Best Home Theater Subwoofers under $500

Who doesn’t like going to the cinema every weekend for a joyful night? But have you ever wondered what’s the catch behind this or why people love going to the cinema? A simple answer to this question is a stereo system with a 3D sound effect and a boosted bass experience. What if we tell you that you can set this up in the comfort of your home! How? Let’s find out!

The home theater sound system is full of all the basics you need, such as a powerful amplifier and fine tuner to optimize the sound quality. But where it lacks is the surround sound feel and bass. You can add this feel with the best home theater subwoofer under $500.

Picking up the right one can be confusing for you due to plenty of choices and minor differences. Worry no more! We’ve got your back as always. We’ll move you through some best home theater subwoofers under $500 that’ll help you arrive at a better deal. Keep on reading for their detailed features!

Sound Quality

Klipsch R-120SW rocks the beats, tuned higher, and provides an excellent quality of sound. It delivers the top-notch quality of music to the listener along with punching above its weight by giving a frequency response of 29 to 120 Hertz.

Moreover, built-in power delivers 200 watts, and a digital amplifier has 400 watts of power that maximizes its peak performance. Besides, its sound quality enhances by hard-hitting and in-depth bass functionality.

With excellent synchronization, it provides insanely loud bass. It can control different peaks with amplifier power and power cord. Further, its 12 inches excursion spun-copper and acoustic output of 116dB play a unique role in delivering high-quality sound.

Design

This affordable subwoofer looks unique and light in weight. After removing its grille, a 12-inch large spun-copper IMG woofer is present in the box. The product’s total weight is 31 pounds and the dimensions are enough to dominate the room due to its heavily compacted design.

Moreover, its MDF construction ensures vibrations reduction and improves sound accuracy. Its back panel’s design or layout consists of a bass reflex port and a set of controls and connections.

These controls and connections help in easy integration with an existing and surrounding sound system. Further, its control knobs and switch button allow fine-tune settings while playing.

Other Features:

It delivers high-quality sound on both low and frequencies; it is all due to its outstanding features. It holds IMG, Injection Molded Graphite, a light, and rigid woofer cone that provides a remarkable response to the low frequency with the negligible breakup of cone and distortion. Thus, it delivers distortion-free sound to the listener. 

Additionally, its all-digital amplifier feature gives sufficient power with accuracy and high efficiency. So that reason, it fills the home with music sound by providing maximum output.

Pros
  • Connections for easy handling
  • 200-watt RMS rating
  • An excellent choice for the home
Cons
  • Difficult to troubleshoot

Sound Quality

Polk Audio PSW10, the best sound balance subwoofer, adds a thrilling enjoyment to your life. You can listen to deep sound within a low range of frequency and louder sound at high volume. It balances with any speaker for playing the most desired nodes without any distortion
 
Moreover, its 50 watts built-in RMS with 100 watts amplifier power ensures high-quality sound delivery at low and high frequencies. Upgrade music beats instantly by hooking up this subwoofer to the receiver. Besides, its crossover 80 to 160 Hertz and -3dB impedance enhance the sound quality of the woofers.

Design

Polk balance is a well-designed subwoofer with a modified bass system. The dimensions of these speakers are 16.2 x 14 x 14.4 inches. This 10-inch subwoofer consists of a configured port that gives accurate bass so you can enjoy music and movies lively.

It is perfectly suitable for a small or medium-sized room and is enough for dominating the room and covering the surroundings with music. Its unique design keeps the woofer stable on a rigid surface. It comes with a removable grille, line-level inputs, speaker-level outputs on the woofer back, and a switch.

Other Features:

Plus, this balance woofer consists of a voice coil, suspension, and unimpeded low frequencies movement to assure efficient performance. Moreover, it is durable and portable.

Enjoy music even at low frequencies with stimulating effects by experiencing this subwoofer. Its Klippel measurement technology reduces the distortion and air turbulence even at low frequency. Therefore, this best home theater subwoofer under $500 is a superlative option for replacing a noisy one

Pros
  • Affordable
  • Klippel Technology
  • Comes with warranty
Cons
  • Cut frequency range

Sound Quality

Klipsch R-10SW 10 is a small but sound dominating subwoofer. It rates 150 watts of RMS and 300 watts of dynamic power for giving high-quality sound. 
 
Experienced customers are surprised while using it as it produces enough sound that fills a large room. Its copper-spun 10-inch front-firing cone driver ensures accuracy and clarity of sound. Further, sound quality enhances with deeper bass and low pass crossover. 

Design

A small but compact design makes it the preferable choice for the music lovers. Its unique design and stylish look decorate and fill the room with quality sound. The product dimensions are 14 x 12.5 x 15.7 inches, and the total  subwoofer size is 10 inches.
 
It offers easy placement due to its small size and comes in black color, with a coating of aluminum veneer material. Its remarkable design and stylish look mark it more prominent than others.

Other Features:

Both LFE and inputs feature ensures its compatibility with any audio receiver. It consists of an LED that helps in signifying the woofer system. Moreover, knobs and controls are all fitted on the front side, making it easy to switch off and turn on. 

