November 15

Best Shallow Mount Subwoofers: Complete Guide!

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Not everyone has the luxury to install a full-sized subwoofer in their vehicle.

But, is there a way to have uncompromised bass quality without sacrificing extra space?

Of course there is!

Enter Shallow Mount Subwoofers.

Not only are there subwoofers compact enough to fit under your seat, but they also produce rich, powerful bass to shake up your entire vehicle.

In this article, we will review the 8 Best Shallow Mount Subwoofers and follow it up with an extensive guide to help you choose the product best-suited to your needs.

So read along to find out everything you wish to know about shallow mount subwoofers.

The 8 Best Shallow Mount Subwoofers

1. Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 8″ Dual 2-Ohm Punch Series Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer

Since its inception, Rockford Fosgate has made many important contributions to the world of car audio. While the Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 8″ Dual 2-Ohm Punch Series Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer may not be groundbreaking by any means, its sublime blend of audio quality and value ensure that it is the top dog in our list of The 8 Best Shallow Mount Subwoofers.

Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8

Product Benefits

Before we talk about its bass quality, let us look at the premium construction of the Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 8″ Dual 2-Ohm Punch Series Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer which facilitates supreme bass quality. This shallow mount subwoofer has a StampCast basket with integrated spider venting along with an Anodized aluminum cone and dust cap.

In other words, this premium construction is exactly what enables it to output loud and powerful bass. Now, an RMS rating of 150 W does not exactly scream powerful, and while that may be true if you are looking to shake up your entire neighborhood, we believe that it will suffice for most people. Moreover, it is the quality which matters and not the quantity. Thankfully, that is where the P3SD2 Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer really shines.

If you are in the market for one of the best shallow mount subwoofers which not only offers great value for your money but also comes with the reliability of the Rockford Fosgate brand, then you should purchase this product without a second thought.

Pros

  • It is surprisingly easy to install.
  • The bass quality is top notch, and you do not need to mess about too much to get the perfect sound.
  • It comes with the reliability and customer support of the Rockford Fosgate brand.

Cons

  • We wish it was a tad bit louder.
Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 8" Dual 2-Ohm Punch Series Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer
  • The Rockford Fosgate P3S series shallow mount subwoofers deliver Punch, designed to deliver big bass in a tight space, with its low profile mounting depth design
  • The Punch P3SD2-8 is a slim 8” 2-Ohm DVC (dual voice coil) subwoofer with 150 Watts RMS / 300 Watts Max power handling and custom 10-AWG nickel plated push terminals
  • Featuring anodized aluminum cones and dustcaps, with a unique spider venting design to keep the motor cooler and a new hybrid stamp-cast basket providing super strength while minimizing weight and resonance

2. PIONEER TS-SW2502S4 10-Inch, 1.200 Watts Shallow-Mount Subwoofer

It does not come as much of a surprise that Pioneer is one of the leading brands in the car audio industry. However, what comes as a surprise is the price to performance ratio the Pioneer TS-SW2502S4 10-Inch Shallow-Mount Subwoofer offers. Apart from the price, it is the stellar set of features that propel this product to the second spot on our list of The 8 Best Shallow Mount Subwoofers.

PIONEER TS-SW2502S4

Product Benefits

With a peak power output of 1200 W and an RMS power output of 300 W, the Pioneer TS-SW2502S4 10-Inch, 1.200 Watts Shallow-Mount Subwoofer packs in quite a bit of horsepower. However, it is not just powerful, but it is incredibly well optimized for playing bass rich music.

Moreover, this 10-inch shallow mount subwoofer’s bass quality is comparable with a standard 10-inch subwoofer from one of the leading car audio brands. What makes all that possible is Pioneer’s MICA injection-molded resin which fine-tunes the output to produce accurate and powerful bass.

The Pioneer TS-SW2502S4 10-Inch, 1.200 Watts Shallow-Mount Subwoofer is a nice blend of audio quality and power in a compact package. If that is exactly what you want from your subwoofer, then, by all means, purchase this product. We believe that you will be more than satisfied with it.

