Best car speakers under $300,Best Component Speakers Under 300 Depth Reviews 2021

 

The Best-Sounding Subwoofers Under $300

When The Roots released “Don’t Say Nuthin” off their album, “The Tipping Point,” in 2004, producers Questlove and Scott Storch said they wanted to create a track that purposely took the group away from their usual live instrumentation in favor of more electronic-inspired backing beats.

While much of the initial response to the song focused on Black Thought’s indiscernible mumbling on the chorus, fans and critics alike soon applauded the group for digging into the boards to create a fresh and original-sounding record, where the lyrics seemed to dance and groove their way around a track that mixed elements of funk, hip-hop, electronica and futuristic pop. Questlove and Storch broke down each sound to their simplest form, then layered the different elements over each other, to create an aural ambience listeners hadn’t previously heard in a rap song.

The now-classic anthem is now a favorite at club nights and live shows alike, thanks to its rolling backbeat and thundering bass line, something the powerful speakers and subwoofers at these venues easily capture and bring out into the foreground. But you don’t have to be in a music studio or at a concert to experience the fullness of a track like “Don’t Say Nuthin.“

These days, any pair of well-reviewed speakers will get you decent sound quality, but if you really want to hear the richness and complexities of a track, and experience it the way an artist intended, it might be time to invest in a subwoofer.

A good subwoofer helps to fill out the bottom end of your music, typically between 20 and 200 Hz, while also boosting the roar and rumble of a movie scene or score. While subwoofers might get a bad rap thanks to those exaggerated versions that pulsate out of cars in hip-hop videos, the average subwoofer these days is no bigger than the box your Jordans came in. Yes they’re great for turning up the bass, but subwoofers also help to tune out distortion, enrich mids and amplify your music to all corners of the room. Think Game of Thrones sounds good through your TV? Tack on a subwoofer and really feel the rumbling of the wall and the bombastic score accompanying every battle scene. With a speaker, you hear music. Add a subwoofer and you’ll experience it.

We’ve found five solid subwoofers that come in under $300 – much cheaper than purchasing a new sound system, and an affordable way to upgrade your current set-up. Whether you’re jamming out to music in your room or adding to your entertainment system, here’s what to get.

1. Polk Audio PSW10 Subwoofer© Provided by Rolling Stone polk audio psw10 subwoofer

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This is one of two options from Polk Audio on our list, which is one of the leading brands in this category. This 10-inch subwoofer boasts 100 watts of power, with a uniquely-designed port that’s tuned and directed to produce more accurate, realistic bass (I.e. it won’t sound like the bass has been put through a digitizer).

Polk says the subwoofer has been engineered to tune out distortion and dampen any internal waves that could affect sound quality and performance. Don’t be afraid to turn it up either – Polk’s “Klippel distortion analyzer” optimizes the woofer’s motor structure and suspension for “smooth, unimpeded movement,” even at extreme listening levels.

The PSW10 has more than 4500 reviews online from customers who praise its sleek look, its ability to connect with multiple outputs, and its rich, balanced sound – even at low frequencies. Note: this subwoofer works best for a small to mid-size room. If you’ve got a larger living space, you’ll want to consider other options on this list.

Buy: Polk Audio PSW10 Subwoofer $129.00 2. Monoprice 60-Watt Powered Subwoofer © Provided by Rolling Stone monoprice 60W subwoofer

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If you’re on a tighter budget, Monoprice packs big value into a small package. Its tight sound packs a kick, and with multiple input options, you can even pair up this subwoofer with an existing stereo system or amplifier, and start listening to your music with optimum blend and balance.

What we like: Monoprice delivers 60 watts of deep bass through a compact 8-inch woofer and a sleek, black wood design. Reviewers say it’s versatile enough for use in a home entertainment system or as an everyday bedroom speaker. One downfall: set the frequency control too high or too low, and you might get some slight wobbling issues. But functionality conquers form here, and the bass boost is unparalleled at its price point.

