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Best Shallow Mount Subwoofer in 2023
Shallow mount subwoofers have become more and more popular because they allow for flexibility with the installation. Thanks to these low profile subwoofers, you can easily add two subwoofers underneath the rear seat of your truck. You can put two 12-inch subwoofers in the trunk of your car and still have plenty of room to use your trunk for storage. Adding some bass to your vehicle has become much more practical now that you can have both subwoofers and a rear seat, or subwoofers and a trunk. But, not all shallow subwoofers are the same. Many of them sound just that "Shallow." We will break down what is available, what we like, and what we don't like so that you can pick the right shallow mount subwoofers for your installation.
Best Low Profile Subwoofer
- Best Overall Shallow Mount Subwoofer Enclosure - Hertz MPBX 300 S2
- Best Overall Shallow Mount Subwoofer - JL Audio TW3
- Best Low-Cost Shallow Mount Subwoofer - Rockford Fosgate R2S
- Best Value Shallow Mount Subwoofer - Kicker CompRT
- Best Premium Shallow Mount Subwoofer - Rockford Fosgate T1S
- Largest Shallow Mount Subwoofer - JL Audio 13TW5
Best Overall Shallow Mount Subwoofer Enclosure
Hertz MPBX 300 S2
The Hertz MPBX 300 S2 is the best overall, shallow mount subwoofer enclosure thanks to 500 watts RMS power handling, hard-hitting output, and almost no distortion. If you give this subwoofer the power it wants, it goes low and it is sounds so good. Regardless of what type of music you listen to, the Hertz MPBX 300 S2 sounds incredible. We tested this subwoofer with everything and anything in between, from George Straigt, Jeezy, Steely Dan, and even Deorro. This sub goes low and it doesn't distort. The Hertz MPBX 300 S2 comes with optional velcro feet that allow you to use it in a down-firing design if you wish and measures less than 7" deep, including the down-firing feet, if you choose to use them. This enclosure comes with a grille to protect it and has standard spring terminals and a Molex style plug on the terminal block. It's not the cheapest shallow mount subwoofer, but it is the best.
I have this subwoofer enclosure in my vehicle. I love it. I replaced the Rockford Fosgate T1S-1x12 with this. The Rockford T1 Slim just can't go as low without distorting whereas the Hertz MPBX 300 S2 has no problems.
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Pros
- 500W RMS Power Handling
- Optional Down-Firing Design
- Available in both 10" and 12" Sizes
- Wired to 2 Ohms
- It Goes Loooow
- It Doesn't Distort When Other Subwoofers Do
- It's Expensive
Cons
Best Overall Shallow Mount Subwoofer
JL Audio TW3
The JL Audio TW3 subwoofers are the best overall shallow mount subwoofers on the market. Some might even argue that the TW3 sounds as good if not better than the T1S. The JL Audio TW3 subwoofers come in 10-inch and 12-inch sizes and can handle some power. Both sizes handle up to 400 watts RMS. JL Audio is best known for their subwoofers, and the TW3 lives up to the reputation. The output of these thin-profile subwoofers is on-par with the full-size W3, and these do not disappoint. If you say, "I want the best shallow subwoofers, I am willing to spend money, but I don't necessarily want to go completely over the top," the JL Audio TW3 is the way to go. We like the TW3 over the TW5 because of the sizes available and the price point puts it within reach of more customers.
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Pros
- 400W RMS Power Handling
- Delivers the Performance You Expect from JL Audio
- Available in both 10" and 12" Sizes
- Dual 4 Ohm and Dual 8 Ohm Voice Coil Options
- The "Benchmark" for Shallow Mount Subwoofers
- You Get What You Pay For
- On the More Expensive Side
Cons
Best Low Cost Shallow Mount Subwoofer
Rockford Fosgate R2S
The R2S is the "Affordable" low-profile subwoofer from Rockford Fosgate, and we prefer it over the more expensive P3S. The Rockford Fosgate R2S subwoofers come in both 10" and 12" models and handle 200 watts and 250 watts RMS, respectively. These subwoofers will give you good bass response, they don't need a crazy big amplifier, and for the money, they sound great. If you are looking at an entry-level price point and you don't have room for a full-size subwoofer, this is our choice. The Kicker CompVT sounds like garbage, and the JL Audio TW1 is overpriced for what it is, and it isn't even that shallow.
