If you’re into music mixing or music production, a studio subwoofer is a must. It helps you tap into the frequencies on the lower end of the scale and gives you a fuller, richer sound and a dynamic music system.
In general, the best studio subwoofer systems can only improve the work you do in the studio by isolating and playing lower frequency sounds. Even if the audio you’re working with isn’t bass-heavy, getting a studio subwoofer is still a great idea because it’ll give your audio system everything it needs. It allows you to build a well-rounded setup that can access all parts of an audio sample.
Wondering what the best studio monitor subwoofer is? Don’t worry. This article will sort that out for you! Here’s a list of some of the best studio sub systems on the market right now.
Contents
- 1 Best Studio subwoofer – buyers guide
- 2 Top 3 Best Studio Subwoofers in 2022 – Quick Overview
- 3 Best Studio Subwoofers – Review
- 3.1 Best Budget Studio Subwoofer - Polk Audio PSW10
- 3.2 Best Studio Monitor Subwoofer - Klipsch R-12SW
- 3.3 Best Sub For Music - Yamaha HS8
- 3.4 Best Active Studio Subwoofer - Rockville APM10W
- 3.5 Best Pro Studio Subwoofer - JBL Professional LSR310S
- 3.6 Best Studio Subwoofer Under 500 - Mackie CR-X Series
- 3.7 PreSonus Temblor T8 Powered Subwoofer
- 3.8 Best 12 Inch Studio Subwoofer - SVS PB-1000 Pro
- 3.9 Best Home Studio Subwoofer - JBL Stage 120
- 3.10 Best 8 Inch Studio Subwoofer - SVS 3000 Micro
- 4 conclusion
Best Studio subwoofer – buyers guide
Power rating
Power rating indicates the overall loudness or volume of the unit. When it comes to subwoofers, the higher the wattage power, the more output power it is. The average wattage power of a subwoofer is around the mid-100s. Also, confirm that the amp you are using can handle and supply the subwoofer’s 75% – 150% RMS rating.
Crossover frequency and integration
The crossover frequency is basically when the sub comes into play. At this stage, your speakers will hand the task over to the sub to play the LFE or bass notes.
Crossover frequency controls are present on every sub, and it’s just a matter of tuning them correctly (not too low or too high) to get an accurate and clear sound. How the audio resounds might also depend on the space, so it could require some tweaking.
Frequency response
20-120 Hz is around a typical range for a sub’s frequency. The lower the Hz, the better the bass. If you’re working in a studio, you may require frequencies below 20 Hz, but they can also be hard to hear at that level. So make sure you do your research before buying a unit that claims it has a huge frequency range.
Speaker size
The power rating and the size of the studio subwoofer are interrelated. Normally, the bigger the size, the higher the power, as it needs the higher power to boost the larger subwoofer to project louder, deeper, and thicker low-frequencies of bass.
Speaker size is relevant, particularly if you need something portable. Larger subs are harder to move easily, but you can’t expect an 8″ car-size sub since these are studio subs.
Positioning
Most of the subs we’ve covered here are the best pro studio subwoofers, so they can either go in your studio, in a room, or in your home theatre. Since they often require additional cable management and work together with other systems, placing them in cars or smaller spaces wouldn’t do.
You may have to experiment a little to find the sweet spot when repositioning a sub. Isolation pads may be required if you don’t want to disturb others, as bass sounds can be felt quite powerfully. Placing a sub near the front wall of a room is usually the convention.
Top 3 Best Studio Subwoofers in 2022 – Quick Overview
| Image | Product Title | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Polk Audio PSW10 10" Powered Subwoofer | Check Price On Amazon | |
 | Klipsch R-12SW Subwoofer | Check Price On Amazon | |
 | Yamaha HS8 Studio Subwoofer | Check Price On Amazon |
Best Studio Subwoofers – Review
Best Budget Studio Subwoofer - Polk Audio PSW10
- 10” subwoofer
- Dynamic Balance technology
- 100w of power
- Built-in amp
- 40-160 Hz frequency response
- Detachable speaker grill
- Phase toggle switch included
Polk Audio makes some of the best studio subwoofer systems out there, and the PSW10 is no exception. It’s a 10” subwoofer built to be compact, but it packs a lot of power.