Buy: Monoprice 60-Watt Powered Subwoofer $87.99 3. BIC America F12 Subwoofer© Provided by Rolling Stone bic america subwoofer review

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The largest model on this list — though still incredibly portable at just 12-inches — the F12 subwoofer is an incredible value, delivering a whopping 475-watts of bass and an output capability of up to 116dB (I.e. very loud) for just over $200.

Unlike some of the other woofers on this list, which use down-firing drivers (pointed toward the floor), this one uses front-firing drivers (pointed outwards), which some reviewers say provides more accurate sound. It also features a patented BIC “Venturi” vent, which helps to eliminate the port noise that can often interfere with the crispness and accuracy of your sound.

What we like: the gold-plated terminals and its inputs that support both Dolby Pro Logic and Dolby Digital/DTS. BIC’s automatic signal sensing also means the subwoofer reacts to your music right away – no complicated pairing necessary.

Fun fact: BIC’s first Formula Series model was introduced in 1973, and the US-based company has been creating audio equipment and accessories under that collection name ever since. This set comes with a five-year parts and labor warranty.

Buy: BIC America F12 Subwoofer $209.99 4. Yamaha 100W Powered Subwoofer© Provided by Rolling Stone yamaha 100w subwoofer

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There aren’t many names more synonymous with music equipment than Yamaha, and whether they’re making keyboards or subwoofers, the Japanese brand (now with a U.S. headquarters in California) continues to churn out products that combine versatility with music prowess.

This compact subwoofer gets you 100 watts of deep, resonant bass that users say won’t shake down the house, but fills a medium-sized room rather nicely. The woofer uses a twisted flare port for accurate low frequency reproduction. The port — unique to Yamaha’s woofers — reduces any extraneous noise for a clearer, more realistic sound (from the biggest movie explosions to the fullest live concert recordings.)

While you may have to tweak the crossover frequencies and sub level to get the most out of it, the simple layout makes it a perfect starter subwoofer for anyone looking to boost their home audio experience.

Buy: Yamaha 100W Powered Subwoofer $160.82 5. Klipsch R-100SW Subwoofer© Provided by Rolling Stone klipsch r100sw subwoofer

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Klipsch has been making audio products since 1946, and they’ve entered the subwoofer game at a competitive price-point with this R-100SW set. The 10-inch front-firing system offers focused, powerful sound, and Klipsch says it’s “injection-molded graphite” material helps to filter out distortion and provide clear, deep bass.

What we like: the handsomely textured wood grain vinyl, which gives it a clean, contemporary look. The reinforced MDF construction makes it built to last, with less overall cabinet vibration. The subwoofer also has phase controls to help blend bass tones in efficiently with other speakers in your standard home theater.

Reviewers say the Klipsch is a steal for its robust, room-filling sound. As one reviewer writes, “The bass is deep and incredible clean. I am in a big, open space…and this thing provides crisp, punchy bass.”

Buy: Klipsch R-100SW $279.46 6. Polk Audio PSW111 Subwoofer© Provided by Rolling Stone polk-audio-subwoofer-PSW111

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The PSW111 packs all the power of Polk Audio’s technology into a compact, 8-inch package. Get 300 watts of sound from a compact woofer, that’s lightweight enough to move around, but sturdy enough to stay steady on its four, stabilizing feet.

Reviewers say the woofer connects in a cinch, pairs easily with your home audio or theater setup, and delivers deep, resonant bass with minimal distortion. Polk, meantime, says its engineers have worked to optimize the woofer’s motor structure, voice coil alignment and suspension, to “bring you the best possible performance even at extreme listening levels.”

What we like: Polk’s intelligent amplifiers deliver a surge of power when you want the bass turned up high, but actively works to conserve power when playing at low volumes or on standby mode. If you have a small space — say, a studio apartment, office or den — this woofer will deliver. People looking to deck out a larger room or home theater system might want to consider some of the larger models on this list.

Buy: 

Skar Audio (2) FSX65-4 (2) FSX65-4 300-Watt 6.5-Inch 4 Ohm MID-Range Loudspeakers - 2 Speakers Black