The high-quality motor works effectively and gives excellent output with deeper bass. If you are fond of louder volume, you have to try this woofer for home theater. Besides, it has a maximum frequency response of 64 to 24 KHz.

Pros
  • 300-watts powered
  • 10-inch front-firing cone driver
  • LFE inputs
Cons
  • Limited frequency response

Sound Quality

Acoustic Audio PSW-12 subwoofer delivers peak power of 500 watts. Its highly-integrated power amplifier makes it an ideal choice for the music lovers. Moreover, you can use it at different frequency responses without any distortion and turbulence. It provides 24 to 250 Hertz with 98dB impedance and 40 to 140 Hertz crossover controls. 
 
Furthermore, it holds auto controls and knobs for on and off purposes. It consists of phase control switches that rotate from 0 to 180 degrees. Excellence synchronization with a power peak feature enhances its sound quality to the listener. So you can listen to music with good accuracy and clarity.

Design

This 12-inch long-throw subwoofer holds a PVA cone with high rigidity. Besides, it is a Bass Reflex cabinet layout that has vibration absorbing feet. This absorbing feet system reduces distortion. The MDF body of high quality with internal bracing adds a more stunning look. The acoustic design provides high-level inputs.
 
Furthermore, a bass port is present at the bottom of the woofer, which increases the placement flexibility. Besides, this feature lessens the blocking chance of bass. A transparent grille designated, which may be separated or removed. The variety of input connections makes it easy and more accessible.

Other Features:

This model consists of several inputs for ensuring the integration process.  It includes outputs from bare wires. Plus, the RCA adapter helps in easy attachments.

Pros
  • Great Bass
  • Well-designed
  • Affordable product
Cons
  • Heavyweight
  • Less versatile

Sound Quality

Yamaha NS-SW300PN is an excellent subwoofer that extracts extra bass. Its innovative YST II circuit acts as a smart trick in providing high-quality sound. 
The frequency range factor helps you fall at 20 Hertz or go up to 160 Hertz. 
 
Moreover, its digital amplifier assessed at 250 watts RMS makes it an ideal choice for loud listenersIts circuit holds a dual feedback system, which reduces distortion and improves sound quality
 
High-efficiency and low-end reproduction enhances audio clarity. Furthermore, its transient response with high speed provides excellent sound delivery. 

Design

It holds a sophisticated appearance with a curve and a black piano ending. Its twisted port technology makes its structure more compact and concise that endures efficient airflow and reduces noise turbulence. 
 
This home theater subwoofer contributes to accurate reproduction within the low frequency. A 10-inch cone unit in a front-firing arrangement gives a great appearance. the weight of this subwoofer is 39.7 pounds with 13.75 x 14.4 x 16.5 inches dimensions.
 
Furthermore, input, output options, and control knobs on its back allow you to choose music and movie mode

Other Features:

It matches a wide array of speaker systems which utilize a low power consumption of just 0.3W. It also holds a sensitivity selector for adjusting the volume. Moreover, both regular and reverse phase control availability enhances its market value. 

Pros
  • 250-watts RMS rating
  • Boast Bass System
  • Volume level knobs
Cons
  • BASS is hidden
  • Expensive

Sound Quality

No one wants to compromise on bass quality while buying a home theater subwoofer. Polk Audio HTS is one of the most suitable and perfect options to avail. It delivers dominant bass with its 12-inch long-throw driver. 
 
Moreover, its 400W D amplifier improves sound quality and provides the peak of enjoyment to the music lover. Plus, its active balance technology optimizes to provide clear bass, durability, and lower distortion

Design

It holds a floor-firing design that allows smooth transitions of airflow. Its extended bass bearings minimize the air turbulence and distortion. Moreover, it minimizes harbor noise to 3dB without any power port.
 
This subwoofer is also known as Modern American Styling due to curved edges property. Further, its rounded corners enhance and highlight its beauty level. 

Other Features:

This universal compatible and versatile subwoofer comes with stereo inputs and LFE. The knobs fit on the rear panel that controls volume, passing filters. Additionally, its optimum bass levels are from 0 to 180 degrees with the phase toggle.

It develops in deeper bass, and power port technology serves as the best turbulence-smoothing diffuser. Lastly, its highly technological features reduce sound issues even when you listen to music at woofer peak power.

Pros
  • Compatibility and versatility
  • Durable product
  • Deeper bass technology
Cons
  • Pretty expensive
  • Heavy to carry

Sound Quality

Sony SACS9 10-Inch is a featured subwoofer for home theater that drives out thunderous bass. Notably, its frequency response range is 28 to 200 Hertz that is quite good on the floor. 
 
Moreover, it is highly compatible with both high and low-resolution audios. It produces quality sound with clarity and accuracy. 
 
The SACS9 sounds incredible, making thunderous low-end with each hit in the subs. Adding more enjoyment with this SACS9 woofer is just unbelievable. Even its sound clarity remains at a low-pitch. So you can watch movies within a moderate sound level.