Pros

  • It offers brilliant price to performance ratio.
  • It is sufficiently loud with an RMS power output of 300 W.
  • The bass quality is rich and clear.

Cons

  • It falls short when compared to the bass quality offered by the Rockford Fosgate Punch Series Subwoofers.
PIONEER TS-SW2502S4 10-Inch, 1.200 Watts Shallow-Mount Subwoofer
  • Pioneer 10-Inch 1200W Max Single 4-Ohm Shallow Mount Series Subwoofer
  • Mica-injected resin cone
  • Power range: 100-300 watts RMS (1,200 watts peak power)

3. Rockford Fosgate P3SD4-10 Punch P3S 10-Inch 4-Ohm DVC Shallow Subwoofer

It is not surprising that the Rockford Fosgate P3SD4-10 Punch P3S 10-Inch 4-Ohm DVC Shallow Subwoofer takes the final podium spot in our list of The 8 Best Shallow Mount Subwoofers, especially when its smaller sibling, the Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 8″ Dual 2-Ohm Punch Series Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer finished on top of our list.

Now we understand that the smaller sibling is the more popular of the two but in case you are looking for something more powerful, this product might just be the one for you.

Rockford Fosgate P3SD4-10

Product Benefits

Just like its smaller sibling, the Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 8″ Dual 2-Ohm Punch Series Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer, this subwoofer also features an identical cone construction. The premium StampCast basket with integrated spider venting along with the anodized aluminum cone with dust cap ensures that the bass quality holds its own against full-sized subwoofers with the same power output.

Now the bass quality is not magically better than its smaller sibling. However, its RMS power output is twice as loud compared to the Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 8″ Dual 2-Ohm Punch Series Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer. After comparing the performance side-by-side, we can definitely say that the extra punch makes a difference.

If you were thoroughly impressed by the Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 8″ Dual 2-Ohm Punch Series Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer and wished it was a little louder, then its bigger sibling, the Rockford Fosgate P3SD4-10 Punch P3S 10-Inch 4-Ohm DVC Shallow Subwoofer is surely the one to get. We cannot recommend this product enough.

Pros

  • It produces loud and powerful bass.
  • It is compliant with the CEA-2031 standard.
  • This product comes with the incredible customer support and reliability of the Rockford Fosgate brand.

Cons

  • Other than being louder, it does not offer much over its smaller sibling, the Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 8″ Dual 2-Ohm Punch Series Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer.
Rockford Fosgate P3SD4-10 Punch P3S 10" 4-Ohm DVC Shallow Subwoofer
  • The Rockford Fosgate P3S series shallow mount subwoofers deliver Punch, designed to deliver big bass in a tight space, with its low profile mounting depth design
  • The Punch P3SD4-10 is a slim 10” 4-Ohm DVC (dual voice coil) subwoofer with 300 Watts RMS / 600 Watts Max power handling and custom 10-AWG nickel plated push terminals
  • Featuring anodized aluminum cones and dustcaps, with a unique spider venting design to keep the motor cooler and a new hybrid stamp-cast basket providing super strength while minimizing weight and resonance

4. Rockford Fosgate R2 Ultra Shallow 10-Inch 4 Ohm DVC Subwoofer

The R2 Ultra Shallow 10-Inch 4 Ohm DVC Subwoofer is the third Rockford Fosgate product to feature in our list of The 8 Best Shallow Mount Subwoofers. Now, you might be thinking that we are sponsored by Rockford Fosgate, but we assure you that is not the case at all. In fact, we truly believe that Rockford Fosgate makes one of the best shallow mount subwoofers available today.

Rockford Fosgate R2 Ultra Shallow

Product Benefits

While the R2 Ultra Shallow 10-Inch 4 Ohm DVC Subwoofer may not pack the punch of its Punch series siblings we reviewed earlier, we believe that it is a decent alternative to those pricier options. Why, you ask? Well for starters, it offers better value compared to the Punch series alternatives. Moreover, it is louder than the Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 8″ Dual 2-Ohm Punch Series Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer which falls in the same price category.

