JBL Subwoofer Review

If you are an audio enthusiast or a music lover, you will know the value of a good quality speaker that provides clarity and richness at low-frequency sounds. However, it is not easy for the audio systems to produce flawless bass. The reason is that it is one of the most strenuous ranges of frequencies that the speakers need to reproduce. To get that powerful and perfect bass-heavy output, large speakers are needed that are expensive and convenient to install or carry. Just Like the JBL Flip. Speaking of which, if you would like to take a look at JBL Flip 4 vs Flip 5, All you need to do is tap right here. Random segue aside, I am sure you can glean some more context to your choice.

While it still makes sense to get a large speaker for your home, when it comes to cars, the automotive manufacturers are left with no other option but to go for an inexpensive speaker that is small to fit into the car stereo in the allotted space. This restricts the proper transmission of the low-frequency sounds in a piece of music, distorting the bass emphasized portions when the volume of the speaker is turned up.  

JBL Subwoofer and Its Role

Subwoofers have a major role to play in these situations. 

To boost up the low-frequency audio and give the bass focussed tracks a clean sound with a thumping effect without losing its originality, a good quality Subwoofer is needed. It acts as a key component to any kind of stereo system, be it for your home or the car. We will cover a detailed JBL subwoofer review that will include some of the best JBL subwoofers for cars and more. But before that, let’s dig a bit deeper into the various advantages of a subwoofer. 

JBL Subwoofer Review: Top JBL Subwoofer for Your Car

Many people ask, “are JBL subs good?” Well, according to the JBL subwoofer review, they have a long-standing experience of delivering high-quality audio accessories to customers for years now, and they are customer-driven. They keep the consumers’ needs in mind and design products that come under a broad range of pricing spectrum. Right from affordable, pocket-friendly options to the premium ones that are more in demand among audio enthusiasts, JBL has something for everyone. 

When it comes to the JBL subwoofer for cars, the company has made sure to keep its signature sound up and intact like any other audio product that it manufactures. They also have engineered and designed subs with different sizes to suit both smaller and larger vehicles. JBL is one of the brands that stand out in the crowd for its quality and durability owing to the overall build of its products. So to answer the question, “Are JBL subs good?”, yes they are. Most of their products have received positive reviews and ratings from first-hand users and product experts. This automatically speaks of the brand’s credibility.

The company has several subwoofer lines for cars, and it is challenging to review and list all of them here. That is why this section will give you an overview of the three best ones that have received high ratings and good JBL subwoofer reviews in some trusted forums online.

JBL BassPro SL:

Ranking at the top of the list, this is one of the best JBL subwoofers for cars.  BassPro SL has a sleek and compact design and is 8 inches long. It can be placed anywhere in the car under the car seat or in the trunk making it a great option for any type of car. It has received some great reviews, and I am sure this JBL subwoofer review will tell you all about the quality of bass it produces. This is not overpowering yet decently audible to turn the heads over. 

Furthermore, it has a sealed enclosure for rich bass. And the best thing is that the sub doesn’t get overheated when played for a long time or on high volumes. BassPro SL has a built-in Class D Amplifier, which efficiently helps in producing powerful sound from the subwoofer. 

This subwoofer features: 

• Input sensitivity: 90 dB bass boost at 70 Hz
• Frequency Response: 35 – 120 Hz
• Maximum power output: 250 Watts
• RMS: 125 Watts
• Impedance rating: 4 Ohm

The subwoofer also comes with LED power and protect indicators and a 3-way protection circuit for safe use. It comes with adjustable EQ settings that allow you to adjust the sound as per your listening preference for a better experience. 

Pros and Cons of JBL Basspro SL as Per JBL Subwoofer Review From the Users:

• Perform well in a compact space. 
• Offers good car audio system enhancement.
• Sleek and compact design for ease of installation.
• Doesn’t take up much space. 
• Doesn’t deliver an exceptionally thumping effect, but unless you are looking for one, this one is a pretty decent option to go for. 
• Great value for money.
• Doesn’t have much of a headroom.

