If you’re short of space and you’re looking for a decent subwoofer that can save you some space while still being able to deliver decent bass, you’ve come to the right place!
Today we’ve prepared for you the list of 8 best 8-inch shallow-mount subwoofers with different features and for different budgets.
As you probably already know, there are many different types of subwoofers and they can be divided into groups based on different characteristics.
For example, there are powered (with a built-in amp) and passive (without a built-in amp) subwoofers, component (come alone) and enclosed (come with their own enclosures) subwoofers, etc.
Also, they can be divided by the size of their cone diameter and this is how we get 8, 10, 12, and 15-inch subwoofers.
Of course, the diameter is there to indicate the subwoofer’s overall capabilities as well as the space it occupies.
The logic is simple – the bigger the subwoofer, the larger the area it occupies.
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Why Do We Need 8-Inch Shallow-Mount Subwoofers?
As you could conclude from the introduction, 8-inch subwoofers are the smallest. Subsequently, people choose to install them when they need them to occupy as little space as possible.
Plus, if they are slim (shallow-mount), they will occupy even less space. They can fit the spaces that larger and thicker subwoofers could never fit.
The space we are talking about is usually a really small car (like a sports car) but it can also be a small apartment where the subwoofer is supposed to be a part of a small home speaker system.
Recommended : 10-Inch Shallow-Mount Subwoofers – Buyer’s Guide
However, the small size doesn’t mean that they deliver poor bass.
Of course, you can’t expect them to deliver extremely deep and powerful bass and sub-bass but it will sound more than fine in small cars and small rooms.
Our Top Picks
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Now that we’ve explained the basic things about 8-inch shallow-mount subwoofers, let’s skip to the most important section – the reviews.
Our 8 products are carefully selected based on their features and divided into 3 price groups to simplify the process of searching for the right one as much as possible.
Let’s see what we’ve prepared for you!
Best 8-Inch Shallow-Mount Subwoofers Under $50
Top Choice: Skar Audio IX-8 D2
Editor’s Rating: [usr 4.6]
Impressions
The first product on our list of 8 best 8-inch shallow-mount subwoofers is Skar Audio IX-8 D2, a great subwoofer that offers good performance for a seriously small amount of money.
The subwoofer comes in a simple but nice box with a 2-year warranty card. Sadly, the manufacturer doesn’t include a mounting kit in the package. D2 comes in black color and it looks quite good.
It is actually very simple and the only eye-catching thing about it is the company logo on the front side.
Apart from being very compact (9.2 x 9.2 x 6.4 inches) and light (7.3 lbs), the subwoofer is nicely built and rather durable thanks to its metal construction and rubber surrounding.
Recommended: How to Find the Perfect Dual 12-Inch Subwoofer?
Due to the size, it is obvious that this subwoofer isn’t made to produce very powerful bass. However, you can use it in small cars or even as part of a home theater system in smaller apartments.
It features a 2-inch copper voice coil, its RMS power equals 150W, the peak power output is 300W, its frequency response spans from 50 to 1000Hz, it has an impedance of 2Ohms, and its sensitivity is 83dB.
Thanks to such specs, the subwoofer delivers very pleasant and quite loud low tones. It won’t blow your mind but it will definitely be enough for a small car or a small apartment.
Plus, it acts very nicely in both vented and sealed enclosures.
On the downside, D2 has a pressed paper cone, which is definitely not the best material for these kinds of products. This is why you have to approach its use carefully and patiently.
It simply needs some time to break in and you shouldn’t really force it by giving it too much power. You can easily end up with no subwoofer at all when you burn it.
On the other hand, if you follow the manufacturer’s instructions, everything should work fine.
The only annoying thing is that you don’t have to buy only the subwoofer but also find the proper enclosure and amp, which significantly increases the final expenses.
Advantages
- Compact size
- Durable construction
- Decent design
- Affordable price
- Good sound
- Adequate for small cars and small apartments
Disadvantages
- The mounting kit is not included
- Cone made from pressed paper
- Bass fans will find it disappointing
The Cheapest 8-Inch Shallow-Mount Subwoofer: BOSS Audio Systems CXX8
Editor’s Rating: [usr 4.7]
Impressions
The next product is the most affordable on this list. Boss CXX8 is a small and compact (9 x 9 x 4.3 inches) 8-inch subwoofer that weighs only 4.6lbs.
It comes in black color and is accompanied by its user manual and a warranty card.
