Many people give up on trying to get the bass they crave in their car audio system because they lack enough room to put a full-size subwoofer in their vehicle. The sad thing is that surely does not have to be the case. Although you may not be able to get a full-size subwoofer in a space-challenged vehicle there is a compromise you can make. That’s in the form of a space-saving subwoofer called as a shallow mount subwoofer. These space saving subwoofers won’t shatter your car windows with bass but they will definitely supply you with some deep, rich bass beats added to your music.
Maybe you don’t know where to look for a shallow subwoofer for your car? Well, we are here to help you find the best shallow mount subwoofers money can buy. In this article, we will do several shallow mount subwoofer reviews that include the most popular shallow subwoofers in the car audio marketplace.
Best Shallow Mount Subwoofers Comparison Chart
PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
---|---|---|---|
Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer |
| View On Amazon | |
Kicker CVT124 Shallow-Mount CompVT Series Car Subwoofer |
| View On Amazon | |
Massive Audio Store Car Subwoofer |
| View On Amazon | |
Rockford Fosgate P3SD4-10 DVC Shallow Subwoofer |
| View On Amazon | |
PIONEER TS-SW2502S4 Shallow-Mount Subwoofer |
| View On Amazon | |
13TW5V2-2 – JL Audio Shallow Mount Subwoofer |
| View On Amazon |
Best Shallow Mount Subwoofer Reviews (Updated List)
We have 12 of the top shallow mount subwoofers on the market and after reading our reviews, we are sure that you will find the best one for your car, truck or sports car.
1. Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer
As usual Rockford Fosgate takes a product idea and makes it better with these dual 8” shallow mount subwoofers. For a subwoofer that is intended to be used in a space-saving situation they still deliver some really great and well-defined bass tones to your car’s audio system.
With these subwoofers, Rockford Fosgate takes the meaning of the words ‘shallow mount’ very seriously. These subwoofers only recess into your car’s interior or trunk only 2.66”. That means they can be easily mounted in just about any car, pickup, SUV or even in a small boat. Mounting it is also made easier by the fact that it shrouded at the top of it with a flex fit basket.
This shallow mount subwoofer will thump pretty well when you feed it its recommended 150 RMS watts of power. It has a large 38-250 Hz low-frequency response rate and anodized aluminum dual 2-Ohm voice coils.
Pros:
- 150 watt RMS power/300 watt peak power
- Anodized aluminum dual 2-Ohm voice coils
- 38-250 Hz low frequency response rate
- Recess in only 2.66”
- Weighs only 8.8 lbs.
- Flex fit basket for easy installation
Cons:
- 12V outlet seats very close to the speaker opening
- Grill is purchased separately
2. Kicker CVT124 Shallow-Mount CompVT Series Car Subwoofer
Here is a little bit wider size shallow mount subwoofer from Kicker. It will have your seat vibrating nicely if you wire up properly to match your current car audio system. Having some good rich, deep bass not coming out of your car’s audio system definitely enhances your vehicle’s music listening experience.
This is a rare high performance subwoofer despite the fact that it’s only a 4 3/8” in depth. That means you will be most likely to mount it easily in your rear dashboard, trunk or even in a wider door panel in your vehicle. It features 400 watt RMS power in a single 4-ohm voice coil setup.
It will help reproduce some very low frequency sounds to thanks to its wider 25-350 Hz low frequency response rate. Among its other nice features is its injection molded SoloKon cone and the fact it’s firmly supported by a sturdy steel basket.
Pros:
- 400 watt RMS power/800 watt peak power
- Single 4-Ohm voice coil
- 25-350 Hz low frequency response rate
- 4 3/8” recess
- Injection molded SoloKon cone
- Sturdy steel basket
Cons:
- You will need to make a vented box for it
- Instructions are generic for several models
3. Massive Audio Store Car Subwoofer
The Massive Audio subwoofer is feature-packed and aiming for first place in its category. Delivers a solid base bass for its eight inches in size, this subwoofer has a peak power of up to 1400Watts and a 700Watss RMS.
