Best 8 Inch Subwoofer Buying Guide by Stereo Authority with Top 5 Reviews

Looking to buy the best 8-inch subwoofer to boost up the audio quality of your car? Want to get rid of factory-made speakers by replacing them with the best 8″ subwoofers? I am in love with these compactly sized car subwoofers. With decent size and sound quality that is better than all other variants, these 8 Inch Subwoofers are here to stay.

In this article, we will review the top five of the best 8-inch subwoofers for your car audio system.

When it comes to buying the 8-inch subwoofer, there are many aspects to consider. The power management, impedance, bass power, and high-quality material construction are some of the important aspects you need to consider before buying these super cool subwoofers.

I personally like 8-inch subwoofers because they are compact in size, yet they still deliver powerful bass. I am using the 8-inch subwoofer in one of my work cars and bass is just super neat.

The products that we have listed in our article are thoroughly researched on the basis of their performance, deep bass ability, clear and loud music assurance, price tag and different user reviews so that it will be easy for you to pick out the best one regarding your needs.

Comparison Table for Best 8 Inch Subwoofer

Here I have added 5 subwoofers for you to buy in 2021. You can find important features of these products along with the price tag.

8 Inch SubwooferRMS/PeakLowest FrequencyPrice
Boss Audio Subwoofer300W/600W49hzCheck Price
Planet Audio AC8D750W/1200W39hzCheck Price
Boss Audio CX8200W/400W42hzCheck Price
Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8150W/300W38hzCheck Price
Alpine Electronics PWE-S8120W/240W32hzCheck Price

Boss Audio – 8 Inch Subwoofer

Boss Audio Car Subwoofer tops our list for being the best 8-inch subwoofer available on the market and why wouldn’t it? The subwoofer has got all the qualities and features to make it one of the most popular 8-inch subwoofers on the market.

This subwoofer has a 2-inch aluminum voice coil, which is rated at 4 ohms, to provide you a loud and clear voice without any distortion and worries. Boss Audio is my personal favorite and with super sound production, you will love this best 8-inch subwoofer.

The cone of this 8-inch subwoofer is made up of polyurethane that is able to resist any type of heating and tearing issues. As a result, it provides a deep bass. All the materials used in its construction can withstand any type of heating and still maintain its performance.

The installation of this 8-inch subwoofer is simple. You can easily install this subwoofer on a .6 cubic feet ported enclosure. The subwoofer can be mounted on the .35 cubic feet sealed enclosure as well which is for cars with less space option. The sealed .35 cubic enclosure will give you a tight bass response as well.

There is a surrounding foam available made with butyl rubber which is able to resist any type of damage being done by the external environment to the subwoofer or internal beating. Overall, the quality of the subwoofer is amazing.

Technical Specifications :

  • RMS: 300 Watts
  • Peak Power: 600 Watt
  • Sensitivity: 83 dB
  • Resonant Frequency: 49 Hz
  • Impedance: 4 Ohms
BOSS Audio Systems CXX8 8 Inch Car Subwoofer - 600 Watts Maximum Power, Single 4 Ohm Voice Coil, Easy Mounting, Sold Individually
  • Cone - Made from Polypropylene, The CXX8 8 Inch Car Subwoofer Provides a Resilient and Durable Material That Can Offer Great Sound with The Advantage of a Long-Lasting Subwoofer
  • Surround - Rubber has the ability to endure much punishment without any sign of damage. It complements the whole structure of the speaker by allowing constant abuse where it is most needed, without the wear and tear
  • Stamped Basket - A stamped basket can absorb and transfer much of the energy produced by the speaker. It has good corrosion resistance, good mechanical property, high thermal and electrical conductivity and retains strength at high temperatures.
  • Voice Coil - Our voice coils are able to withstand high temperatures yet maintain its strength and fatigue properties. Making our voice coils with this material gives our speakers the advantage of longer pay times with lower weights
  • Specs - Resonant Frequency: 49 Hz, Sensitivity SPL (1W/1m): 83 Db, Dimensions: 8. 25” x 8. 25” x 4. 3”

Some of the pros and cons are as follows :

Pros :

  • Affordable Subwoofers.
  • Perfect for small spaces.
  • Clear and loud sound quality.
  • less distortion.
  • Deep Bass.
  • Polyurethane Cone.

Cons :

  • Better choices are available.