The subwoofer is decently built considering its price and it really seems durable thanks to its polypropylene cone and butyl rubber that surrounds it and protects it from all kinds of damages and weather conditions that may affect its lifetime and performance.
Being so compact, CXX8 is more than suitable for smaller cars or smaller apartments. It can reproduce tones as low as 49Hz, its peak power is 600W, its RMS power equals 300W, its impedance is 4Ohms, and the sensitivity is 83dB.
It works great with both sealed and vented enclosures.
Plus, the manufacturer provides thorough instructions regarding enclosure design, so you shouldn’t have any major problems if you stick to the instructions.
Once you buy all the equipment you need and install the subwoofer, you’ll be able to finally enjoy its pleasant and surprisingly natural bass.
However, there’s one thing we should warn you about and it’s the breaking-in part. It seems that the subwoofer needs some time to break in in order to start working as it was meant to.
If you use it for 4 hours tops at first and only at medium volumes, you shouldn’t have any problems after the initial period and the device shall last you for quite some time.
If you fail to comply with the manufacturer’s instructions, you risk overheating your new subwoofer and breaking it for good.
Advantages
- Extremely cheap
- Compact size and lightweight
- Natural and pleasant bass
- Hassle-free installation
- Compatible with vented and sealed enclosures
Disadvantages
- Doesn’t come with an enclosure or mounting kit
- It needs some time to break in
- Not suitable for smaller rooms
Most Compact: Planet Audio AC8D
Editor’s Rating: [usr 4.7]
Impressions
Planet Audio AC8D is another inexpensive 8-inch shallow-mount subwoofer made for small cars and small rooms. It comes in simple packaging with its user manual and a 3-year warranty card.
When you take it out of the cardboard box, you’ll see a simply designed black subwoofer with a blue company logo on the front side.
Thanks to its small size (4 x 8 x 8 inches), the subwoofer is perfect for installation in smaller cars but, as it is perfectly compatible with both vented and sealed enclosures, it can be used as a part of a smaller home speaker system.
The only thing you should pay attention to is the enclosure size – if you want a sealed enclosure, you should make sure it’s no bigger than 11 x 5 x 18 (or 14 x 12 x 14 in case you’re buying a vented enclosure).
If you meet all the mentioned requirements, you shouldn’t worry about the subwoofer’s performance. Considering its price and features, we assure you it offers more than decent audio reproduction.
The subwoofer has a 1200W peak power output, 600W RMS output, 4Ohm impedance, and 85dB sensitivity.
The subwoofer manages to produce tones as low as 23Hz, which is more than we expected from an affordable and relatively small subwoofer.
Plus, it has a polypropylene cone that is more durable and offers better performance than a paper cone.
Thanks to all this, the sound will be satisfying, quite loud and powerful, but also very balanced.
Unfortunately, you have to take into account all the additional expenses of getting an amplifier and mounting kit because the subwoofer is not powered and the kit is not included in the package the manufacturer sends you.
Also, you’ll have to buy the enclosure.
Moreover, you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions and break in the subwoofer first.
In case you don’t do that, you risk overheating and damaging it.
Advantages
- Compact and lightweight
- Affordable price
- Perfect for small cars and smaller rooms
- Powerful for a small subwoofer
- Pleasant and balanced sound
Disadvantages
- Requires breaking-in
- Requires additional expenses (amplifier, enclosure, and mounting kit)
Lightest 8-inch Shallow-Mount Subwoofer: Pyle PLPW8D
Editor’s Rating: [usr 4.7]
Impressions
Pyle PLPW8D is the second cheapest subwoofer on the list of 8 best 8-inch shallow-mount subwoofers.
It comes in a nice box and it is accompanied by all the cables you might need during the setup, installation instructions, and user manual.
Apart from the affordable price, this subwoofer has small dimensions (8.2 x 3.7 inches) and it weighs only 4.17 lbs.
It is available in black color only and it has a very simple design.
The subwoofer features a 1.5-inch dual voice coil. It can work on 4 or 8-Ohm channels, its sensitivity is 89dB, while its frequency response spans from 40 to 3000Hz.
Thanks to such features and its size, this subwoofer is a perfect choice for smaller cars or smaller apartments/rooms. It doesn’t only save you space but also performs better when used in smaller spaces.
Its peak power output is 800W and its RMS power is 400W.
On the bright side, Pyle PLPW8D can be used with both sealed and ported enclosures but you should follow all the manufacturer’s instructions regarding enclosure dimensions and the way of subwoofer use.