Design

This subwoofer consists of a beveled edge removable grille. The woofer’s back holds inputs and outputs controlling knobs, an RCA cord, rear port, and low-pass frequency
 
Besides, its driver is made of woven fiber that makes it more durable than other subwoofers and prevents environmental damageThoroughly this compact subwoofer with quite a large cabinet and driver performs exceptional. 
 
The total weight of the subwoofer is 25 pounds which is comparatively lighter than other 10-inch subwoofers. Furthermore, it is designated with foamed-mica reinforced that it is enough tight, well-responsive, and dynamic.

Other Features:

Power saving mode available in this subwoofer works automatically and saves power as much as possible. Additionally, a tunable crossover feature provides an excellent range that helps in phase switch and low-end response

An RCA cord serves as a passive output, and it allows easy attachment. Its booming bass pumping system reduces air turbulence. 

Pros
  • 115 watts power
  • Least expensive
  • Comparatively lightweight
Cons
  • Harmonic distortion
  • Lack of standard impedance

Sound Quality

Polk Audio PSW505 subwoofer has a 23 to 160 Hertz frequency response range and a more resonant bass system. Its bass is enough to fill large rooms with sweat music sound. It delivers continuous power up to 300 watts plus with adding dynamic power and reaches 460 watts.
 
Moreover, it provides three-dimensional sounds that diminish the distortion effect, even at high volume. This best Polk subwoofer for home theater delivers a precise sound and allows you to watch movies and listen to music with sound clarity
 
Besides, its sound quality becomes more impressive with its 30Hz bass.  Further, it resists undesired resonance and gives a friendly environment. It helps in producing clear sound. 

Design

PSW505 holds a bass-reflex design, including a 12-inch rear-firing vent and front-firing woofer. It is composed of 4 plastic feet that retain the subwoofer in place—furnished with black paint and grain vinyl wood
 
The front faceplate is silver and the backplate is black metal. Eternally, the best woofer with its unique design has gained a remarkable position. Its small size and sturdy construction allows you to enjoy music for a longer period. Lastly, its innovative design reduces distortion and produces a clear sound with accuracy and clarity.

Other Features:

It has an automatic on and off circuit system, an accurate bass, and a 1-inch fitted baffle. Furthermore, it comes with pre-set low-pass crossover adjustability, a controller feature that supports switching between 0 to 180, and control knobs for volumeIt is more suitable for large rooms, but you may use it in a small room while taking care of the volume range.

Pros
  • 460 power watts
  • Suitable for large rooms
  • Excellent performer
Cons
  • Heavy
  • Rear port design

Best Home Theater Subwoofers under $500: Buying Guide

Subwoofers play a vital role in the home theater environment as they are responsible for the deep bassHowever, do you know what features should be considered before buying the best home theater subwoofer? 
 
While there are wide ranges of subwoofer choices that push the boundaries of audio quality, choosing the best model at a reasonable price can be very daunting. So here, you’ll get yourself familiar with all the crucial aspects before buying the best home theater subwoofers under $500. Let’s take a look!
Selecting the right size: 
 
One of the crucial things is to consider what size of subwoofer you want. More  the surface area of the subwoofer, the more deep will be the bass. It is tempting to invest in the most massive sub, but it’s not always better. 
 
The main thing is that your subwoofer should blend in seamlessly with other speakers, so that you’ll get an immersive audio experience. Moreover, there are two things to remember:
 
If you have a big open room for music setup, then go for a more massive subwoofer as it can move more air and produce more bass, so it’s worth consideringSo if you’re going to buy a sub for a small room, a smaller size is much better as it doesn’t overwhelm your space.
The Bass:
 
The common question we heard is, “how much bass should I get?” The best subwoofer is that which suits your home theater room and taste for bass perfectly
Power and volume:
 
One of the best things about a powered subwoofer is that it comes with built-in amplification. This internal amplifier is the beating heart of the subwoofer. So, you don’t need to buy a separate amplifier to drive it. So how much power and volume do you require?
 
The matter of fact is that if the power of the amplifier is higher, you’ll get more impactful and powerful bass. So, your subwoofer will give clean and distortion-free audio at high volumes. Generally, the best home theater subwoofers under $500 give higher power figures and balance good power output.
Sealed vs. Ported Subwoofers:
 
Mainly subwoofers come with two types of enclosures:
  • Sealed subwoofers:
  • Ported subwoofers:
Sealed subwoofers have no ports and tend to have even, tight, quick, accurate, and controlled sound quality.
 
Ported subwoofers can push out more volume as they have a built-in air vent for more powerful bass.
 
So now which sound is perfect? Generally, if you want to enjoy music like classical, jazz, or other acoustic in your home theater setup, sealed subwoofers are best for you. They give a more audible impact. However, if you like hip-hop, EDM, or hard rock, then go for a ported subwoofer.

Wireless vs. Wired Subwoofers:

Mostly subwoofers come with a power cable or an RCA cable and need to be connected to a wall outlet. But now, wireless subwoofers exist and can also communicate with their audio service through Bluetooth or WI-FI
 
We’re recommending you to have a regular wired subwoofer; if you don’t plan to use speakers from a single brand in your theater system. Wireless subwoofers have their place and are more versatile than traditional wired subwoofers.
Categories  Speakers