Best Subwoofers Under $500 in Canada | Comparison & Complete Buyer’s Guide

What is the best subwoofer under $500? Bass is the basis of any modern music. An audio system without a subwoofer is like a car without wheels: while it makes noise, even if it is loud, it does not make much sense. However, not all and not always need a pricey subwoofer. For the majority of tasks, a device for under $500 will do the job.

Best Subwoofer Comparison

Buyer’s Guide: What Features Are Important? What Types of Subwoofers Are There and How Do They Differ?

Active vs. Passive. What makes active subwoofers different from passive ones is that they have a built-in sound amplifier. Active subwoofers are generally quite inexpensive models, the capabilities of which should be more than enough for home use. The Sony SACS9 Active Subwoofer could be an example of such a device.

In its turn, a passive subwoofer is worth buying by advanced music lovers who are ready to spend time, energy, and money on an amplifier. That said, a passive model like the Klipsch R-100SW will reward its owners with a clear and rich sound.

Power. The main thing to decide before buying a subwoofer is power. A device that is not powerful enough will not be able to fill a large space with a deep sound, however, there is no point in purchasing a too powerful sub for a small room. Five to eight watts per square meter are considered to be sufficient.

Type of Construction. Subwoofers are generally divided into sealed and bass reflex types. The former ones like the Polk Audio HTS 12 are more expensive but tend to have a more bouncy sound. The latter ones are often inferior to other competitive products in terms of response time and duration due to the high inertia of the bass reflex. Nevertheless, there are a lot of interesting models on the market, such as the Yamaha SW315.

Frequency Range. This parameter determines how low bass the subwoofer can produce. Typically, low bass includes sounds with a frequency between 20 and 40 Hz, middle bass is about 40 to 80 Hz, and high bass is 80 to 160 Hz. The 20 Hz frequency is at the low end of the audible range, so you should not focus on it. The main thing is to have a subwoofer that works well in the main bass range from 30 to 60 Hz.

Trusted Subwoofer Brands

There are hardly more manufacturers of subwoofers than models available. The world’s most famous brands include the following:

• Yamaha — a good example of a model under $500 is the Yamaha NS-SW300PN.

• JBL — a great professional-grade model, the JBL Professional LSR310S.

• Samsung — a good cordless subwoofer, the Samsung Sound+ SWA-W700.

• Sony — an interesting and inexpensive subwoofer, the Sony SACS9.

• Bose — a highly stylish and modern device, the Bose Bass Module 500

• Klipsch — a powerful yet inexpensive subwoofer, the Synergy Black Label Sub-100 Subwoofer.

• Polk Audio — a compact yet high-capacity subwoofer, the Polk Audio PSW111.

Subwoofer Under $500 vs. Over $500 Comparison

In order to figure out whether it is worth spending over $500 on a subwoofer, you should first answer the question of what the difference is between them.

— First and foremost, these are materials used. The cheaper the subwoofer is, the greater the chance that the enclosure is made from cheap plastic and, therefore, is more likely to rattle a little bit and creak at high volumes. Pricier models are more often made of wood. That said, it does not necessarily mean that you will be able to tell the difference between the sounds produced by plastic and wooden mahogany models (indeed, 95% of people fail to do that). And yet, premium materials have a different look and feel much more pleasant to the touch.

— The next thing to consider is the build quality. The accuracy of fitting and how well the components are assembled are crucial for a subwoofer, which is a device that, in fact, constantly bashes itself as if it was a bass drum. Whereas it is the build quality that second- and third-class manufacturers often try to save on. A good subwoofer needs to be solid as a rock to produce clear sounds without interference. A $500 device is more likely to be like that.

— Design features. Ideally, a subwoofer should deliver as much power and sound pressure as possible with the smallest possible dimensions. To this end, engineers of large manufacturers get up to all sorts of tricks, such as a special arrangement of components inside the enclosure or using special patented sound outlets like those the models of the JBL professional series have.

— Nor should you forget about power, which largely determines not only the volume but also the sound quality. The more expensive the subwoofer is, the more powerful it tends to be. And this means that it can be used in smaller spaces (or even outdoors), without adjusting the volume to the maximum level. It is important that the device not only produces incredible levels of watts at intermediate frequencies, but it also should have proper sound pressure right at the bottom of the spectrum.

And this is what the more expensive subwoofers provide best. Simply because they have more advanced components like larger diameter speakers made from enhanced materials. For example, the SVS SB-3000 for almost $1,000 is equipped with a 13” driver capable of delivering 800 watts of continuous and 2500 watts of peak power. This device makes the Klipsch Synergy Black Label Sub-100 with its 300 watts look not so impressive, even though the latter can still shake up a pretty large room.