This subwoofer has a price tag of $279.95. So, if you are looking for a compact, pocket-friendly subwoofer for your car that can perform fairly well at a low baseline and give powerful sound, then this is something well worth considering. 

JBL Club WS1200: 

If you are looking for a powerful subwoofer for a small car, then these 12 inches JBL subwoofer for the car will not disappoint you. This shallow mount subwoofer has a sleek and stylish design. It can accommodate small enclosures and gives out powerful surround sound. 

There are several reviews of this device including this JBL subwoofer review for the state it will leave your car in and allow you to punch hard even at low frequencies. The lowest that the sub can go up to is the 27 Hz frequency level, which is pretty impressive. This also makes it a great choice if you like music with a rich bass line. It will give you an incredible pounding effect on the lows. It can equally lend a crisp and smooth mid and high. With switchable impedance, the sub allows you to choose between 2 ohms to 4 ohms with the flip of a switch. 

Some specifications of this subwoofer are:

• Sensitivity: 92 dB
• Frequency Response: 27 – 175Hz 
• Maximum (Peak) power output: 1000 Watts
• RMS: 250 Watts
• Impedance rating: Customizable Smart Impedance that can be switched from 2 Ohm and 4 Ohm. 

This JBL subwoofer for cars is constructed with highly durable material for extra durability and to resist wear and tear. This makes it one of the most reliable products that you can go for. Most of the talk from any JBL subwoofer review speaks positively of the product will tell you that it produces a solid bass for a shallow box and is a good option for small, tight spaces.

Pros and Cons of JBL Club WS1200: 

• Produces high-quality sound when played at low to medium columns.
• Highly durable with solid resistance to wear and tear.
• Can be used for long hours without worry about the subwoofer getting overheated.
• Powerful bass and smooth mids and highs. 
• Installation can be challenging.
• Performs well only in a small and enclosed space.

JBL Club WS1200 has a price tag of $160.00 which is quite competitively priced. You can also get discounted rates on this product on some eCommerce websites. So, if you are looking for a decent subwoofer below $200.00, this can be a great option to keep an eye on. 

JBL Stage 102:

This 10” high-performance car subwoofer is something you will truly like if you are looking for something below $100. This JBL subwoofer for cars is known to have great value for both money and bass response as per the Jbl subwoofer review. The subwoofer features a sturdy polypropylene woofer structure with a rubberized surrounding for extra durability and to hold the woofer in place. Thanks to its make,  this subwoofer can handle any kind of shock be it high heat, intense vibrations due to high volume sound, or long hours of playing. 

JBL Stage 102 is engineered to produce powerful undistorted bass, solid power handling capacity. 

Key specifications of this subwoofer are:

• Sensitivity: 89 dB
• Frequency Response: 35Hz – 200Hz
• Maximum (Peak) power output: 900 Watts
• RMS: 225 Watts
• Impedance rating: 4 Ohm. 

This JBL subwoofer for cars is available in three different sizes 8″, 10″ and  12″ so you can choose what fits best for your vehicle. 

Pros and Cons of JBL Stage 102:

• Durable and shock-resistant body.
• High quality, powerful and low distorted bass line.
• Doesn’t get overheated when played for long hours.
• Competitive pricing. Great product under $100.

This subwoofer carries a price tag of $69.95. This is a great option for people who are on a tight budget. 

Here’s a list of some other subwoofer options with good user ratings and reviews: 

• JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass priced @ 299.95 (for the home audio system)
• The JBL CS1014 10″ Subwoofer (JBL subwoofer for car)
• JBL Fuse Subwoofer (for car)
• JBL Stage 800BA 8″ Active Subwoofer Enclosure (For cars)

Benefits of Getting a Subwoofer

To get more clarity on the role of a subwoofer in a sound system, here’s a breakdown of the various benefits of having a good subwoofer in your audio system: 

Improves Bass Response and Adds Clarity to the Sound:

The subwoofer enhances the bass response within a track. How? Most of the speakers when played at a higher volume start thinning out from 50 Hz and you start losing the clarity on certain notes. Especially the ones at lower frequencies.  A subwoofer will help augment the notes from 20Hz itself. Giving you complete depth and clarity on every note, giving you a better listening experience. It offers a solid pounding effect on the bass-forward tracks which the JBL subwoofer review speaks highly of, which some lower-end speakers may otherwise fail to produce or get cracked at high volume. 