Good sound cannot be achieved with weak material, so the Massive Audio woofer is equipped with 100% pure copper hard-wired cables and reinforced fiberglass woven dust cap. This kind of material is of great support for high power applications.
Each coil is 4 ohms, so you can wire it to 8 ohms or 2ohms and use an amplifier of 500Watts or 1000Watts peak at 2ohms. A recommended box size would allow for at least 3.5 cubic feet of airspace, but that would depend on each car’s specifics.
You can get the best high-frequency performance from this subwoofer if you play at 300Hz, even though you can go up to 1000Hz because its sensitivity is 49Hz.
Pros:
- Maximum power peak at 1400Watts
- High RMS at 700Watts
- Pure copper cables
- Reinforced fiberglass woven dust cap for high power applications
- Strontium Magnet structure
Cons:
- A Light smell might be emitted at the beginning of use
4. Rockford Fosgate P3SD4-10 DVC Shallow Subwoofer
Here is another fine shallow recess subwoofer product from the reputable Rockford Fosgate Company to make out countdown of the best ones. This one is a slightly larger 10” subwoofer model than the last shallow recess subwoofer we reviewed from them. It will give your car stereo sound a little more thump than the P3SD2-8 model we previously reviewed.
These speakers are absolutely loaded with nice features. That includes a high performance anodized aluminum cone with dust cap, 300 watt RMS power (150 watts per 4-ohm voice coil) and a generous frequency response rate of 45-250 Hz. With high-end features like this it’s easy to understand how this subwoofer can add some real kick to your car audio’s bass notes.
This Rockford Fosgate subwoofer saves space because it only requires a shallow 3.5” mounting depth. It also has a very decorative cast aluminum trim ring and its flex fit basket makes for easier installation in tight spots.
Pros:
- 300 watt RMS power/600 watt peak power
- Anodized aluminum cone and dust cap
- Dual 4-Ohm voice coils
- 3.5” Mounting depth
- Cast aluminum trim ring
- Flex fit basket for easy installation
Cons:
- Only a 1-year warranty
- Grill is purchased separately
5. PIONEER TS-SW2502S4 Shallow-Mount Subwoofer
Here is a Pioneer shallow mount subwoofer that delivers some big bass sound despite its space saving design. It will provide anyone who installs it in their vehicle with some rich, deep bass tones that they have been lacking. It’s easy to install and you will love it when it’s time to crank up the volume as you are driving along in your car.
This shallow mount subwoofer works great because of the amount of air it moves when working. That is essential to reproducing deep, rich bass tones. Design features such as its MICA injected molded resin oversized cone and its single 4ohm Voice Coil are some of the things that combine to help it move more air to get you the big bass beats that you crave as you drive.
One of the reasons this space saving subwoofer mounts so easily is because it only needs to be recessed a small 3 1/8”. It also features a not spectacular but above average 25-125 Hz low frequency response range too. Not to be overlooked is the fact that it has one of the best installation manuals that come with it too.
Pros:
- 300 watt RMS power/1200 watt peak power
- MICA injected molded resin oversized cone
- Single 4ohm Voice Coil
- 3 1/8” Mounting depth
- Produces the superior air movement needed for crisp bass tones
- 25-125 Hz low frequency response range
Cons:
- Not as wide a low frequency spectrum as some other subwoofers on our list
- Need to build an enclosure for it
6. 13TW5V2-2 – JL Audio Shallow Mount Subwoofer
If you are looking for power and strong sound, then this JL product is for you. This is a powerful and big product. These shallow mount subwoofers 13,5-inches in diameter which is a pretty large speaker. Its dimensions suggest that the only place for this unit is a rear deck.
The whole speaker is made out of modern and durable materials such as polypropylene cone and Santoprene surround. It is very shallow and requires only 2.5 inches of space. Since this is a pretty big speaker, it’s expected of it to be powerful, and this one has 1200 Watts of peak power and 600 Watts of RMS which is quite a lot and more than enough for a regular in-car audio enthusiast.
However, there is a catch, and that is the price. This product costs a little bit over $500 which is quite a lot. But if you want a powerful unit with good quality and brand name, you have to pay the price.
PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
---|---|---|---|
Alpine Swr-t10 Shallow Mount Subwoofer |
| View On Amazon | |
Jl Audio 10tw3-d4 10 Shallow Mount Subwoofer |
| View On Amazon | |
Skar Audio VD-12 D2 Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer |
| View On Amazon | |
Alpine SWT-10S2 Single Shallow Mount Subwoofers |
| View On Amazon | |
Rockford Fosgate Punch P3 Shallow Mount Subwoofer |
| View On Amazon | |
Kenwood Excelon KFC-XW1200F Shallow Mount Subwoofer |
| View On Amazon |
7. Alpine Swr-t10 Shallow Mount Subwoofer
Smaller and cheaper than the previous product is Alpine Swr-t10 shallow mount subwoofer. This product is a 10-inch single speaker made out of modern materials. Due to its size, it is more compact and could be installed not only on a rear deck but in the door panels also.
But, being smaller than JL doesn’t mean that it is less powerful, as this Alpine’s shallow mount subwoofer has 1800 Watts of peak power and 600 Watts of RMS which are really good numbers. The specifications of this unit are standard of the class and the price is more affordable than JL.
The Alpine Swr-t10 is around $300 which makes it a bargain compared to JL with similar power but bigger dimensions. So if you are looking for a really powerful brand name shallow mount subwoofer, Alpine could be the deal you are looking for.
8. Jl Audio 10tw3-d4 10 Shallow Mount Subwoofer
JL also produces a smaller but more advanced 10-inch shallow mount subwoofer. The advanced part is the construction and this speaker features cast alloy frame, mica-filled polypropylene cone, and rubber surround with modern materials incorporated into the design. Also, its depth is just 2.5-inches so this shallow mount subwoofer is perfect for installation in tight spaces like doors.
However, the downside of this product is its power, and with 400 Watts of peak power and 100 Watts RMS, this is not a very powerful speaker. The users reported that the sound quality and loudness are good but if you need a really strong shallow mount subwoofer this is not the product for you.
However, if you need a decent sounding speaker, this JL is yours for less than $300 which can be considered a reasonable price for good specifications, quality materials, and a brand name company.
9. Skar Audio VD-12 D2 Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer
The 12-inch dual 2-ohm shallow mount subwoofer of Skar guarantees high-performance audio quality for your car stereo system. With a peak power of 800 Watts and an RMS power of 500 Watts, this unit is engineered to withstand high temperatures, thanks to its copper voice coil. The item weighs 15 lbs and comes with a 2-year warranty. It works great at high frequencies, with a response range of 25 – 300 Hz.
This Subwoofer can be mounted to any vehicle, adaptable both for the trunk or under the seat. The speaker will function best when mounted in a ported box, which requires more space. It has a shallow mounting depth of 4.92 inches. When not appropriately installed or set to higher than permitted amps, you will risk blowing up the speaker. For better sound and power distribution, two units will work better. A delicate build, comprised of the paper cone and premium foam surround, it fairs as a mid-range price item in its category. Its compact size and attractive, simple design will add a unique touch to your vehicle’s interior and impress with an advanced level of sound quality.
Pros
- Shallow mounting depth adaptable to most cars
- Wide frequency response range
- High-performance design and stitching
Cons
- Speaker can be damaged at high bass power
- Should be mounted to a separate ported box
10. Alpine SWT-10S2 Single Shallow Mount Subwoofers
Alpine is a well-known name in car audio business and this product really shows why they are one of the best around. This is a big 10-inch shallow mount subwoofer with polyurethane surround and interesting construction of the frame for better airflow, providing better sound distribution. It has a depth of 4 inches which makes it compact and thin enough, so it can be installed wherever you want. The power is good at 1000 Watts of peak and 350 Watts of RMS.
The users reported that the sound quality is great and since it has a little more travel than other shallow mount subwoofers it has more punch and mimics the bass coming from a real trunk-mounted subwoofer. The price for this unit is just under $200, which is more than MTX Audio FPR12-02, but you get a little bigger speaker and a little more power, so the price jump is understandable. This product is for users that need one powerful shallow mount subwoofer with good power and quality.
