A subwoofer is essential to any home audio system because it enhances sound quality by reproducing low-frequency frequencies that other speakers cannot. If you’re on a budget, you can still enjoy high-quality sound by choosing the best subwoofer under 500 to complement your home audio system.
While regular speakers can produce some bass frequencies, they lack the power to match a good subwoofer’s rich, immersive bass.
In contrast to ordinary speakers, subwoofers are built with more significant drivers and specialized amplifiers that can manage the power needed to generate powerful low-frequency sounds.
Your music or movie experience may be given a new depth with a decent subwoofer, making it more dynamic and exciting.
The audio’s clarity and quality, as well as the listening experience as a whole, will be negatively impacted by a subwoofer that performs poorly since it will generate muddy, distorted sound.
Investing in a high-quality best subwoofer under 500 that works well with the rest of your home entertainment system is imperative.
A subwoofer that works poorly will produce muddy, distorted sound, significantly affecting the audio’s clarity and quality and the listening experience as a whole.
It’s essential to spend money on a subwoofer of superior quality that integrates effectively with the rest of your home entertainment system. It’s crucial to balance cost and quality when determining a subwoofer’s pricing.
Criteria for Choosing The Best Subwoofer Under 500
1. Sound Quality
Your first concern when choosing the finest subwoofer under $500 should be sound quality. It would be beneficial if you sought a subwoofer that produces a clean, sharp, and distortion-free sound.
2. Size and Compatibility
Size and compatibility are important factors to take into account. Ensure the subwoofer fits your current setup and is easy to integrate with other devices.
3. Build Quality and Design
To ensure enduring endurance, build quality and design should also be considered. Choose subwoofers with solid construction and long-lasting materials to resist wear and tear.
4. Features and Controls
To customize the sound output to your tastes, it’s also vital to consider features and settings like volume and crossover.
5. Brand Reputation and Customer Support
A firm’s reputation for manufacturing high-quality items and providing solid customer service are other crucial considerations while buying.
6. Price and Value
Last but not least, you should consider pricing and value to ensure you’re obtaining a subwoofer with all the essential features and specs.
Finding a balance between sound quality, compatibility, build quality, features and controls, brand reputation, customer service, pricing, and value is crucial when choosing the best subwoofer under 500.
7 Best Value Powered Subwoofers Under 500 in 2023
A good subwoofer is necessary for a well-balanced audio experience and is of the most excellent standard.
By generating immersive bass tones that other speakers cannot, a decent subwoofer may improve the sound quality of your audio system and provide you with a more dynamic and exciting listening experience.
A poor subwoofer, on the other hand, can degrade good clarity and balance, as well as overall audio quality. A top-notch subwoofer that enhances your audio system and creates top-notch sound is a need.
#1. Klipsch R-12SW
Any home audio system needs a good subwoofer because it can produce rich, immersive bass sounds that other speakers cannot duplicate. With its superior design, sound quality, performance, and features, the Klipsch R-12SW stands out among the best subwoofer under 500.
The Klipsch R-12SW boasts a tiny, fashionable shape that fits well in confined locations and a robust, long-lasting construction that guarantees reliable operation.
The subwoofer quickly reproduces a broad spectrum of low-frequency sounds and provides clear and precise, deep bass tones. Although it has a low distortion level, its high power output can still fill even large rooms with sound.
The subwoofer has an auto on/off mode that saves electricity, extends the subwoofer’s life, and adjusts crossover frequency and volume settings for fine-tuning the sound. Line level and LFE inputs are also provided for versatile connection possibilities.
Klipsch is a well-known audio company with a long history of producing high-quality audio devices and offering outstanding customer service and warranty coverage.
For its low price, the Klipsch R-12SW provides excellent value, making it a desirable option for audiophiles on a tight budget.
Pros
- Stylish and compact design
- Excellent performance and sonic quality
- Controls that may be modified to create a unique audio experience
- A reasonable pricing range
Cons
- They are less potent than more giant subwoofers.
- Fewer options for connectivity than in some other models
- The absence of cutting-edge technologies like wireless connection or
#2. Sony SACS9 10-Inch Active Subwoofer
Anyone who wishes to experience high-quality audio in their home theatre system or music setup must choose a decent subwoofer. The Sony SACS9 10-Inch Active Subwoofer is an excellent option among the best subwoofer under 500, with its solid design, impressive sound quality, and exceptional performance.
