The Best Subwoofers for Deep Bass for Home Theater and Music 2023

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How low do you want to go? If you love watching movies in your home theater, the answer is very. And the way to get there is by adding the right subwoofer to your sound system. In action films and video games, soundtracks often go lower than humans can hear, though we can still feel those sounds. And that’s one of the main goals of a good subwoofer in your system: To make you feel the dinosaur footfalls, explosions, electronic kick drums, and other things that make big thuds.

In concept, subwoofers are simple. They’re self-powered. Their cabinets are either sealed or ported. They typically put out sound only in the 15Hz – 200Hz range, give or take a few Hertz.

Choosing the best subwoofer for your system may be anything but simple, however, as the decision involves several important factors — with which our in-house experts are extremely familiar, so if you want to skip the stats and time to read through out line-up of the best subwoofers and just get the job done, pick up the phone and call us now!

Important considerations for choosing the right subwoofer include the size of your home theater room in cubic feet (up to 1,500 cu/ft a 10" driver will do, up to 3,000 go with 12", above that 15"), the size of cabinet you can accommodate (sealed units are small, ported units can be huge), the type of listening you do (lots of explosions and electronic dance music require superb response below 20Hz, rom-coms and jazz may be fine with 20Hz or higher), wired vs. wireless, and plain old power output. A common misconception holds that sealed is better for music because of fast driver response and that ported is better for sound effects due to raw power at very low frequencies. But some sealed units can rattle your walls below 20Hz and some ported units can make Beethoven’s Ninth into a transcendental listening experience. (For an in-depth comparison of ported vs. sealed subwoofers, check out this article.)

So, how to make your choice? If you have a sound bar that offers a subwoofer designed and configured for that system and that you can connect wirelessly by simply turning the unit on, your decision may already be made. If not, read the following reviews closely, contact our experts, and take advantage of our return policy to make sure the subs you get deliver the experience you want.

Here Are Our Picks for The Best Home Subwoofers of 2023:

  1. The Best Wireless Subwoofer: Sonos Sub (Gen 3) Wireless Subwoofer for Home Theater (Black)
  2. The Best Ported Subwoofer: SVS PB-1000 Pro Ported Subwoofer (Premium Black Ash)
  3. The Best Sealed Subwoofer: SVS SB-1000 Pro Sealed Subwoofer (Black Ash)
  4. The Best Home Theater Subwoofer: SVS SB-3000 13" Sealed Subwoofer (Piano Gloss Black)
  5. The Best Home Audio Subwoofer: Klipsch RP-1200SW Reference Premiere 12" Subwoofer
  6. The Best Budget Subwoofer: Polk Audio React Wireless Subwoofer for React Series Sound Bar
  7. The Best Subwoofer Under $500: Sonos Sub Mini Wireless Subwoofer (Black)
  8. The Best Subwoofer Under $1,000: Bluesound PULSE SUB+ 8" Wireless Powered Subwoofer (White)
  9. The Best 16" Subwoofer: Klipsch RP-1600SW Reference Premiere 16" Subwoofer

The Best Wireless Subwoofer

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Sonos Sub (Gen 3) Wireless Subwoofer for Home Theater (Black)

Regular price $799.00
Sale price $799.00 Regular price
Save $-799.00 (%)
  • System-specific: Sonos Arc or Beam
  • Cabinet: Ported
  • Connection: Wireless
  • Driver: Dual drivers
  • Frequency response: As low as 25Hz
  • Continuous Power Output: N/A
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 15.3" x 15.8" x 6.2"
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Let’s cut to the chase: If you have a Sonos Arc or Beam sound bar, should you add this subwoofer to your rig? Definitely. With that out of the way, let’s talk about why you should get one.

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 sub for years. That should say a lot right there. But let's look deeper..

Looks aren’t everything in a speaker, but the brilliant design of the Sub (gotta love the name, too) is as functional as it is eye-popping. 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 EDM. 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 get full response.

Not only does it add serious theatrical thumps to your movie night, but when you’re grooving to music it’ll make your Sonos system sound even better, by letting the Sub handle the low end while the sound bar renders the mids and highs with even more clarity.

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 a little 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.

The Best Ported Subwoofer

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SVS PB-1000 Pro Ported Subwoofer (Premium Black Ash)

Regular price $799.00
Sale price $799.00 Regular price
Save $-799.00 (%)
  • System-specific: No
  • Cabinet: Ported
  • Connection: Wired with wireless option
  • Driver: 12"
  • Frequency response: 20Hz to 270Hz
  • Continuous Power Output: 325W
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 15” x 18.9” x 20”
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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. The PB-1000 ported sub is ideal for medium-sized rooms, and it delivers powerful effects and warm bass at satisfying and wall-shaking levels. 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 pairing with the amazingly efficient and powerful amplifier. Making this subwoofer 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. Using the controls on the rear panel or with the app, you can adjust the level and crossover, and with the app, you have parametric EQ and adjustable low pass, phase, polarity, room gain compensation, and port tuning control for best alignment with speakers. Add the optional SoundPath Wireless Audio Adapter for wireless connectivity.