The R2 Ultra Shallow 10-Inch 4 Ohm DVC Subwoofer does not feature the premium construction of its Punch series siblings, but surprisingly when it comes to bass quality, it holds its own against its higher-priced alternatives. However, a true audiophile will notice the difference in bass quality.

If you are not too picky about bass quality and are looking for a loud and powerful shallow mount subwoofer, then you should surely shortlist the R2 Ultra Shallow 10-Inch 4 Ohm DVC Subwoofer for your next purchase.

Pros

  • It offers better value compared to its Punch series siblings.
  • The sub is loud enough and produces decent bass quality.
  • It comes with the CEA-2031 certification and the reliability of the Rockford Fosgate brand.

Cons

  • If you are a true audiophile, you will prefer the bass quality offered by its Punch series siblings.
Rockford Fosgate R2 Ultra Shallow 10-Inch 4 Ohm DVC Subwoofer
  • Stamp-cast basket with integrated spider venting
  • Mica injected polypropylene cone
  • Mounting Depth 3.4 Inches ; 12 AWG compression terminals

5. Pioneer TSSWX2502 10-Inch Shallow-Mount Pre-Loaded Enclosure Sub Woofer

Although the Pioneer TS-SWX2502 10 inch Shallow-Mount Pre-Loaded Enclosure is sometimes considered as the elder sibling of the TS-SW2502S4 10-Inch Shallow-Mount Subwoofer we reviewed earlier, it is in fact the exact same product that comes pre-fitted into an enclosure. Now, that may be great news for some, but on the flipside, it certainly sacrifices flexibility in case you had your own idea about installing this product in your vehicle.

Pioneer TSSWX2502

Product Benefits

Since this subwoofer is identical to the TS-SW2502S4 10-Inch Shallow-Mount Subwoofer we reviewed earlier, let us look at this product from a different perspective. Now the obvious question that comes to mind when comparing these products is whether the enclosure makes any difference or not.

After thoroughly comparing both these products simultaneously, we can say that the enclosure makes a noticeable difference in bass quality. Why, you ask? Since Pioneer custom builds the enclosure just for this subwoofer, it is completely optimized to make the most out of its audio quality. However, the major downside to that is the lack of flexibility when it comes to installing this product in your vehicle.

On the flip side, if you prefer the pre-fitted enclosure, then, by all means, you should purchase this product without a second thought. If you were already impressed by the performance from the standalone TS-SW2502S4 10-Inch Shallow-Mount Subwoofer, then this complete package will only add to that experience.

Pros

  • The enclosure makes the most out of its audio quality.
  • With 300 W RMS power output, it is sufficiently loud.
  • It offers great value for your money.

Cons

  • The pre-fitted enclosure reduces the flexibility to install in your vehicle.
Pioneer TS-SWX2502 10 inch Shallow-Mount Pre-Loaded Enclosure
  • Music Power (Nominal): 1,200 W (400 W) Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 125 Hz, Sensitivity (1 W/1 m): 93 dB, Impedance: Single 4Ω Tight bass from a shallow compact design, Reinforced MICA injection-molded resin preloaded subwoofer cone

6. Skar Audio VD-10 D2 10″ Dual 2 800W Max Power Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer

While most audiophiles may not be familiar with the Skar Audio brand, it is by no means to be overlooked, especially when it comes to subwoofers. Now, Skar Audio products are not great at producing quality sound across the entire audio spectrum. However, their forte is bass quality, and the Skar Audio VD-10 D2 10″ Dual 2 800W Max Power Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer produces enough thump to satisfy even the most demanding of bass heads.

Skar Audio VD-10 D2

Product Benefits

With an RMS power output of 500 W, this is surely the most powerful subwoofer featured in our list of The 8 Best Shallow Mount Subwoofers. Now we all know that power is not the only criterion used to judge the quality of the subwoofer and surprisingly, the Skar Audio VD-10 D2 10″ Dual 2 800W Max Power Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer delivers with its rich and powerful bass.

So what makes this product special? Skar Audio utilizes a high-temperature 2-inch voice coil along with a powerful, yet low profile single stack ferrite magnet to ensure that this powerful shallow mount car subwoofer always impresses with its bass quality.

