The grounds to purchase a separate subwoofer may differ greatly, but there is one thing that unites all of them — it should be of a decent quality. If you face any budget limitations, the selected item ought not to be the compromise between the price and quality, and the list of top-notch subwoofers under $500 is here to prove that. Just check it out!

Editor’s Choice: Quick Comparison

Name
Image
Special Feature
Dimensions (in inches)
Weight (in pounds)
Price (in US dollars)
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Definitive Technology ProSub800 Powered Subwoofer
Adjustable feet for excellent stability15.8 x 10.4 x 12.913.23*
Audioengine S8 Powered Subwoofer
Outstanding compatibility11.25 x 11.25 x 11.2530*
Bic Acoustech PL-200 II Subwoofer
Sturdy construction11.6 x 12.5 x 4742.9**
Klipsch 12” R-12SWi Wireless Subwoofer
Smooth and simple installation and hook-up18.5 x 14. X 1637.4**
ELAC SUB1010 10” Powered Subwoofer
Continuously adjustable crossover12.19 x 13.19 x 13.5626***

Definitive Technology ProSub800 Powered Subwoofer

The best subwoofer for music under 500 is the model that is most powerful and excellent in performance, isn’t it? For some customers, that is completely true, so why not include such a treasure to our list today?

Without any slightest hesitation, this woofer is capable of producing a thunderous bass to shake the soul of your body — with three hundred watts of RMS power, it will be able to drive a wide divergence of devices. Please note that this option has an eight-inch radiator only, so its dimensions are more complimenting in terms of installation and placement.

The manufacturer has applied a special radiator-production technology to make this bass breath-taking efficiency possible. Its surface provides twenty-seven percent more radiating area than bigger counterparts. That means customers are not limited in choosing the area to set up the piece and can enjoy its brilliant performance anywhere and anytime.

With discrete MOSFET output devices applied, this solution increases the quality of customer experience, regardless of whether they are fans of casual audio platforms or more complicated home theater systems. Moreover, the piece contains an infinite power source amplifier to guarantee enough energy is transmitted for the required volume and other bass specifications.

At the same time, you are not limited in the device’s linking ability. It is a piece of cake to connect this element to any multi-channel device or stereo gadget, etc.

What definitely differentiates this machine from several others not just in our ranking, but on the market as well, is its adjustable feet. Not only is it designed for better stability of the woofer, but it also verifies secure placement with no care of how hard the placement surface is. If the floor is uneven, it won’t become a negative factor — the model is designed to be height-adjustable. There are four rubbed tips to ensure great-floor-fit.

Pros
  • Compact design
  • Exclusive BDSS drivers
  • Special production technologies for soul-shaking bass
  • Super powerful
Cons
  • No considerable drawbacks found
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Audioengine S8 Powered Subwoofer

If you are eager to get a tool to expand your audio setup, this solution will come in handy. The front of the sub simply features a black hole, and you can see all the way through to the circuit board within. In this perspective, it is necessary not to block it in any way to make sure the air flow it influences isn’t affected.

At the bottom, you will find the eight-inch downward-firing subwoofer, as well as four feet to keep it off the ground. The back panel has a power input towards the bottom. There you will be able to access power on/off switch and voltage selection.

Moving up, there are the volume, crossover, and phase control dials. As you can notice, the location of the control buttons is pretty simple, and the same relates to installation, adjustment, and customization procedures which follow unboxing.

The system of inputs and outputs makes the solution very friendly in terms of connection ease. It is compatible with all powered and passive speakers, external preamplifiers, turntables, and several other products like DVD players and various game consoles.

The built-in amplifier is class D, and that is one of the most preferable solutions for experienced customers. The power output is two hundred and fifty watts (twice less for RMS rates).

The package is a definite all-in-one kit. Along with the sub itself, the users will get necessary cables for setup and an owner’s manual, as well as a power cable, special storage bags for wires. What is more, the manufacturer offers a three-year transferable warranty. That is just another sign of how sure the specialists are in the quality of their production.

