The Best Subwoofers For 2024 – Type Matters!

My first article, The Best Subwoofers In 2024 – Price Matters!, focused on price. Price is an important concern for some folks. However, what if you have a specific need that can only be met by a certain type of subwoofer? Be it size, shape, output, or architectural, this article will delve into different types of subwoofers that may fit your needs. Let’s discuss!

And before I begin, I would like to thank Rob H of AV Rant Podcast. Rob H was gracious enough to lend me his insight to help me create and hone this list.

The Criteria

Subwoofers can be small, cheap, or play low/loud – pick two!

Tom Andry – Editor In Chief – AV Gadgets

The criteria for the best subwoofers in 2024 is simple. It has to be a subwoofer, and it has to be available in 2024! Joking aside, I am going to look at subwoofers that meet any budget but still get the job done. That does not mean I will add a subwoofer because it’s cheap. It needs to be value-priced, but

Best Sealed Subwoofer

Sealed subwoofers have some great advantages. Without the need for ports, they tend to be smaller than the “typical” ported subwoofer. The downside is that without those ports, you are typically relegated to frequency responses in the 22-28Hz range. While that is perfectly adequate for music, we all want that thunderous bass that only 20Hz can bring.

That said, SVS has perfected the sealed sub, and any of their SB models can take the prize for best sealed sub. For this article, I will choose the $599 SVS SB-1000 Pro, but feel free to choose any model that meets your room size! SmallsSize and thunderous bass! That’s a winning combo!

Under the hood of the SVS SB-1000 Pro are some impressive specs for a $599 subwoofer. First off, it’s a 12″ woofer with 325W RMS (825W peak), custom EQ and DSP, a Bluetooth app, and a frequency response of 20-270Hz. Oh and it’s about a 14″ cube and it comes in three colors – ash black and gloss black or white! I know that 14″ is not small, but in the world of subwoofers, it is! The SVS SB-1000 is barely bigger than the woofer that it houses and is packed with features. It’s an easy pick for one of the best subwoofers in 2024!

Best Output with a Small Footprint

I keep repeating that subwoofers tend to be large black boxes, that is, until they aren’t. What if you could have a subwoofer that has lots of output, but has a small footprint? Cue the cylinder subwoofer, where verticality is the key. For the cylinder sub, there is only one choice, the SVS PC-2000 ($1099) or 4000 Pro ($2199). Both the SVS PC-2000 and 4000 Pro’s have the same footprint, at 16.6″ across.

Where they differ is driver size, height, wattage and output. The PC-2000 Pro sports a 12″ driver, 550W RMS (1500W peak) amp, is 34.4″ tall, and can dig down to 16-290Hz. The PC-4000 Pro is significantly taller at 47″, and has a 13.5″ driver, 1200W RMS (4000W peak) amp that will dig down to 16-200Hz.

Best In-Wall Subwoofer

I rarely recommend in-wall subwoofers. The concept is great, bass in your room without the massive footprint of a traditional subwoofer. However, the reality rarely lives up to the hype. That said, the SVS 3000 in-wall subwoofer uses dual 9″ drivers, driven by an 800w (2500w peak) external amplifier to give you a 22-250Hz (19Hz in-room) frequency response.

The catch? First, they are expensive. The in-wall sub and amp will run you $1999, and dual in-walls are $2999. Oh, and they are custom installers only, which is most likely an additional cost. However, if space is at a premium, and money is not, the SVS 3000 In-Wall subwoofers are a good option for the performance.

Best Subwoofer For All The Bass

How much bass do you want?

I joke, but some folks want THE most capable subs out there, price-be-damned! For those who want ridiculous output, subwoofer size, amplifier power and frequency response look no further than the JTR Captivator 4000ULF. The 4000ULF features dual-18″ drivers, driven by 4000w RMS, and will dip down to 10.5Hz! No, you can’t hear that low, but rest assured that you have it! Yes, they are large, heavy, and pricey ($9998) but when you need your foundation rattled, accept no substitute!

Our Take

Sometimes we have a specific need only a certain type of subwoofer can meet. Luckily we now have more choices than ever at our fingertips. Limited space? Sealed or cylinder! Need all the bass? We can get you down to 10.5Hz! Want to hide your subwoofers? In the wall they go! Back in my day subwoofers didn’t have this variety!