If you are in the market for one of the best shallow mount subwoofers which offer a brilliant blend of power and bass quality, then you should surely check out the Skar Audio VD-10 D2 10″ Dual 2 800W Max Power Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer.

Pros

  • It is extremely loud with an RMS power output of 500 W.
  • The bass quality is surprisingly good for the price.
  • It offers great value for your money.

Cons

  • Long-term product reliability is questionable.
Skar Audio VD-10 D2 10" 800W Max Power Dual 2 Ohm Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer
  • 10-Inch Dual 2 ohm Shallow Mount Subwoofer
  • Peak Power: 800 Watts | RMS Power: 500 Watts
  • Shallow Mount Design - Mounting Depth: 4.41"

7. MTX Audio FPR10-02 Shallow Mount Subwoofer

MTX Audio may not be the most revered car audio brand in our list of The 8 Best Shallow Mount Subwoofers, but it is by no means to be trifled with. The FPR10-02 Shallow Mount Subwoofer is a serious contender to come out of the MTX Audio stable and its following list of impressive features only help to strengthen its claim as one of the best shallow Mount subwoofers in its price category.

MTX Audio FPR10-02

Product Benefits

While the MTX Audio FPR10-02 Shallow Mount Subwoofer may seem unassuming at first sight, it comes with a host of intuitive features that truly make it a special product. This shallow mount subwoofer features a patented and unique cone design which allows the cone to be directly attached to the spider. This facilitates the spider to have better control over the cone movement, especially during the one-way motion.

All that innovation results in superior bass quality even when compared to products from the leading car audio brands. Moreover, the 300 W of RMS output ensures that this subwoofer packs quite a punch.

All in all, this is a fantastic product which will surely satisfy the demands of a true audiophile. Moreover, we feel that at its current price, the MTX Audio FPR10-02 Shallow Mount Subwoofer offers incredible value for your money and if this product fits your budget, we suggest you go for it.

Pros

  • At its current price, it offers incredible value for your money.
  • The bass output is not only powerful but also rich and clear.
  • With an RMS of 300 W, it is sufficiently loud.

Cons

  • MTX Audio’s customer support may not match that of leading brands.
MTX Audio FPR10-04 Shallow Mount Subwoofer
  • Measuring only 3.325" deep these subwoofers will fit just about anywhere
  • frequency response: 25-150 Hz
  • polypropylene woofer cone with rubber surround

8. Skar Audio EV-10MB S2 10″ Single 2-Ohm 400W Shallow Mount Loaded Subwoofer Enclosure

The final product on our list is the incredibly well priced Skar Audio EV-10MB S2 10″ Single 2-Ohm 400W Shallow Mount Loaded Subwoofer Enclosure. Now, it may not be able to compete with the powerful bass produced by the Skar Audio VD-10 D2 10″ Dual 2Ω 800W Max Power Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer; but it has quite a few tricks up its sleeve to justify a spot on our list of The 8 Best Shallow Mount Subwoofers.

Skar Audio EV-10MB

Product Benefits

On its own the Skar Audio EV-10MB S2 10″ Single 2-Ohm 400W Shallow Mount Loaded Subwoofer is at best an average sounding subwoofer. However, with its proprietary enclosure, Skar Audio has managed to squeeze out additional bass performance from this shallow mount subwoofer. After comparing the standalone product with the one pre-fitted into its enclosure, we can surely say that the latter has the superior bass quality.

Although it may not impress anyone with its low-end performance, the Skar Audio EV-10MB S2 10″ Single 2-Ohm 400W Shallow Mount Loaded Subwoofer Enclosure offers incredible value. In fact, based on the value it offers, it could well be the best shallow mount subwoofer in this list.

If you are on a limited budget and looking to avoid the hassle of installing the subwoofer into an enclosure, then you should definitely check out the Skar Audio EV-10MB S2 10″ Single 2-Ohm 400W Shallow Mount Loaded Subwoofer Enclosure.

Pros

  • It offers incredible value for your money.
  • The pre-fitted enclosure makes a noticeable difference in audio quality.

