To enjoy your favorite movies and soundtracks, you must need a subwoofer that fulfills your satisfaction. Subwoofers are essential for any car audio or home theatre system, but you will mostly find space-taking subwoofers in the market. Due to the large size, these subwoofers take up a lot of space and give you trouble connecting under the seat of any vehicle or with a home theater.

We can manage space and use large subs for home theatre systems, but we cannot use them for car audio. There is also the best slimline subwoofer with a built in amplifier in the market that you can easily install under your vehicle’s seat or with any theater system. After outstanding research, I have listed these Slimline Subwoofers**,** which fulfill your music listening satisfaction and give an advantage of compact body design. You can install the sub under a seat or footwell without trouble. The second advantage is the budget, which is not much high, and you can easily buy a subwoofer under a regular budget.

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Our Recommendations For Best Slimline Subwoofer With Built In Amp

Kenwood KSC-SW11 Subwoofer Best Value Small Sized Subwoofer For Any Music Kenwood KSC-SW11 Subwoofer Read More See On Amazon
Pioneer TS-WX130DA Slim Active Subwoofer Best Slimline Underseat Subwoofer With Built In Amp Pioneer TS-WX130DA Slim Active Subwoofer Read More See On Amazon
Alpine Electronics PWE-S8 Subwoofer Best Slimline Subwoofer For Small Cars Alpine Electronics PWE-S8 Subwoofer Read More See On Amazon
Theater Solutions SUB8SM Subwoofer Best 8-Inch Slim Subwoofer Theater Solutions SUB8SM Subwoofer Read More See On Amazon
 Kenwood KSC-PSW8 Slimline Subwoofer Best Slimline Subwoofer Under $200 Kenwood KSC-PSW8 Slimline Subwoofer Read More See On Amazon
 Rockford Fosgate PS-8 Subwoofer Best 8" Shallow Subwoofer Rockford Fosgate PS-8 Subwoofer Read More See On Amazon
NHT Super 8 Subwoofer Best Subwoofer For Office NHT Super 8 Subwoofer Read More See On Amazon
Planet Audio P8UAW Subwoofer Best Subwoofer For Jeep Wrangler Planet Audio P8UAW Subwoofer Read More See On Amazon

Best Slimline Subwoofer With Built In Amp Reviews

Kenwood KSC-SW11 Subwoofer (Image credit: Amazon)

Kenwood KSC-SW11 Subwoofer

Best Value Small Sized Subwoofer For Any Music

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Kenwood | Color: BLACK | Speaker Type: Compact powered subwoofer | Model Name: KSC-SW11 | Control Method: Remote | Enclosure: Aluminum enclosure | Crossover: Variable low-pass crossover(50-12) | RMS power: 75 watts

Pros

+ Great compact powered subwoofer.

+ Installation is easy.

+ Sounds great and not distorted.

+ It adds more low bass.

+ Good price range.

+ Amp and sub are decent.

+ Fits under the seat well.

+ Hardware harness included.

Cons

- Sub not for loud bass lovers

If you have a car with small speakers, the Kenwood KSC-SW11 subwoofer is perfect for you and provides a more balanced sound. Like PWE-S8, the KSC-SW11 body also has an Aluminum body enclosure and takes less space. The subwoofer will help you in adding low-end bass to your car audio. I use a KSC-SW11 subwoofer with my beloved 2003 Nissan Frontier (crew cab), and several years ago, I decided to replace factory speakers, but after replacement, I wouldn’t get enough bass. Then someone suggested the Kenwood sub, and after connecting the subwoofer, I got more quality sound to hear. As it is a slimline sub, the sound expectations are minimal, and the entire unit is high quality. At $300, you will find Kenwood KSC-SW11 as the best slimline subwoofer with a built in amplifier, and you will get Noise-less sound from it.

