Getting Deep Bass From Car Subwoofers: Do’s & Don’ts

Deep bass usually refers to the very low-frequency tones in the audio spectrum, generally starting around 20Hz and going up to about 160Hz. It is the sense of depth and physical vibration one experiences with certain types of music.

Mostly, the audiophiles I met crave deep bass for the immersive experience it provides, enhancing the overall sensory impact of the music. If you’re one of them and want to get deep bass, too, I will share the most efficient and my way-to-go methods with you.

10 Powerful Ways to Get Loud Bass in Vehicles:

Here is the list of my top 10 ways to get loud bass from the subwoofer:

1. Choose the Right Car Subwoofer:

The very important step is selecting the right subwoofer that has the ability to produce a deep bass experience. A subwoofer that matches your car’s acoustics and personal preferences will enhance the overall audio quality and ensure that every beat is felt as much as it is heard.

You can achieve that superior level of bass that vibrates through your vehicle by paying attention to the subwoofer’s power, sensitivity, and enclosure type. With the best car subwoofer for deep bass, you can transform your car’s audio system from mundane to extraordinary, providing an immersive sound experience that truly stands out.

2. Use a Large-Sized Subwoofer:

If you’re using a small-sized subwoofer, you won’t get the bass you desire. Even if you make changes to your car’s audio system, it won’t make any considerable difference. Here’s why you should use the subwoofer larger in diameter:

• A large-sized subwoofer (in diameter) can offer a better bass response because it has a larger surface area and can move more air than smaller-diameter subwoofers.
• A larger diameter subwoofer will also allow for better low-frequency extension as the driver can move more air at lower frequencies. This way, you will get more output and a more significant bass impact in the car.
• Not only are you getting a good bass impact, but they are more efficient than smaller subs, meaning you’ll get better sound quality with the same power input.
• A large-sized subwoofer has more room for the coil to move back and forth deeply.

In summary, a large-sized subwoofer can offer better bass response, low-frequency extension, and efficiency than smaller diameter models, making them an ideal choice for car audio systems.

3. Use a Proper Placement:

As you know, a subwoofer is essential for producing more bass in any car sound system. But keeping it in any random position inside your car may kill the subwoofer’s ability to produce the desired bass. You must use an appropriate mounting position to get the maximum bass output from your car sub.

Finding a suitable position for your subwoofer is easier than you think. However, here are some factors to consider when deciding on the ideal location for placing your subwoofer:

1. Choose an area in your vehicle where no obstructions can block the sound waves.
2. Since these can affect its performance, ensure the subwoofer is mounted away from heat sources such as radiators, amps, or other components.
3. Ensure the subwoofer is securely anchored so it won’t vibrate excessively and disrupt the sound quality.
4. Place the subwoofer close to the center of the vehicle for a more balanced soundstage.
5. Experiment with different mounting positions and angles until you achieve the best results.

4. Adjust Bass & Treble Settings:

You’re using everything okay, but the bass & treble settings might be terrible. Adjusting your car subwoofer’s bass and treble settings can improve sound quality. Adjustments to the low-frequency (bass) or high-frequency (treble) components of the audio signal can create a more balanced or focused sound that better suits your personal preferences.

Here are small tips you can follow:

Low-frequency sounds are what we typically refer to as “bass”. This includes frequencies from around 20-250 Hz. Adjusting the bass setting of your subwoofer will allow you to emphasize these lower frequencies further for a more powerful, deep sound. It also helps to create a more immersive listening experience as well.

The treble is composed of high frequencies, usually around 2-20 kHz. Adjusting the treble setting of your subwoofer will give you more control over how much emphasis is placed on these higher frequencies. This way also helps you reduce any shrillness or harshness in the sound while providing greater clarity and detail in the musical range.

5. Use a low pass filter:

There are two types of filters: Low & High Pass Filters on Head unit. Some say a high pass filter will get you more bass output. Yup, they might be correct, but here we are talking about getting the quality bass out of your subwoofer. A low pass filter (1) can be handy for achieving deep and powerful bass from your vehicle subwoofer.

This type of filter allows low-frequency sound waves to pass through while blocking high-frequency sounds. You can direct the correct frequencies to your subwoofer using a low pass filter, allowing it to perform at its highest potential.

All this will help you enjoy the sound quality and a fuller bass experience. Additionally, a low pass filter can help prevent the subwoofer from damaging itself by stopping low-frequency sounds that could overwork it. Ensure that you use the following steps before setting it up:

1. First, you need to decide the crossover frequency of the filter. Choosing will help you determine which sounds are allowed through and at what volume. A lower crossover frequency is typically preferred when using a subwoofer, so high-end sounds can be blocked while still allowing lower frequencies to pass through.
2. Additionally, it’s essential to choose an appropriate filter slope, which determines the transition between the allowed and blocked frequencies. A steeper slope can provide sharper sound quality, while a shallower slope allows more low-end sounds.