The subwoofer has a brief yet attractive appearance that complements any environment and is made of a strong and durable material for long-lasting use.
It features a 10-inch speaker driver that delivers deep and powerful bass sounds that enhance the audio experience. The frequency response range is between 28 Hz to 200 Hz, allowing it to reproduce a wide range of sounds with clarity and precision.
The Sony SACS9 10-Inch Active Subwoofer offers exceptional performance and high power output that can fill even large rooms with sound. It also has a low distortion rate, ensuring a clean and crisp audio experience, even at high volumes.
The subwoofer has a built-in amplifier that provides 115 watts of continuous power output, delivering a robust bass response.
The subwoofer has simple auto on/off functionality that helps save power and volume and crossover frequency settings that can be adjusted to alter the sound. It also has line-level and speaker-level inputs for versatile connectivity options.
Sony is a reputable brand in the audio industry, known for delivering high-quality audio products that are both reliable and durable. The Sony SACS9 10-Inch Active Subwoofer is reasonably priced for its exceptional value, making it a cost-effective option for anyone looking for a quality subwoofer.
Pros
- Simple yet elegant design
- Impressive sound quality and performance
- Customizable controls for a personalized audio experience
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- It may not be as powerful as some other models
- Limited connectivity options compared to some higher-end subwoofers
- Lacks advanced features like wireless connectivity or EQ adjustments
#3. Polk Audio PSW10
The Polk Audio PSW10 is a popular option for individuals on a tight budget since it is a small, reasonably priced subwoofer that performs well in the bass department. The PSW10 is easily accommodated in tight locations because of its straightforward, streamlined design and tiny size.
The construction is solid and long-lasting, and the black woodgrain finish makes it look exquisite. With a 10-inch polymer composite cone driver that can handle frequencies as low as 35 Hz, the PSW10 produces acceptable bass performance.
This subwoofer is suited for most home theatre and music setups thanks to its high performance, price range, and sound output of up to 100 dB.
With the PSW10’s various settings, consumers may tailor the subwoofer to their requirements and tastes. These options include volume, crossover frequency, and phase adjustment.
Polk Audio is a reputable name in the audio sector. Polk Audio is recognized for creating products of excellent quality and dependability. They provide first-rate after-sales care and client service.
One of the most reasonably priced subwoofers available, the Polk Audio PSW10 is an excellent choice for people on a tight budget.
Pros
- A reasonable pricing range
- Small size and shape
- A respectable bass performance
- Numerous options for customization
Cons
- It might not be appropriate for individuals seeking a solid bass.
- According to some users, the build quality may be better than that of more costly versions.
Related – How To Test a Subwoofer
#4. BESTISAN 100-Watt Powered Subwoofer
The BESTISAN 100-Watt Powered Subwoofer is a popular choice among consumers since it is inexpensive and offers outstanding performance and features for the price.
Because of its sleek, modern style and small size, the BESTISAN subwoofer easily fits into small spaces. The structure is sturdy and long-lasting, and the matte black finish is visually appealing.
The 8-inch speaker creates deep and powerful bass ideal for gaming, music, and movies, with a frequency response range of 30 Hz to 250 Hz and a 100-watt amplifier.
This subwoofer is suited for most home theatre and music setups thanks to its high performance for its price range and sound output of up to 104 dB.
A variety of settings, including volume, crossover frequency, and phase adjustment, are included with the BESTISAN subwoofer to let consumers fine-tune it to their requirements and tastes. It also has an automated on/off function and a standby mode to conserve energy.
Despite being a relatively new company in the audio sector, BESTISAN has quickly established a reputation for creating dependable and high-quality products. They provide first-rate after-sales care and client service.
The BESTISAN subwoofer is among the most reasonably priced alternatives available, making it an excellent choice for anyone seeking a cost-effective subwoofer with top-notch features and performance.
Pros
- A reasonable pricing range
- Small size and shape
- Performance of a solid and deep bass
- Numerous options for customization
Cons
- Some customers may feel the build quality could be better compared to more costly versions.
- It might not be appropriate for individuals searching for a powerful bass.
- Since BESTISAN is a new brand on the market, some customers might be reluctant to purchase it.
#5. Edifier T5 Powered Subwoofer
Those looking for a portable and reasonably priced subwoofer should consider the Edifier T5-powered subwoofer. It has a sleek, contemporary style with a black wood grain finish that complements interior décor.
