The Best Subwoofers for Deep Bass for Home Theater and Music 2024

Let’s cut to the chase: If you have a Sonos Arc or Beam sound bar, you should add this subwoofer into the fold. With that out of the way, let’s talk about why you should get one (and why it took our “Best Wireless Subwoofer” title).

The Sonos Sub has been ranked number one in just about everyone's best subwoofers list out there at one time or another. It's also been a global best-selling subwoofer for years. That should say a lot right there. But let's look deeper.

The brilliant design of the Sub (gotta love the simplicity of the name, too) is as functional as it is eye-popping. We love that Sonos went to a matte finish this year for a more discreet look (and hides those pesky fingerprints better at the same time). The hole in the middle hides two ports, inside of which are identical drivers, aimed to fire directly at each other and configured to cancel out excess vibration while enhancing response. The result is that the Sub has almost no rattle or vibration, even when it’s pumping at max volume. Another feature of this unique design is that you can stand the Sub vertically or lay it on its side, with no change in performance. You can even slide it under a piece of furniture and still receive incredibly-full bass response.

Not only does it add serious theatrical thumps to your movie night, it will also improve your music listening sessions. Every bit of music from heavy metal to classical to hip hop have bass response that even the Sonos Arc cannot faithfully replicate. Let the sound bar handle the mid and highs while the Sub belts out the bass.

The Sub connects wirelessly with the push of its connect button, and your Sonos system automatically configures the Sub optimally for whatever you’re playing. You do have some control via the Sonos app, which allows you to flip the phase of the Sub and reduce or increase its volume. While the Sub is ideal for the Arc and Beam sound bars, you can add the Sub to any Sonos system that’s running the S2 version; it won’t work with S1-equipped systems, however. This 4th generation Sonos Sub is equipped with a WiFi 6 chipset for better connectivity.

Well, have we convinced you? Click that Add to Cart button and get what you and your existing Sonos system so desperately need!

Pros:

• Strong bass output
• Easy to connect to Sonos system
• Stands upright or on its back
• Matte finish

Cons:

• Only works in Sonos S2 applications
• Minimal subwoofer adjustments in Sonos app

Let's face it: SVS rules the low end. SVS is one of the leading manufacturers of high-performance subwoofers, and we’ve been highly impressed by the advances and improvements they continue to make  to each iteration of their subwoofers. The PB-1000 12” ported sub is ideal for medium-sized rooms, and it delivers powerful and warm bass response at satisfying and/or wall-shaking levels - which, coincidentally, is why it captured our "Best Ported Subwoofer" award.

Going against conventional wisdom that says ported enclosures make for sloppy bass, the response is quick and tight, making the PB-1000 one of those ported subwoofers that excels at music as well as movies, thanks to advanced speaker design and being paired with an amazingly efficient and powerful amplifier. This subwoofer can be an impactful addition to your home theater system or home stereo system. And if you want to put the PB-1000 in its sealed mode and make its response even tighter, just close the ports with plugs that are available at no charge. Not many subwoofers in this price range offer this much flexibility with configuration.

You can use the controls on the subwoofer’s rear panel or with the SVS app (available for both iOS and Android) to adjust not only the speaker’s level or crossover point, but also things such as a parametric EQ, phase, room gain compensation, and port tuning for best performance.

Add the optional SoundPath Wireless Audio Adapter for wireless connectivity.

Watch our full video review of the SVS PB-1000 Pro.

Pros:

• Strong output
• Good sound quality
• Ported/Sealed options out of the box
• Comprehensive sound tuning options

Cons:

• Not a “true” sealed design w/ plugs installed
• Limited finishes compared to sealed option

This is one impressive little box. SVS’s SB-1000 delivers tight bass response that delves deep into the subterranean arena (think around 20Hz), which makes it the perfect companion to any home theater/music listening setup. Continue reading about this subwoofer and you will see why it snagged our “Best Sealed Subwoofer” title for this year!

Why does the SB-1000 sound so good? It’s because SVS spends a lot of time improving their speaker and amplifier technologies for the perfect pairing in clarity and output. The subwoofer gets even more formidable if you decide to download the iOS or Android SVS app to fine-tune the subwoofer for your listening preferences or the room in which it resides. Adjustments include such things as level, crossover point, a parametric EQ, phase, and more.

