Sometimes when people assemble their car stereo components they either get a big 15-inch car subwoofer they don’t need or put in a small subwoofer that doesn’t give them the bass that they crave. What’s the solution to this problem? Many times the answer is putting in a space saving yet powerful 12-inch car stereo subwoofer. It won’t be overkill like some 15” car subwoofers are and you will still get crisp rich bass tones.
In this article, we will talk about several of the best 12-inch car subwoofers. We will do that by providing you with a series of 12-inch car subwoofer reviews. These reviews will give you both the highs and lows of each 12-inch car subwoofer we look at and tell you some other important facts about them too. You may just like one of them so much you run out and purchase it for your car stereo system.
PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
---|---|---|---|
Orion HCCA124 HCCA Black Coil Series 12” Sub Woofer |
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JBL GT-BassPro12 12-Inch (300mm) Car Subwoofer |
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Rockford Fosgate P3D2-12 Punch P3 Car Subwoofer |
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MTX TNE212D Car Subwoofers + Kit |
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Dual BP1204 Illumination Bandpass Subwoofer |
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MTX Audio Terminator Series TNE212D Sub Enclosure |
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Rockford Fosgate P2D4-12 Punch P2 Subwoofer |
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Best 12 Inch Car Subwoofer Reviews (Updated List)
1. Orion HCCA124 HCCA Black Coil Series 12” Sub Woofer
The Orion HCCA124 12” Subwoofer impressed us because the power handling stays true to the number given in the description. It peaks at 5000W, with an RMS of 2500W. Note that this is quite powerful, for which reason the subwoofer comes as a big construction. The cutout size you will need is 15.079”. Make sure you also have the proper size box if you want to put the subwoofer in one. For this model, a sealed box will be perfect, while a ported box would only give you a loud sound. A good feature of this subwoofer is that it picks up both high and very low frequencies. However, it does not have the widest range. A powerful amplifier rated between 3000 and 4000 Watts peak power will suit this product. Note that it also wastes your battery quickly. It is crucial that your power supply batteries undergo an update before you install it.
Pros:
- High power handling is true to description
- Picks up low and high frequencies
- Good sound
- Easy to install
- Impressive, big structure
Cons:
- Requires space
- The rubber material is not of the highest quality
- Wastes the battery quickly
2. JBL GT-BassPro12 12-Inch (300mm) Car Subwoofer
When a car 12-inch subwoofer has the name JBK on the side you can bet it’s a good car stereo component. JBL makes some of the best car components you will find in the marketplace. This 12-inch car subwoofer from them is not overly big yet still provides some dynamic bass for your car’s audio system.
It’s die-cast aluminum basket and rubberized backing stabilize it and help provide resonance damping too. Other nice features on include its polypropylene cone, its noise minimizing slipstream port design and its improved motor venting structure that helps it run cooler.
One of the best things about this 12-inch car subwoofer is that you don’t have to pop your truck every time you want to adjust it. JBL has had the foresight to include a remote control so you can even adjust from the front of your car as you drive.
Pros:
- Die-cast aluminum basket
- 150 Watt RMS power, 450 Watt peak power
- Polypropylene cone
- Remote controlled from the driver’s seat
- Slipstream port design
- Improved motor venting structure
Cons:
- Very heavy at 38.5 pounds
- Will not hit on very low bass notes (35Hz-120Hz frequency response)
3. Rockford Fosgate P3D2-12 Punch P3 Car Subwoofer
A nice one from Rockford Fosgate and also an affordable unit with good specifications and power. It features dual linear spider with embedded 16 AWG tinsel leads and extended pole piece and bumped vented backplate. The power is decent and you’ll get 600 watts RMS and 1200 watts of peak power.
The material of the cone is anodized aluminum and dust cap with Rockford “VAST” (Vertical Attach Surround Technique) surround. This is a good product from the renowned manufacturer and at an affordable price so if you are in the market for brand name product with good specs, this could be it.
4. MTX TNE212D Car Subwoofers + Kit
Are you one of those people that can’t seem to get enough bass even with a 15” car subwoofer? Then you will want to take a closer look at this 12 inch subwoofer kit from MTX. It contains not just one but two 12 inch car subwoofers so you can even shake vibrate the tires of your car if you want to turn your bass all the way up.
The kit is rated at 400 watt RMS and 1200 watt peak power. When combined that will be a higher level of bass than you will probably ever use in a vehicle. Other really good features on it include such things as its spider plateau venting to help it run cool and slipstream port design for making easy connections.
MTX could not have made this dual subwoofer system any easier to install for you. Each 12-inch car subwoofer comes preinstalled in its basket. They have even thought to add an installation kit so you don’t even need to go to the store and purchase anything to get it up and running. It even includes a 1500 watt amplifier right in with it too.