Pioneer TS-WX130DA Slim Active Subwoofer (Image credit: Amazon)

Pioneer TS-WX130DA Slim Active Subwoofer

Best Slimline Underseat Subwoofer With Built In Amp

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: PIONEER | Color: Black | Speaker Type: Subwoofer | Model Name: TS-WX130DA | Speaker Size: 11 Inches | Amplifier: Yes- Built-in Amp | Power: 160W max | Deep Mode: 20Hz-200Hz | Digital Bass Control: Yes | Gain Control: Yes | Frequency Control: Yes | Bass Mode: Yes

Pros

+ Excellent Compact Subwoofer

+ Installation is super easy

+ Produce much more bass

+ It sounds amazing

+ Easy to wire power

+ It has a Built-in Amplifier and features many modes

+ High-level input

Cons

- The subwoofer doesn’t go as loud as some people like it

The list starts with Pioneer TS-WX130DA, which is well known as a tremendous slimline subwoofer due to its small body design. The Pioneer subwoofer provides an excellent range for various music styles, and its bass is more than enough and gives you superior sound inside the car. It is a black slimline subwoofer, and due to its black body design, it is a perfect match with black car seats, and you can easily mount it under the car seat or footwell. If you have a car radio like Pioneer DEH-X7800DAB, then the subwoofer is perfect because the subwoofer is born to be coupled with these types of car radios.

The main benefit you will get after mounting the subwoofer with DEH-X7800DAB types of car radios will perfectly control the subwoofer throughout your car radio. It is an active subwoofer or LPF subwoofer, and the remarkable thing is that it has a built-in Class D amplifier. The subwoofer digital bass response is superb, and if you want to increase performance or tailor frequency response, you can use different modes (Gain, Deep mode, Dynamic listening mode).

After using the Pioneer TS-WX130DA, you can control both phase & bass modes with a remote. The subwoofer TS-WX130DA can quickly come under a $200 budget, and in this price range, it is the best slimline subwoofer with a built In amp.

Read: Which Way A Subwoofer Faced In Home Theater

Alpine Electronics PWE-S8 Subwoofer (Image credit: Amazon)

Alpine Electronics PWE-S8 Subwoofer

Best Slimline Subwoofer For Small Cars

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Alpine | Color: Black | Speaker Type: Subwoofer | Model Name: Alpine Restyle | Speaker Size: 8-inch subwoofer | Amplifier: 120W amplifier | Frequency Response: 32Hz-150Hz | Model: PWE-S8

Pros

+ Pretty straightforward subwoofer

+ Greater flexibility during installation

+ Built-in amplifier

+ Auto-sensing Speaker Level Inputs

+ Low, punchy, accurate bass

+ Die-cast aluminum enclosure

Cons

- For earth rattling bass lovers, this Alpine PWE-S8 sub is not a better choice

- Sub for small cars

Next on our list is a restyle compact powered subwoofer named Alpine Electronics PWE-S8. The subwoofer cast aluminum body enclosure is solid, and an 8-inch sub and 120W amp are housed together. You can fit it under the seat of your car, sedan trunk, SUV’s hatch, or under the truck seat effortlessly, and you don’t need to worry about connections of sub.

The PWE-S8 does not take a ton of power, and I didn’t get any issues with my fuse box when I tapped it into a spare and ran it under my car’s seat. After great observation, I recommend that this one is the best if you have a small vehicle.

But for loud bass lovers, there are better choices than this subwoofer. For a large vehicle ( a large van), the subwoofer is good for the people immediately near it, but it is not powerful enough. If we compare it with the KSC-PSW8 sub or Pioneer TS-WX130DA, then in bass quality, the PWE-S8 performance could be better. Still, the similar thing in comparison with both subwoofers is controlling options which are Phase, Gain, and LP Crossover you will get on the side panel.

Theater Solutions SUB8SM Subwoofer (Image credit: Amazon)

Theater Solutions SUB8SM Subwoofer

Best 8-Inch Slim Subwoofer

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Theater Solutions | Color: Mahogany | Speaker Type: In-Wall, Subwoofer | Model Name: SUB8SM | Speaker Size: 8-Inches | Peak Power: 50-Watts | Frequency Response: 35Hz-150Hz | Impedance: 8ohm | Design: RFL Bass Reflex Design | Gain Control: Yes | Enclosure: High-density MDF Enclosure

Pros

+ Built-in auto shut off

+ Beautiful mahogany finish

+ Budget slimline subwoofer for home theater

+ Moisture-resistant materials

+ Lush bass

+ Physical footprint

+ Excellent features for installation

Cons

- The cabinet is plastic Formica

For a $200 budget, Theater Solutions SUB8SM is the super slimline subwoofer on our list. Unlike other listed subs, Its body color is Mahogany, and if you are tired of black color, then this Mahogany slimline subwoofer is an excellent choice for you. As you find a slimline subwoofer with an ideal built-in amp, what about the SUB8SM subwoofer? It has a digital high-efficiency amplifier that will provide you with significant amplification. You have to connect it to your car and prepare high-quality sound.

