A cheap subwoofer is going to cause you more pain than it is worth. If you care about sound quality, the sub is one of the more underrated parts of an audio system that you definitely don’t want to cheap out on.
While many will tell you a subwoofer isn’t necessary — and this can be true assuming you have a high-end stereo sound system — a subwoofer will almost always make your audio experience better. This is because most audio systems and speakers on the market can’t reproduce the low notes in high-fidelity music, TV dialogue, or anything bass-heavy.
If you use your sound system a lot, especially for movies, it’s essential to buy a quality subwoofer. We’ve seen good subs and bad ones, so we can point out the difference. In today’s article, we’ll share some of the horror stories that can happen when you get a bargain basement subwoofer.
Horror Stories: What Can Go Wrong with a Cheap Subwoofer
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1. Popping Noises
One of the most common issues with speakers and subwoofers is a popping sound, which a wide range of things can cause. A cheap subwoofer may make a popping sound for various reasons related to the physical sturdiness of the subwoofer itself, loose input connections, clipped signals, or a power supply that isn’t outputting enough power.
Some of these issues can be repaired with enough research and patience. You should check the connections immediately if you hear a popping sound from your sub — it might be an easy fix. The most common cause of a popping subwoofer is related to damaged RCA cables or because the subwoofer is connected to an incompatible amplifier.
2. Buzzing/Humming Sound
Nothing is worse than hearing a faint buzzing or humming sound from your subwoofer. There’s a wide variety of reasons a subwoofer may buzz or hum, and it’s not a problem uncommon to cheaply built subwoofers.
Typically, when you hear a buzzing sound emanating from your subwoofer, it’s because of a ground loop problem. This is when there is a difference in the grounding between two devices, causing a current to flow through the grounded wire that produces a humming noise. This is one of the easiest things to fix and requires you to plug the subwoofer into a different outlet, a surge protector, or an audio isolation transformer.
Disrupted cables, or cables that have begun to fray or don’t have the proper shielding, can also cause an annoying buzzing sound. If the cables that connect the subwoofer to your audio source have any damage, they can pick up electrical interference from other electronic devices, resulting in a nasty buzzing sound.
If you end up going with a cheap subwoofer, there’s a chance it can’t handle its maximum volume. Turning the bass or volume up too high on your subwoofer can cause a clipping effect in the audio signal, resulting in a loud buzzing or humming sound. The same can be said of a cheap subwoofer that wasn’t built correctly or was damaged in shipping. Damage to the speaker cone, magnets, and coil can all cause a permanent issue with buzzing or humming from the subwoofer.
3. Power Issues
One of the more common problems that cheap subwoofers face is power issues. Cheap subwoofers are often built with low-quality amplifiers that cannot deliver enough to drive the speaker. This can result in a distorted sound, low volume, or even a subwoofer that seemingly won’t power on. Additionally, subwoofers built with low-quality components sometimes don’t have the proper protection circuits to prevent issues such as overheating, short-circuiting, or voltage spikes.
4. Driver Magnet Failure
Subwoofers have a driver magnet, a permanent magnet found at the bottom of the cone, which causes the interaction with the electromagnetic coil to power your subwoofer. This magnet may break or lose strength over time on a cheaply made subwoofer, especially one with weak plastic housing. This causes either no sound or a distorted sound from the subwoofer.
5. Distorted Sound
You’re buying a subwoofer because you want to experience the best audio quality possible, and distorted sound is the enemy of every audiophile. Subwoofers are designed to reproduce low-frequency sounds, such as bass and drums. Still, if the subwoofer is of poor quality, it can easily produce unwanted noises and vibrations that interfere with the accuracy of the sound.
When you buy a cheap or low-quality subwoofer that has a weak built-in amplifier, a flimsy plastic enclosure, or a poorly made driver that affects the overall sound quality and durability, you’re going to have a bad time. Save up a little bit more and invest in a reputable subwoofer from a trusted brand to avoid this.
6. Rattling Sounds
One of the most common problems when buying a cheap subwoofer is the rattling sound from the subwoofer. Poor-quality materials, loose components, or inadequate sound damping usually cause this. Rattling sounds can ruin a listening experience and damage your subwoofer and other audio equipment if left unchecked.
You should invest in a high-quality subwoofer with a sturdy wooden or durable enclosure to avoid rattling sounds. You’ll also want to ensure all of the screws in your subwoofer are tight-fitting and have sufficient padding. You should always place your subwoofer on a solid surface and away from walls or corners that could amplify vibrations.
7. Cone Seal Failure
A big risk in buying a cheap subwoofer is cone seal failure. This happens when the adhesive that holds the cone to the basket deteriorates over time, causing air to leak and reducing sound quality. Cheap subwoofers made with poor materials tend not to be as durable to heat and humidity, causing the adhesive to wear off the cone seal quickly.
Of course, it isn’t always the speaker’s fault. I hate to admit it, but I’ve damaged a few subs from cranking the volume up too loud. Just because your amp lets you turn the volume up to a certain point, doesn’t mean the subwoofer can handle it. Quality amplifiers will have built-in protection that shuts the system down automatically to protect your equipment. So, if you’re going to invest big bucks in a sub, make sure your amp is good too.
