When the weather is fine, most people spend time outside or around the home. If you wish to listen to your favorite music without worries about your speaker, you need to find the best outdoor subwoofer.
Weatherproof subwoofer must have specific properties allowing it to work correctly even in not the most pleasant conditions. Such devices should:
- not to be clogged by dust and dirt;
- not be afraid of the sun (ultraviolet radiation and heat);
- be resistant to humidity and splashing water.
Of course, this also and especially applies to the cabling.
There are different types of open subwoofers, but we will consider only the most popular ones in this review. The so-called in-ground subwoofer is ideal for installation on the ground. Only the head protrudes on the surface. And the skewers can be placed anywhere on the site/yard.
There are also conventional outdoor powered subwoofers, which can simply be placed on the ground (any surface), and you can enjoy the music.
I have collected different variants of such models for you, conducted numerous tests, and now I am ready to share the results so that you can choose the optimal model. So let’s not waste time and move on to the most interesting part!
Outdoor Weatherproof Subwoofers Comparison Table
| Name | Power, W | Driver size, inch. | Frequency response | Dimensions, inch (HxWxD) | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OSD FORZA 10 best overall | 300 | 10 | 50Hz-300Hz | 19.9×19.2×15 | Review |
| Polk Audio Atrium SUB 100premium | 200 | 10 | 50Hz-100Hz | 11×16.9×16.9 | Review |
| TIC GS50 budget | 125 | 8 | 25Hz-200Hz | 12.5×12.5×13 | Review |
We don’t recommend
OSD FORZA 8
It was a really good model in its time, but today it is inferior in many respects to its analogs. However, there is already on the market the OSD FORZA 10, which I consider a very successful development of this model. Why? Read on, and you will find out.
Cons
- It is an outdated model, and on the market, you can find better subwoofers in quality and price.
- Inconvenient speaker connection procedure.
- It does not have enough power to create deep bass.
- The device rattles where the top and bottom parts join at above-average volume.
- The fixed crossover is too high, and its output is too low, so the sound is unbalanced.
Best Outdoor Subwoofer Reviews
OSD FORZA 10 – best overall
OSD Audio Store constantly develops new stereo models to satisfy customers. Unless outdated speakers, FORZA can become your best outdoor subwoofer. It easily deals with severe weather. This unit has an IP66 rating. It allows you not to worry about it during dusty, rainy, and frosty weather.
FORZA 10 has a simple but nice design. Its grey color easily fits various gardens and can be hidden behind bushes. It is totally up to you whether to install it on hard surfaces or place it in-ground. Forza 10 subwoofer is compatible with both options. After bad weather, you will not have difficulties in cleaning it. Even when the sun is shining, it resists UV. Moreover, you do not need to worry about leaving this subwoofer outside for a night. It has the antitheft feature. The built-in eyebolt to anchor will keep your device in one place.
It is quite a powerful subwoofer with 300W of power and wonderful music. It effectively delivers high-quality sound effects on low frequencies. The driver has a common size of 10 inches which is a very popular option when you want to enjoy deeper sounds. If you want to receive an even better response, you should place it on hard ground or surface. As it is wireless, you will not have to manually turn it off and on. Moreover, when it is in-ground, you easily use a subwoofer without difficulties.
Forza 10 is a down-side firing model. It means that sound goes downwards and hits the surface. As a result, you receive more colorful bass, which is properly reinforced to enjoy music at full.
Key specs
- Power (RMS), W: 300.
- Driver size : 10.
- Frequency response: 50Hz-300Hz.
- Dimensions, inch (HxWxD): 19.9×19.2×15.
Pros
- It easily pairs with various speakers, amplifiers, and DACs.
- The subwoofer is made of reliable materials to serve for many years and withstand various weather conditions.
- It can be installed over and under the ground.
Cons
- On hard surfaces, it vibrates what causes too much buzz sound.
Polk Audio Atrium SUB 100 – premium
It is hot, even at night temperature hardly cools down and you are planning a party on your terrace and by the pool? With the Atrium series, Polk offers weatherproof outdoor speakers that defy rain, wind, UV radiation, and fog. You can paint the Atrium SUB 100 according to your furnishing style and use it as a side table or plant stand.
With a combination of powerful bass and robust weatherproofing, you can hear bass outside or in the transition areas of your house as you normally only hear it inside. This underground subwoofer is the perfect addition to a set of Sat300s and gives the system the fully dynamic reproduction of a top-class audio system. Paint it so that it fits better in your conservatory or pool. The Sub100 offers real bass fun, and it will be the focus of your garden parties!
The powerful, downward radiating 200-watt subwoofer provides a bass that shakes the earth. With the integrated, waterproof, and IP68-certified connection box, other outdoor speakers can be easily connected. It is also perfect for installation on the floor. The model is in a molded and sealed, perfect acoustics and IPX66-certified housing with marine approval, which guarantees you years of unique weather resistance and outdoor performance.
