Top Picks

Subwoofers

Top Pick of the Year:

JL Audio Fathom F110V2 Subwoofer
(April/May) Read Review

Despite its compact size, JL Audio's Fathom F110V2 delivers powerful output and packs sophisticated features including Onboard Digital Automatic Room Optimization with a dual-sub setup option. With its sleek design and beautifully finished gloss-black cabinet, it also has a high spouse acceptance factor. Here's how David Vaughn summed the sub up in his review: "I was blown away by how well the f110v2 performed, and while $3,500 is undoubtedly expensive for an average consumer, you will get what you pay for." $3,500, jlaudio.com

Finalists:

SVS SB-2000 Pro Subwoofer
(September) Read Review

This compact 12-inch sub from SVS offers tremendous value and comes with a versatile smartphone control app that lets you easily tune its output for your room. Performance? "The SB-2000 Pro is just as proficient at pumping out huge explosions in action movies as it is blending into a two-channel audiophile setup," said reviewer Michael Trei. $799, svsound.com

MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X Subwoofer
(April/May) Read Review

With 900 watts of continuous power (1,800 watts peak) driving a 15-inch woofer in a sealed enclosure, the Dynamo 1600X delivered deep and tightly controlled bass when we reviewed it as part of a MartinLogan Motion XTi system. Reviewer Michael Trei further appreciated its SubControl App, which works in tandem with ARC room correction to provide a comprehensive set of subwoofer tuning and control features. $2,000, martinlogan.com

Elac SUB3030 Subwoofer
(February/March 2021)

With a front-facing 12-inch woofer powered by a 500-watt continuous, 1,000-watt peak BASH amp and a a bottom-mounted 12-inch passive radiator, Elac's SUB3030 is designed to bring the thunder, and it certainly did so in our review of the company's Uni-Fi 2.0 speaker system. At first, editor Al Griffin was confused by the lack of physical controls; later after downloading Elac's Sub Control 2.0 app, he was very impressed with its easy-to-use Auto EQ feature. $800, elac.com