Moreover, the subwoofer seems to be nicely built. The basket is made from steel and the cone is double-stitched to the foam that surrounds it.
This way, it can handle strong airflow better and last longer, which is much needed considering that the cone is made from non-pressed paper.
On the downside, the original package doesn’t include an enclosure or an amp. You’ll have to buy these by yourself and make sure you’re buying the right equipment.
Sadly, this brings additional costs, so make sure to count them in before you buy anything.
All in all, the subwoofer looks decent and performs well. It’s not extremely powerful but it delivers pleasant, clear, and fast bass.
Advantages
- Affordable price
- Compact and lightweight
- Decently built
- The cables necessary for the setup are included in the package
- Pleasant, clear, and fast bass reproduction
Disadvantages
- The cone is made from non-pressed paper
- Amp and enclosure are not included in the package
- Cone sometimes produces a rattling sound (when playing bass-heavy songs at high volumes)
Best 8-Inch Shallow-Mount Subwoofers Under $100
Best 8-Inch Shallow-Mount Subwoofer Under $100: JBL Stage810AM
Editor’s Rating: [usr 4.6]
Impressions
JBL Stage 810AM is an 8-inch subwoofer that comes at a really affordable price.
It’s compact (4.19 x 8.13 inches) and nicely designed – it comes in black color only and it’s rather simple but also very attractive and elegant.
The subwoofer comes in a nice white and orange JBL box with its user manual, branded stickers, and one foam gasket.
Sadly, there’s no enclosure, mounting kit, cables, amp, etc.
These are the things you’ll have to buy on your own. On the bright side, the subwoofer can be used with both vented and sealed enclosures so you get to choose between the two of them in accordance with your preferences.
Stage 810AM features an 8-inch polypropylene cone that seems rather durable and resistant to damage and prolonged use. Also, it’s supported by nitrile rubber that surrounds and protects it.
The subwoofer has an RMS power rating of 200W, a peak power output is 800W, it’s sensitivity is 88dB, its impedance is 4Ohms, and its frequency response spans from 38 to 200Hz. Not bad for a small subwoofer.
Thanks to all the features and high-quality materials, Stage 810 manages to deliver just the right amount of bass for your car.
Of course, it won’t be extremely loud or rumbling but if you need something like that, you should find one with a larger cone (at least 12 inches).
Advantages
- Compact size
- Suitable for smaller cars
- Can be used with both sealed and ported enclosures
- Pleasant and balanced sound signature
- Durable construction
- Simple but attractive design
Disadvantages
- Not suitable for larger cars
- Amp, enclosure, and mounting kit aren’t included in the package
- Not very loud
Best 8-Inch Shallow-Mount Subwoofers Under $200
Best Deal: Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8
Editor’s Rating: [usr 4.8]
Impressions
Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 is a simple black subwoofer that comes in a nice branded cardboard box.
Inside the box, you’ll find the subwoofer, user manual, some stickers, a 12-month warranty card, and a ring for the subwoofer but there will be no mounting kit, cables, enclosure, etc.
P3SD2-8 is an 8-inch passive subwoofer. It is very compact (10 x 10 x 5 inches) and light (8.8 lbs). It’s rather small but it can deliver all the bass you may need.
It will save you some precious space but it won’t sound small. Its peak power rating is 300W, RMS power output is 150W, the impedance is 2Ohms, and the sensitivity is 82dB. The subwoofer can go down to 38Hz.
The subwoofer is nicely built and it seems quite durable.
Its cone is made from aluminum, it comes with a ring that keeps it in place while moving, and it has a dust cap that protects it and prolongs its lifespan.
Apart from this, P3 is perfectly compatible with sealed and ported enclosures but you should pay attention to the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the setup and enclosure dimensions.
Speaking of this, we have to say that some customers found it difficult to mount it.
Plus, you have to buy the mounting kit and an amp on your own.
When it comes to sound quality, we find it satisfying considering the driver’s size.
You can’t expect it to be mind-blowing or extremely loud but it’s quite pleasant and loud enough for smaller cars.
In case you want something more powerful but you still need a relatively small subwoofer, you should go for a 10-inch subwoofer.
Advantages
- Compact size
- Suitable for smaller cars
- Durable
- Simple but attractive design
- Pleasant audio reproduction
Disadvantages
- Not very cheap
- Enclosure, amp, and mounting kit are not included (sold separately)
- Not suitable for larger cars
- Complex setup
Best Overall: Rockville RockGhost
Editor’s Rating: [usr 4.8]
Impressions
Rockville RockGhost isn’t the most affordable subwoofer on the market but it’s one of the most popular thanks to its features and quality performance.
