Would you like to have punchier bass to make the driving more fun? This article about the 9 best dual 12-inch subwoofers might be the right solution for you. Stay with us, read the general information and our reviews, and hopefully, you’ll find the perfect subwoofer for your car.
Page Contents
What Are Dual 12-Inch Subwoofers?
When you type “dual 12-inch subwoofers” in your browser, Google will show two types of results. On the one hand, it will show you those multiple subwoofers that you can install separately in your house, apartment, or car. If you install two instead of one subwoofer, that means that you have dual subwoofers and that is always a great choice because it enables you to achieve the most important goal – to improve the bass reproduction.
On the other hand, some subwoofers come in pairs in a single enclosure and these are the subwoofers we are talking about here. The 12-inch part refers to the cone diameter of each
Recommended : Top-Rated 10-Inch Shallow-Mount Subwoofers
Keep reading and find out what are the pros and cons of these popular audio solutions.
What Are the Advantages of Dual 12-Inch Subwoofers?
Enhanced, effortless bass
Two subwoofers can outperform a single subwoofer. You wonder how? Well, subwoofers produce sound by displacing the air. Two subwoofers can displace twice as much air as one subwoofer delivering louder bass with enhanced sharpness and clarity. Plus, in pairs, they manage to significantly reduce the compression, enhance the dynamic range, and reduce the amount of distortion.
They fit smaller spaces
By buying a dual 12-inch subwoofer you get two instead of one 12-inch subwoofer, which probably makes you think that it will occupy a lot of space in your car. 12-inch subwoofers aren’t small subwoofers, even when they come as single devices, but even in pairs, they manage to keep relatively compact dimensions that can fit most middle-sized and larger cars.
Recommended : Top-Rated 8-Inch Shallow-Mount Subwoofers
They come preinstalled
When we say that 12-inch subwoofers come preinstalled, we are talking about the enclosures. You will still have to deal with the amp and wiring but the fact that you don’t have to worry about picking the right enclosure and matching its dimensions takes some weight off your shoulders.
Our Top Picks
This post contains affiliate links. See the affiliate disclaimer here.
| Product | Price | Overall Rating | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTX Audio Terminator Series TNE212D | Check Price on Amazon | 4.4 | Read Review |
| Rockville RV12.2B | Check Price on Amazon | 4.1 | Read Review |
| Harmony Audio HA-RD12 | Check Price on Amazon | 4.1 | Read Review |
| Skar Audio SDR-2X12D4 | Check Price on Amazon | 4.7 | Read Review |
| MTX TNP212D2 | Check Price on Amazon | 4.4 | Read Review |
| Rockford Fosgate Punch P1-2X12 | Check Price on Amazon | 4.5 | Read Review |
| ALPHASONIK APP122 | Check Price on Amazon | 4.2 | Read Review |
| Kicker Dual 43DCWR122 | Check Price on Amazon | 4.7 | Read Review |
| Skar Audio RP-1200.1D | Check Price on Amazon | 4.7 | Read Review |
What Are the Downsides of Dual 12-Inch Subwoofers?
The greatest downside of any car subwoofer, including dual subwoofers, is the fact that they are passive speakers. As discussed above, they don’t come with a preinstalled amplifier. You are the one who needs to take care of that and find an amp that perfectly matches the subwoofer.
The problem is that most people aren’t professionals and don’t have enough knowledge to choose the perfect amplifier on their own. Plus, buying an amp separately will take you not only more money but also more time, effort, and nerves.
However, nothing is impossible to learn and if you read some instructions online or skip to the last part of our article, you might find some useful information that will help you find the perfect amp for your new subwoofer.
Recommended : Top-Rated 12-Inch Shallow-Mount Subwoofers
After discussing some basic information about dual 12-inch subwoofers, let’s skip to the next (and probably the most interesting part) – the review part. You will find here 9 amazing subwoofers carefully categorized into 3 different groups based on the product price in order to simplify the selection process. Scroll down and take a look at these amazing subwoofers.
BEST DUAL 12-INCH SUBWOOFERS UNDER $200
Most Affordable: MTX Audio Terminator Series TNE212D
Editor’s Rating: [usr 4.8]
Impressions
MTX TNE212 is not only the cheapest subwoofer on our list of 9 best dual 12-inch subwoofers but it’s also extremely easy to install, mostly because of the built-in amplifier. It’s compact and it’s a perfect choice for a car or trunk, it comes pre-amplified, and it offers more than decent performance. Could you expect more for less than $200?
The subwoofer comes as a 14×30-inch black box covered with an aviation-grade carpet material. It weighs 56 pounds. Inside the sealed enclosure, you will find two 12-inch 2-Ohm subwoofers with 2-inch aluminum cones and rubber surrounds. Its frequency response spans from 37 to 150 Hz, while it can handle up to 1,200 W of power. Not bad at all for such a simple and affordable subwoofer.