Pros
  • Warranty from the manufacturer
  • All-in-one kit
  • Excellent compatibility
  • Special bold design
Cons
  • Despite the size, it is rather heavyweight
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Bic Acoustech PL-200 II Subwoofer

On a budget, this is a fairly rocking subwoofer. With the help of a special receiver/transmitter wireless kit, the installation is a breeze. As a result, there is no need to think about positive and negative leads and the way to connect all the wires without any mistakes. If you apply external antennas, it will be possible to enjoy up to sixty (or eighty, if unobstructed) feet. Regardless of how far the tool is within this range, there will be no dropouts or delays.

In this perspective, the number of devices to link to the sub has increased significantly. If you are looking for the best subwoofer under 500 to listen to favorite music without borders and limitations, then this is the right shot. The product under analysis will suit both advanced home theater systems and common Mac and PC platforms.

The manufacturer has equipped the piece with a state-of-the-art amplifier. With up to one thousand watts of peak power and two hundred and fifty watts of RMS, it is considerably more powerful than numerous models available on the market in the same price range.

The design differentiates with its front-firing layout. The frequency response is from twenty-two to two hundred Hertz. Please note the machine possesses volume controls and a functional crossover. All of these features simplify sound tuning for both newcomers and expert consumers.

To ensure the prolonged durability of the system, the brand has added a high power magnet and sturdy materials. A long excursion surround is of high value too. At thirty Hertz, the sensitivity level is measured to be one hundred and ten decibels.

Of course, such dimensions can’t help but influence the power of sound reproduction capabilities of the unit. On the one hand, it is a bit cumbersome and won’t fit varied placement options. On the other hand, it is the best solution for larger environments with a need of deep and ground-shaking bass.

Pros
  • Powerful built-in amplifier
  • Marvelous connectivity
  • Top-rated surround sound
  • Great durability
Cons
  • Heavyweight
  • Cumbersome design
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Klipsch 12” R-12SWi Wireless Subwoofer

Without a doubt, this brand is one of the most recognizable and sought-after on the list. And that’s for a reason. With their long history of success, the company’s specialists have invested a lot of effort and resources in order to produce excellent and durable audio equipment. The R-12SWi piece is a worthy heir of the organization.

The design style is a combo of traditional Klipsch elements. The black-and-golden palette applied makes it look gorgeous and luxurious. This speaker type possesses a twelve-inch front-firing. It is equipped with a pre-paired transmitter of a 2.4 GHz class, and that is a guarantee customers will be able to set up the unit without any issues or unexpected challenges.

The model is equipped with an all-digital amplifier, low pass crossover, and phase control. This allows tuning the product to the full extent. Either you would like to establish that same perfect bass level or increase the reproduction accuracy, this solution is a big deal.

Since it is a twelve-inch woofer with a powerful amplifier built-in, this unit will be more suitable for larger rooms.

Taking into account this woofer can be installed wirelessly, it is a big bonus for users who are looking for the best home theater subwoofer under 500. The reason for that is clear. Even the simplest modification of a home theater system includes a wide range of devices, so it is a wonderful simplification for consumers to get rid of extra wires and cables while boosting up the sound quality of their equipment.

Pros
  • Simplified installation
  • Reputable manufacturer
  • Great performance and value
Cons
  • Heavyweight
  • Its lowest frequency response range is only 29 Hz
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ELAC SUB1010 10” Powered Subwoofer

If you are looking for a highly-quality engineering treasure, then this unit can’t be omitted. What is attention-grabbing about this product is its excellent selection of materials, which are accompanied by profound ELAC technologies. As a result, excellent bass music is always at your disposal.

In general, the ten-inch solution under account is created out of high-excursion textured polypropylene. The black ash vinyl cabinet finish makes the machine look completely stunning.

The woofer’s connectivity with other elements is great as well. It doesn’t matter if the selected device has to suit the already existing system or a new one — it will come in handy in both cases.

Please note this sub is a powered one, so it will complement your system’s efficiency. The machine is equipped with a class AB amp. The latter offers sixty watts of RMS power.

There is a standby mode to reduce the energy consumption as much as possible. The built-in crossover influences accuracy and deepness of sound reproduction, and you can adjust its performance from forty to one hundred and fifty Hertz. Besides, the frequency response rate is from thirty-seven to two hundred Hertz.