— And finally, extra settings are noteworthy, too. Subwoofers under $500 rarely offer any settings, apart from the volume control and sound amplification. For home use, this is more than enough in most cases (unless you are not among that 5% of people with super-sensitive hearing. However, in a studio environment, using the device with a minimum of adjustments will be highly inconvenient if not impossible.

Let’s say, the continuous tuning of a cut-off frequency, which allows the user to accurately select a special sound for a specific environment, is available only on expensive models. For example, the Earthquake Sound MiniMe DSP P-10 allows for not only sound adjustment using the knobs on the box, but it is also compatible with a mobile app for particularly precise settings.

Nevertheless, among relatively inexpensive models there are professional subwoofers with a large number of extra adjustments, such as the JBL Professional LSR310S, which I am going to describe in detail below.

With all things considered, one should understand that this is just a general picture, while a $500 price line is largely conditional. The price of a subwoofer depends not only on those properties that directly determine the sound quality but also, for example, on marketing costs and the salaries of the manufacturing company’s CEOs. Let alone the fact that you are going to listen to a specific subwoofer, not to a price tag.

Anyway, in most cases, a subwoofer with a price of under $500 is sufficient for home use. There are many models with decent sounding in this price range. It is worth buying a pricier subwoofer only if: you need a professional device with a super clear sound for work in a studio; you need a very powerful model to arrange discos outdoors or in large premises; you are simply a fan of equipment with trendy features.

TOP 5 Subwoofers Under $500

Below, you will find a review of the five best subwoofers at a price ranging from $90 to $400. These are sealed-type and bass-reflex-type subwoofers from the most trusted brands, such as Bose, Sony, Klipsch, JBL. The list also includes an affordable model under $100 which is pretty well made.

Klipsch Synergy Black Label Sub-100 Subwoofer | Best IMG 300W Woofer Under $300

A stylish and powerful subwoofer of the bass reflex type. The rigid cabinet made from medium density fiberboard conceals a 10-inch speaker and a decent built-in amplifier delivering clear, deep, and rich bass. The 300-watt power is sufficient to fill a space of up to 60 square meters. With only a few settings, it offers everything you need to handle almost any sound. Using a standard line-in, the device connects to literally any source of a signal. Perhaps, the only downside to this product is that the sound is not resilient enough, although this is the problem of all bass-reflex devices. An excellent classic sub.

Klipsch Synergy Black Label Sub-100 Subwoofer: Check the current price

Sony SACS9 10-Inch Active Subwoofer | Best Under $200

This is a traditional bass-reflex subwoofer from the Japanese electronics giant. The 10-inch speaker is housed in a compact yet well-designed cabinet, created specifically to dampen unwanted vibration. Thanks to the right design, the device produces loud and rich sounds with a power of 115 whole watts. Well, it is not a record, of course, but will be more than enough for a room of 20 sq. m. The frequency range from 28 to 200 Hz completely covers most of the needs of today’s music lover. On the one hand, there is nothing particularly outstanding about this device. On the other hand, this under $200 subwoofer is good enough without any marketing gimmicks.

Sony SACS9 10-Inch Active Subwoofer: Check the current price

Monoprice 60-Watt Powered Subwoofer | Best Cheap Under $100

This is the most affordable subwoofer in this selection that was designed specifically to be part of a 5.1 system. Despite the modest price, the device is distinguished by a nice classic appearance, rich connectivity, and quite a good sound. The latter depends on the 8-inch speaker capable of delivering buoyant bass in the frequency range from 50 to 250Hz. Volume and frequency controls located on the rear panel allow you to customize the sound to your liking.

Overall, this is a very interesting budget option. Add to it the threshold of reproducible frequencies lower by at least 20 Hz, and it would be a priceless device.

Monoprice 60-Watt Powered Subwoofer: Check the current price

Alternatives: TOP 3 Audio Systems with a Built-In Subwoofer

SAMSUNG HW-Q70T 3.1.2ch Soundbar with Dolby Atmos/DTS:X (2020) | Best Under $500

This is a home theater audio system that includes a soundbar and a subwoofer. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound technologies and also synchronizes with audio systems of Samsung TVs, which allows you to add more detail and volume to the sound. The proprietary technologies of an “acoustic beam” and adaptive sound provide a decent participation effect. That said, unlike most similar devices, this one is suitable not only for movies but also for music.

The system supports a wireless connection to external devices, which can act as both sources and wireless controllers. For example, you can ask Alexa to play music and it will play from HW-Q70T. The major downside of this system is the price. However, there are less expensive models available.