Pros:
- Kit contains two 12 inch car subwoofers
- Each subwoofer is rated at 400 Watt RMS power, 1200 Watt peak system power
- Polypropylene cone
- Spider plateau venting
- Slipstream port design
- Includes installation kit and 1500 watt amplifier too
Cons:
- Takes up much space
- The included hookup wire is to the thin side
5. Dual BP1204 Illumination Bandpass Subwoofer
If you are in the market for custom car accessories and car audio, you must see this offering from Dual. It is subwoofer box with two speakers and it is illuminated and packed in the enclosure, ready to be mounted in the trunk of your car. It has built in amplifier and computer-tuned acoustic chamber to increase output efficiency.
It has a dual-chambered enclosure with two 12-inch Dual DS Series subwoofers but the power output is not so impressive. Only 250 watts RMS which is way under the standards of the class. That is why this dual subwoofers combo is pretty affordable and it is more aimed for people who want the looks without real strong thump of the bass speaker.
6. MTX Audio Terminator Series TNE212D Sub Enclosure
MTX has not one but two great 12 inch car subwoofers on our list of the top models. That should tell you something about how well they design the subwoofers that they manufacture. This one is as powerful a dual 12 inch car subwoofer combination as you will find.
Each 12-inch car subwoofer in this package is rated at 400 watt RMS. That will have your car bouncing up and down on its wheels with bass if you want. It also features MTX’s famous spider plateau venting system to help keep it cool and a 2” aluminum voice coil to help promote superior sound wave generation.
Talk about easy installation too, all you have to do with this subwoofer setup is put it in place and wire it. It comes in its own enclosure all ready to go. This dual subwoofer enclosure is even nicely padded with aviation grade carpet to help protect it from items bouncing around in your trunk.
Pros:
- Dual 12 inch sealed sub enclosure
- Each subwoofer is rated at 400 Watt RMS power, 1200 Watt peak power
- Polypropylene cone
- Spider plateau venting
- Slipstream port design
- 2” aluminum voice coil
Cons:
- Short 1-year warranty
- Only has a 35Hz to 150Hz frequency response
7. Rockford Fosgate P2D4-12 Punch P2 Subwoofer
Here is another great 12 inch subwoofer from Rockford Fosgate. We all really like this 12 inch subwoofer. It is loaded with many outstanding features and it will hit hard enough to generate bass that will please all but the most hardcore vehicle bass enthusiasts.
With 400 watt RMS power and 800-watt peak power, the Rockford Fosgate P2D4-12 Punch will help add superior bass tones to any car audio system. It has other outstanding features such as stamp cast basket with integrated spider venting to help it stay cool. There is even a dual 4-ohm voice coil and nickel plated 10 gauge wire terminals built into it.
This 12-inch car subwoofer has a unique cone design too. It’s made of paper that is nicely reinforced with Kevlar fibers. You get the best of both worlds; superior sound generation and a paper cone that’s not easily damaged.
Pros:
- Dual 4-ohm voice coils
- 400 Watt RMS power, 800 Watt peak power
- Stamp-cast basket with integrated spider venting
- Kevlar reinforced paper cone
- Decorative cast Aluminum Frame
- Nickel-plated 10 gauge wire terminals
Cons:
- Short 1-year warranty
- Have to build your own enclosure
PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
---|---|---|---|
Rockville W12K9D2 12″ 4000w Car Audio Subwoofer |
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Power Acoustik MOFO-124X MOFO Pro Subwoofer |
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Audiopipe TXX-BD2-12 Car Audio Subwoofer |
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Pioneer TS-W3003D4 Champion Series Pro Subwoofer |
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BOSS Audio CXX12 Car Subwoofer |
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Kicker 11S12L72 Car Subwoofer |
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8. Rockville W12K9D2 12″ 4000w Car Audio Subwoofer
The Rockville W12K9D2 is a 12-inch Car Subwoofer that can support a variety of powerful amplifiers if wired correctly. However, note that the wiring instructions are not clear and could confuse you. Although the description advertises an RMS Power Handling of 1000 Watts, this subwoofer can support a bit smaller amounts of wattage. It can support 800W and it will perform well. This model is a newer version and has push button terminals. The voice coil is thick and strong. Nonetheless, you might notice a smell of plastic as the volume goes up. The W12K9D2 cannot drop to 1ohm because it will overheat but the sound is good at 2ohms. In terms of frequency, it can go as low as 30Hz. For sound improvement and protection, you can place the subwoofer in a box. Both a sealed and a ported box will suit this product. It all depends on the type of response you want and the kind of music you listen to.