If you’re working with a small studio space, you won’t have much trouble fitting this sub in. The enclosure has a modern, minimal look with a titanium baffle finish, and the speakers have foam surrounds for guaranteed durability and to make your audio sound that much better.
If you have other Polk Audio equipment, the PSW10 will perfectly fit that ecosystem, both in terms of design and sound. The device is also specially tuned to keep everything stable, even if you’re playing bass at very loud volumes.
What about its inner workings? This subwoofer studio set is a mid-range bargain because it has a Dynamic Balance driver, which makes your audio experience that much more amazing.
It gives you a rich and punchy sound thanks to the polymer composite drivers, and you have line-level inputs available. The back panel is very easy to navigate, even for newbies, with clearly marked switches and controls.
All the inputs and outputs are marked as well, and the built-in 50w amp is a huge bonus. Polk Audio PSW10 is the most reliable and top-rated 10-inch subwoofer in the entry-level category. At this price, this is a fantastic deal and definitely one of the best studio speakers with a subwoofer out there.
- Well-priced, value for money
- The shallow mount means it can fit in any type of car
- Brilliant sound quality
- Customer service is good
- Compact
- Built mainly for cars and not home use
Best Studio Monitor Subwoofer - Klipsch R-12SW
- 12” subwoofer
- Front-firing and copper-spun
- 400w power
- LFE and line level inputs are available
- 29-120 Hz frequency response
- Subwoofer with built-in elevation
Let’s move on to slightly more premium options. Klipsch R-12SW studio sub is worth pride of place in your studio space, with its black polymer exterior and a beautiful satin plinth. It’s got a very sleek design that’s far from garish and is sure to fit in with the rest of your studio equipment.
It’s also one of the best studio subwoofer systems in the market right now, so even though it’ll cost you a bit above $200, it’s worth every penny. Premium subwoofers can run above $400, so this is actually a really good deal!
The R-12SW from Klipsch is one of the best 12-inch subs for music and will be a great addition to your studio. It has a built-in digital amp, so you don’t have to worry about purchasing one.
You can get about 400w of dynamic power to really tune in to the bass melodies and beats. Even if you’re watching movies with stunning, well-tuned audio sequences, you’ll be surprised by the quality this subwoofer can produce.
You also have low pass crossover and phase controls available to adjust your listening preferences accordingly and inputs to connect the sub to other systems or devices.
Also, the sub is easy to transport and slightly elevated, so it’s easy to move from room to room if you decide that it’s not working in a certain space.
- Well-priced, value for money
- The shallow mount means it can fit in any type of car
- Brilliant sound quality
- Customer service is good
- Compact
- Built mainly for cars and not home use
Best Sub For Music - Yamaha HS8
- 8” subwoofer
- Floor standing sub
- Built-in amp
- Transducers to enhance sonic transitions
- Two response controls
- Advanced noise reduction tech
- Several input options
It’s well known that Yamaha makes some of the best audio equipment out there. Their subwoofer for studio monitors is a fantastic option if you’re looking for industry-grade premium tools for your studio. The 8” subwoofer comes in two colors: black and white.
Its simple, clean, fuss-free design will appeal to any minimalist, and it’ll go well with any other systems you may have set up or other furniture. This home studio subwoofer is built for sound mixing and sound production, so if you’re in that line of work, then this is a winner.
It’s been engineered with cutting-edge transducers that use a magnetic field design to give you the best audio quality possible. With a 22-150 Hz frequency response, there’s a lot of room to play around, and you won’t miss out on a single bass note.
The bi-amp design also ensures that the sound quality is premium, and the Yamaha HS8 is a pro studio subwoofer, partly because it has a particularly well-crafted enclosure that’s designed to cut down on resonance and give you accurate sound output.
Of course, the panel gives you access to switches and line-ins, and you can adjust the frequencies as you like. This is also a newer model from Yamaha, with mounting points for easy installation, so you can set it up wherever you like.
- Premium and well-crafted
- Port design minimizes noise
- Brilliant sound quality
- Ideal for professionals
- Clean, rich sound
- Quite expensive
Best Active Studio Subwoofer - Rockville APM10W
- 10” subwoofer
- 400w power with 200w RMS
- Amp with auto-switching power supply
- Silk-like wadding to protect sub cabinet
- 0.7” thick enclosure
- 50-150 Hz frequency input range
- XLR and RCA inputs and outputs
This is one of those subs music fanatics will love. The Rockville APM10W is the pinnacle of what makes a good sub monitor and is packed with a bunch of amazing features with 400w of peak power. The enclosure is 0.7” thick (and the front board is 1”) and is made of wood to provide the best air space for audio.