Compared with KSC-SW11, KSC-PSW8**,** and TS-WX130DA, the SUB8SM subwoofer can also use home theater systems, and you can fit it on your wall or the ceiling for home entertainment and have MDF Enclosure. I wouldn’t recommend you to use the SUB8SM subwoofer for car audio because mainly designed for home theaters.

If you are in search of car subwoofers, then read our first five listed subwoofers' descriptions carefully and select the best compact sub for car audio. The SUB8SM sub mainly comes in two different colors 1st. One is a mahogany finish, and the other is black. With the SUB8SM subwoofer, you will get stand mounts, hanging mounts, and extra screws for mounting to round out this sub.

Read: Best Budget Powered Speaker For Music

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Kenwood KSC-PSW8 Slimline Subwoofer (Image credit: Amazon)

Kenwood KSC-PSW8 Slimline Subwoofer

Best Slimline Subwoofer Under $200

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Kenwood | Speaker Type: Subwoofer | Model Name:  KSC-PSW8 | Speaker Maximum Output Power: 250 Watts | Amplifier: Yes Build-In Class D amp | RMS Power: 150 watts (250 watts maximum) | Sensitivity: 81 dB | Remote Control: Yes | Woofer: 8-inch

Pros

+ Best Small size subwoofer

+ Two plugs, that's it

+ Easily fit under the front passenger seat

+ Enough punch (150 watts RMS)

+ Simple connections

Cons

- The remote has not much control options by comparison with SM/JBL Bass, Pro remote controller

The next is the Kenwood KSC-PSW8 review. The sound produced by this subwoofer is enough to punch your taste. Like Pioneer TS-WZX130DA, the KSC-PSW8 also has a black body design, but it is not much slim, unlike the Pioneer subwoofer. But still, excellent slimline subwoofer due to its compact powered enclosure, and for most vehicles, you can easily fit it under the seat quickly and take up less space. Under the $200 price range, the compact 8" woofer provides excellent quality bass, which equals a giant sub in your trunk. It has a tremendous rigid enclosure that eliminates rattles, and also you will get a pre-installed amplifier.

The built-in amplifier of Kenwood KSC-PSW8 will easily feed the speaker RMS up to 150 watts. If you are using a Kenwood stereo, we recommend the KSC-PSW8 subwoofer. The two main benefits of connecting the Kenwood slimline subwoofer with the Kenwood stereo are unique sound differences and the installation process, which will get more efficient, and you need quite a few settings to do on the head unit. The Kenwood subwoofer wired remote features rotary volume control, rotary frequency control, and low pass filter options, which help you control volume and frequency and set the subwoofer low pass filter (50Hz to 80Hz range). So, in a $200 budget, the Kenwood KSC-PSW8 is the best slimline subwoofer with a built-in amplifier for you.

Read: How To Connect Speaker To Laptop Without Amplifier

Rockford Fosgate PS-8 Subwoofer (Image credit: Amazon)

Rockford Fosgate PS-8 Subwoofer

Best 8" Shallow Subwoofer

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Rockford Fosgate | Color: BLACK | Speaker Type: Subwoofer | Sub Size: 8" shallow subwoofer | Speaker Maximum Output Power: 150 Watts | Amplifier: Class D amplifier 150-W | Bass level control: Yes | Remote Control Option: Yes

Pros

+ Easy to install

+ Solid base

+ Ideal for lack of space

+ Good installation subwoofer kit

+ A good amount of bass

+ Nice little thump

Cons

- Not budget-friendly subwoofer

Let’s talk about the Rockford Fosgate PS-8 subwoofer. It has an 8" shallow subwoofer which you will find on a custom-sealed enclosure. Like Kenwood KSC-PSW8, the Fosgate PS-8 is also very compact and takes less space which you can easily place under the seat or footwell of your vehicle perfectly. The body structure of the PS-8 sub is pretty solid, and on the front, a reliable black grill is installed for subwoofer protection. In the front middle, you will find silver Rockford Fosgate installed, which shines elegantly. You will find all subwoofer connecting and controlling options on the left side, which helps you set up the subwoofer correctly.