The included cover protects the subwoofer and ensures a distance from the ground in the outdoor environment. It can be perfectly integrated. Sub100 housing can be painted to perfectly match your facility. The resin impregnated with paint will never fade and is a perfect match for your outdoor furniture. The massive, 10-inch long-throw Dynamic Balance driver technology prevents driver distortion for deeper, clearer bass even at higher volumes.
Key specs
- Power (RMS), W: 200.
- Driver size : 10.
- Frequency response: 50Hz-100Hz.
- Dimensions, inch (HxWxD): 11×16.9×16.9.
Pros
- It is made of sturdy materials to serve for many years.
- The color of the case can be painted according to your preference.
- Simple installation.
Cons
- Max volume is not loud.
TIC TFS50
The first things that catch your eye in this model are the shape and design. The TIC TFS50 is made in the form of a stone. Yes, you’ve read it right. The manufacturer offers three colors: Canyon (CN), Slate (SL), or White Granite. I personally liked this idea. It looks very unusual and original on the ground. I would also note that the TFS50 has a composite housing with a silicone seal, resistant to various weather conditions, with a frontal drainage system.
It is a passive omni-directional subwoofer speaker with 360° bass sound. Power handling: 125W RMS / 250W Peak. Stereo satellite speaker capability with built-in passive crossover system. Impedance: 8Ω/input (standard mode) or 4Ω/input (satellites mode). Frequency response: 40Hz – 200Hz (crossover @ 200Hz).
As a passive subwoofer, this model requires an amplifier and does not accept a single LFE line (low-frequency effect) as input. With its built-in passive crossover, the TIC TFS50 is designed for standard stereo inputs and automatically separates the different audio frequency bands. It is also compatible with both standard and subwoofer amplifiers. It should be understood that using a dedicated subwoofer amplifier will improve sound quality but will reduce the satellite output capabilities. Although it is possible to connect DVC speakers to the TFS50, the manufacturer recommends using standard 8Ω speakers as satellites.
Key specs
- Power (RMS), W: 250.
- Driver size : 8.
- Frequency response: 25Hz-200Hz.
- Dimensions, inch (HxWxD): 14x11x21.
Pros
- Unusual shape.
- Several colors to choose from.
- Sturdy enclosure resistant to various weather conditions.
Cons
- To get real bass, you have to turn up the main volume a lot.
TIC GS50 – budget
If you need an all-weather subwoofer to bury it into the ground, then TIC GS50 will be able to help you. It is a nice model, which you are free to install everywhere outdoors. It has green housing made of ASB polypropylene that withstands various weather conditions. The satellite design enhances the range of sound, and it goes in all directions.
Inside, you receive 250W of power with an 8-inch driver, which enhances with omnidirectional sound technology. It allows users to enjoy music in all direction angles. One of the many benefits that you receive with TIC GS50 is the compatibility with various other devices. Passive inner crossover automatically separates several bands of audio frequency and improves the quality of sounds. The unit comes with two waterproof wire connectors if you plan to connect the subwoofer with other speakers. Devices with 8om impedance are better if you wish to receive higher sound quality.
Key specs
- Power (RMS), W: 125.
- Driver size : 8.
- Frequency response: 25Hz-200Hz.
- Dimensions, inch (HxWxD): 12.5×12.5×13.
Pros
- Manual contains all information you need to properly install the subwoofer.
- This subwoofer produces wonderful sound while buried in the ground.
- Can be easily hidden in bushes and behind other plants.
- The assembling of the subwoofer does not require a lot of time.
Cons
- It does not have an in-built Bluetooth adapter.
OSD GLS8
I would like to introduce you to another bright representative of in-ground subwoofers – OSD GLS8. The main part of it is under the ground, and only the outdoor subwoofer speakers are visible from above. By the way, the open vent can be painted to look more organic to your landscape.
Unit dimensions: (L x H x D) 19.75″ x 28″ x 15.5″ and weight: 32 lbs. Frequency response: 8Hz-200Hz, power handling – 500 Watts, sensitivity: 84 dB, and impedance: 8 Ohms. And, of course, it is 360° omni-directional. As you can see, the GLS8 is quite powerful and efficient.
It is a passive subwoofer and needs an amplifier to power it. The manufacturer recommends the SMP-300, rated at 500 watts peak power and 250 watts continuous RMS power.
I advise placing the GLS8 20 feet away from the general listening area for optimum sound quality. It is also advisable to place the unit so that the vent is away from direct spray from sprinklers or the pool. Also, before burying the subwoofer, I would recommend putting gravel in the hole’s bottom for drainage and a flatter unit placement.
While it’s not going to shake the ground like a home theater sub, it adds a lot of warmth and the lower end that’s missing from most outdoor speakers. The sound was fantastic, and everything worked seamlessly with my iPhone. So the main objective of this model was excellent.
Key specs
- Power (RMS), W: 500.
- Driver size : 8.
- Frequency response: 28Hz-200Hz.
- Dimensions, inch (HxWxD): 19.7x28x15.5.
Pros
- Sounds great.
- This subwoofer really helps reproduce very deep notes.
Cons
- Weak water resistance.
