If your speaker system needs an extra kick in the low-end, then it might be time to invest in a subwoofer. A good subwoofer (or two) is a key component for any healthy surround sound setup because it takes the strain off whatever floorstanding or bookshelf speakers you’ve got in place to deliver low frequencies that they just aren’t built for. Movies and TV shows featuring explosions, fight sequences, and other hard-hitting scenes are brilliantly enhanced by the presence of a subwoofer.
They’re also amazing for music. Everything from punk to smooth jazz to classical gets a high-quality boost when a sub shows up. The only problem is that there’s a dizzying amount of these specialized speakers to choose from. Fortunately, we’ve compiled this roundup of the best subwoofers you can buy right now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bigger subwoofers better?
They can be. Larger woofers can produce more accurate, room-filling bass with a bigger “shake” factor than smaller models. But that’s only one consideration. A poorly constructed large subwoofer may rattle too much, for example, while smaller models with plenty of power can still do a great job.
If you’ve already made your choice, check our subwoofer setup guide to get everything put together correctly and our calibration guide to help maximize performance in any listening space.
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