Moreover, the subwoofer seems well-built and it features the Spider Plateau Venting technique that ensures that the air continuously passes through and prevents voice coil overheating. Plus, it also comes with polypropylene dust caps that provide additional protection and prolong the lifetime.
When it comes to sound, once you hear it, you won’t believe how good this subwoofer is. The amplifier ensures a very deep and clean bass that will shake your vehicle.
Advantages
- Comes with a built-in amplifier
- Comes with an enclosure
- User-friendly
- Durable
- Affordable
Disadvantages
- Consumes a lot of power
- Not very light
- The warranty lasts only 1 year
Best Dual 12-Inch Subwoofer Under $200: Rockville RV12.2B
Editor’s Rating: [usr 4.9]
Impressions
If you want to add a nice pair of subwoofers to your car but you don’t want to mess with the woofer, enclosure, and amp selection or wiring the system, Rockville has an excellent reasonably-priced solution for you.
RV12.B comes as a nice 29.4×18.4×15.9-inch 36lbs CEA-rated package. The subwoofer comes in black color, simply, and neatly designed. It combines two 12-inch 1,200W peak power woofers. The woofers have injection-molded brushed PP cones, and 3-D molded dust caps set in high-excursion butyl rubber surrounds. The ports are located at the bottom of the enclosure that is angled at 15 degrees in order to hit the lowest frequencies possible. On the back, there are two mono gold-plated
RV12.2B has a frequency response that spans from 35 to 500 Hz, its sensitivity is 101 dB, and it comes with a 1,200W peak power, 200W RMS. There’s a built-in 4-Ohm amplifier with built-in sub-sonic filters and a dashboard bass remote that enables you to adjust the bass from the driver’s seat.
And that’s not all – Rockville wanted to make the installation process as easy as possible so it provides you with the wiring kit that contains every cable, terminal, connector, etc. you might need for the installation.
On top of it all, the subwoofer really delivers deep, punchy, and clean bass that will blow your mind.
Advantages
- Quite affordable
- Includes woofers, enclosure, amplifier, and the entire wiring kit
- Great rich bass
- User-friendly and easy to set up
Disadvantages
- Poor remote quality
Harmony Audio HA-RD12
Editor’s Rating: [usr 4.6]
Impressions
Harmony Audio HA-RD12 is an elegantly designed dual 12-inch subwoofer that comes with two 12-inch drivers and a vented gray carpeted enclosure. Its black and gray design with embroidered logo on the top looks very cool and its relatively compact dimensions (33.5×15.75×15.6×19.5 inches) will allow you to place it in medium to large-sized cars and trunks.
Thanks to its high-quality MDF wood construction, custom-designed ports, recessed subwoofers, and spring-loaded terminal cup, HA-RD 12 will last you a long time and will deliver amazing bass.
The performance quality is also guaranteed by the numbers. The specs say that the subwoofer can handle up to 1,200 W peak power and 600 W RMS, its frequency response spans from 25 to 300 Hz, its sensitivity is 91 dB, and its impedance is 2 Ohms.
Sadly, this model doesn’t come with an amp, separate or built-in, and this is something you will have to find and connect on your own. However, this shouldn’t be a deal-breaker as most car subwoofers come this way and this one offers quality performance and durability, and it also comes with its own enclosure, which solves one of the common subwoofer setup problems.
Advantages
- Quite affordable
- Elegant and neat design
- Quality wood construction
- Great performance with deep and punchy bass
- Perfect for trunks
Disadvantages
- Doesn’t come with an amplifier
BEST DUAL 12-INCH SUBWOOFERS UNDER $300
Most Powerful Dual 12-Inch Subwoofer Under $300: Skar Audio SDR-2X12D4
Editor’s Rating: [usr 4.8]
Impressions
Skar Audio SDR-2x12D4 is an excellent affordable subwoofer that comes as a pair of two 12-inch pre-mounted and pre-wired drivers. This means the installation process is significantly simplified considering that the woofers are already installed in a 37.8×18.7×16.7×14.2-inch vented wooden box covered with premium-grade black carpet.
The design itself is rather simple but very effective and eye-catching, especially thanks to the large Skar Audio white logo on the top. On the front side, there are two 12-inch woofers with 2.5-inch high-temperature CCAW voice coils and 97oz ferrite motors, protected by high-roll rubber surrounds that allow the woofers to hit quite low frequencies with ease.
The subwoofer is perfect for trunks and it’s quite able to fill them with powerful and loud bass. It handles up to 2,400 W peak power and up to 1,200 W RMS power. The frequency response goes from 32 to 300 Hz and its impedance is 1 Ohm.