Final Views :

Boss Audio Car Subwoofer tops the list for being a good 8 inch subwoofer in a very cheap price range with many good features. The subwoofer is able to provide you a good and clear loud music without any distortion or noise as well. Go for it, if you need a compact size subwoofer for your car audio system.


Planet Audio AC8D

Planet Audio AC8D is another one of the best 8-inch subwoofers on the market today, with many advanced features and specs. The subwoofer has a compact design and can be fitted anywhere easily. Furthermore, it is packed with a 1200 watt power output and is rated at 4 ohms respectively. On the other hand, there is a 2-inch voice coil present which will allow you to have a loud and clear voice easily.

The cone of the 8-inch subwoofer is made up of a very reliable and sturdy polypropylene which is able to take the continuous beating and that too without any issues. The subwoofer surround is made up of durable foam which is why the speaker has got a more natural response as compared to other best 8 inch subwoofers.

The installation is easy, but it cannot fit as easily in low space areas, as compared to Boss Audio Car Subwoofer. It can be installed on .9 cubic feet enclosure whereas for sealed enclosure it requires a space of .35 cubic feet.

This best 8 inch subwoofer comes at a low cost as far as its specs and features are concerned. It is keen on providing you a loud and clear noise without any distortion. It is able to ensure a deep bass for more audio quality. The maximum power output of the subwoofer is also 1200 watt which makes it the best subwoofer to provide a crystal clear sound.

Moreover, if you really want to step up your car audio quality, these subwoofers are there to hold your hand. The price is also very reasonable and you will just love the way these subwoofers produce a deep bass sound with very little distortion.

Sale
Planet Audio AC8D 8 Inch Car Subwoofer - 1200 Watts Maximum Power, Dual 4 Ohm Voice Coil, Sold Individually
  • CONE: Made From Polypropylene, The AC8D 8 Inch Car Subwoofer Provides a Resilient And Durable Material That Can Offer Great Sound With The Advantage Of Long Lasting Subwoofers
  • VOICE COIL: Our Voice Coils Are Able To Withstand High Temperatures Yet Maintain Its Strength And Fatigue Properties. Making Our Voice Coils With This Material, Gives Our Speakers The Advantage Of Longer Pay Times With Lower Weights
  • SURROUND: Foam is very flexible, providing the subwoofer with higher efficiency. This also translates to better excursion. (How far the cone of a speaker linearly travels from its resting position).
  • STAMPED BASKET: The stamped basket offers a strong and rigid platform allowing the listener to hear clean and clear music output
  • SPECIFICATIONS: Resonant Frequency - 39 Hz, Sensitivity SPL (1W/1m) - 85 Db

Technical Specifications :

  • RMS: 750 Watts
  • Peak Power: 1200 Watt
  • Sensitivity: 85 dB
  • Resonant Frequency: 39 Hz
  • Impedance: 4 Ohms

Some of the pros and cons are as follows :

Pros :

  • Compact Design.
  • Polypropylene Cone.
  • 2-inch voice coil.
  • Provide clear sound quality.
  • Great for car audio system.
  • Deep Bass Sound.
  • 3-year warranty.

Cons :

  • Requires more space to be fitted on ported enclosure.
  • No other cons to specify.

Final Views :

Plant Audio AC8D is the most affordable choice for people who are looking for a best 8-inch subwoofer in an medium price range. The subwoofer is able to provide you with great music quality and deep bass sound as well. You can buy this subwoofer if you really want to enjoy car music whenever you are on long routes.


Boss Audio CX8

Boss Audio CX8 is another one of the most popular and famous 8-inch car subwoofers you will find in an astonishingly affordable price range. For under 50 bucks, you can acquire a subwoofer which is able to provide you with great sound quality – way beyond what you can get with factory made speakers. The subwoofer has a maximum power value of 400 watts and it comes in 1-inch aluminum voice coil rather than the 2-inch coil.

Additionally, the cone of the subwoofer is made of durable polyurethane material which is used to overcome heating and tearing issues on a large volume. On the other hand, the surrounding comes with a regular foam which is justified because of the low output rating.

Next, this subwoofer also comes with an easy installation. It can be adjusted on a .6 cubic feet sealed enclosure. However, it requires .7 cubic feet space for a ported enclosure. You can also go for porting housing as the space difference is much less.

