Under-Seat Subwoofers: Are They Worth It?

An under-seat subwoofer is worth it for most daily drivers who want fuller sound without giving up the boot. It is a compact powered subwoofer with its own amplifier built in, small enough to slide under a front seat, and it adds the low bass that door speakers cannot reproduce. It will not match a boxed subwoofer in the boot for depth or volume.

What an under-seat subwoofer does well

• Fills in the bottom end: kick drums and bass lines sound full at normal volume, not only when it is turned up.
• Keeps the boot free: nothing to work around when you load shopping, prams or tools.
• Takes load off the door speakers: with the sub handling the lowest notes, the door speakers sound cleaner.
• Stays hidden: it sits out of sight, which suits utes, hatches and work vehicles.

Its limits

A compact sub uses a small driver in a small, slim enclosure, so it cannot move as much air as a 10 or 12 inch sub in a box. If you want bass you can feel at high volume, a boot sub with a separate amplifier is the better choice.

Will it fit under my seat?

Measure the space under the seat with the seat in your usual position, and check the clearance at the seat rails. Some cars have wiring, ducts or seat sensors under the front seats, so the sub may need to go under a rear seat or another spot. We check this before we quote.

Connecting it to your stereo

Most powered subwoofers accept a speaker-level signal, so they work with a factory stereo. With a newer head unit, the sub pre-out gives a cleaner signal. Either way the sub needs its own fused power feed from the battery, a solid earth and a remote turn-on lead so it switches off with the stereo. Our guide to amp wiring kits explains the power side.

Get one fitted

We fit under-seat and boot subwoofers at your home or work anywhere in Auckland: see subwoofer and amplifier installation. If you are also upgrading the speakers, see car speaker installation.

Frequently asked questions

Do under-seat subwoofers need an amplifier?

No. They are powered subwoofers with the amplifier built in. They still need a fused power cable from the battery and an earth.

Can I add an under-seat subwoofer to my factory stereo?

Usually yes. Most accept the speaker-level signal from a factory stereo, so you do not need a new head unit.

Is an under-seat subwoofer as good as a boot subwoofer?

No. It adds bass and saves space, but a boxed sub in the boot goes deeper and louder.

Will an under-seat subwoofer drain my battery?

Not when it is wired correctly. The remote turn-on lead switches it off with the stereo.