Powered Car Subwoofers Compared: Under-Seat, Spare-Tire and All-in-One Boxes from JL Audio, Kicker, Alpine and JBL

Why a powered sub

A powered subwoofer puts the sub, the box and the amplifier in one unit. The install needs power, ground, a turn-on lead and a signal, and most of these take the signal straight from the factory speaker wires, so you can keep the factory radio.

Every sub here is on our listings. We are an authorized JL Audio, Alpine and Kicker dealer, and Tony installs them in our own bay at 8696 Atlantic Ave.

Side by side

This table is built only from our own product listings. Where a listing does not state a spec, the cell says so instead of guessing.

Power is listed as each maker rates it. Size is the space you give up, so measure under the seat or behind it before you pick.

Powered car subwoofers compared, from our product listings. "Not in our listing" means our product page does not state that spec, so ask us before you count on it.

Hidden: under the seat or in the spare tire

The Kicker Hideaway 51HS8 puts an 8-inch woofer and a 150 W RMS amp in a box about 3-1/8 inches tall that fits under many seats, with a quick-connect harness and a remote bass control. The 51HS12 steps up to a 12-inch woofer and 230 W RMS in an aluminum frame about 3-1/2 inches tall. The Alpine PWE-S8 is a cast metal 8-inch sub with a 120 W RMS amp and a wired remote bass knob.

The JBL BassPro Hub is different: an 11-inch woofer with a 200 W RMS amp that mounts in the hub of the spare tire, so an SUV, hatchback or wagon keeps all its cargo space.

Shallow boxes for behind a seat or a small trunk

The JL Audio PowerWedge+ and MicroSub+ boxes have the amp inside and a speaker-level input harness on most models, so they tie into a factory radio. The ACP108LG-W3v3 is an 8-inch at only 5.13 inches deep, the ACS110LG-TW1 is a sealed 10-inch at 5 inches deep, and the ACP208LG-W3v3 runs two 8-inch subs in a long, shallow box made to fit behind truck seats or along a cargo floor.

The Alpine PWV-SB10 and PWV-SB12 are shallow sealed boxes with 400 W RMS amps and a built-in DSP with OPTIM Sync, and the PWE-SB10 is a sealed 10-inch wedge with a 300 W RMS amp and auto turn-on.

More bass: 12-inch and down-firing boxes

The JL Audio ACP112LG-TW1 adds more low end than the 10-inch while staying an all-in-one install. The Kicker down-firing boxes face the sub at the floor: the 51PTRTP10 and 51PTRTP12 pair a CompRT sub with a passive radiator, and the 53PL7TDF10 and 53PL7TDF12 use L7 square subs with 500 and 600 W RMS amps. All four take speaker-level inputs from 1 to 40 volts and include a 25 Hz subsonic filter, and the 53PL7TDF12 is listed as start-stop compatible.

How to choose, and how to get one

Measure the space you are willing to give up, then pick the biggest sub that fits it. Text (213) 674-9042 with your year, make and model and a photo of the spot, and Tony will tell you what fits.

Everything is bought and installed or picked up at the shop at 8696 Atlantic Ave in South Gate, and you can ask about our Payment Plan. Gear bought here and installed here carries Stock moves, so call (323) 944-7844 to confirm the sub is on the shelf before you drive over.