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Pros
- Price Point
- 250W RMS for an Affordable Shallw Mount Subwoofer
- Performance You Expect from Rockford Fosgate
- Available in both 10"and 12" Sizes
- Available in both 2 Ohm DVC and 4 Ohm DVC Models
- No Grilles Available
Cons
Best Shallow Mount Subwoofer Value
Kicker CompRT
The Kicker CompRT subwoofers are amazing. These low-profile subwoofers come in 6.75-inch, 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch sizes and sound incredible. For the money, this is the best value among low-profile subwoofers and one of the best values among any car subwoofer. The 10-inch model handles 400 watts RMS, and the 12-inch handles 500 watts RMS. If you are limited in space, check out the 8" and 6.75". These shallow subwoofers sound anything but shallow. If you don't need a custom box, check out the down-firing loaded enclosures. They come with a passive radiator, and they sound incredible. A 10" sounds like two, 12s.
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Pros
- 400W RMS
- Incredible Performance for the Price
- Performance and Reliability of Kicker
- Available in 6.75, 8", 12", and 12" Sizes
- Available in both 2 Ohm DVC and 4 Ohm DVC Models
- None
Cons
Best High End Shallow Mount Subwoofer
Rockford Fosgate T1S
After they released the R2S and the P3S, Rockford Fosgate set out to build a pure-performance, low-profile subwoofer. The result is the T1S. The Rockford T1S comes in both 10-inch and 12-inch models. The 10 can handle 500 watts RMS, and the 12 can handle 600 watts RMS. These two subwoofers do not sound shallow at all. They can handle some serious power, and they have some serious output. However, you are paying for the best of all worlds with the power handling, output, and low-profile design. The T1S subwoofers are not cheap, but you also get what you pay for. I have a single 12-inch in my daily driver, and I love it. I put a Kicker CompRT enclosure in there to see how it compared, and it just wasn't the same. The same thing is true with the 12" TW3.
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Pros
- 10"- 500W RMS
- 12" - 600W RMS
- True Full Size Subwoofer Output and Power Handling from a Shallow Mount Subwoofer
- Performance You Expect from the Rockford Fosgate "Power" Line
- Available in both 10" and 12" Sizes
- Available in both 2 Ohm SVC and 1 Ohm SVC Models
- One of the More Expensive Options
Cons
Biggest Shallow Mount Subwoofer
JL Audio 13.5" TW5
The JL Audio TW5 is JL's top of the line low profile subwoofer. They took many of the technologies used in their home subwoofers and applied them to a car audio product. The TW5 can handle up to 600 watts RMS and only comes in a 13.5" diameter. The size may be limiting for many applications, but the bigger subwoofer has more output and sounds better. The JL Audio TW5 is a premium product at a premium price point. It costs a bit more than the T1S, but it's also a 13.5" instead of a 10" or a 12".
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Pros
- Bigger is Better
- 600W RMS
- True Full Size Subwoofer Output and Power Handling from a Shallow Mount Subwoofer
- Performance You Expect from the JL Audio
- Larger 13.5" Diameter will Outperform a 12"
- The Best Overall Output of Any Shallow Mount Subwoofer
- 13.5" Size can Limit Installation Options
- More Difficult to Find and Build an Enclosure
- The Most Expensive Shallow Mount Subwoofer Option
Cons
Shallow Mount Subwoofers To Stay Away From
- Rockford Fosgate P3S
- Kicker CompVT
If you a die-hard Rockford Fosgate fanatic and you want a low-profile subwoofer, you are better off saving your money and going with the R2S or paying up for the T1 Slim. Shallow mount subwoofers can sound "shallow" and the P3S is the perfect example. If you aren't a die-hard Rockford Fosgate fanatic go with the Kicker CompRT, JL Audio TW1, or JL Audio TW3 which have similar performance specs. I would not put a Rockford Fosgate P3S in my own vehicle. I grew up a "Rockford Guy," and there's just no way. (I went with the T1 Slim).
The Kicker CompVT was designed for Kicker's VSS (Vehicle Specific Solutions) subwoofer line for OEM upgrades. The CompVT is another one of the shallow subwoofers that sounds shallow. You are much better off opting for the CompRT or the Rockford Fosgate R2S. Don't go with the CompVT, choose something else.
Conclusion
When looking at the best low-profile car subwoofers, it isn't so much as "Which one should I get?" It is more, "Which ones should I stay away from?" If you are trying to control costs, the Rockford Fosgate R2S is our choice. In the mid-level tier, the key thing is to stay away from the P3S. If you are in the market for a premium, low-profile subwoofer, there are no bad choices. If you have any further questions, you can always email us at support@classiccarstereos.com or give us a call at 760-477-8525.
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