11. Rockford Fosgate Punch P3 Shallow Mount Subwoofer
Always pay attention to Rockford Fosgate’s products since they offer great sound and technology at affordable prices. This is one of their typical offerings in the form of a big shallow mount subwoofer. For the very affordable price of $122, you will get one big 12-inch speaker with nice specifications and features. The kevlar fiber reinforced paper cone is the basis of the speaker and the surrounding area is made from a polyester compound. The exterior is nicely designed with an aluminum ring.
With the depth of only 3.5 inches, it is easy to install and it will fit anywhere. The power is decent at 600 Watts of peak and 300 Watts of RMS. You can get stronger speakers, but you can’t get them at this price and quality level, and that is why this is a recommended product. The users reported that the sound delivery is perfect and this shallow mount subwoofer packs a nice punch.
However, if you want to buy this unit, hurry up, since the manufacturer has discontinued the production. Of course, they are still available for a limited time period.
12. Kenwood Excelon KFC-XW1200F Shallow Mount Subwoofer
If you are looking for one strong shallow mount subwoofer with nice specifications and price, the Kenwood Excelon is the one for you. It is a single 12-inch speaker built with fiberglass cone with rubber surround. The frame and the ring are made from aluminum.
The power is the main selling point of this unit and this speaker has 1400 Watts of peak power and 700 Watts of RMS. This is quite a lot for a single shallow mount subwoofer and this is obviously a product for people who are looking for pure power. If you drive a two-seater or a truck, it is the best to mount it between the seats and you will get very strong sound close to your ears.
The other important thing is the price and this Excelon KFC-XW1200F is yours for only $122 which is bargain compared to some other similar products.
13. Rockford Fosgate R2 Ultra Shallow 10-Inch 4 Ohm DVC Subwoofer
If you are looking for the cheapest alternative in shallow mount subwoofer market, then look no further, because this one is for you. The Rockford Fosgate R2 is a 10-inch speaker with polypropylene cone and rugged design. The power output is not impressive with 400 Watts of peak and 200 Watts of RMS, but it will still make strong bass and loud sounds.
The biggest selling point of this product is the price, and for just $60 you can have 10-inch shallow mount subwoofer which is capable of decent sound reproduction quality and it is easy to install. Good enough for starter users and for those that don’t want to spend too much money on car audio components.
What is a Shallow Mount Subwoofer?
If you are not familiar with the term, shallow mount subwoofers are compact sized small subwoofers designed to produce the same bass effect and powerful sound, but in much more space-saving form.
They are not only smaller, but also lighter and easier to install in your car. Shallow mount subwoofers look like regular component speakers and have the same dimensions, but they deliver a much deeper and powerful sound. The advantages of this type of speakers are very clear, and you will save not only space but weight also since shallow mount subwoofers are much lighter than regular subwoofers.
Of course, they don’t need an enclosure and could be mounted practically anywhere in your car’s interior or trunk. On the other hand, there are also several disadvantages of using this type of speaker, and the main one is the sound. Shallow mount subwoofers simply can’t deliver the same sound quality as regular subwoofers can. That being said, it doesn’t mean that shallow mount subwoofers sound bad, on contrary, but if you are an in-car stereo fanatic, you might want to switch to regular big subwoofers if you want the most out your stereo system.
Best places for your shallow mount subwoofers, all things considered, are inside of your car not in the trunk like regular subwoofers. Since they are compact, they can fit practically wherever so we recommend you put them in the doors or rear deck. This way you will have the perfect sound, and also save space. In some cases, if you drive a truck or a really small sports car or roadster, shallow mount subwoofers are the only solution.
Also, Check out powered subwoofers!
Conclusion:
Even if you don’t have a big car it doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy big bass sounds. Thanks to shallow mount subwoofers you can have rich bass beats in any car. Shallow mount subwoofers are very practical and, in some cases, a more affordable solutions for any in-car audio enthusiast.
They are also easy to install and very compact, and they can really transform your car audio system in a matter of minutes. We have compiled several reviews of the best shallow mount subwoofers on the market and we are sure that you will find the one that will perfectly suit your needs.