Best Cheap Subwoofer

Votes 14 14
Rating 3.4 3.4
Overall Audio features Extensive connection Control
Polk Audio PSW505 7.6 7 8 8 See price 2
Polk Audio PSW111 7.3 6 8 8 See price 3
Dayton Audio SUB-1000L 7.3 6 8 8 See price 10
Dayton Audio SUB-800 7.3 5 9 8 See price 35
Klipsch Reference R-10SWi 7.3 6 8 8 See price 32
Dayton Audio SUB-1500 7.3 6 8 8 See price 37
Dayton Audio SUB-1200 7.3 6 8 8 See price 11
BIC America F12 7.3 6 8 8 See price 4
Acoustic Audio PSW-12 6.6 7 5 8 See price 47
Klipsch R-10SW 6.6 6 6 8 See price 13

If you’re on a tighter budget and wondering what the best subwoofer under 300 has to offer, you’ll be glad to know that we’ve researched and reviewed the top options.

So, you can simply read through our buyers guide and review to learn everything you need to know about what the best subwoofers within the $300 price range have to offer.

Going beyond the inexpensive range, these subwoofers are characterized by much more extreme characteristics, which makes them generally more attractive.

Features such as phase change, customizable crossover, and automatic signal recognition are present and expected in this price category. However, the design features of the chassis and subwoofer bring these units to a whole new level.

We advise that you consider what your setup is like and the kinds of benefits that you want to receive from a subwoofer. This will be a big help when it comes to reading through the different subwoofers below and knowing which is the best sub under 300 for you.

Best subwoofer under $300 reviews

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Polk Audio PSW505 - best overall

Our rating
7.6/10

Polk Audio PSW505

The presented model is the best subwoofer under 300. This decision was caused by the fact that the driver located on the front panel of the American subwoofer makes a great impression. The 300th head with a cellulose diffuser coated with a polymer layer, a flat central dustproof insert, and a wide polymer suspension. The magnetic screen allows you to place the device close to the TV or even use it as a stand under 25 ".

The case is made of 18 mm MDF, the thickness of the front panel reaches 25 mm - an effective method of attenuating vibrations. The walls are covered with tinted oak veneer, and a Slot Load Vent is arranged in the lower part of the rear panel, designed to minimize the spurious noise of the airflow. High-amplitude inputs and outputs (screw to lemmas) are pairwise shorted, there are two linear inputs plus an LFE input for a special signal from an AV receiver. The on-board amplifier develops power up to 300 W in continuous operation at peak 460 - very good for the AV class. The weight of the device, of course, is not small - a transformer power supply is large. There is a mode of automatic inclusion "on signal," and the subwoofer is turned off when it is absent for 15 minutes, the casing is mounted on metal supports. Polk Audio PSW505

It is enough to touch the volume control just a little to make sure the power of the “beast” under the hood and to stop further advancement of the gain knob when setting up the subwoofer for playing in combination with small satellites: a friendly, reliable, harmonious ensemble is formed. However, we note that if the low-frequency potential of the satellites allows, you should try to tune the subwoofer band as much as possible - in order to achieve maximum bass clarity and clarity of the lower middle. In broadband mode, at a very low volume, the sound loses its support, with an increase in level, an emphasis appears in the upper part of the bass register. In the movie, you can operate on the volume level more freely. The sub does not dig very deep, but the relevance of low bass for real home conditions is a big question. The PSW505 is the best powered subwoofer under 300 with a solid power reserve.

Key specs

  • Power (RMS): 250 W
  • Driver size: 12"
  • Driver placement: front
  • Frequency response: 25-160 Hz
  • Full specs

Pros

  • I'm surprised with the quality of the bass that this 12" delivers
  • The build quality is solid

Cons

  • In a week something inside the amps had burnt out or failed

Klipsch Reference R-10SWi - best wireless

Our rating
7.3/10

Klipsch Reference R-10SWi

The Klipsch R-10SWi is the best home theater subwoofer under 300 among the wireless ones. It has the optimum combination of dimensions and bass depth, making it an excellent choice for many rooms and AV systems. The device is made in a durable, damped housing made of MDF, the exterior of which is made of black vinyl texture film. The subwoofer can be covered with a strong and acoustically transparent protective mesh.

The bass speaker is located on the front of the Klipsch R-10SWi and has a diameter of 10 inches. The woofer is equipped with a diffuser made of composite material and has a copper coating. This makes the appearance of the subwoofer fully consistent with the Klipsch Reference Series speakers, and they will look organically complete. The bass player has a cast non-resonant basket, an elastic suspension of the diffuser, a powerful magnet, and a lightweight voice coil of increased diameter. The woofer is loaded on a bass reflex, the outlet of which is located on the rear panel of the subwoofer.

The power of the built-in Klipsch R-10SWi amplifier is 150 W (nominal value), and due to the work in the economy class D, it practically does not heat up even with prolonged use of the subwoofer. A feature of this model is the ability to wirelessly connect to a signal source, which further simplifies the placement of the Klipsch R-10SWi in the listening room. The receiver is built into the subwoofer, and the transmitter included in the kit must be connected to the line or LFE outputs of the AV receiver or stereo amplifier. The signal is transmitted at a frequency of 2.4 GHz, while the connection occurs automatically after turning on the subwoofer. Klipsch R-10SWi also provides traditional line / LFE inputs. Klipsch Reference R-10SWi

The subwoofer provides for adjusting the level of the input signal and the tuning frequency of the input filter, as well as switching the absolute phase of the signal. The subwoofer reproduces assertive and, at the same time, well-developed bass, which allows us to recommend it for use not only in the home theater but also in stereo systems.