Boom! You set up the pass filter perfectly.

6. Power Your Subwoofer Correctly:

You should use a compatible car amplifier for the subwoofer. You must also confirm that the vehicle subwoofer is getting reputable power, too. Powering your subwoofer correctly ensures you get a crisp and punchy bass sound while avoiding unnecessary damage to the unit.

When selecting a dedicated subwoofer amplifier, consider the RMS rating and impedance that match your subwoofer’s specifications. The RMS rating of an amplifier indicates the amount of power it can handle with minimal distortion, while impedance is a measure of resistance in the electrical circuit.

7. Upgrade Your Stock Stereo With an Aftermarket Stereo:

Sometimes, you use the subwoofer and amplifier that are compatible with each other. But still, you get lousy bass. It’s because you might be using a regular car stock stereo. Well! Let’s be straightforward. It doesn’t have any ability to match up the external amp and subwoofer.

A stock stereo may be satisfactory, but upgrading to an aftermarket stereo and subwoofer allows you to tap into the potential of your car’s sound system. Aftermarket stereos will enable you to customize the audio experience in your vehicle with higher-quality components that deliver more transparent highs and much deeper bass than a stock stereo. That’s all!

8. Eliminate Subwoofer Rattling & Distortion:

Rattling & distortion are the biggest enemies of subwoofers, as both can kill the car subwoofer’s ability to produce high-end bass. However, you can get many benefits from eliminating subwoofer distortion and rattling. Not only does this help produce a more prosperous, deeper bass sound, but it also protects the other components of your car audio system from damage, such as car speakers and amplifiers.

The most common cause behind subwoofer rattling and distortion is when you set up the car stereo with an incorrect amplifier power or gain level. If the power settings are too high, it can cause clipping in the signal, resulting in unwanted distortion.

To prevent subwoofer rattling and distortion, ensure that the amplifier power and gain settings are optimized for your car’s audio system. You must also ensure that your car’s audio system is appropriately insulated to prevent the sound from traveling through the car’s body panels and creating unwanted rattling.

9. Make Your Car Audio Connections Properly:

In the end, you must ensure that you have proper audio connections. If you notice poor bass in your car stereo system, taking this simple step will surely help you. A well-connected stereo system will produce clear and powerful sound with solid bass reproduction.

Also, your car stereo’s performance can suffer with incorrect audio connections. Making the correct audio connections is more than just plugging in the wires. It requires paying attention to details such as using the proper gauge of wire, ensuring all cables are correctly routed, and avoiding common mistakes like grounding issues.

Understanding how the wiring works will help you make the best connection possible for your car’s stereo system.

Avoid These Mistakes That Reduce the Bass:

I have often encountered situations where people are following each tip effectively, but their subwoofers still struggle to produce bass in the car. Following are the mistakes that kill the subwoofer’s ability to produce bass:

1. Using Cheap Equipment:

Using cheap equipment in car audio systems can lead to poor subwoofer performance, primarily because of inferior build and material quality. Low-cost amplifiers may fail to provide steady and adequate power for optimal subwoofer functioning, while budget subwoofers themselves often have poor sensitivity and frequency response.

2. Overlooking Acoustic Treatments:

Without proper acoustic treatments, subwoofers’ performance can be severely hampered. Acoustic treatments balance the sound within a car by absorbing or diffusing excess frequencies that can cause unwanted echoes and reverberations.

Without these treatments, sound waves can bounce off hard surfaces and interfere with the direct sound coming from the subwoofer. This results in muddied bass frequencies, standing waves, and bass nulls, which degrade the overall listening experience. 

3. Neglecting Regular Maintenance:

Regular maintenance is crucial for maintaining a subwoofer’s ability to produce high-quality bass in a car audio system. Ignoring the subwoofer to dust accumulation and potential rust on internal components causes it to work harder and less efficiently.

Connector oxidation can also interrupt the signal flow, diminishing sound clarity. Moreover, worn-out suspension and degrading speaker cones impact the subwoofer’s precision in sound reproduction.

Follow This Instruction to Make a Subwoofer Louder Outside the Car:

If you are getting deep bass inside your car, but you’re not satisfied with the results outside of your vehicle, you can take the following steps:

• Direct your subwoofer to the hatchback behind the rear seat.
• Use a large-sized subwoofer.
• While playing the music, ensure you lower your car windows.
• Tune your subwoofer correctly.
• Use dual subwoofers in your car.
• Keep appropriate EQ settings.
• Use well-designed ported subwoofer enclosures.
• As mentioned above, use the compatible subwoofer & amp combo.
• Use double-magnet car subwoofers.

Follow these simple steps to make a massive difference outside your car.

External Sources:

(1) Low Pass Filter