Pros:
- Thick rubber voice coils
- Good sound
- Reasonable price
- Compatible with sealed and ported boxes
- Works with amplifiers of diverse range of power supply
- Push button terminals
Cons:
- Unclear wiring instructions
- Plastic smell at high volume
- Lower than advertised wattage
9. Power Acoustik MOFO-124X MOFO Pro Subwoofer
Would you like to have a 15” car subwoofer but don’t just quite have enough space to put it in? Then this is the next best thing. The Power Acoustik MOFO-124X subwoofer acts like a 15” car subwoofer that’s in a smaller 12 inch car subwoofer body. This is one powerful 12 inch car subwoofer to say the least.
How powerful is it? It’s rated at 1500 Watt RMS power and 2700 Watt peak power. That’s impressive in a 12-inch car subwoofer. It also includes a high-performance non-pressed pulp cone, die-cast aluminum frame, and a nice 2.5″ dual 4-ohm 4-layer voice coil.
This is a very cool running 12-inch car subwoofer too. A lot of that has to do with its cast aluminum heatsink. It’s a heatsink designed to adequately supply the cooling needs of more powerful subwoofers like this one.
Pros:
- 2.5″ Dual 4-ohm 4-layer voice coil
- 1500 Watt RMS power, 2700 Watt peak power
- Cast aluminum heatsink
- Non-pressed pulp cone
- Die-Cast Aluminum Frame
- Nickel plated 8 gauge wire terminals
Cons:
- More bass than smaller vehicle interiors need
- Not in enclosure
10. Audiopipe TXX-BD2-12 Car Audio Subwoofer
Every once in a while we come across a 12 inch car subwoofer that delivers very good performance yet can be had for a very affordable price. That perfectly describes the Audiopipe TXX-BD2-12. It is an impressive 12 inch vehicle subwoofer for the amount of money you will spend on it.
It all starts with this 12” car subwoofer’s 750 watt RMS power and 3000-watt peak power. There are very few people that amount of bass won’t satisfy when listening to their car audio system.
Other nice features on the Audiopipe TXX-BD2-12 include its 2.5″ dual 4-ohm voice coils, its double stacked strontium magnets, and its wide frequency response range (20-900Hz).
This is a good looking 12” car subwoofer when it’s finally enclosed in your vehicle too. There is a decorative powder black cast aluminum basket that will nicely complement the looks of anything that’s around it.
Pros:
- 2.5″ dual 4 ohm voice coils
- 750 Watt RMS power, 3000 Watt peak power
- Double stacked strontium magnets
- Decorative powder black cast aluminum basket
- Multi-connect terminal
- Wide frequency response range (20-900Hz)
Cons:
- Tricky to wire just right
- Doesn’t come with an enclosure
11. Pioneer TS-W3003D4 Champion Series Pro Subwoofer
As usual Pioneer does not disappoint with this nice car audio component. It’s a very adequately powered 12 inch car subwoofer that will add just the right amount of pleasing bass tones to any car audio system.
The Pioneer TS-W3003D4 12 inch car subwoofer is rated at a very generous 600 watt RMS power and 2000 Watt peak power. That’s a higher bass level than most people will ever use. Also built into this very well-designed 12” car subwoofer are dual 4-ohm voice coils, a reinforced basket, and an IMPP Composite Seamless Cone.
Do you hate it when your subwoofer does not catch the lower end bass tones? Well, that is not a problem at all with this 12-inch vehicle subwoofer from pioneer. It has an impressive 20Hz – 80 Hz frequency range which will catch even the bass tones at the lowest end of the audible sound frequency spectrum.
Pros:
- Dual 4-ohm voice coils
- 750 Watt RMS power, 3000 Watt peak power
- Reinforced basket
- Larger magnet promotes higher bass loudness
- IMPP Composite Seamless Cone
- Superior low-end frequency response
Cons:
- Short 1-year warranty
- Have to build your own enclosure
12. BOSS Audio CXX12 Car Subwoofer
The next product we will review for you is the Boss Audio CXX12 Car Subwoofer. The primary advantage of this unit is that it creates good sound at both low and high frequencies. Some people might find the bass to be too much, but then your stereo might allow you to adjust it. The bass is tight and controlled. With a quality stereo, you will be able to customize the type of sound you receive. The subwoofer itself works well within an enclosure and a ported box. The depth of this unit is 13” and fits easily in the appropriate spot. The amplifier that will suit this subwoofer the most is the amp that would push as much power as possible without damaging the product. Keep the power in the recommended ranges – 600W peak and 300W RMS. Some of the units from this series have started showing performance issues after several months. The product comes with a 3-year Platinum Online Dealer Warranty for such situations.
Pros:
- Tight, controlled bass
- Low and high-frequency range
- Compatible with different kind of enclosures and boxes
- Installation is easy
- Customized experience possible with a quality stereo
Cons:
- Durability complaints
13. Kicker 11S12L72 Car Subwoofer
Interesting looking and good sounding subwoofer come from renowned manufacturer Kicker and it is a square speaker with good specifications. Kicker claims that square speaker is able to deliver more decibels with the patented extra cone area. It has full back bracing for toughness and zero distortion, reliable stitched surround for minimizing cone flex and heat-dissipating, solid pole piece and high-temp coil wire for longer woofer life.