The sub comes in three colors: classic black and white, and also an option with a wood finish that looks quite classy. Whichever color you pick, you’ll be impressed at the attention to detail and the finish of the sub, and it’ll suit whichever room you put it in.
The Class D amplifier that the APM10W uses is a cutting-edge piece of equipment with specific circuit designs (the STA309 circuit helps with audio processing, and the STA516 enhances amplification).
The sub itself uses a solid plastic polypropylene cone and rubber to produce a brilliant, accurate sound, and the voice coils improve the bass frequencies.
Wadding in the interior protects the enclosure cabinet and speakers, and all the controls (for volume, frequency, treble, phase, and RCA inputs and outputs) on the rear of the enclosure.
The best part is this sub clocks in at under $200, so considering that it’s a state-of-the-art speaker, it’s really a bargain. This is definitely one of the best studio subwoofers out there.
- Well-priced, value for money
- The shallow mount means it can fit in any type of car
- Brilliant sound quality
- Customer service is good
- Compact
- Built mainly for cars and not home use
Best Pro Studio Subwoofer - JBL Professional LSR310S
- 10” subwoofer
- XLF low frequency setting
- Specially-designed driver for optimum performance
- 27 Hz lower frequency range
- 33 Hz frequency response
- 113 dB SPL
JBL is world-renowned for its audio equipment, so purchasing this studio monitor subwoofer is hardly a gamble; it’s bound to impress you. The JBL LSR310S is a 10” subwoofer that has been brilliantly engineered to make your studio sessions a breeze.
The sub has a 200w amp, so you can hear the bass loud and clear, and JBL’s extended low-frequency option gives you access to enhanced bass tuning. Frequencies go as low as 20 Hz, and the sub has an output of 113 dB. It’s a durable, sleek-looking piece of tech.
At close to $400, it comes with a hefty price tag, but if you’re looking for premium equipment, this is a very good option. It’s also a room-friendly speaker, so you’re guaranteed to get great results wherever you place it.
- Modern, classic design
- Easily accessible volume controls
- Built-in amp
- Great for low bass
- Slip Stream Port technology makes audio better
- Quite expensive
Best Studio Subwoofer Under 500 - Mackie CR-X Series
- 8” subwoofer
- 200w of power
- TRS and RCA inputs and outputs are available
- Bluetooth streaming-enabled
- The volume/control knob is on the front panel
- Musician Collection and Pro Tools software included
The CR8S-XBT from Mackie (part of its CR-X Series) is one of the best studio subwoofers out there. The 8” sub has been very carefully designed, with a brushed metal panel and a polished, clean look.
It’ll fit right in with the rest of your studio equipment and is quite versatile. Whether you’re producing music, creating content, or even gaming, Mackie has built an audio machine that can tackle it all.
With 200w of peak power, you’re going to get some great bass frequencies with this model, and you can easily adjust the volume and other controls via the knob on the front panel.
This is definitely a good option for tech newbies who just want to get the job done. Also, the fact that it’s Bluetooth-compatible is a huge perk.
- Value for money
- Can stream to studio monitors via Bluetooth
- Lots of connections available (input/output)
- The remote knob makes things simple
- Great sound quality
- Bass performance is quite good but could be better
PreSonus Temblor T8 Powered Subwoofer
- 8” subwoofer
- 200w peak power
- 100w RMS
- 50-130 Hz low pass filter
- Designed for minimal distortion
- Downward firing transducer
This is another great studio subwoofer that will definitely make music mixing and music production so much easier. The all-black sub has a really modern design; it looks compact and functional but also somewhat stylish.
You don’t need to worry about how it’s going to run, either. Although this isn’t the best budget studio subwoofer on this list, it’s priced somewhere in the mid-range, so it’s not totally out of reach if you’ve been saving your pennies.
The 200w power is sufficient for hearing low-frequency audio, and the glass-composite drivers work to give you a clean, heightened bass sound.
