can be placed in any convenient location in the room, even hidden, to greatly expand the range of uses. The subwoofer has a proprietary woofer with a 10-inch driver and 300-watt peak power output, and the supplied wireless signal transmission unit can be connected to any free line-level or LFE output of an amplifier or AV receiver. The wireless connection establishes automatically in a few seconds. It allows you to put a subwoofer in any corner of the room without bothering with expensive wires.

Apart from deep rich bass, there are a number of other features. First, the speaker is in the front, which makes the bass explosive. Secondly, in addition to adjusting the volume, there is a crossover setting, which makes it possible to connect it to any system from small satellites to large three-way floor-standing systems. You can choose from which frequencies you want it to enter the sound. Third, you can change the phase by 180 degrees. A cool feature that allows you to customize it for the characteristics of the room. Fourth, in addition to LFE, there is an output to the left and right channels, like professional equipment.

The design is also very nice. Unlike boring black and white drawers, Klipsch makes its appliances in stylish black and gold, which makes it look like a piece of furniture rather than a bedside table. With the included manual, you learn more about this affordable subwoofer and how to properly place them to receive better sound quality.

Polk Audio PSW10 – cheapest

Another model that can become your best cheap subwoofer is Polk Audio PSW10. With its compact dimensions, you will not have difficulties in placing it in your room. The front side of the subwoofer is silver. However, you may not get it from the first glance as this unit has a meshed grille to protect speakers from dust. The housing is mostly made with MDF boards. Such kind of plywood increases the durability, smoothness, and sound of speakers.

On the rear side, you have all the needed settings with an inbuilt power cord: phase switch, low pass filter, and volume control.

One of the reasons why you receive sounds of nice quality is the 10-inch driver size. As it is a powered or subwoofer, you do not need to buy an additional amplifier as it is already inbuilt. It allows you to receive a wonderful and accurate sound quality in the proper combination of deep bass. With 100-watt output, you will be pleased with deep bass on low frequencies.

If you already have a sound system, you will not have difficulties in adding Polk Audio PSW10 to it. You can easily manage 80-160Hz crossover and 40-160Hz (-3dB) frequency response according to your needs. This model can also be connected with other subwoofers.

Kanto sub8

A lot of audiophiles and music lovers prefer to enjoy sounds of proper quality. This can be achieved even with the best inexpensive home subwoofer Kanto Sub8. A simple design model, which brings a lot of joy and satisfaction. With only an 8-inch drive and maximum output of 250-watts, you receive a wonderful sound quality.

It is a front-firing powered subwoofer with a design of a small box. Its rubber feet provide stability and prevent the unit from sliding due to vibrations. The entire interface is located on the rear side. There you will find the standard volume and frequency crossover knobs. RCA input with the phase switch.

In order to keep Kanto Sub8 in working order for many years, it has power management options. Instead of constantly turning the subwoofer on, there is a standby mode. When you do not listen to music, the subwoofer will start to save power. It is suitable when you use the unit periodically during the day.

Polk Audio PSW505

If you want to get something nice without spending much of your budget, you should consider Polk Audio PSW505. This brand is famous for its high quality and reliability. One of the main benefits is that this model belongs to the best budget powered subwoofers. Powered or active means that you do not need to buy an additional amplifier. PSW505 already has one inside. It delivers wonderful sound quality. Due to the 12-inch driver and 300-watt of output, the powerful bass is very accurate and deep.

This model also serves properly for home theatre. It produces clear sounds at low and high frequencies that properly conveys movie scenes. At quiet moments, you will not hear distortion or many unwanted sounds.

If you take a closer look at the rear side, you can find out about its connectivity. With the following inputs/outputs, you can easily manage settings: LFE input, low-pass filter, and phase switch.

With the volume and low pass knobs, you can easily manage crossover and connect PSW505 with other devices of your existing audio system. It is necessary to mention that the power cord is not inbuilt. It allows you to replace it whenever you want for shorter or longer variants depending on your needs.

Another important part of this powered budget subwoofer is its housing. It is made of MDF, which properly reduces vibrations and sound distortions.

What’s the difference between a budget and expensive subwoofers?

It takes time to figure out what is right for you and what the ideal sound is for your particular home system. Some of you will probably go down the path of trial and error. So it is logical to start by buying an entry-level subwoofer. But is it possible to buy good cheap subwoofers, and how do they differ from expensive models? Let’s get into it. After all, you can really enjoy a movie or music only with the help of a properly selected music system. Lively and rich bass from a subwoofer provides incredible sound.

Sound quality

You should know that, in general, there is a distinction between passive and active subwoofers. As the subwoofer analysis shows, the active version has internal amplification and dominates the market. And the deep bass capabilities are determined by the electronics used and, to a lesser extent, by the available dimensions.

Expensive subwoofers have higher-quality components, including specialized drivers, advanced amplifier circuitry, and sophisticated signal processing technology. These premium components provide a more accurate and faithful reproduction of low frequencies, minimal distortion, and better control over the lower frequencies.

Cheap subs can use simpler components and materials inherent in their more expensive counterparts. While they may provide quite a decent bass, the sound quality will not be as refined, and they may not be able to reproduce very low frequencies or high-volume levels without distortion. Before buying, you must ensure that the subwoofer appropriately accompanies quiet passages and lifts higher tones effortlessly.

Durability and lifespan

With the variety of models and prices, it’s actually quite difficult to speculate about the durability and lifespan of subwoofers. I’ll remind you again that expensive subwoofers utilize high-quality materials and manufacturing techniques to produce a more durable and long-lasting product. Premium subwoofers are designed for constant use and provide stable performance over a long period.

The low-budget subwoofer may not be as durable. It may have a shorter lifespan and be more susceptible to wear and tear over time, especially when used at high volume levels or for long periods.

Weight and materials also matter because cheap plywood and plastic won’t give you the resonance you want, and sometimes the opposite will even give you “thump” and unwanted distortion. But I would pay more attention to the brand and availability of parts on the market so that you can fix the unit quickly in case of a minor breakdown.

Technological advancements

High-end subwoofers often feature the latest technological advances, such as advanced digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms, phase control, automatic equalization, adaptive room correction systems, and wireless connectivity.
But while budget subwoofers for home theater may not have these innovations (which limits their ability to adapt to different room environments), they can still deliver decent performance.

User experience and ease of use

Expensive subwoofers often have user-friendly interfaces, intuitive controls, and advanced remote control capabilities. Of course, this makes it much easier to customize them to your individual preferences. In the premium class, you may even find smartphone apps or software interfaces that provide additional control and customization options.
Cheap devices have simpler control options, which doesn’t affect their primary purpose. Unfortunately, even the best budget subwoofers can’t have the capabilities of premium models. However, by taking more time to customize, you may grow closer to your equipment and love it dearly.

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