SUBWOOFER REVIEWS

Best Subwoofers: $1,000 to $4,000

JL Audio e110 Subwoofer: $1,500

Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value

Summary: From a company dedicated to the craft of building fine subwoofers comes a beautifully finished, compact subwoofer that plays low, loud, and clean. Enthusiasts will appreciate its well-behaved crossover.

Plus: Powerful, deep bass from a compact box • Elegant visual design • Flexible, fully implemented two-way crossover
Minus: Expensive


SVS SB13-Ultra Subwoofer: $1,600


Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value

Summary: Affectionately dubbed “the beast” by reviewer David Vaughn, the 96-pound SB13-Ultra produces extremely tight and controlled bass from a 17.4-inch sealed cube that’s built like a tank. He wrote: “No matter how loud I played it, I couldn’t get the sub to bottom out or show any signs of strain.”

Plus: Outstanding value • Powerful deep bass response • Built-in parametric equalizer
Minus: Heavy.


M&K Sound X12 THX Subwoofer: $3,200


Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value

Summary: The legacy of the famous M&K brand lives on in the vertically oriented X12, which employs two custom-built 12-inch drivers in a less-than-common push-pull configuration designed to cancel harmonic distortion. It works, allowing the sub to move deftly between the thunderous lows of action/adventure flicks and the tight, clean, and tuneful reproduction desired for music.

Plus: Powerful, deep, and taut bass response • Outstanding build quality • Sealed push-pull design
Minus: No parametric equalizer • Pricey

COMMENTS
allanmarcus's picture
Submitted by allanmarcus on December 19, 2014 - 4:43pm

"will win you over with its (literally) explosive performance."

Really? The sub will literally explode and get wood and speaker parts all over the place? Then it will win me over because it exploded? :-)

Warrior24_7's picture
Submitted by Warrior24_7 on December 21, 2014 - 6:57am

Just make sure that you put you ear and head reeeeal close to it when it does it to get the full effect.

sathishdht's picture
Submitted by sathishdht on December 20, 2014 - 9:35am

The word 'literally' seems to be abused very much these days, be it a S&v reviewr, CNET or Verge guy or readers commenting.

allanmarcus's picture
Submitted by allanmarcus on December 21, 2014 - 8:05am

Unfortunately, morons in our society have corrupted the word so much that according to dictionary.com and merriam-webster.com, the second definition of the word literally now means "virtually"! It literally blows my mind that that people virtually don't understand the difference between real and figurative! :-)

There is a sliver of hope. The Oxford English Dictionary still shows the ignorant usage of "literally" as "informal."

OK, pet peeve rant over. I just expect better from professional writers.

Warrior24_7's picture
Submitted by Warrior24_7 on December 22, 2014 - 9:57am

So, you need to put your head reeeeal close to it (and turn it up weeeeal weeeeal loud) so when it does it, your head will "virtually" explode and your ear drums will "literally" explode! That way you get the full effect and the true meaning of the word. Ok, rant to imbecile over. Let us know how that works out for ya.

sathishdht's picture
Submitted by sathishdht on December 20, 2014 - 9:41am

You guys missed out the best in $500 or below category which is 70% of buyer demography. For example Velodyne Impact Mini, Enotiva X-ref10 which has parametric eq as well, ML Dynamo500 are some of the very good subs under or around $500. Do you guys think through fully before publishing an article or just rush it out?

mnc's picture
Submitted by mnc on December 26, 2014 - 2:34am

I'm surprised you didn't include the PSA XV-15 since it won your $800 subwoofer shootout. Also, where is the review for the new HSU?

Bob Ankosko's picture
Submitted by Bob Ankosko on December 31, 2014 - 5:59am
Our review of the Hsu VTF-15H MK2, which appears in the February/March 2015 print issue, will be posted soon.
Devin Chen's picture
Submitted by Devin Chen on December 29, 2014 - 7:12am

Which is the best? it's JL Audio e110 Subwoofer, SVS SB13-Ultra Subwoofer, or M&K Sound X12 THX Subwoofer for Outdoor movie?

http://www.h5v.net/inflatable-movie-screen/

mnc's picture
Submitted by mnc on January 12, 2015 - 6:20am

When will you be reviewing the PSA XS30se? I am VERY interested in how it compares to the SVS SB13-Ultra.

Dharmaraj's picture
Submitted by Dharmaraj on May 1, 2016 - 12:58am

None of these subwoofer brands are available in my country :(
I found this site while looking for something else and I am gonna bookmark this. Great site for audiophiles like me :D
Thank You for allowing me to comment on your site. Visit Mine

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