Cons

  • Bass performance is a little better than average and will not impress any audiophile.
Sale
Skar Audio SVR-10 D2 10" 1600 Watt Max Power Dual 2 Ohm Car Subwoofer
  • Peak Power: 1, 600 Watts | RMS Power: 800 watts
  • 2.6" (65.5mm) dual 2-ohm high temperature 4-layer copper Voice Coil
  • Powerful high flux ferrite motor with advanced air Flow Cooling Design | Fs: 44 Hz

The Complete Buying Guide to the Best Shallow Mount Subwoofers

Full-Size Subwoofer Vs. Shallow Mount Subwoofer

One of the biggest dilemmas you will face when buying a new subwoofer is whether you should get a full-size subwoofer or a shallow mount subwoofer. You can consider this comparison similar to choosing between a desktop and a laptop. On one side you have extra horsepower while the other side is about efficiency and portability.

Nowadays, the performance gap between a full-size subwoofer and a shallow mount subwoofer has reduced considerably. In fact, the shallow mount subwoofers from the Rockford Fosgate Punch series and the top-of-the-line shallow mount subwoofers from other leading car audio brands have a negligible difference in bass quality when compared to their full-sized counterparts.

However, there are a few downsides to purchasing a shallow mount subwoofer. The most obvious one is the price. The other downgrade over a full-sized subwoofer is that shallow mount subwoofers have limited power output. Having said that, unless you are planning on shaking up your entire neighborhood, shallow mount subwoofers pack in plenty power to satisfy your needs.

In the end, it boils down to whether you are willing to sacrifice space for performance. If you have a large vehicle with plenty of space to install a subwoofer, then purchasing a full-sized subwoofer is the smarter choice. In case you have limited interior space, then you should surely consider a shallow mount subwoofer.

Considerations For Buying A Shallow Mount Subwoofer

With over thousands of products flocking the market, choosing the best shallow mount subwoofer can be an arduous task indeed. However, after going through the following factors, we believe that you will be more than ready to purchase your next subwoofer system.

1. RMS Power Rating

The RMS or the Root Mean Square Power Output signifies the maximum value of continuous power the subwoofer can handle for an extended period. On the other hand, the peak power output signifies the maximum power the subwoofer can handle in short bursts.

Hence, it is clear that if loudness and power output ratings matter to you, then you should definitely focus on the RMS power rating of the subwoofer. However, beware that most car audio brands like to display the peak power output instead of the RMS power output.

2. CEA Certification

You might have come across standards such as CEA-2031, and if your product features this certification, it means that the power ratings of the product are legitimate. Hence, it is important to check whether your subwoofer has its power ratings verified by the CEA standards or not.

In case you decide on purchasing a product which does not conform to the CEA standard, we suggest you avoid cranking up the amplifier to match the RMS power rating of the speaker.

3. Pre-fitted Enclosure

Purchasing a subwoofer with a pre-fitted enclosure is a bit of a toss-up. On the one hand, proprietary enclosures are optimized to deliver the maximum performance out of the subwoofer. However, on the flip side, a pre-fitted enclosure sacrifices the flexibility when it comes to installing the subwoofer in your vehicle.

If you are confident about installing the subwoofer on your own, then you will be better off purchasing a subwoofer without an enclosure. On the other hand, if the pre-fitted enclosure sounds attractive to you, then, by all means, go ahead and purchase it.

4. Price

Shallow mount subwoofers, like the ones featured on our list of The 8 Best Shallow Mount Subwoofers can range from below $ 50 and go beyond $ 200. In our opinion, the $ 100 to $ 150 range has many shallow mount subwoofers which are sure to impress even the most demanding of audiophiles.

However, if your budget is limited, there are plenty of stellar options in the sub $ 100 range like the PIONEER TS-SW2502S4 10-Inch, 1.200 Watts Shallow-Mount Subwoofer we reviewed earlier.

Conclusion

Now that you have finished reading our list of The 8 Best Shallow Mount Subwoofers and the extensive guide, you are ready to treat yourself to a brand new subwoofer system. So what are you waiting for? Go right ahead and order your favorite product and get it delivered to your doorstep now!


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