What Does a Subwoofer Do in a Car?
Are you planning to install a subwoofer in your car stereo and need to know how a subwoofer work in the car? As a car audio technician, I usually get question like what does a subwoofer do in a car?
Car subs can add a fantastic music experience. However, choosing the right subwoofer is essential; otherwise, your car’s audio system may get damaged. Don’t worry. Read below to avoid the mistakes to keep your car music system healthy.
What Is a Car Subwoofer?
A car subwoofer is an essential part of any car stereo system that can improve your listening experience much better. Engineers have specially designed it to reproduce low frequencies in the sound system and boost the overall bass output of the car sound system. Also, vehicle subwoofers come in different sizes, styles, and configurations.
Moreover, you will find it typically mounted in a custom enclosure or directly onto the car’s floor. However, to get the best sound quality, you must match your car subwoofer to the size and type of car speakers you have in your vehicle. There are different types of subwoofers, such as powered or active, component, and passive.
Types of Car Subwoofers According to Shape & Size:
Below is the list of some car subwoofers according to their shape, designs, and sizes:
8, 10, 12, 15, & 18-Inch Car Subs: Car subwoofers come in many sizes. You can install any size of car subwoofer according to your preferences.
Underseat Subwoofer: You can use such a subwoofer if you want to save your car space for other components. This is usually a small sub-box that you can put under your car seat.
Trunk Subwoofer: As you can easily judge by the name, you can place this sub inside your car trunk.
Bass Tubes: It basically comes in a tube shape where the subwoofer’s driver faces one of the flat sides.
Spare Wheel Subwoofers: These subs are mounted inside the spare tire to reproduce low-frequency sounds. You can use the spare wheel subwoofer to save your car space.
Standard Subwoofer Speakers: It is a standard speaker that can reproduce low-frequency, ranging from 20Hz to 200Hz.
Self-Amplified (Powered) Subwoofer: For optimal bass level, you can use a powered subwoofer as it doesn’t need any external amplifier to produce deep basses.
Passive Subwoofer: For those who really love to hear loud bass, a passive subwoofer works by providing extraordinary bass effects. However, you will need to install an external amplifier compatible with the passive sub.
Free-Air: As by the name, you don’t need to mount it in any enclosure. The free-air subwoofer uses the car acoustic as an enclosure. This sub is also an ideal option for those who are space-conscious.
Does a Subwoofer Make a Difference in a Car?
When listening to music in your vehicle sound system, a subwoofer can make a big difference. It helps to enhance the overall sound and ensures you hear all the nuances in each song, ultimately creating a big difference in the overall listening experience.
Not only do subwoofers help to improve car audio, but they also provide an improved sound system for movies and gaming (this is for home gaming setup). In addition, subwoofers can also help to reduce vibrations and road noise in your car’s cabin, as you will be more focused on bass sound. Adding a subwoofer to your car helps to eliminate any unwanted background noise that may cause noise pollution for you.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Subwoofers in Cars?
Take a look at the pros & cons before adding a subwoofer to your car audio system.
Pros of Subwoofers in Car:
- Increased Bass Power – This is probably the most obvious benefit of installing a subwoofer in your car. With the addition of a subwoofer, you will experience a more profound, powerful & deep bass that regular speakers cannot provide.
- Improved Sound – You will get an overall improved sound by installing a car subwoofer. Believe me, once you add the sub to your car, you will be addicted to deep bass. That’s the reason why many people install a subwoofer in their vehicle — you will get better bass, and your music will also sound more precise and crisp.
- Easier Installation – Subwoofers are relatively easy to install compared to other audio components. However, it will be a little complex if you consider installing a passive subwoofer rather than an active one.
Cons of Subwoofers in Car:
- Reduced Space – Installing a subwoofer can take up a lot of space in your car (especially in the trunk), which can be an issue for those with smaller vehicles. If you’re working with a limited amount of space, this may not be your best option. However, an underseat subwoofer will work best for you will have to secure it under the seat.
- High Power Consumption – Subwoofers require a lot of power to work correctly, which can drain your car battery over time. The battery is something to remember when deciding whether to install a subwoofer in your vehicle.
- Risk of Damage – If not installed properly, a subwoofer can cause damage to your car’s electrical system or interior due to the high power output. Ensure an experienced installer does the job if you decide to install one in your vehicle.
Overall, subwoofers can be a great addition to any car stereo system — they provide increased bass power and improved sound while being relatively easy to install.
How Does a Subwoofer Work in a Car?
In a car stereo system, the subwoofer works by connecting it to an external amplifier or directly to the head stereo. However, attaching it with an amp allows it to receive power and audio signals separately from the rest of the car stereo speakers in the system. The amplifier then boosts the signal to produce more powerful bass frequencies. As mentioned above, you typically mount the subwoofer in its enclosure, which helps direct waves from the speaker in a single direction, creating a more focused sound.
Because of its low-frequency range, the subwoofer can produce deep, powerful bass tones that can be felt and heard. This is especially useful for music genres such as hip-hop and EDM ⁽¹⁾, which rely heavily on these frequencies. It also adds a layer of excitement to other types of music like rock, country, and classical that would otherwise be lacking.
In summary, a subwoofer is essential to any car stereo system. This creates a more immersive listening experience and ensures that your music sounds as good as possible.
Benefits of Adding a Quality Subwoofer:
Adding a quality subwoofer to your car sound system can enhance your music experience as well as it will not harm your car audio system. A bad-quality subwoofer can explode your amplifier, battery, or even the head stereo. A subwoofer is a speaker producing low frequencies between 20 Hz and 120 Hz ⁽²⁾.
A quality subwoofer will give your vehicle a more balanced sound, allowing you to hear deeper and more precise bass tones. By adding a good quality subwoofer to your car music system, you will have the option to customize the style of the music in your vehicle. With the right subwoofer, you can tweak the frequencies so that certain sounds are emphasized for your musical preferences.
General FAQs
Is a Subwoofer Necessary for a Car?
The answer to this question depends on your preferences. While a subwoofer isn’t necessary for a car, it can improve your audio system’s sound quality.
Subwoofers provide low frequencies boost you won’t get with regular speakers and can help create a fuller, more immersive listening experience. A subwoofer is worth installing if you’re looking to get the most out of your car’s audio system.
Does a Subwoofer Make Music Louder?
The answer is yes. Subwoofers car produce low-frequency sound waves, which can significantly enhance the bass in music. As a result, when paired with car loudspeakers, subwoofers make the music loud that you can even feel the thumping sound.
The loud sound of the subwoofer also helps to fill out the soundstage, making the music sound fuller. Through this, you will get a more immersive audio environment. However, it is essential to note that too much bass can lead to distortion, so it is best to find a balance between the two to achieve optimal results.
Can Subwoofers Damage Your Car?
The subwoofer can cause damage to your car. When installed in your vehicle, the subwoofer can absorb excess power from your car’s electrical system and cause it to overheat. As a result, you will face problems such as blown fuses, melted wiring insulation, and even short circuits.
Suppose you play subwoofers at higher levels. In that case, the sheer force of the sound waves can cause material fatigue in the body panels and components, resulting in buzzing or rattling noises.
It’s essential to take proper precautionary steps when installing or using a subwoofer to avoid any potential damage to your vehicle. Ensure you get a sub that is appropriately designed to work with the wattage of your car’s audio system and that you use a stereo amplifier that is appropriate for the size and power of your subwoofer.