If you find yourself in need of a wireless subwoofer, don’t write of the SVS SB-1000! All you have to do is add the optional SVS SoundPath Wireless Audio Adapter and, viola, you now have a wireless SVS subwoofer!

If you’re not keen on SVS’s Black Ash finish (we happen to really like it!), the SB-1000 is available in both gloss black and gloss white finishes, albeit for a slight additional cost.

We love the SB-1000, and we believe you will, too!

If you'd prefer the ported variant, check out the PB-1000.

Watch our full video review of the SB-1000 Pro here.

Pros:

• Strong output
• Good sound quality
• Comprehensive sound tuning options
• Three finishes to choose from

Cons:

• A more limited bass response range when compared to the PB-1000
• Not quite as “tight” sounding as SVS’s better offerings

If you’re a bass enthusiast, we have no doubt that you have heard of SVS PB16-Ultra home theater subwoofer. Well, for this model year, SVS introduced the PB16-Ultra’s replacement: the PB17-Ultra. This ported enclosure features a gargantuan 17” subwoofer that will knock pictures off your walls and have you grinning from ear-to-ear. This is one of a few reasons why this SVS subwoofer toppled the competition to claim our “Best Home Theater Subwoofer” this year! Want to know more, please read on!

A large subwoofer is going to need a whole lot of power thrown at it to keep it sounding good throughout the volume spectrum, and SVS doesn’t disappoint. Two monoblock amplifiers are implemented - one for each massive 8” voice coil that exists. The two amplifiers total a whopping 2800 watts of power, with 6000 watts peak output. If that doesn’t move a subwoofer then nothing will! Oh, and it moves all the way down to 14Hz!

The front-firing 17” subwoofer belts out bass like you’ve never heard before thanks to its overly-large size married to the three imposing 4” ports installed directly below the woofer. The cabinet was specifically designed to handle the amount of bass response that this SVS subwoofer can make - Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) coupled with robust internal bracing ensures long-lasting performance.

Like SVS’s other offerings, you can download SVS’s app for iOS or Android to help tailor the performance to your liking (or the room’s needs). Too much bass response for this particular movie? Turn the level down from your seat. There are even more controls for you (or your installer) to tinker with.

The large cabinet (measuring 25”H x 21-3/4”W x 29-3/8”D) is available in two finishes - gloss black and black oak (a real wood veneer is used). Weighing in at almost 165 pounds, this big boy is meant to impress.

We have zero doubt that if you’re in the market for serious bass response for your home theater that you will love the SB17-Ultra!

Pros:

• Very strong output
• Good sound quality
• Comprehensive sound tuning options
• Excels in medium-to-large rooms

Cons:

• Only black finishes are available
• Can sound a bit too “rumbley” when music is played through it

If you’ve been searching for a subwoofer that excels in both movies AND music, you must check out Klipsch’s RP-1200SW. This 12” ported subwoofer belts out bass response as low as 16.5Hz with amazing clarity. For years, Klipsch has been a leading speaker and subwoofer manufacturer and their commitment to quality is why the RP-1200SW took our “Best Home Audio Subwoofer Under $1000” title this year.

Measuring in at 17”W x 18-7/8”H x 25-15/16” in size, the RP-1200SW is rather compact given its performance. Thanks to Klipsch’s Aerofoil port design, the subwoofer’s output is robust without that boominess that can be prevalent in other ported subwoofers that are on the market. The sturdy MDF cabinet does a perfect job in stifling resonance, too, for a more enjoyable listening experience. The cabinet is wrapped in an ebony vinyl finish that has a great-looking wood-like resemblance. We wish there was an option for a lighter finish - maybe something along the lines of a walnut wood finish?

A 400-watt amplifier drives the 12” Cerametallic woofer with ease. Speaking of the subwoofer, the ultra-long throw design helps the listener hear those extended bass frequencies that we mentioned briefly earlier (16.5Hz). That’s darn-near bone-rattling bass response right there. It doesn’t matter if you’re listening to explosions in your favorite action movie or listening to a composition by Mozart - this subwoofer delivers smiles with everything it does.

The RP-1200SW excels in medium-sized rooms. As we said earlier, the footprint isn’t overly large, so you should find a perfect location for the subwoofer in the corner of the room. Controls on the rear panel of the subwoofer permit the listener to adjust level, crossover point, the woofer’s phase for maximum performance.