Apart from the good looks and great sound, we have to note that the build quality is also quite good. The box is made from 5/8-inch thick MDF wood and it seems able to resist some serious use and some real shaking. The only important thing is to give it some time to break in. After 20 hours or so, it will be ready to hit the lowest tones at max volume.
Advantages
- Affordable
- Wooden enclosure
- Attractive design
- Great performance
- Comes pre-installed and pre-wired
Disadvantages
- Doesn’t come with an amplifier
Best Dual 12-Inch Subwoofer with an Amplifier Under $300: MTX TNP212D2
Editor’s Rating: [usr 4.8]
Impressions
The other MTX subwoofer on our list has a similar design but a significantly higher price. However, it keeps the same level of performance and has an amplifier. However, there’s a slight difference – this time it’s not built inside but it comes as a separate unit. Still, the fact that you don’t have to buy it separately, simplifies the installation process, saves you some money and a lot of time.
The package contains two 12-inch subwoofers with a total 1,200W peak and 400 W RMS power output. They have polypropylene cones and 2-inch single aluminum voice coils with the final impedance of 2 Ohms and a frequency response that spans from 37 to 150 Hz. The subwoofers are installed in a 14×29.6×13.5-inch enclosure made from MDF and finished in nice carpet material.
Along with the subwoofer, you also get the TNA251 250W mono-block amplifier, designed specifically for this subwoofer.
If you have thought that this is all you get, then you’ve been wrong. MTX provides you with the whole wiring kit that includes all the necessary wires, cables, connectors, etc.
To conclude, you get an excellent, reasonably-priced subwoofer that is easily installed into any type of car and that delivers pretty great punchy bass that will considerably improve your car audio system and make any trip more fun.
Advantages
- Reasonably priced
- Comes pre-installed, accompanied by a mono-block amplifier and a wiring kit
- Great bass reproduction
- User-friendly
Disadvantages
- Some customers have complained about the wire quality
BEST DUAL 12-INCH SUBWOOFERS UNDER $500
Rockford Fosgate Punch P1-2X12
Editor’s Rating: [usr 4.6]
Impressions
The next product on our list of 9 best dual 12-inch subwoofers is an excellent 2-Ohm Rockford Fosgate Punch P1-2X12 subwoofer. It will easily fill your car with juicy, rich, and loud bass for less than $500. The product comes in black color, its design is simple but quite interesting.
The 5/8-inch thick MDF enclosure houses two 12-inch woofers with paper cones reinforced with Kevlar fibers and protected with rubber surrounds. Their heavy-duty motors and advanced cooling technology enable these woofers to handle up to 250 W RMS and 500 W peak power each.
The enclosure is vented, it’s 15.1 in high, 33.8 in wide, and 15.7 in deep. It feels rather durable and able to handle some heavy bass reproduction. The enclosure is covered with an industrial-grade black carpet that provides a neat finish. It looks attractive and protects your car trunk from scratches and other damages.
When it comes to performance, the numbers speak for themselves: frequency response spans from 25 to 250 Hz, sensitivity is 86 dB, and impedance is 2 Ohms. Also, there is the port that improves the air movement, reduces distortion, and contributes to the production of deep and loud bass.
Sadly, you’ll have to buy an amp and wiring kit separately but that shouldn’t be a deal-breaker for such an amazing performer.
Advantages
- Superior build quality
- Great performance (rich loud bass with minimal distortion)
- Attractive and unusual design
- Special venting technology
Disadvantages
- Paper cone
- Doesn’t come with an amp
- Doesn’t come with a wiring kit
Best Design: ALPHASONIK APP122
Editor’s Rating: [usr 4.9]
Impressions
The minute you see our next product, you’ll get the desire to buy it. Not because of its features, great performance, or reasonable price, but because it looks so unique and amazing. Truth be told, Alphasonik APP122 has all the previously listed qualities but its design is what makes it so special.
APP122 comes as pre-installed, with its enclosure, separate amplifier, wiring kit, remote bass knob, sticker, and user manual. The interesting black and orange enclosure is 13.75 inches high, 29.5 inches wide, and 13.5 inches long. It’s made from MDF and covered with a black aviation-grade carpet with some eye-catching orange elements such as the Alphasonic logo on the woofers and embroidered logo on the sides. This ported enclosure houses two 12-inch woofers with a 500 W RMS and 1,500 W peak power output. Their frequency response spans from 26 to 1,000 Hz.
As mentioned, the subwoofer comes with an amplifier. It’s a mono-block amplifier, designed to match this subwoofer model. It can handle the same amount of power as the subwoofer, its sensitivity is higher than 100 dB, and its THD is only 0.2 %. Not bad, right?