Like other listed subs, it also has a built-in Class D 150-Watt amplifier. The PS-8 slimline subwoofer is all-inclusive, and you only need to connect, then run power and use it. You can handle the subwoofer fully by using excellent features like adjustable 12db, adjustable bass boost EQ, hi-level/low-level inputs, and 0°/180° (phase-switch) for better quality sound. The remote-controlling option for the PS-8 compact sub is also available, helping you with bass level control, all power, ground, turn-on, etc. This slimline sub you can quickly get under the $300 range, and no doubt in that price range, the Rockford Fosgate provides much premium sound quality; overall, we can say it is the best slimline subwoofer with built in amplifier.

Read: Best Center Channel Speaker For Dialogue

NHT Super 8 Subwoofer (Image credit: Amazon)

NHT Super 8 Subwoofer

Best Subwoofer For Office

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: NHT | Color: Gloss Black | Speaker Type: Subwoofer | Speaker Size: 8 Inches | AMP: PWM Amplifier | Filter Functions: Yes-Low Pass and High Pass Both | LFE Input: Yes | Wireless Option: Yes-Back Panel USB Connector

Pros

+ Excellent small subwoofer

+ Good price tag

+ Wireless Option also available

+ Easy to integrate with the satellites

+ Very attractive in gloss black

+ The Bass sounds loud

Cons

- Take some more space

The NHT Super 8 is on our list. It is not much compact compared to Planet Audio P8UAW and other listed subs, but I am not saying that it is not a slimline subwoofer or comparing it with the Xxx xbx800 Audio sub. The sub is regular in size and is a perfect choice for people who want a subwoofer for the home or office to listen to music. The bad thing about NHT Super 8 sub is that you cannot use it for your vehicle. Its PWM Amplifier is much more efficient and features lots of functions. The NHT Super 8 sub makes every possible connection for any surrounding sound setup and has speaker-level inputs ( built-in 100Hzk).

The removable speaker grill is installed on the front, protecting the 8-Inch sub near it. On the backside, all subwoofer connecting and controlling options are available (Crossover Hz, volume, power, LFE-In, Line-In, Wireless-In). With a low price tag, the subwoofer bass is much more powerful, and for those who are finding a compact subwoofer for the office or home, I recommend the NHT Super 8 sub to buy from amazon.

Planet Audio P8UAW Subwoofer (Image credit: Amazon)

Planet Audio P8UAW Subwoofer

Best Subwoofer For Jeep Wrangler

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: BOSS Audio Systems | Speaker Size: 8-Inches | Connectivity Technology: RCA | Speaker Maximum Output Power: 800 Watts | Amplifier: 800-Watt - Built-in Amp | Subsonic Filter: Yes | Variable Low Pass Filter: Yes | Switchable Phase Control: Yes

Pros

+ Great control over the frequencies

+ Variable Input Control

+ LED Illuminated Logo

+ Low Profile Low-profile subwoofer

+ Takes less space

+ Short Protection and Phase Control

+ MOSFET and Class A/B

Cons

- Subwoofer May-be damage due to over-usage

Next is the Planet Audio P8UAW review, and if you are looking for a subwoofer for Jeep Wrangler, it is a great choice. I recommend this subwoofer for your Jeep Wrangler due to its elegant body design, which perfectly matches Jeep Wrangler. On the front, you will find 8 Inch subwoofer and 800-watt Amplifier housed in a solid black enclosure, and for subwoofer protection, a robust grill is installed on it.

Below the subwoofer grill, you will find a Planet Audio logo with an elegant blue backlight that glows elegantly. All connecting options are available on the right side of the subwoofer body (Power, high-input, fuses) and the backlight turn-on/off button. Planet Audio is famous in the audio equipment industry and manufactures excellent quality best audio equipment. The P8UAW provides excellent bass in less space and a reasonable price range.