The construction is robust, and the MDF casing helps to reduce unwelcome vibrations. In terms of audio quality, the Edifier T5’s robust and snappy bass provides depth to music and movies.
Its frequency response range of 38Hz-200Hz and maximum power output of 70 watts allow it to be utilized in small to medium-sized spaces. The subwoofer also features a variety of controls and capabilities, including volume control, phase control, and an adjustable crossover frequency.
The audio industry holds Edifier in high regard as a manufacturer of premium speakers and headphones. The customer service is dependable and has a kind, accommodating staff.
Pros
- Sleek and contemporary style
- Sturdy MDF enclosure
- Deep, punchy bass
Cons
- It might not be appropriate for huge spaces.
- Low power output as compared to choices
- Limited frequency response range
#6. KICKER 46HS10
The Kicker 46HS10 subwoofer is a small but dependable speaker with a robust metal grille and heavy-duty carpeting. Its sleek and contemporary style will go well with any interior decor.
The Kicker 46HS10 produces robust and deep bass with no distortion, making it perfect for gaming, watching movies, and listening to music. It can handle various audio frequencies because of its frequency response of 25Hz to 120Hz.
The Kicker 46HS10 sports a 10-inch speaker and a 150-watt Class D amplifier. The Kicker 46HS10 includes phase control, auto turn-on, and adjustable crossover and gain powers. It also has high-level inputs for use with factory-installed audio systems and RCA inputs and outputs.
In the audio sector, Kicker is a well-known brand with a track record for creating goods of the highest caliber and dependability. They also offer outstanding customer service and a 12-month subwoofer guarantee.
The Kicker 46HS10 is reasonably priced and provides outstanding value for its features and capabilities. It is one of the best subwoofer under 500 today.
Pros
- Small and robust design
- The bass is solid and deep with little distortion
- Adjustable gain and crossover controls
- Exceptional value for the money
Cons
- The subwoofers’ limited frequency range in comparison to sure others.
- Possibly inappropriate for larger rooms or spaces
- The automatic turn-on option might only be dependable for some users.
Related: Best 15 inch subwoofers in the market
#7. JBL Professional LSR310S
A popular subwoofer with outstanding performance and value for the price is the JBL Professional LSR310S. The subwoofer’s stylish, contemporary appearance and solid construction guarantee lifespan and durability.
Thanks to its 10-inch high-excursion woofer and JBL’s patented Slip Stream Port technology, the LSR310S produces deep, accurate bass with little distortion.
This subwoofer offers a powerful and dramatic performance that makes it suitable for various music genres and home theatre systems, with a frequency response range of 27 Hz to 80 Hz.
With the LSR310S’s variety of options, customers may tailor the subwoofer to their requirements and tastes. These parameters include volume, crossover frequency, and polarity.
In the audio sector, JBL is a well-known and esteemed brand with a record for creating durable goods. Additionally, they provide first-rate after-sales care and customer service.
The JBL Professional LSR310S is an excellent option for people seeking a high-quality best subwoofer under 500 because of how competitively priced it is, given its features and performance.
Pros
- Precise and powerful bass
- Sturdy construction
- A variety of customizing options
- Excellent value for the money
Cons
- The size of the subwoofer may be too large for some customers’ rooms.
- Those seeking powerful bass may want to use something other than the subwoofer.
- There are no wireless connectivity options for the LSR310S.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I Utilize a Low-Cost Subwoofer in a Home Theatre System, or Do I Need to Invest in a More Costly One?
A less-priced subwoofer may be used in your home cinema system, but it may provide a different performance or quality.
Several factors influence the size of the subwoofer you need for your room or region, including the size of the space, your listening habits, and the other speakers in your setup.
How do I Determine What Size Subwoofer I Need for My Room or Space?
The size of the subwoofer you need for your room or space is determined by the size of the room and your personal preferences for bass levels.
Related: Best subwoofers under $300
Final Words
Several alternatives are available when looking for the best subwoofer under 500. The Polk Audio PSW10, Klipsch R-10SWi, and Yamaha NS-SW050BL are a few of the best.
Each subwoofer offers excellent performance and fantastic music and movie audio sounds. When choosing a subwoofer, it’s essential to consider factors like room size, sound quality, and durability.
The frequency response, power output, and connectors that are accessible are additional factors to consider when purchasing a subwoofer. By considering these variables, you may pick the ideal subwoofer to complete your home theatre system.