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

The Best Sealed Subwoofer

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SVS SB-1000 Pro Sealed Subwoofer (Black Ash)

Regular price $599.00
Sale price $599.00 Regular price
Save $-599.00 (%)
  • System-specific: No
  • Cabinet: Sealed
  • Connection: Wired with wireless option
  • Driver: 12"
  • Frequency response: 17Hz to 260Hz
  • Continuous Power Output: 325W
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 13" x 13.5" x 14.76"
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This is one powerful little box. Just as its ported cousin the PB-1000 delivers tighter bass response than many other ported subwoofers, this sealed cabinet sub exceeds expectations by delivering bass well into the extended low end range below 20Hz, putting it in the running for any size home theater project. This sub’s exceptional performance is a result of SVS’s engineering achievements with their speaker and amplifier technology as well as their cabinet design and configuration. The long-throw 12" driver is designed to be highly efficient, dissipating heat quickly and responding instantly to content.

With the SVS BLE smartphone app, you have tremendous tuning control over the SB-1000, including level and crossover, parametric EQ, low pass filter, phase, polarity, room gain compensation, and port tuning control. If you have a system that has a dedicated Low Frequency Effects (LFE) channel, just connect it via the RCA LFE port. Add the optional SoundPath Wireless Audio Adapter to the SB-1000, and you can add the subwoofer to your rig, but skip the cable. Glossy black and white finishes are available, too, for an additional $100.

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

The Best Home Theater Subwoofer

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SVS SB-3000 13" Sealed Subwoofer (Piano Gloss Black)

Regular price $1,199.00
Sale price $1,199.00 Regular price
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  • System-specific: No
  • Cabinet: Sealed
  • Connection: Wired
  • Driver: 13"
  • Frequency response: 18Hz - 270Hz
  • Continuous Power Output: 800W
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 15.6" X 15.2" X 17.8"
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If you have a big room and love big bass, this just might be your subwoofer. The SB-3000 has a sealed enclosure, but with 800W of continuous power and with a driver designed to accurately transmit very low frequencies, it can deliver sounds well below the range of human hearing. It’s one of those rare beasts that excel at theatrical effects as well as music.

Besides having a beautifully engineered power amp and driver, the SB-3000 gives you an extraordinary amount of control over audio and tuning parameters that do more than just make it sound good: You can tweak it to sound good in any location in your room. With the SVS BLE app, you have control of crossover frequencies, parametric EQ with adjustable frequency and Q, polarity, and room gain compensation control with adjustable frequency and slope. The app and the SB-3000’s display give you visual confirmation of your adjustments.

For a sub with this much power and output, it is remarkably compact. And with a choice of two finishes, you won’t mind having it on display with the rest of your furniture.

Also check out our comparison review of the comparison review of the SVS PB3000 vs. SB3000.

The Best Home Audio Subwoofer

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Klipsch RP-1200SW Reference Premiere 12" Subwoofer

Regular price $749.00
Sale price $749.00 Regular price
$999.00 Save $250.00 (25%)
  • Frequency Response: 17-140hz +/- 3db
  • Maximum Acoustic Output: 121dB
  • Amplifier Type: Class D with Analog Preamp Stage
  • Amplifier Power: 400W RMS / 800W Peak
  • Woofer: 12" Ultra-long Throw Cerametallic
  • Enclosure Material: MDF
  • Enclosure-type: Bass Reflex via Front-firing Aerofoil Slot Port
  • Inputs: Dual RCA/LFE line in, WA-2 Wireless Port
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 17.00" x 18.89" x 25.92"
  • Weight: 68.6 lbs
  • Finish: Ebony Vinyl
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At the popular 12” woofer size, the Klipsch RP1200SW weighs in at $999. With the increased depth – an inch more than the RP1000SW in fact – its cabinet is nearly 30% larger than the SPL120. Again, this is a smaller front face with a depth increase, helping to make up cabinet volume and pack in all the tech.

Compared to the Klipsch SPL120, the Reference Premiere 1200 features a 33% increase in RMS power, translating to a 25% improvement at peaks. As a result, RP1200SW plays louder than the SPL120 (121dB compared to 118dB) and it also punches lower (17Hz versus 24Hz).