This best 8 inch subwoofer comes with a very reasonable price range. Not all people want to hear loud music with very deep bass. This subwoofer is specially made for those people who want to enjoy music with the best audio experience with a short budget subwoofer. The best 8 inch subwoofer is easily blend-able with your existing car audio system and will provide you a crystal clear sound quality.

The subwoofer lacks a bit of loudness as it has low output rating and if you exceed the volume from a certain limit, you can face distortion. As we said this subwoofer is only for people who want to enjoy more clear sound with a good bass feature. This subwoofer is providing all these features at a very reasonable price.

BOSS Audio Systems CX8 Car Subwoofer - 400 Watts Maximum Power, 8 Inch, Single 4 Ohm Voice Coil, Sold Individually
  • Cone - Made from polyurethane, the CX8 8 inch car subwoofer provides a resilient and durable material that can offer great sound with the advantage of long lasting subwoofers
  • Voice Coil - Our voice coils are able to withstand high temperatures yet maintain its strength and fatigue properties. Making our voice coils with this material gives our speakers the advantage of longer pay times with lower weights
  • Surround - Foam is very flexible, providing the subwoofer with higher efficiency. This also translates to better excursion. (How far the cone of a speaker linearly travels from its resting position)
  • Basket - A stamped basket can absorb and transfer much of the energy produced by the speaker. It has good corrosion resistance, good mechanical property, high thermal and electrical conductivity and retains strength at high temperatures.
  • Specs - Resonant frequency: 42 Hz, Sensitivity SPL (1W/1m): 83 Db, Impedance: 4 Ohms, Port frequency: 43 kHz, Dimensions: 8. 5” x 8. 5” x 4”, Mounting Depth: 3. 6”, Mounting hole: 7. 1”, Weight: 3. 6 Lbs.

Technical Specifications :

  • RMS: 200 Watts
  • Peak Power: 400 Watt
  • Sensitivity: 83 dB
  • Resonant Frequency: 42 Hz
  • Impedance: 4 Ohms
  • Some of the pros and cons of Boss Audio CX8 are as follows :

Pros :

  • Compact Design.
  • Affordable price.
  • 1-inch aluminum voice coil.
  • Perfect for small audio systems.
  • Provides clear sound on limited volume.
  • Good bass available.

Cons :

  • Not as good as other subwoofers.
  • Distortion on high volume limit.

Final Views :

Boss Audio CX8 is an ideal choice for people who want a compact and best 8-inch subwoofer at a very cheap price. The subwoofer allows you to have a crystal clear sound on limited volume and with good deep bass as well. Go for it, if you need a short budget subwoofer with awesome sound quality.


Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8

Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 is the ideal choice for people who want to make a good investment to buy the best 8 inch subwoofer. The subwoofer is able to provide crystal clear and loud audio quality without any distortion. That being said, it has got a sturdy and compact design as well which will let you install the speaker easily in less space.

The peak power output of this subwoofer is 300 watts and it has dual channels for easy installation. Furthermore, the 2-ohm voice coil is also present which will allow the subwoofer to deliver a loud sound with clarity and cleanness as well.

The patented vented spider basket present on the top of this 8 inch subwoofer allows it to dissipate the heat so that you won’t face any issues while listening to a loud music for a long period of time. Read about if you want more bass out of your subwoofer.

The subwoofer is compact and is meant to be adjusted on tight sealed and ported enclosures easily. Furthermore, it is able to deliver a deep low even when you put the volume of the music at a low level. Learn here about properly mounting the subwoofer box in the trunk.

The dual voice coil makes it easy to install and hook up the best 8-inch subwoofer on an amplifier. You won’t have to need another speaker for matching the impedance of both subwoofers. On the other hand, the 8-inch subwoofer is able to deliver a deep and rich bass sound which can easily be felt in-car environment allowing you to enjoy every bit of your favorite music.

All the components of this subwoofer are made from high-quality materials and it will last for a long period of time. The durable and reliable materials also resist the overheating and tearing issues just like in ordinary subwoofers.