No Distortion When Played on the Highest Volumes:

You might have experienced the songs getting distorted from the original piece in many speakers, especially the smaller ones when they are played on high volumes. This usually happens when the built-in woofers of your speakers fail to keep up the pace with the smaller drivers. The presence of a subwoofer can eliminate this issue and give you a smooth and flawless sound irrespective of how loud the volume goes. 

Offers Accuracy in the Notes Throughout the Frequency Spectrum:

One of the benefits of using a subwoofer is you can experience high quality and clear acoustics at every frequency, be it low range, mid or high range. You can get the exact feel the singer or the artist wants to bring into the song.  

Improves the Speaker Performance and Life by Balancing the Load:

Many smaller or full-range speakers when trying to reproduce frequencies in the lower spectrum get stressed and their performance is often compromised. The subwoofer takes the burden off these speakers, so they can produce sound at their comfortable frequency range without getting distorted. This also helps the speakers perform better as per their capabilities. 

Unveils Every Element in the Music:

The subwoofer gives you a heightened and immersive listening experience by differentiating every element in the track, be it the piano, the notes on a bass guitar, the vocals, or the beats of a drum. So you can thoroughly enjoy every essence of a track.

Unifies Well With the Speakers:

The subwoofers come in different qualities. The high-quality woofers are the ones that do not try to overpower the smaller speakers, rather, they work as an add-on to the speaker. This means that they allow the speakers to perform at their best while the subwoofers do their job of balancing the audio across the frequency spectrum. The result is clean deep lows, well-balanced low and high mids, and crisp and clear highs. 

Subwoofers in a Nutshell

In simple words, a subwoofer when used with your automobile’s audio system can increase the longevity of your car’s stereo speakers. It also supports the full-range speakers to perform better, to the most of their potential, and enhance the acoustics across all music genres be it Pop, Jazz, Rock, or the Classic numbers.  “Are JBL subs good?” A JBL subwoofer for a car can be a wonderful choice to upgrade the sound system of your car if you want to treat your ears with your favorite tunes on the go. All of this with the perfect balance of the elements and a bass-emphasized surround sound. 

If you are thinking about where you can place the woofer in your car, as there is limited space, then you need not worry. Concerning the JBL subwoofer review, these audio enhancers are extremely versatile and can be placed anywhere. If you do not have space on the front side of the car or don’t fit under your car seat, you can place it in the trunk. You will be able to experience the same quality of the surround sound effects as though it is placed under your seat. This means that you can experience a 360-degree bass sound in your car. 

What Are Some Major Factors to Consider Before Buying a Subwoofer?

Among some top companies known for offering sound systems, JBL is a well-reputed name in the market that provides exceptional and innovative audio accessories. We are going to go in-depth about the JBL subwoofer for cars that are worth picking up in the latter part of this article after covering a few more things you should know about the subwoofers that will help you shop yours.

Now that you know the role of a subwoofer in your audio system, let’s move on to see what are the various things that you need to consider buying for your car. On the other hand, if you are looking for a good system for your home, take a look at our JBL bar 5.1 soundbar review.

There are many brands offering subwoofers that are used as an extension of your car’s audio system, and it will be confusing to come down to one particular product. To help you narrow down your search and get the exact product that will meet your expectations, here’s a list of some critical parameters that you need to take into account when buying a subwoofer: 

Size of the Sub:

This is an important aspect to consider, and people often face difficulty in determining what size to get, or what size would give the best output. Do remember that the bigger the woofer, the better and powerful is the bass. With that being said, you need to first consider the space in your car under the seat or in the trunk and decide where your sub will go. 

If you think you have a decent amount of space to accommodate a bigger sub and want loud and rich lows, then go for a bigger one. Don’t forget to take the measurements of the space where you are planning to install your subwoofer. With that said, if you do not have a lot of space in your car, you can go for a compact one but make sure that they are connected to the proper power output and well enclosed for effective and equally powerful performance as the big ones. 