All the studio sub controls are easily accessible via a central hub, and a switchable highpass filter helps to manage frequency cancellation issues. This is a standing sub, and you can place it anywhere, whether that’s in your studio, in your bedroom, or in a guest room.
- Premium build
- Minimal distortion
- TRS and RCA inputs and outputs
- Lots of user controls to fine-tune your listening experience
- Beautiful bass quality
- Quite heavy, might be difficult to transport
Best 12 Inch Studio Subwoofer - SVS PB-1000 Pro
- 12” subwoofer
- Over 820w peak power
- 325w RMS
- Dual-port cabinet setup
- STA-325D amp with high current output
- Dual ferrite motor
This is a great subwoofer for studio monitors, and it’s also one of the most premium subs on this list. At roughly $800, it’s a pretty major investment, but if you’re seriously into music production or just want to benefit from some cutting-edge technology, then this sub is for you.
The sub is an attractive grey with a beautiful wood-like finish and gives you a lot of power to work with and hardly any distortion to boot. You can guarantee that you’ll be listening to pure and unfiltered bass frequencies.
The SVS sub driver also has a dual ferrite magnet, so you get maximum accuracy even when you’re listening to extreme levels of audio.
And say no to fussy controls because you can manage everything via your SVS Subwoofer DSP Smartphone app, so no more checking the back panel to adjust frequencies. Everything is available at the swipe of a screen; it couldn’t get more convenient!
Read Full Review of SVS 1000 Pro Subwoofer.
- Bluetooth-enabled
- Beautifully designed with surround sound
- A very good airflow system
- Amazingly low frequency response levels
- 12” excursion driver featuring cutting-edge technologies
- It will require good calibration
Best Home Studio Subwoofer - JBL Stage 120
- 12” subwoofer
- Stereo output
- 1” aluminium dome tweeters
- Two-tone wood design
- A live-concert bass experience
- 500w power
This JBL sub is a great subwoofer for studio monitors and is also the second JBL item on this list. JBL makes such good audio equipment, so their tech is bound to keep cropping up!
While this one isn’t exactly a cheap studio subwoofer at around $300, it’s actually very well-priced for what you get.
It’s been specially designed to capture intense, high-definition sound with ease, giving you a true concert experience as you listen back to music, play games, or experiment with some music mixing.
It has a simple and stylish design and produces a rich bass for long hours without any crackling or static at 500w of power.
This is one of the best pro studio subwoofers out there, so if you’re looking to go professional with your music production, it’s worth considering the JBL Stage 120.
- Great value for money
- Easy to set up
- Perfect for music studios or home theatres
- Deep, clear bass
- Soundbar has lots of plugin options
- Sub-bass audio could be better
Best 8 Inch Studio Subwoofer - SVS 3000 Micro
- 8” subwoofer
- 4-layer copper voice coil
- Dual-opposing drivers
- 2500w peak power
- 800w RMS
- App for easy remote control
At roughly the $900 mark, this is probably the most expensive sub on this list, but it’s also one of the best studio subwoofer systems out there. If you can afford it, you should buy it!
With 2500w of maximum power, you won’t miss a single bass beat, and you’ll be able to feel the music like never before. This small but powerful system has dual-opposing drivers to significantly maximize performance.
The copper voice coil is built to cut down on any extraneous noise, leaving you only with a loud and thumping clean bass sound. There’s nothing better!
The ferrite motor system also helps to manage the sound and give you the best audio quality possible. Although it’s not very large, the SVS 3000 is a powerhouse for sure. It will cost you, but it’s worth it.
Read Full Review of SVS 3000 Micro Subwoofer.
- Black, glossy look
- Premium and stylish design
- All controls are clearly outlined and accessible on the rear panel
- SVS DSP smartphone app allows you to control everything remotely
- Very powerful system
- No speaker level inputs
conclusion
Now that we’ve covered some of the best sub studio systems on the block, you should be well-equipped to make your next purchase! Picking out the perfect sub that picks your budget and needs can be challenging, but we’ve narrowed it down to ten excellent options.
It’s up to you whether you want to stick to the lower end of spring for the premium $800-900 options. Whatever you choose, you’re bound to get amazing results since these studio subwoofer systems are some of the best-rated systems on the market right now. So go ahead and make the best of that bass!