Sale
Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 8" Dual 2-Ohm Punch Series Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer
  • The Rockford Fosgate P3S series shallow mount subwoofers deliver Punch, designed to deliver big bass in a tight space, with its low profile mounting depth design
  • The Punch P3SD2-8 is a slim 8” 2-Ohm DVC (dual voice coil) subwoofer with 150 Watts RMS / 300 Watts Max power handling and custom 10-AWG nickel plated push terminals
  • Featuring anodized aluminum cones and dustcaps, with a unique spider venting design to keep the motor cooler and a new hybrid stamp-cast basket providing super strength while minimizing weight and resonance
  • Optimized for both sealed and vented enclosures {Sealed (Vb): 0.25 cu. ft. (7.0 Liters) / Vented (Vb): 0.75 cu. ft. (21.2 Liters) / Mounting Depth: 2.66 in. (67.5 mm) / Cutout Diameter: 7.13 in. (181.0 mm)}
  • Famous Rockford Fosgate build quality with a full 1-year warranty when purchased from an authorized Rockford Fosgate reseller

Technical Specifications :

  • RMS: 150 Watts
  • Peak Power: 300 Watt
  • Sensitivity: 82.7 dB
  • Resonant frequency: 38 Hz
  • Impedance: 2 Ohms

Some of the pros and cons of Rockford best 8-inch subwoofers are as follows :

Pros :

  • Compact Design.
  • High-quality construction.
  • Vented Spider basket to avoid heating issues.
  • Dual voice coil subwoofer.
  • Easy to install.
  • Deep bass in low volume.
  • Music enjoyment with clear audio quality.

Cons :

  • Pricey.
  • Needs to be housed in an enclosure.

Final Views :

Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 is the best investment you can make in buying the best 8-inch subwoofer as it has some awesome features in a hefty price range. The high-quality materials are long-lasting and durable. Go for it, if you need an 8-inch subwoofer for deep bass in low volumes.


Alpine Electronics PWE-S8

Well, if you want a complete unit of amplifier plus subwoofer in a single box, Alpine Electronics PWE-S8 is the ideal choice for you. The subwoofer unit has got a built-in amplifier with it which allows you to just connect it to your car audio system and play powerful music with deep bass without any issues. The subwoofer unit can easily be fitted into the trunk of the car or any other place you want it.

The enclosure of the best 8-inch subwoofer unit is made from die-cast aluminum which will last for a longer period of time. Other than that, the subwoofer has a frequency response of 32-150 Hz respectively. The subwoofer has a maximum peak power of 240 watts and has an RMS value of 120 watts respectively. Read this guide on car door speakers.

The subwoofer unit is able to provide you a clear-cut sound with the help of quad coil voice in it. The subwoofer allows you to enjoy music with good audio and sound quality without the worries of distortion as well. I have explained here, subwoofer size chart along with features and specifications of different car subwoofers.

Technical Specifications :

  • RMS: 120 Watts
  • Peak Power: 240 Watt
  • Sensitivity: 82.7 dB
  • Resonant Frequency: 32 Hz
  • Impedance: 2 Ohms

Alpine Electronics PWE-S8 Restyle Compact Powered 8-Inch Subwoofer , black
  • 8-Inch Subwoofer And 120W Amplifier, Housed Together In A Cast Aluminum Enclosure
  • The Compact Size Measures Just 13.5” L X 9” W X 3” D So It Can Be Installed Under Or Behind A Seat In A Truck, In A Sedan’S Trunk Or In An Suv’S Hatch
  • 32Hz-150Hz Frequency Response, Power Rating: 120W Rms. Rca (0.1-4V) / Speaker Input (1.5-30V/Auto Sensing)
  • Rca And Auto-Sensing Speaker Level Inputs Are Located On The Side Panel, Along With Controls For Phase, Gain, Lp Crossover And Remote Sub Level

Some of the pros and cons are as follows :

Pros :

  • Complete unit.
  • Amplifier included.
  • The subwoofer is compact.
  • Crystal Clear Sound quality.
  • The enclosure is durable.

Cons :

  • Complicated installation.
  • No other cons to specify.

Final Views :

Alpine Electronics PWE-S8 has introduced the complete and best 8 inch subwoofer unit in an affordable price range. Go for it, if you don’t want to buy separate components with the subwoofer.


Final Words About 8 Inch Subwoofers for 2021

Well, after a detailed review, and a complete buying guide, it is now clear that you can make a good choice based on your requirements. Just keep the necessary factors in mind before buying the best 8 inch subwoofer and you are good to go. If you want our opinion, we will recommend you to buy

Boss Audio CX8 for a minimum budget.

Planet Audio AC8D for medium budget.

Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 for a maximum budget.

So, make your choice and start enjoying your favorite music with better audio quality and deep bass provided by the best 8 inch subwoofers.

