The 8-inch subwoofer is one of the most sought-after audio systems for cars, rivaling probably the second in demand 12-inch subs. But whatever size you want your speaker system might be, the most important thing is you satisfy your craving for the finest possible sound it would entail when installing inside your vehicle.
Not all music lovers are created equal, so they say. And it is also true for subwoofers (also called sub) which come in different brands and make but with a single purpose in mind, to give you the finest low-frequency bass sound. There are certainly many factors that you should consider in choosing the right subwoofer for your car, and you could also consider your own preference for your choice.
Before you buy the best 8-inch subwoofer for your car, take a peak with our 9 top choices. And at the end of this article, you will find our recommendation for the best brand.
Why do you need an 8-inch subwoofer?
There are so many sizes of subs that you could choose from for your vehicle and they are readily available on the online store such as Amazon, which, fortunately, offers some of the most reasonable prices compared to other online stores. Some of the benefits of having an 8-inch subwoofer on your vehicle are the following:
Factors to be considered in choosing the best 8-inch subwoofer
1. Ease of installation
Having a sub with elaborate installation is a no-no for most busy car lovers out there. So, if you don’t want a hard time installing your system, choose the one that could be easily installed into your car. Choose the sub that has low mounting depth and few mounting bolts for easy installation and dis-assembly when you would like to relocate the unit inside your vehicle.
2. Wattage
A wattage is a power unit usually associated to measure the capacity of the sub. The wattage range for a common 8-inch subwoofer is from a low of 50 watts to as high as 2,000 watts, depending on brand. The wattage is also the measure of power into how high a subwoofer will emit sound at any given time.
3. Materials of enclosure
One of the best materials that the modern subwoofer boxes are made is fiberglass because of its flexibility and durability. Fiberglass is also proven to produce unique sound quality and deeper bass enhancement. Another good material for a subwoofer enclosure is wood. Enclosures though are usually not included in the purchase of subwoofers, the box is sold separately or you can customize your own.
4. Cost
The cost should be your last resort in choosing the best 8-inch subwoofer and try not to be intimated by the price of your choice. Whether it’s the cheapest or the most expensive sub in the market, take down its qualities and use your instinct to decide, while also asking your pocket if you could go deeper.
5. High-quality sound
This is what separate other brands from each other. Although all subs are almost made with the same materials, wattage, and with similar RMS power ratings, sounds vary from every manufacturer. Further more, every listener has his/her own preference of a great sound. If you think a particular brand has a sound that suits your taste, go for it.
Best choice
Rockville SS8P 400w 8" Slim Under-Seat Active Powered Car/Truck Subwoofer Sub
Premium pick
KICKER 11HS8 8" 150W Hideaway Car Audio Powered Subwoofer Sub Enclosure HS8
Best value
Alphasonik HSW212 Hyper 200 Series 12” 1200 Watts Max
Top 8-inch Subwoofers in the Market
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The Pyle PLPW8D 4 Ohm Subwoofer has a 40oz magnet that is so lightweight (only weighs 4.17lbs overall) and is just perfect for any vehicle. This 8-inch subwoofer wonder is unsurprisingly one of the leaders in its own class as many car lovers prefer this brand because of ease of installation, black steel frame, a non-pressed paper cone that enhances terrific sounds, and affordability. Fortunately, Amazon offers one of the lowest prices on the online store.
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5 of 5 Stars
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If you want an affordable 8-inch subwoofer for your car made by one of the industry’s leaders in audio technology, the best one for you is the Boss Audio CX8 400 Voice Coil Car Subwoofer. With its seamless construction and endless bass sound quality, the CX8 400 Series has also a smooth surface that will enhance your car’s interior design. With a Sensitivity SPL of 1W/1m at 83dB, the Resonance Frequency is a fair 42Hz.
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5 of 5 Stars
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One of the best-designed subwoofers of the new generation is the Skar Audio ZVX-8 8-inch RMS Dual 2 SPL Car Subwoofer, a product from Skar Audio, one of the world’s leading brands in audio innovation. The ZVX-8 D2 Series has a Peak Power of 900 Watts with an RMS of 400 Watts. Its magnet is so huge and powerful, it will enhance your sound louder than any other subs on its class.
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5 of 5 Stars
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This powerful Planet Audio AC8D 8-inch Voice Coil Subwoofer has a maximum power of 1200 Watts while it has an RMS Power Handling capability of 600 Watts, one of the highest in the industry. If you want a truly amazing sound for your sub, this product really has the punch! Moreover, do not be intimated by its price, although it has one of the lowest in the industry, it does not entail poor quality. In fact, it is one of the most sought-after 8-inch subwoofers by more car lovers across North America. Find out some of its ideal traits here.
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5 of 5 Stars
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One good thing about the Boss’ subs is that you can have a variety of choices especially the price, that could satisfy your needs in a car audio system. Like this Boss Audio CXX8 600 Watt Voice Coil Car Subwoofer. This one comes with good price where the budget conscious car lovers will not have the difficulty owning one. This sub has polypropylene cone with a 2-inch copper voice coil and rubber surround sound which is a typical menu of sedans and most light trucks. A real bargain price for music lovers out there!
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5 of 5 Stars
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The single voice coil Infinity Reference 860w High-Performance Subwoofer from Infinity is one of those 8-inch subs in the market that enhances cleaner bass sound compared to other brands of its class. Although it’s not cheap (some dealers sell it at more than $150 a piece), this product is relatively a great investment, especially when you are looking for a long-lasting service. This powerful sub has a peak power handling of 1,000 Watts and RMS of 250 Watts.
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5 of 5 Stars
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Providing an RMS power of 150 Watts, the Kicker 11HS8 Hideaway Car Audio Subwoofer is an impressive 8-inch subwoofer from Kicker. As most car lovers say, it has certainly the “kick” as far as quality sound is concerned. Together with its higher price tag, this subwoofer unit is amazingly compact and durable. With a bass boost control from 0dB to +6dB, this 3-inch tall powered sub has an average weight of only 13.2lbs.
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5 of 5 Stars
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With a unique design distinct from any other sub brands in the market today, the Sound Storm LOPRO8 Amplified Subwoofer System is an 8-inch sub designed and manufactured by the Sound Storm Laboratories. The sub comes in with its rectangular enclosure made from high-quality material that will sure to withstand vibrations from your car. Additionally, the SSL LoPro8 has a built-in amplifier so you don’t need an external amp to play your music louder. This product offers an RMS power of 400 Watts.
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5 of 5 Stars
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An original Japanese product, the Rockville SS8P 400w 8" Slim Under-Seat Active Powered Car/Truck Subwoofer Sub packs a punch for every music enthusiast because of its proprietary design technology especially the Rockville and the Twisted Flare Port design that enhances clear and tight bass. Rockville is known the world over as one of the largest musical instrument manufacturer, and they certainly know their music well.
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5 of 5 Stars
Conclusion
As we go along our list of Top 9 Best 8-inch Subwoofer for Cars, we are proud to tell you that we picked the New Kicker 11HS8 8-inch Car Audio Powered Subwoofer as the best value for money sub in the current market. Forget about the cost and its 150 Watts power rating because we know that our one-year-old car can sustain this power. Additionally, the sound is truly great.
Moreover, the included fiberglass enclosure and easy installation add up to my satisfaction. Overall, the New Kicker 11HS8 8-inch Subwoofer is worth every penny of my investment.