The power is respectable 1500 watts peak and 750 watts RMS. With a decent price and interesting design, it is a recommended product for all users especially for those who need a square-shaped speaker to fill the space in the trunk.
The Top 4 Things to Consider When Buying A 12 Inch Subwoofer
- Space
Compared to the 8 or 10-inch subwoofers, 12 inches are bigger and they require more space. Especially if you have them in the box or enclosure in which case they can take the whole trunk of a car. So before buying and installing, figure out do you have enough room in your car for such a device. - The Sound
The main advantage of big 12 inch subwoofers is the powerful sound and with this kind of speaker, you can feel the bass as well as hear it. But with big speakers comes a big problem and that is the clarity of the sound. Any speaker can hit hard and make thumping noise but not all can make sound clear and precise. The main concern when buying should be just that, the precision. So read our reviews and find the right 12-inch subwoofer for you based on the quality and clarity of the sound. - The Price
Of course, the price is always an important factor and in a 12-inch subwoofer class, there are speakers ranging from 80$ all the way to 800$ which is an enormous difference. But, rest assured that you can find bargains around 100$ and not so good units at 400$. So spend your money wisely and choose the speakers according to your needs, space and sound preferences as well as your budget. - The Power
The power of the speaker is very important not only for the overall experience but for installation, powering the subwoofer, and connectivity. Sometimes, different components need different cables, jacks, terminals or others. So, be sure that you know how to power the subwoofer and how to connect it properly before the use.
Also, check out: 15-inch subwoofers and the ultimate subwoofers buyer’s guide
Best 12 Inch Subwoofer Comparison Chart
PRODUCT | PRICE | DIMENSION | WEIGHT | RMS Power | Peak Power |
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JBL GT-BassPro12 12-Inch (300mm) Car Subwoofer | $$$$$ | 12 x 22.4 x 14.5" | 38.6 pounds | 150 Watt | 450 Watt |
MTX TNE212D 12" Car Subwoofers + Box + Planet 1500W Amp + Kit | $$$$ | 32 x 16 x 16" | 54.5 pounds | 400 Watt | 120 Watt |
MTX Audio Terminator Series TNE212D 12-Inch Sub Enclosure | $$$ | 14 x 29 x 13" | 45.1 pounds | 400 Watt | 1200 Watt |
Power Acoustik MOFO-124X MOFO 12-Inch Pro Subwoofer | $$ | 14.5 x 14.5 x 9.8" | 27.6 Pounds | 1500 Watt | 2700 Watt |
Rockford Fosgate P2D4-12 Punch P2 DVC 4 Ohm | $$ | 14.5 x 14.5 x 9.5" | 15.75 pounds | 400 Watt | 800 Watt |
Pioneer TS-W3003D4 Champion Series Pro Subwoofer | $ | 12 x 12 x 6.9" | 14.4 pounds | 750 Watt | 3000 Watt |
Audiopipe TXX-BD2-12 12" 3000W Car Audio Subwoofer | $$ | 14.5 x 10.5 x 14.5" | 50 pounds | 750 Watt | 3000 Watt |
Kicker 11S12L72 12-Inch 1500W 2 Ohm Car Subwoofer | $$$$$ | 15 x 15 x 9.5" | 24.2 pounds | 750 Watt | 1500 Watt |
Alpine SWR-12D4 Type-R 12" Subwoofer with Dual 4-ohm Voice Coils | $$$$ | 12.6 x 6.4 x 7.5" | 17.6 pounds | 500 Watt | 1000 Watt |
Dual BP1204 12-Inch Illumination Bandpass Subwoofer | $$$ | 30 x 14.4 x 14.4" | 58 Pounds | 600 Watt | 1100 Watt |
Rockford Fosgate P3D2-12 Punch P3 DVC 12-Inch Peak Subwoofer | $$$ | 14.5 x 14.5 x 10" | 21.1 pounds | 600 Watt | 1200 Watt |
Summing Up Our Favorite 12 Inch Vehicle Subwoofers
Having a good subwoofer on your car audio system is too important to not get right. That won’t be a problem if you purchase any of the models on the list of our best 12-inch car subwoofers. Any of them will nicely complement even the most sophisticated car audio systems. They are all really that well-designed and put together.
As you read our 12-inch car subwoofer reviews you probably noticed a few things that jumped out at you about each model. That will undoubtedly make your choice harder but in this case, it’s a good thing. That’s because there really is no bad choice here. So pick the one that best fits your needs when you are ready to buy and you will be well on your way to building an extremely satisfying vehicle sound system.