Key specs

Pros

  • The appearance of the subwoofer is fully consistent with the Klipsch Reference Series speakers, and they will look organically included
  • The subwoofer provides adjustment of the input signal level and the input filter tuning frequency

Cons

  • Some customers state that this model may be unreliable (an amplifier issue)

Klipsch R-10SW

Our rating
6.6/10

Klipsch R-10SW

This device is a powerful subwoofer with an effective output and a powerful amplifier. It is primarily designed to provide deep and detailed bass, but it also works quite well at high frequencies. The product is quite lightweight and compact compared to most subwoofers on the market. The key features of this subwoofer are the variable crossover control and the phase switch option, which allows you to adjust the level of low frequencies. It also includes line-level and LFE connectivity options that let you connect a subwoofer to any stereo system or home theater system.

The R-10SW specifications are specifically designed to achieve ideal performance for 5.1 on the Richter scale. It is equipped with a fully digital powerful amplifier with a rated power of 150 W with a maximum power of 300 W, which reproduces accurate and effective sufficient power, which works noticeably well when listening to music or watching movies. There are a low-frequency crossover function and the ability to adjust the phase control, with which I can easily control the sound level of low frequencies. This is a great option because you can adjust the sound depending on the room in which you are in, to achieve maximum subwoofer performance. Klipsch R-10SW

The Klipsch R-10SW settings open up possibilities for outstanding deep bass and flexibility. The frequency response varies from 32 to 120 Hz, and the crossover frequency level is 40-160 Hz. The installed 300 W digital amplifier delivers impressive fidelity. I noticed that there is a lower low-frequency response due to the hard simulated subwoofer, which is the main feature of this product.

Key specs

  • Power (RMS): 150 W
  • Driver size: 10"
  • Driver placement: front
  • Frequency response: 32-120 Hz
  • Full specs

Pros

  • The receiver’s calibration mic makes me aware that the subwoofer is too close
  • It gives that supplementary to video games and music

Cons

  • The device is starched. It’s not a very serious defect, but it significantly affects the appearance
  • There is a port noise on lower frequencies at comparatively low volumes

Audioengine S8

Our rating
7/10

Audioengine S8

This subwoofer is primarily intended for use as part of multimedia systems 2.1 or 5.1, the signal source in which the computer acts. The Audioengine S8 features a large woofer with a 200 mm diameter cone. Thus, with a relatively small size, the user gets a fairly deep and powerful bass sound.

The speaker was specially designed for use in the Audioengine S8 and provides fast and elaborate bass that perfectly complement the audio system based on compact shelf speakers. The woofer is located on the bottom panel of the housing and directed downward, and on the front panel of the Audioengine S8, there is an outlet for the bass reflex. For the free passage of sound waves, the subwoofer is mounted on high conical supports, and in general, this design ensures uniform propagation of sound waves in the listening room. Audioengine S8

The subwoofer is equipped with a classic Hi-Fi amplifier working in A / B class and developing an output power of up to 250 watts. To provide the input signal, three inputs are provided at once - two linear stereo speakers, decorated with RCA and mini-jack connectors, as well as an LFE input for connecting to the corresponding output of AV receivers or stereo systems 2.1. Also, on the rear panel of the device, there is a linear output for supplying an audio signal to another subwoofer connected in series.

Key specs

Pros

  • The device has a circuit for automatically switching to standby mode in the event of a prolonged absence of an input signal
  • The bass speaker in the subwoofer is mounted on a steel chassis that does not resonate even at high volume

Cons

  • A remote would be very helpful to adjust the subwoofer volume
  • It's difficult to see the notch on the dials to make adjustments

Polk Audio PSW125

Our rating
7.3/10

Polk Audio PSW125

The Polk Audio PSW125 subwoofer is equipped with a large 12-inch diameter woofer and a powerful 300-watt amplifier and is designed to sound large rooms. The sub is made in a housing made of MDF, which has a high-quality external finish, and, despite its considerable physical dimensions, does not look bulky. This is achieved thanks to the neatly rounded corners of the case, as well as a round protective mesh that hides the speaker on the front panel. The subwoofer is equipped with internal ties that eliminate the vibrations of its walls and are mounted on high conical supports.

The Polk Audio PSW 125 is equipped with a 12-inch diameter woofer with a composite diffuser whose electromagnetic system has been optimized by computer simulation for maximum efficiency. A precisely calculated suspension, a massive non-resonating basket, and a powerful magnet provide the dynamics of perfect reproduction of low frequencies without audible distortion. In general, the design of the subwoofer is made in accordance with the patented Dynamic Balance technology, which provides for the coordination of all key elements of its design. As with the other models in the series, the Polk Audio PSW 125 is equipped with a bass reflex unit with an outlet open to the floor. In this case, not only the optimal expansion of the bass range is achieved, but also a uniform distribution of low frequencies in the listening room, which is practically independent of the location of the subwoofer itself. Polk Audio PSW125

Another distinctive feature of the Polk Audio PSW 125, as well as other subs of this line, is the ability to connect to all three input options - stereo linear, low-frequency LFE, and acoustic. The latter can come in handy when connecting the subwoofer to a conventional stereo integrated amplifier, not equipped with a special output.

Key specs

Pros

  • It is quite loud (it is good for small rooms), and the output sound is free of any distortion or unnecessary rattling
  • The subwoofer features a robust design and organically complements the high-end audio system

Cons

  • This model is not very reliable – some customers get a popping noise after two years of exploitation. It may fail completely after two years of using

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