The Best Shallow Mount Subwoofer (Review) in 2023 | Autance

Kicking off our list is this powerful yet affordable flat subwoofer by Rockford Fosgate. The eight-inch speaker is compact enough to install in most passenger vehicles yet powerful enough to deliver the ‘punch’ you need to enjoy your favorite music. Thanks to the speaker’s Dual 2-Ohm voice coils, it’s easy to wire into your car.

Meanwhile, the subwoofer’s StampCast basket, fitted with integrated spider venting, helps the device to stay cool and firmly in place during use. To protect the speaker from daily wear and tear as well as the bumps of the road, it’s also protected by an anodized aluminum dustcap and stitched tinsel leads that offer improved reliability, reducing the risk of both fatigue and shorting. Each Rockford Fosgate product is protected by a one-year warranty, so you can rest assured it’s built to last.

Rockford Fosgate earns a second spot on our list thanks to this ultra shallow 10-inch subwoofer. The speaker’s 2-ohm dual voice coils allow it to be wired in various configurations, making for easy adaptation to practically any vehicle. Equipped with a mica injected polypropylene cone, the subwoofer produces clean and accurate bass notes journey after journey.

Meanwhile, a stamp-cast basket complete with spider venting helps to keep the motor cool. This kind of venting was once the preserve of larger subwoofers, and its integration into a slimline design proves that this compact speaker is the real deal. Like all Rockford Fosgate speakers, the R2 subwoofer is equipped with stitched tinsel leads for improved reliability, reducing the likelihood of shorts and fatigue.

The next slimline subwoofer to make it onto our list is by Kicker. Its 12-inch speaker is the perfect option for cars, trucks, and any passenger vehicle that needs a little more ‘oomph’ from its entertainment system. Thanks to its careful design, the device delivers ‘extreme bass’ without taking up your entire trunk. Featuring a 4-ohm, four-layer voice coil, the speaker can handle enough power to deliver loud and accurate bass.

Meanwhile, the subwoofer’s ventless design blends in well with virtually any car interior, making it easy to find the perfect set up for your new sound system. The subwoofer’s cone is constructed from injection-molded polypropylene, a material known for its high tensile strength. It’s also lightweight, heat-resistant, and BPA-free. Overall, this powerful and durable yet compact speaker proves that you can’t judge a book by its cover.

Pioneer is a well-known name in the world of audio equipment, and it has turned its attention towards shallow mount subwoofers with great success. This 12-inch speaker is a little larger than many options on our list, but if you can spare the room, it’s certainly a sound investment (no pun intended). Pioneer pulls out all the stops in making sure that its shallow speakers deliver all the ‘big bass’ power you’d expect from its larger cousins.

Thanks to an oversized cone surface, the subwoofer can move enough air to produce loud and deep bass. The cone is made from highly rigid resin, ensuring great durability and accuracy. Drivers say this high-quality speaker has an excellent range when it comes to bass and never misses a note no matter the track. Despite its shallow build, this carefully engineered subwoofer can really pack a punch. It’s also surprisingly affordable.

This brand might be better known for kitchen equipment, but Kenwood has also earned a spot on our list with this high quality yet affordable shallow subwoofer. The 12-inch design is perfect for cars and trucks, tucking into places that larger speakers just can’t handle. Thanks to its surprisingly lightweight design, the speaker won’t weigh down your vehicle either. The 4-ohm subwoofer manages to achieve this impressively low mass with the help of carbon fiber – long recognized for its strength, rigidity, and lightness.

Because of this rigidity, carbon fiber makes a great cone, ensuring crisp and accurate bass sounds. For extra durability, the subwoofer also features a butyl rubber surround and a cast aluminum basket. As well as being durable, the speaker also boasts a great range – especially considering its size and price point. Drivers are impressed with how powerful the speaker is given its diminutive size and weight. The sleek black design looks great with any vehicle interior.

JL Audio has also earned a place on our list, thanks to its sturdy and powerful shallow subwoofer. The 10-inch design can deliver more bass than its eight-inch counterparts, while its dual 4-ohm voice coils make for a rich, yet clean sound. Inside, a clever ‘concentric tube’ structure is built into the speaker’s injection-molded cone body. This structure allows for a substantial voice coil, and full annular spider, without taking up the space that regular subwoofers do.

Once installed, the speaker is built to last. Thanks to a cast alloy frame, and aluminum-alloy dust cap, all inner components are protected against the wear and tear of daily driving. Each speaker includes a full one-year warranty and is built to a high standard of quality in Miramar, Florida. Drivers say the speakers sound powerful yet crisp in practice and are impressed with their power given the relatively small size.

Alpine is another well-known name when it comes to car speakers and for good reason. Its shallow mount design measures in at a compact 10 inches, but don’t be fooled by its diminutive appearance. This speaker packs quite a punch. Its 4-ohm voice coil ensures a crisp, powerful sound every time, while an injection molded santoprene rubber surround keeps the whole device safe and sound during transit.

The subwoofer also features a vented heat sink and a clever airflow management system that keeps things chilly even in tight spots with virtually no distortion. Meanwhile, a sturdy aluminum cone ensures accurate tones and is super lightweight. For efficiency and compactness, Alpine’s design can’t be beaten. Drivers agree that this powerful little speaker is a great addition to any vehicle: it’s very clear, and very loud.

Earning a second space on our list is JL Audio with this thin-line 12-inch subwoofer designed specifically for cars. The device combines powerful bass capacity and quality materials, resulting in a subwoofer that’s built to perform, and built to last. The speaker’s rubber surround protects against the daily vibrations of driving, while a mica and polypropylene cone ensures crisp, accurate sound.

Like all slimline JL Audio products, this super subwoofer utilises a ‘concentric tube’ design to squeeze all the power of a conventional subwoofer into a small space. Drivers aren’t just impressed with the sheer volume that these speakers are capable of – they also appreciate how crisp and clear their favorite music becomes. At just 3.5 inches in depth, it’s easy to find the perfect spot for this small but mighty subwoofer in virtually any passenger vehicle. Featuring a sleek, black design, it blends in nicely, too.

Pioneer has also found a second place on our list with its 10-inch, 4-ohm subwoofer. Tipping the scales at under 10 pounds, the speaker is one of the lightest options to grace our list so far, making it easy to handle and install. Don’t be fooled by its featherweight credentials, though – this slimline subwoofer packs quite a punch, thanks to quality materials and a single 4-ohm voice coil.

Inside, a mica-filled resin cone produces crisp, accurate sounds, allowing drivers to fully appreciate their favorite music on the go. The cone is also oversized, making for a large surface area that allows for adequate air movement, hence louder, deeper bass sounds. The speaker’s simple but attractive exterior will be comfortably at home in almost any vehicle interior. Overall, it’s a great-sounding and budget friendly speaker that’s in its element where space is a little tight.

Last but not least is this small yet mighty subwoofer from Rockford Fosgate, earning the brand its third and final place on our list. At just eight inches, this subwoofer is the smallest of the bunch, making it ideal for really tight spots such as door panels.

Thanks to an anodized aluminum cone, the subwoofer can produce the same crisp, loud bass as its more unwieldy cousins. It also features a stamp-cast basket with spider venting, keeping things cool during long sessions of use. The subwoofer’s dual linear spiders also feature stitched tinsel leads for impressive durability and reduced risk of shorts. Finally, a santoprene surround keeps the device’s interior safe from the knocks and vibrations of life on the road.  Drivers across the board are impressed with the speaker’s power, especially considering the limited airspace this incredibly compact device has to work with.