In this term, there are solutions which are capable of producing lower frequencies, but they usually cost considerably more. Even in this list of the best subwoofers under $500, it is a champion — it is the most affordable purchase amongst other nominees, especially on Amazon.

The manufacturer asks their followers to be careful and choose the right location for this subwoofer. To ensure their great performance, only level surface is recommended to consider. Besides, if you would like to avoid any possible issues, it is better not to mount the piece in the areas of high humidity and where direct sunlight rules. Taking into account the unit under account is not magnetically shielded, any cooperation with corresponding elements will cause negative results. Let’s be more precise. The performance of CRT TVs may get worsened, if you locate this sub somewhere nearby. Besides, if you would like your credit cards to be safe and sound, don’t lay them down on this woofer.

Pros
  • Excellent construction and engineering
  • Beautiful design
  • Adjustable crossover
  • Great connectivity
Cons
  • The installation location has to be well-thought-out and verified
  • The built-in amp isn’t the most powerful among competitors
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Buyer’s Guide

The feature sets are all different, and the models reviewed above just help us to confirm this statement. That’s why it may be so complicated for users to select only one device that will satisfy as many of their needs and desires as possible. The main recommendation for the target audience of the offer is to prepare for shopping thoroughly. This means you have to check where you are going to locate the device, with what elements it will be matched (if you already possess some), etc. Here are a few more things to think about during considerations.

Design

Without a doubt, the price has a great impact on how well (or not so) the woofer will look like. The tag we focus on allows us to take a closer look at more expensive models. At this point, they have to function enormously great and boast of a gorgeous appearance style. There are a lot fewer excuses for such products, and the stakes are high.

Aesthetics are the leading criteria that drive minds of the developers. Clean edges have to be accompanied with sleek lines. Materials applied can’t be bad-looking or bad-working, especially in the long run. Of course, five hundred dollars are not the highest cost to be spent for subwoofers, but this limitation gives a wonderful opportunity to select the model to your deepest heart’s content.

Features

As it has been already mentioned, functions differ greatly from one model to another. Take into account your objectives. If you have a lot of tools to implement into your home theater system, it would be better to select a wireless sub. At the same time, for larger environments, bigger and more powerful units will be more preferable. In the majority of cases, installation is smooth and doesn’t cause a lot of pain (for newbies too). If you prefer a wired tool, it is a must to ensure the quantity of connections is enough to hook up all the pieces of your system.

Value

Any debate of woofers is aimed at revolving around two basic specifications — the power of the machine and the driver’s size. You don’t have to purchase the most powerful solution on the market, but the range between 250-500 watts of RMS is better to stick to. Anyway, woofers with a less functional amplifier don’t necessarily sound worse than their counterparts. The frequency response plays a big role, and the lowest the minimal point is, the more accurate and deeper the performance will be in the end.

FAQ

Is it better to purchase two woofers of ten inch than one but of twelve inch?

In general, a lot depends on your purposes and placement environment specifications. If you are going to install the woofer (of a pair of them) in a large room, then both options will work great. The only difference is the sound quality. Given adequate power, either product will sound clean and accurate. However, the punch is going to be harder in the case of a subwoofer set, while a bigger depth of sound reproduction will be obvious when the single twelve-inch model is switched on.

What should I choose — two or four ohm subwoofers?

Not only influences the kind of resistance the variety of tools you want to connect to, but it also determines how qualitative the sound of bass will be. In general, the lower the impedance balance is, the louder bass achieved can be. Two ohm devices are more energy-consumption-effective, but their substitutes tend to deliver audio of a higher quality. On the contrary, four ohm woofers are more demanding in terms of the amount of power they need to function properly.

Conclusion

With the help of professional advice and products to pay attention to first out of thousands of models, the choice of a perfect-match subwoofer for your home theater system doesn’t seem a daunting task anymore, does it? Of course, the price tag matters, but that is not the reason to choose the very first model you see on the website like Amazon and invest your funds in it. Take your time and find out more about the field and what will help you make the best decision. And we are always here to make your dreams come true faster and simpler than ever before!

 

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Troy Hanks

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