How to Choose an Audiophile Subwoofer - 2025 Rating

While a standard stereo system typically uses a pair of full-range loudspeakers, triphonic solutions, focused on acoustics with limited bass extension, supplemented by an active subwoofer, are gaining popularity. In this expert analytical material, you will find seven subwoofers specially selected by the editors - suitable specifically for music installations. The rating starts with relatively inexpensive devices and ends with genuine High-End.

Klipsch RP-1600SW

A powerful and relatively inexpensive subwoofer from the latest Reference Premiere brand series. 16” woofer with a very rigid and lightweight Cerametallic diffuser and 800 W Class D amplifier (peak power 1,600 W) operates from 14.5 Hz, which is almost a record for its group. If necessary, the model can be equipped with a wireless signal transmission module (WA-2). Klipsch RP 1600 SW provides fast, accurate and exceptionally fast-firing sound.

SVS SB17-Ultra R

SVS SB17-Ultra R is one of the most significant developments of the famous company. The flagship model is equipped with a 17” woofer with a fiberglass diaphragm, 8” 4-layer bi-filar dual voice coils and a grandiose 55 lb four-piece toroidal ferrite electromagnetic motor, providing accurate frequency response and fast movement. Built-in amplification - dual mono-block Class-D amplifiers with MOSFET output stages (Sledge STA-2800D with 2,800 Watts of power or 6,000 Watts peaks), controlled by 295 Mhz Analog Devices Audio DSP with double precision 56 bit filtering. The system plays from 15 Hz and provides a truly enchanting sound - far beyond its price group.

KEF KC92

KEF KC92 continues the proprietary R Meta series and uses two oppositely directed 9” drivers with diffusers made of aluminum and paper. Each of them is powered by its own 500 W D-class amplifier - as a result, the subwoofer easily develops a sound pressure of 110 dB. The control is “smart” - thanks a Music Integrity Engine phase-frequency correction module on board with five settings - as a result, the 20-kilogram model works from 11 Hz - and literally knocks you out with the resolution and texture of the bass.

Velodyne Vi-Q15

The latest development from Velodyne is the VI-Q subwoofer with an automatic room correction module using a microphone from iOS (or Android) smartphones and a built-in DSP processor. Traditionally for the company, a closed box is used here instead of a ported design - due to which filigree work is achieved even with the smallest bass contrasts. An absolutely new long-stroke driver with a super-powerful basket with double ventilation and a diffuser made of carbon fiber and a 650-watt D-class amplifier with peaks up to 1,200 watts, notes from 23 Hz - everything is good here.

JL Audio Fathom f110v2-GLOSS

Despite using “only” a 10” W-Cone W7 woofer, few in the group can compare in sound quality with the JL Audio Fathom f110v2-GLOSS – the device generates a dense, dry bass (thanks to the closed box design), ideally expanding the sound of almost any stereo system. The sub is easy to fit into the room – there is a proprietary sound optimization system D.A.R.O. (Digital Automatic Room Optimization) with a calibration microphone and an 18-band 1/6 octave equalizer. Amplification – specially made for the model, class D, using patented feedback technology. Notes – from 27 Hz, but with a minimum error of 1.5 dB.

REL Acoustics No.31

The grandiose reference REL Acoustics No.31 is the hit of the season many exhibitions. It is impossible to imagine a subwoofer rating without this model in the list. The subwoofer provides an exceptionally airy performance, adding both density and texture to the bass even in a High-End system, and literally pumping air by the liters. REL Acoustics No.31 uses a closed box design, D NextGen 7 amplification with a power of 900 W with a LimitLess Limiter, which allows you to tune to the extreme characteristics without compression, dual parametric filters and a 12” bass driver with a 3” voice coil driven by a 13-pound magnetic structure. The sub plays notes from 17 Hz at a level of -6 dB.

Wilson Audio LōKē

The compact Wilson Audio LōKē tops our list - in terms of micro- and macrodynamics, confidence in operation even at low volume levels, this subwoofer seems to be an ideal choice for an audiophile. Wilson Audio LōKē plays down to 20Hz and uses a 500W built-in amplifier, its heavy 49.9kg chassis is nearly resonance-free, and the famous ActivXO Dual Subwoofer crossover allows for perfect room integration.