If the price point didn’t already give it away, those specs should: Klipsch is setting up the 12” RP1200SW to compete against the award-winning 13” SVS SB3000. Curiously, Klipsch didn’t chart out any direct comparison, here, but at a minimum, the Klipsch should be worth a look if you’re pairing your sub with Klipsch speakers. If you want a more detailed look at the entire lineup of Klipsch Reference Premiere subs, check out Chris' full review.

The Best Budget Subwoofer

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Polk Audio React Wireless Subwoofer for React Series Sound Bar

Regular price $199.00
Sale price $199.00 Regular price
Save $-199.00 (%)
  • System-specific: No
  • Cabinet: Sealed
  • Connection: Wired with wireless option
  • Driver: Dual 8"
  • Frequency response: 23Hz to 240Hz
  • Continuous Power Output: 800W
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 10.9" x 11.7" x 10.7"
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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.

The Best Subwoofer Under $500

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Sonos Sub Mini Wireless Subwoofer (Black)

Regular price $343.00
Sale price $343.00 Regular price
$429.00 Save $86.00 (20%)
  • System-specific: Sonos Beam, Ray, One, One SL, Amp
  • Cabinet: Sealed
  • Connection: Wireless
  • Driver: 6"
  • Frequency response: As low as 25Hz
  • Continuous Power Output: 100-240V
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 12" x 9.1" x 9.1"
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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 BeamRay, 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!

The Best Subwoofer Under $1,000

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Bluesound PULSE SUB+ 8" Wireless Powered Subwoofer (White)

Regular price $749.00
Sale price $749.00 Regular price
Save $-749.00 (%)
  • System-specific: Bluesound
  • Cabinet: Sealed
  • Connection: Wireless or wired
  • Driver: 8"
  • Frequency response: 22Hz - 150Hz
  • Continuous Power Output: 150W
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 11.8" x 18" x 5.7"
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If you’ve checked out the Bluesound Pulse system, you know what we mean by the term “ecosystem.” At first glance, the Pulse sound bar appears to be a huge enclosure for large drivers — and that’s part of why it sounds so good. But the Pulse also incorporates the latest technology for optimum playback of music and movies, such as full compatibility with Dolby Atmos content, advanced two-way Bluetooth, high-resolution audio compatibility, and — important to our discussion of the Sub+ — dual-band WiFi, which is how the Sub+ connects to the Pulse sound bar, rather than with Bluetooth.

The Sub+ itself is a marvel of engineering, with a slim profile of less than 6", but a wide 18" enclosure. This lets you put the Sub+ anywhere, including mounting it on a wall, and still get the best deep bass sound.

And the sound is very impressive. It helps a great deal that the Sub+ is completely configured by the BlueOS system — though you can adjust polarity and crossover with the BlueOS app — and your content will always sound amazing automatically, whether it’s a Dolby multi-channel blockbuster, a high-resolution stereo audio track, or your go-to re-runs.

The Best 16" Subwoofer

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Klipsch RP-1600SW Reference Premiere 16" Subwoofer

Regular price $1,349.00
Sale price $1,349.00 Regular price
$1,799.00 Save $450.00 (25%)
  • Frequency Response: 15-150hz +/- 3db
  • Maximum Acoustic Output: 126dB
  • Amplifier Type: Class D with Analog Preamp Stage
  • Amplifier Power: 800W RMS / 1600W Peak
  • Woofer: 16" Ultra-long Throw Cerametallic
  • Enclosure Material: MDF
  • Enclosure-type: Bass Reflex via Front-firing Aerofoil Slot Port
  • Inputs: Dual RCA/LFE line in, WA-2 Wireless Port
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 23.50" x 23.39" x 27.35"
  • Weight: 110.9 lbs
  • Finish: Ebony Vinyl
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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.

Still not sure? We got this.

Subwoofers can be beasts. So if you’re still not sure which is best for you and your room, give us a call or send us an email. Tell us about your room (dimensions would be very helpful), what kind of movies and TV shows you like, and your budget. We’d be more than happy to help you pick the ideal subwoofer for you.

One more thing:

A last word of advice: buy your new subwoofer from a trusted dealer. And the more experience and longer the track record, the better. A good dealer will take care of you in the event anything happens.

Speaking of trusted dealers...

World Wide Stereo is home to some 90+ industry-leading audio/video professionals who love what they do and talking about it, too. We opened our doors in 1979, gained a small yet die-hard following, won a slew of national awards for everything from killer car audio installations to customer service, grew the business online… and today we enjoy a faithful following of like-minded TV-watching, music-listening, gear-loving defenders of fun for the whole family. Our only rule: no one leaves unhappy.

Plus, shopping with us means you get our guarantee, which includes perks like free shipping, 60-day returns, award-winning support, and service long after the sale — always. Hence our rule: "no one leaves unhappy."

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