Buying Guide for 8 Inch Subwoofer

Making a decision of buying a perfect 8 inch subwoofer is quite difficult to make. You need to be well aware of important aspects which will affect the quality of a subwoofer and that’s why we will discuss some of the important aspects in brief notes in our guide so that you can understand the 8 inch subwoofer without any issues.

Well, Let’s Start!!

The Wattage of 8 Inch Subwoofer :

The wattage of a subwoofer that you often see on the box means that how much your subwoofer is capable of handling the peak or continuous power. There are two main terms used in this regard :

  • Peak Wattage: This determines the maximum power your car subwoofer can handle. The more the maximum power handling, the less are overheating and distortion issues and vice versa.
  • RMS: Root means square value of an 8-inch subwoofer means that how much power your car subwoofer can use continuously. If you have got a long way to drive regularly, you may want to consider this value of subwoofer instead of the peak value.

Amplifier for 8 Inch Subwoofer :

An amplifier is a device which is used to provide the proper and enhanced electronic signals to the speaker or subwoofers so that they can run properly. If you have got a high wattage 8-inch subwoofer, you may need to connect it to a compatible amplifier so that the amp can meet its power requirements.

Make sure to buy a compatible amplifier for your car subwoofer as it comes in different varieties and if you have bought the wrong one, it won’t work with the specific type of 8 inch subwoofer you are using. Read here in detail about Best Car Amplifiers.

Intended Usage :

Ask Yourself, “What Kind of Music I want to hear from my 8 inch subwoofer?“. If you are more into loud and pop music, you must consider buying an expensive music subwoofer setup which is able to meet your requirements. However, if your requirement is only the deep bass and good sound quality, you may settle for a short budget 8 inch subwoofer as well.

Budget :

Budget is the factor most people ignore but without a proper budget idea in your mind, you will end up either buying a very expensive one subwoofer or a very cheap priced subwoofer, both not able to complete your requirements or need. Read here about Best Double Din Stereo.

So, it is a good idea to keep an idea of the amount of budget, you are going to spend on a best 8 inch subwoofer so that you can buy the best available subwoofer in this price range and gear up the audio quality of our car with a bang.

Things To Consider Before Buying an 8 Inch Subwoofer

There are certain factors to consider before you buy the best 8 inch subwoofer. These things if considered with great concerned will help you a lot in picking up the best choice. So, let’s have a look at them. Read this guide about why you should a subwoofer in your car.

Size Matters :

Size has a great impact on the quality of a subwoofer. There are different sizes of subwoofers available on the marker such as 15″, 12″, 10″, 8″ and 6″ respectively. Well, here we are talking about the 8″ subwoofers only so they can provide you a good bass in a very compact size range so that you can fit them easily in your car audio system. I have seen people using a 10 inch subwoofer, but for me that’s big.

Power handling :

Power handling is a factor to consider before buying the best 8 inch subwoofer. You need to know the maximum power, your subwoofer can handle. Then you need to set the configuration of the amplifier according to the peak performance of your subwoofer and in this way, your subwoofer can perform well with deep bass and less distortion.

Enclosure :

Subwoofer’s enclosure is also an important factor to consider before you buy the best one. In many car systems, the 8 inch subwoofer will be placed in a wood type of enclosure. There are two major types of enclosures i.e. the closed enclosure used for rock music and the vented enclosure which is used to get the maximum output out of a subwoofer. So, keep this factor in mind before choosing to buy the best 8 inch subwoofer as well. Read here about Subwoofer Box Designs.

Wiring :

Wiring is a crucial factor to consider in installing an 8 inch subwoofer in your car audio system. You need a power kit for amplifier so that it can run the subwoofer easily. The subwoofer wire going from the amplifier to the subwoofer is also very necessary. Always choose the best wires for wiring your system as the cheap wires can cause the fire by overheating and are also responsible for distortion.

Price Tag :

Many 8 inch subwoofers come in a hefty price range and you need to make the best decision according to your budget. there are subwoofers available from 30 bucks or above and you need to buy the best one available in your price range.

However, it’s a common myth that expensive subwoofer is always better than the cheap one because of the high-quality materials but it is true to some extent only as you need to research a bit deeper to find out the best-priced subwoofer which will work for a longer period of time.

Good Luck!!

Team- Stereo Authority

Read here about:

Last update on 2023-02-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Leave a Comment