The sub is easy to install under the seat of many vehicles. In this sub, both High Level and Low-Level RCA Inputs are available for setting up quickly. Through the remote controller, the subwoofer can easily be controlled by the person sitting in the car’s front driving seat. Undoubtedly, the Planet Audio P8UAW subwoofer is well-built, and under the $300 price range, you are getting the best slimline subwoofer.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are slim subwoofers worth it?

How much bass you want and need, how much room you have for a subwoofer, and your budget is some things to consider when making a decision. Regarding bass output, slim subwoofers typically offer more than their bulkier counterparts. This is because they have a smaller enclosure and use smaller drivers. If space is limited, slim subwoofers might not be the best choice because they are frequently designed with more internal baffles, allowing them to produce a higher bass level. However, they might not be able to have as much bass as their more substantial counterparts. They typically occupy less space.

Furthermore, because of their smaller size and lack of built-in amplification, they can be more challenging to install. Ultimately, whether or not to purchase a slim subwoofer is a matter of personal preference. A slim subwoofer might be a good option if you want a lot of bass output and don’t mind having a smaller speaker unit. On the other hand, a bulkier subwoofer might be more appropriate for you if space is a concern for you and you want something that will produce more bass without taking up a lot of space.

Do underseat subwoofers sound better?

Underseat subwoofers might be the best solution if you want to improve the bass in your car. Because they are typically mounted underneath your seat, these little subwoofers have a tendency to produce more bass than their bigger cousins. However, it’s important to remember that underseat subwoofers typically don’t make the same level of sound quality as larger units, even though this additional low-end power can be significant in some situations. Nevertheless, many people think they sound better than nothing at all, and based on your car and personal preferences, they might be a wise investment.

Where should under-seat subwoofer be placed?

The placement of the under-seat subwoofer is crucial for several reasons. The subwoofer can produce distortion and poor audio quality if not installed correctly. Furthermore, making bass frequencies that are too low and muddy can happen if the subwoofer is placed too close to the ground. The subwoofer will interfere with other electronic devices in the car if it is mounted too high. The layout and size of the vehicle are just a couple of the variables that affect where the best place to install an under-seat subwoofer. Under-seat speakers are typically mounted behind the driver’s or passenger’s seats. This might not be possible, though, due to the configurations of various vehicle models. In these circumstances, an under-seat subwoofer ought to be installed in a location where it can still produce all the necessary bass frequencies. An under-seat subwoofer’s size and power output should be considered when choosing one. Small units intended for use in compact cars or sedans and larger units better suited for use in larger vehicles are the two main categories of under-seat subs. The device you choose must also have a sufficient power output because most under-seat subs can only reproduce a small range of sound frequencies. Overall, for high-quality audio, an under-seat subwoofer must be installed properly. You can make sure your system sounds its best by paying attention to these suggestions.

What Hz is best for bass?

Most agree that the best bass frequencies fall between 40 and 80 Hz/Eto E2. While producing a fuller, more powerful bass sound, higher frequencies can also amplify noise and distortion. On the other hand, lower frequencies can produce a tighter and punchier sound, but they can also be less audible and challenging to blend with different sounds. It’s crucial to test various frequencies to determine which ones suit your music the best. Others prefer to play at higher frequencies to increase depth and spaciousness, while some bass players prefer to play at lower frequencies to give their songs a thumpier feel. There is no incorrect response; try different things until you find what works best for you.

William
William is technical editor of Wooster Audio, an audio enthusiast passionate about cutting-edge technologies. He has been working with us for three years, meticulously reviewing and evaluating wireless (speakers & soundbars), hi-fi, and home cinema equipment, and has covered 1000+ audio products. His background is based in Audio engineering and he has an ardent passion for building home theater systems and audio systems and loves audio mixing, editing and sound designing. This allows William to share this knowledge on Wooster audio site. He provides the most comprehensive audio information available by tapping into his expertise and keen insights. He can guide you to audio excellence on Wooster Audio with his discerning ear and commitment to quality. Contact William for any question (william@woosteraudio.com)