SAMSUNG HW-Q70T 3.1.2ch Soundbar: Check the current price

Polk Audio MagniFi Mini Home Theater Surround Sound Bar with Subwoofer | Best Under $250

A very compact yet highly functional home theater audio system that can not only take your TV sound to the next level but can also become a true entertainment center in your living room. A mini soundbar with a length of no more than one foot and a small wireless subwoofer simulate a 5.1 surround sound system. Evidently, the set supports both wired and wireless connections, which allows it to be paired not only with a TV but also with a smartphone or tablet. Built-in sound settings allow for choosing an operation mode that suits best for movies, music, or sports.

For all the benefits of the Polk Audio MagniFi, the device is sold for less than $250 — a pretty reasonable offer.

Polk Audio MagniFi: Check the current price

Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV Sound Bar with Subwoofer | Best Under $150

This audio system that consists of an ultra-thin soundbar and a wireless subwoofer is available for less than $150. The compact size and the absence of unnecessary cables allow you to place the system’s elements almost anywhere. The device is suitable for both movies and music. Among other things, it supports connecting to external devices via Bluetooth, so with this unit, you can listen to Pandora, Spotify, or TuneIn right from your smartphone or tablet.

A crystal clear and detailed sound, quick connection, easy installation, a wide range of connectors, including HDMI, AUX and an optical input, a full suite of all the necessary cables included — what else would you need?

Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim: Check the current price

Best-Selling Subwoofers Under $500 | Comparison Table

Bose Bass Module 500 subwoofer | Best Trusted Under $500

This is probably the most stylish subwoofer under $500. The sealed-type subwoofer is hidden in a compact housing made of premium materials and is a cube with a facet length of 10 inches. So that this little thing does not take up extra space, you can easily hide it out of sight. Given that the Bass Module 500 is a cordless model that connects to other components of an audio system through the radio channel, you can place it absolutely anywhere without having to worry about cable-laying.

The only downside of this subwoofer is limited compatibility. The device will work only with specific sound bars from the Bose series: the Soundbar 500, the Soundbar 700, and the SoundTouch 300. Nevertheless, for fans of the audio equipment of this brand, it will become the best buy.

Bose Bass Module 500 subwoofer: Check the current price

JBL Professional LSR310S -Channel Studio Subwoofer | Best Under $400

A very interesting subwoofer from the JBL line of professional audio equipment. The special patented bass reflex shape ensures clear and deep sound and instant response at any volume. The custom driver delivers a powerful, rich sound in the frequency range from 27 Hz with a maximum volume of up to 113 dB, which can be maintained by the device for a long time without overload or damage to the structure.

The unit’s professional status is emphasized by a broad spectrum of connectors for connecting any external audio equipment as well as by sound settings that fully pay off the product’s price.

JBL Professional LSR310S: Check the current price

FAQ:

When do you need a subwoofer?

If you need clear, bright, and loud bass sounds, then, it is really necessary. But if you are a gamer or watch only movies, opt for the Home Theater Surround Sound Bar with a built-in subwoofer like the Polk Audio MagniFi.

Can a subwoofer replace conventional speakers?

Yes, like a conventional speaker, a subwoofer can be directly connected to the sound source. The other thing is that its speaker is created specifically to produce only the lowest sounds, while a built-in filter cuts off the entire high-frequency range. Therefore, in principle, you could use a subwoofer instead of a conventional speaker, but you could hardly find enjoyment from such sounds.

How to “warm up” a new subwoofer and whether it is necessary?

Indeed, many authors recommend “warming up” new elements of the audio system for a while after buying. The point is to bring the unit’s physical characteristics into compliance, render it operational. The best way to do this is to avoid immediately turning the device on at full power, but at first, use only 30-50% of a maximum volume and sound amplification. Twenty-thirty hours of listening to music at such settings would be pretty enough.

How important is the enclosure’s material?

The enclosure’s material determines the sound by 5 to 10%. A cheap plastic tends to vibrate, let alone the fact that it adds a special color to the sound — something that many people are not fond of — while a medium-density fiberboard may rattle at high volumes.

If you are a fan of natural, heavy-duty, and reliable wood, there are budget ash wood Acoustic Audio PSW-10 and more expensive Black Ash Yamaha. That said, today, most professional-grade subs are made from high-quality plastics.

What subwoofers should you avoid buying?

In no case should you buy a subwoofer that:

— has an extremely low price as there is a risk that a cheap device would burn out right after turning on;

— with a price under $100, it promises all at once. Such a device is most likely to work no better than the above-mentioned subwoofer.

— is made by unknown short-lived manufacturers, which speaks for itself.