It’s a simply designed black 8-inch shallow-mount subwoofer that comes with the entire mounting kit containing all the cables you might need to connect it to your amplifier.
Apart from this, you get the remote control with the following controls: input gain, bass boost, low-pass filter, and phase shift.
In the provided user manual, you’ll find detailed instructions that will help you mount the subwoofer, adjust all the settings, and use it properly if you want to extend its life as much as possible.
The subwoofer is relatively compact (14.17 x 5.7 inches) and it weighs 14 pounds.
The peak output power is 800W, the RMS power output is 100W, and the sensitivity is 90 dB, while its frequency response spans from 20 to 150Hz.
Thanks to these features, RockGhost is a perfect choice for smaller cars. It can work with both – ported and sealed enclosures.
In terms of audio reproduction, we really don’t have any major complaints. The subwoofer is quite loud, the sound is deep and very clear.
You can’t expect it to fill a large vehicle with rumbling bass but it’s certainly more than enough for any smaller car.
The only thing we have to warn you about is the subwoofer’s durability.
Some customers reported that it stopped working after a very short period of use, so we strongly advise you to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, mount it properly, use it patiently at the beginning, and try not to overheat it.
Advantages
- Compact size
- Attractive and has a bit of unusual design
- Quite loud for a small subwoofer
- Pleasant, clear, and balanced sound
- Comes with a remote with many options
- Comes with its mounting kit
Disadvantages
- A bit pricey
- Doesn’t come with an amp or enclosure
- Not suitable for larger vehicles
Best Design: Kicker 43CWRT82
Editor’s Rating: [usr 4.8]
Impressions
Last but not least, we present to you Kicker 43CWRT82 8-inch shallow-mount subwoofer. It’s not the cheapest on our list but it looks and performs really well, so we believe its price tag is completely justified.
The subwoofer comes in a really nice cardboard black-and-red box with the Kicker logo stickers, 4 adhesive-backed screw covers, and a user manual.
It’s available in black color only but we find its design somewhat unusual, and we think it looks rather sporty and interesting when installed in a car.
Kicker 43CWRT82 has a dual polypropylene voice coil. The cone is surrounded by protective rubber that provides significant additional protection for the already rigid and durable cone.
Thanks to this, the subwoofer seems quite durable and it should last for many years if mounted and used properly.
The good news is that it works great with both vented and sealed enclosures but you’ll have to think carefully about the purchase of the right amp so the subwoofer doesn’t get overpowered.
However, considering that the subwoofer’s total output power is 300W and its peak power is 600W, it should work fine with powerful amps.
When it comes to audio reproduction, the subwoofer’s frequency response spans from 30 to 500Hz, its sensitivity is 82dB, and it can be wired for 4 or 2Ohm impedance, giving you more than just one setup option.
Thanks to all these features, it delivers very pleasant and decently loud low tones. It won’t shake the windows on your car but it sounds really good in smaller cars and it saves you a lot of space.
Advantages
- Nicely designed
- Great for smaller rooms/cars
- Pleasant and decently loud sound
- Quite powerful for an 8-inch subwoofer
Disadvantages
- Not very cheap
- Not suitable for larger rooms
- Doesn’t come with an amp
This concludes our list of 8 best 8-inch shallow-mount subwoofers. Hopefully, it helped you find what you’ve been looking for or at least gave you an idea of what to expect from a relatively small subwoofer. As always, if you have questions or want to share your opinion, leave us a comment below.
How Can Subwoofers Improve Sound Quality?
If set properly, subwoofers can completely change the sound your car speakers deliver and improve the overall listening experience significantly.
The thing is, they aren’t there only to produce very low tones (below 50 Hz) but also to unburden other speakers in your car audio system and allow them to reach the highest possible clarity level, especially when it comes to midrange and treble reproduction.
The subwoofer’s purpose is to enable you to hear more details really feel the music and feel the emotion.
Plus, subwoofers enable you to listen to music at very high volumes without worrying about distortion because they really help other speakers in the speaker system reach their maximum.
Recommended: 12-Inch Shallow-Mount Subwoofers – Buyer’s Guide
In the end, we really hope we’ve successfully demonstrated and described the importance of having a subwoofer in your car. Give it a try and you won’t regret it.