Enclosure Of Subwoofers:

The subwoofer enclosure is nothing but the box that holds the sub. Different types of enclosures offer different audio output and depending on what kind of music you like you need to choose them. There are four types of enclosures- 

Sealed enclosure

This type of enclosure is an airtight box where your sub is mounted. It is perfect for a well-balanced and accurate bass effect in music. You will get a flat response, where the lows are not too thumping nor plain. This type of enclosure is recommended for music that uses all frequencies, so the output is perfect. Do remember that if you choose this type of sub, then the power output has to be more for best performance. 

Ported Enclosure

This is used if you need a louder and more intense bass effect. The output from this type of sub is more than that of sealed and is suitable for music genres like rap, rock, or heavy metal music for a powerful baseline. 

Bandpass Boxes

These are a type of ported enclosures that are made for extra thumping effect. They may work well in a large room or an open space, and not every subwoofer performs well with bandpass boxes. It may not also be a fit into every type of music because of the sound that dominates everything else. Therefore, this type of enclosure is only suitable for rap, heavy metal music, or hard rock. 

Free Air Subwoofers

In this, the subwoofer is fitted to the wall on the rear deck or installed in the trunk of the car. Since these subs are not built with a proper enclosure, the trunk acts as the enclosure and contributes to the noise cancellation features, enabling the speaker to deliver sound. Free air subwoofers are specially designed to work in a free air setup. They are pretty easy to install when compared with the enclosed subs but never yield as powerful of an effect as those covered or even ones that are enclosed. 

Power Output:

If you are looking out for a good subwoofer, you need to keep an eye on the RMS power rating. The RMP power rating measures how much power is used by a subwoofer realistically or a speaker can handle.  This rating is a measurement that calculates the speaker’s capacity to the amplifier’s power output. Simply put together, before purchasing the subwoofer, just make sure that the sub and the amplifier’s power output (rating) match with your car speakers’ capacity. Also, a higher power RMS value means more powerful bass.

Sensitivity:

Sensitivity rating is also an important factor to look for when buying a sub. The higher the sensitivity rating, the more powerful and louder the sound the subwoofer can go and the less power the sub will require delivering high volumes. Sensitivity is the amount of power the woofer requires to produce a specific volume. 

Impedance:

Don’t forget to make a note of the impedance of the subwoofer you are purchasing. Impedance or the electrical resistance is measured in ‘ohms’. Subwoofers with low impedance produce sounds that are louder than the ones that have higher impedance. This means that a sub with a 2-ohm impedance will offer you a louder sound than the one that has 4-ohm resistance. You will have to go for a subwoofer, whose impedance goes hand in hand with the car speaker and amplifier’s power.

Frequency Range:

This is important because based on the frequency of the subwoofer, you will know how low a sound it can play. The lower the subwoofer plays, the better and crisp base it can yield. Go for a subwoofer based on the type of music you prefer, or you are going to play in your car sound system. For example, if the majority of the songs you play are bass emphasized and at low frequency, then you need to look for one that can handle low range well. The frequency range of a subwoofer also depends on various factors like the enclosure, the material of the box the sub is fitted on, etc. 

Now when you go to purchase a subwoofer, hope the above parameters help you get the right kind of product for your car audio system that will last longer and give a good audio performance.

Conclusion

The bottom line is if you want to add that extra punch to your car’s audio output or improve the sound quality of the audio system, JBL has got it covered for you. If you want a more portable option, take a look at the JBL Flip 3 speaker review.

JBL subwoofers for cars come in a wide range of product lines with different power handling capacities, sizes, and sensitivity under different price tags. No matter what type of music you love to listen to, a good-quality subwoofer can make your listening experience more enjoyable by upgrading the ordinary audio system of your car into a powerful bass-emphasized surround sound. One important thing to remember is to make a note of the space you are planning to keep the sub, and then purchase yours accordingly. This is an important factor that most people seem to forget, Something to take away from the JBL subwoofer review.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ’s)