Don’t wait any longer - get your hands on the Klipsch RP-1200SW today and enjoy your movies and music like never before!

If you want a more detailed look at the entire lineup of Klipsch Reference Premiere subs, check out Chris' full review.

Pros:

• Robust output
• Good sound quality
• Excels in medium rooms
• Delivers subterranean bass response

Cons:

• Only one finish available
• Lacks the tuning suite found on other subwoofers

This subwoofer is almost in a category of its own. Remember the box your basketball or volleyball came in? It’s about that size, but it can put out 800W of continuous power. With that much bass output, how does SVS keep the 3000 Micro from bouncing downcourt and doing a layup? By brilliantly engineering two perfectly tuned 8" drivers to fire in opposite directions, canceling out all vibrations and unwanted resonance. That, and building a reinforced cabinet that feels as though it’ll withstand being run over by a Mack truck.

Though the sealed cabinet is unbelievably compact, the 3000 Micro can put out sound effects and kick drums at chest-thumping levels. The amp is virtually the same as the one in the SVS subwoofers that cost nearly $20k, and the quality of the sound will convince you of the amp’s lineage.

It’s totally cool-looking, too. The steel grilles are attractive and functional, and whether in black piano gloss or white gloss, the 3000 Micro will attract the eye as much as it delights the ear. Plus, you can add the wireless option and avoid the unsightly cable run.

Watch our full video review of the SVS 3000 Micro sub.

Sonos’ new Sub Mini fills a gap we’ve all been waiting for: an affordable subwoofer for smaller audio systems. With an entry level price point, it’s an easy conversation to talk about adding the Sub Mini to one of your systems. The Sub Mini comes in the traditional Sonos colors of white and black and weighs less than half of the Sub (Gen 3). Its smaller size makes it very easy to tuck away in your room, but its slick design isn’t something you’ll need to hide.

The Sub Mini is a sealed sub, which may not drop as low but can produce more accurate bass response. Sonos created dual, custom woofers to generate the full-toned low frequencies and advanced processing that further enhances the bass response. Both woofers are powered by class-D digital amplifiers and face inward to create a force-canceling effect, which combined with its sealed cabinet neutralizes distortion and enhances bass response. How enhanced is that bass response? Well, it can drop down to 25Hz.

Adding a subwoofer to your Sonos system will allow your amplified Sonos speakers to focus on the high-frequency and mid-range audio, and the heavy lifting of the low-end will be done by the subwoofer. Sub Mini is best for small to medium-sized rooms and is recommended for Beam, Ray, Era 100, Era 300, and Amp (with bookshelf speakers) when you want the bass to be present. Unfortunately, only one Sub Mini can be used with a Sonos system at this time.

We’ve waited a long time to have an affordable alternative to the Sonos Sub. With the addition of the Sub Mini to the Sonos catalog, you now have the opportunity to go from a $1,100 full surround system all the way to a premium Dolby Atmos system for almost $3,500 without having to run a single speaker wire. Make sure to watch Brian's video review on the Sub Mini to hear his full thoughts and testing notes to learn more!

Atop the Klipsch Reference Premiere subwoofer line is the 16” RP1600SW at $1,799. The flagship sub occupies 168L of space (40% more than the RP1400), supported by 27.35” of depth. Extra size and 800W RMS (1600W peak) help the RP1600SW deliver 126dB of output and plummet to 15Hz, both the best Klipsch offers with this line. Read Chris' review if you want to learn more about the rest of the Klipsch Reference Premiere subwoofers.

In terms of output at lower frequencies, the RP1600 plays louder than the RP1400 when you get below about 18Hz – it’s a subwoofer in the truest sense, delivering visceral bass that you feel, not hear. The RP1400 maintains a tiny edge in output between about 18Hz and 50Hz, but it’s not enough to dissuade a bass-head from wanting the better performance at the very bottom.

Klipsch is taking aim at SVS’s SB16 Ultra, with the stats to back it up. The RP1600SW just barely reaches lower, and it comes in $500 below the price of the SVS. Granted, the Klipsch is a ported sub, and even considering the SB16 Ultra’s grille, the Klipsch has more depth.