Choosing the Right Subwoofer: Avoid the Horror
When you’re looking for the best subwoofer, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind, such as:
- Size
- Power
- Frequency Response
- Included features
- Brand
Size
The size of the subwoofer affects both its performance and its placement. Larger subwoofers can produce deeper and louder bass. However, they also will take up more floor space and may be harder to integrate with your existing speakers. Smaller subwoofers can fit in tighter spaces and blend in better with your decor. They may not have enough power or range to fill a large room or satisfy bass-heavy enthusiasts.
Power
The power of a subwoofer is measured in watts, indicating how loud and dynamic the subwoofer can get. Higher wattage means more volume and a higher headroom. This is helpful in bigger rooms or for high-octane action scenes in content. However, power isn’t everything, and you also need to consider the efficiency and quality of the subwoofer’s driver and amplifier.
Frequency
The frequency response of the subwoofer shows how low it can go in terms of hertz (Hz), the unit of sound frequency. Lower sound frequencies mean deeper bass but require more power and larger drivers. The human ear can hear sounds from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. However, most subwoofers can only go as low as 30 or 40 Hz. Some subwoofers can reach below 20 Hz, called ‘infrasound’ or sub-bass. These are typically high-end enthusiast subwoofers and require special equipment and room setups.
Features
Many subwoofers have tons of included features, such as a built-in crossover device that filters out the high-frequency sounds from your subwoofer’s input signal and sends them to the main speaker. This allows the subwoofer to focus only on sounds designed for it, improving your audio input’s overall quality and clarity. Some will also have what’s called a phase control knob. This allows you to adjust the timing of the subwoofer’s output relative to the main speakers.
And, of course, in 2023, many subwoofers offer wireless connectivity options such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, so you can stream music from your smartphone, tablet, or computer without cables. I should warn you, though, that while this may be convenient, it’s not recommended for the audiophile experience as it can introduce latency and interference issues if your network quality isn’t up to par.
Brand
There are more brands of subwoofers than ever before, but it’s important to ensure you buy a subwoofer from a reputable audio company. Don’t be tempted by the cheap brands you see for suspiciously low prices on Amazon. I recommend using a subwoofer from SVS, Polk Audio, Sony, and Klipsch. These are all well-established audio brands that have been producing some of the best audio equipment for decades. Below, we’ll have a few recommendations for solid subwoofers at decent prices for you to check out.
Top Subwoofer Recommendations
So, now you know what can happen if you cheap out on a subwoofer. You know what to look for in a good subwoofer. But this doesn’t change the fact that there are an insane amount of options to pick from. Where do you start?
You don’t need to spend thousands. However, all of these picks are at least a few hundred. It will therefore be an investment you’ll have to make in your audio setup.
SVS SB-100 Pro Sealed Subwoofer
- Delivers massive output
- 50MHz Analog devices audio DSP
- Controlled with DSP smartphone app
- Rigidly braced sealed subwoofer cabinet
The SVS SB-100 Pro is a great choice for anyone living in a smaller space like an apartment. Alternatively, someone who just doesn’t want to clutter their living room with A/V equipment. Easily hidden underneath end tables, the SB-1000 Pro produces deep bass and comes with a smartphone app with an EQ. This allows you to smooth the sound and improve clarity. It also comes at a great price, so it’s not breaking the bank.
Monoprice SW-12 400 Watt Subwoofer
- Variable phase control
- 12in Driver
- 33 ~ 150Hz frequency response
- Simple set up
The Monoprice SW-12 400-watt subwoofer is another powerful and compact subwoofer that can enhance audio with a deeper and more dramatic bass. It’s built with a front-firing 12-inch woofer, a ported design, variable phase control, and a low-pass filter that allows you to adjust the sound to your preferences. The subwoofer has a frequency response of 33 to 150 Hz. It can deliver a maximum of 600 watts at peak power. This is one of the best budget subwoofers on the market in this price range, offering a tight and impactful bass for under $300 from Amazon.
Klipsch R-120SW Subwoofer
- 12" high excursion subwoofer for quality low-frequency sound
- Competitive frequency range
- Maximum acoustic output of 116dB with a 400-watt peak power
- Bass-reflex via rear-firing port for enhanced bass performance
- Includes manual, grill, and power cord for a complete setup
The Klipsch R-120SW Subwoofer is a powerful and versatile speaker that delivers a deep and accurate bass for any home audio system. It features a 12-inch spun-copper IMG woofer that can handle up to 400 watts of peak power and a digital amplifier built-in that provides dynamic headroom along with low distortion. There’s also a variable low-pass crossover and phase control setting. This optimizes the performance, regardless of your room size and placement.
While it doesn’t come with it, you can also buy the Klipsch WA-2 wireless subwoofer kit, so you can place it anywhere in your room without running cables. Klipsch is a high-end brand, so it is nice to see this sub at under $600.
- $514.77Buy on Amazon
- Delivers massive output
- 50MHz Analog devices audio DSP
- Controlled with DSP smartphone app
- Rigidly braced sealed subwoofer cabinet
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/30/2023 10:38 am GMT - $250.61Buy on Amazon
- Variable phase control
- 12in Driver
- 33 ~ 150Hz frequency response
- Simple set up
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/30/2023 10:43 am GMT - $229.00Buy on Amazon
- 12" high excursion subwoofer for quality low-frequency sound
- Competitive frequency range
- Maximum acoustic output of 116dB with a 400-watt peak power
- Bass-reflex via rear-firing port for enhanced bass performance
- Includes manual, grill, and power cord for a complete setup
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/30/2023 10:43 am GMT
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