Car Subwoofers
Car subwoofer drivers for deep, punchy bass, from compact shallow-mount subs to high-output SPL models, for drivers building or upgrading an amplified system.
Our selection covers high-performance models and budget-friendly options alike. Whether you're upgrading for louder sound or looking for a compact option with big impact, you'll find the right subwoofer for your car, built for quality and durability with strong bass response. Fast UK delivery and free shipping on many items.
Car subwoofer ranges
- JL Audio W0, W1, W3, W6, W7AE and TW: from 6.5" and 8" drivers to 12" subs, including TW1 and TW3 shallow-mount models.
- Alpine R2 and Pioneer TS-A, TS-D and Champion: 8", 10" and 12" subs in single and dual voice coil versions.
- Focal Performance, Flax Evo, K2 Power and Utopia M: including Sub 10 and Sub 12 Slim shallow designs.
- Hertz Uno, Cento and Mille Pro: CS 200 and CS 250 subs and the MPS 250 shallow sub.
- SPL and high output: Vibe Slick and Black Death, and Edge SPL subwoofers.
- Audison Prima, Helix IQ and Option Audio: including a plug and play upgrade for the VW Golf Mk8 and a flat 6.5" sub.
How to choose a car subwoofer
Size. 8" subs suit tight spaces such as under-seat and spare-wheel installs. 10" is the all-rounder for most hatchbacks and saloons, and 12" gives the deepest bass where boot space allows.
Enclosure. Sealed boxes give tight, accurate bass; ported boxes play louder from the same power. An enclosed or active subwoofer (with a built-in amplifier) is the simplest first upgrade; see our sub enclosures.
Power. Match the sub's RMS rating, not its peak figure, to your amplifier's RMS output at the correct impedance. Our mono amplifiers are designed for the job.
Shop top brands such as Kicker, or have your system fitted with our car audio upgrades service at our Beeston, Nottingham workshop.
Car Subwoofers FAQs
Q: Should I buy an active or passive subwoofer?
A: Active enclosures combine the sub, box and amplifier in one engineered unit — the simplest route and our recommendation for most people. Passive subwoofers with a separate amplifier and enclosure offer maximum performance and headroom for those who want to build the system themselves.
Q: What size subwoofer should I choose?
A: Size sets character more than volume: an 8" sub is fast and musical, a 12" digs deeper with more authority, and a 10" is the versatile middle ground. Bigger needs a bigger enclosure, so boot space usually decides.
Q: Do I need an amplifier and wiring for a subwoofer?
A: Any passive subwoofer needs an amplifier and a wiring kit sized to its power draw; active enclosures have the amplifier built in and need only power, earth, remote and signal. A line output converter connects either to a factory stereo.
Q: Can CEN install a subwoofer?
A: Yes — professional installation from our Nottingham premises, including amplifier wiring and line output converters for factory stereos. Tell us the car, the music and the budget and we'll spec the whole system.
Q: What is a dual voice coil subwoofer?
A: A dual voice coil (DVC) sub has two coils that can be wired in series or parallel, giving more flexibility to match your amplifier's impedance.
Q: Do I need a box for a subwoofer driver?
A: Yes. A raw driver needs a correctly sized enclosure to produce proper bass. Shallow-mount subs suit tight spaces.