When we add the whole mounting kit that is included in the package and the price, you get a great subwoofer that looks cool and does an amazing job delivering rich and loud bass that will shake your car and blow your mind.
Advantages
- Reasonably-priced entry-level dual subwoofer
- Great performance
- Comes with a custom-made amplifier and wiring kit
- Amazing and unique design
Disadvantages
- Some customers have complained about the quality of the wires
Kicker Dual 43DCWR122
Editor’s Rating: [usr 4.7]
Impressions
Kicker 43DCWR122 is another excellent subwoofer made by this great audio company. It comes in a vented 32.5x16x17.12-inch enclosure with pre-installed two 12-inch polypropylene woofers. The design is very simple – it pretty much looks like most Kicker subwoofers – wooden enclosure covered with black carpet, and the Kicker logo on the top. The important thing is that the box is made specifically for these subwoofers.
The woofer cone is made of polypropylene and it manages to stay rigid even during intense playing sessions. It delivers very accurate bass. The custom-made plates give the woofers enough room to move and the rubber surround successfully controls the cone movement. The woofer frequency response spans from 25 to 500 Hz, its sensitivity is 96 dB, its impedance equals 2 Ohms, while they can handle up to 1,000 W RMS and 2,000 peak power.
Unfortunately, even though it’s quite pricey, this Kicker sub doesn’t come with either built-in or external mono-block amplifier. Also, there is no wiring kit. The offer is pretty basic but the quality of performance is truly amazing.
Advantages
- Reliable manufacturer
- Durable woofer and enclosure construction
- Great performance
- Quite powerful
- Simple but appealing and recognizable design
Disadvantages
- Doesn’t come with an amplifier or wiring kit
Most Powerful Dual 12-Inch Subwoofer Under $500: Skar Audio RP-1200.1D
Editor’s Rating: [usr 4.9]
Impressions
The last product on our list of 9 best dual 12-inch subwoofers is also the most expensive. It is a serious price you have to pay for it but, in return, you get a seriously good subwoofer package with a great enclosure and a custom-made matching amplifier. Plus, the wiring kit is also included. So, if you’re not willing to look for a separate amp and wires, you can pay more and enjoy some amazing bass.
This all-in-one package consists of a vented enclosure, two 12-inch woofers, and a matching mono-block amplifier. The enclosure is 37.8 inches wide, 18.7 inches deep, and 14.2 inches high. The box is made from 5/8-inch thick MDF and covered with premium-grade black carpet. On the top, there’s the Skar Audio logo and one terminal cup on the left side. On the front side, you’ll see the woofers with the final impedance load of 1 Ohm. The frequency response spans from 22 to 300 Hz, the sensitivity is 84.7 dB. The subwoofer can handle up to 1,200 W RMS and 2,400 W peak power.
The included premium amplifier is designed specifically for this Skar Audio subwoofer. It is easy to wire and use. When you add the provided wiring kit into the equation, you get a hassle-free installation. Plus, you get rich, articulate, accurate, and loud bass.
Advantages
- All-in-one package (sub + amp + enclosure + wiring kit)
- Great build quality
- Quite powerful
- Perfect for a trunk
- Great bass reproduction that will shake your car
Disadvantages
- A bit expensive
How to Match a Dual 12-Inch Subwoofer with an Amplifier?
Finding the perfect amplifier is probably the most complex part of the setup for most ordinary users. To find an amplifier that matches your subwoofer and allows it to show its best, you have to know a few things about the features of both devices and you can find that information in the product specs.
First, it’s necessary to find information about the subwoofer’s RMS ratings. RMS power rating is expressed in watts and it tells you the power that your subwoofer can handle consistently. (There will probably also be some information about the subwoofer’s peak power and this refers to the maximum power input your subwoofer can handle in small bursts.) RMS is one of the most important things to consider when buying a subwoofer because the higher it gets the more powerful the subwoofer will be.
What’s crucial is that your new amp can supply your subwoofer with 125% to 200% of the total subwoofer RMS wattage.
Second, you have to pay attention to the values expressed in Ohms. Those values refer to device impedance and impedance is the resisting property of your subwoofer coil to the flow of energy. Basically, the lower the impedance, the easier it gets for an amp to supply it with enough power. But you also have to know that there are single and dual voice coil subwoofers and this is not something to be neglected.
Single voice coil subwoofers can be matched only with the amplifiers that have exactly the same number of Ohms. For example, if you have a 2-Ohm sub, it can be matched only with a 2-Ohm amp.
On the other hand, dual voice coil subs can be wired in parallel or in series as they have two pairs of terminals. For example, if you have a dual 4-Ohm sub, it can be wired either as a 2-Ohm or 8-Ohm subwoofer. The first option is better in this case because it provides the subwoofer with more power and less resistance.
