The Best Subwoofers for Deep Bass for Home Theater and Music 2025

If you’re a bass enthusiast, we have no doubt that you have heard of SVS PB16-Ultra home theater subwoofer. Well, for this model year, SVS introduced the PB16-Ultra’s replacement: the PB17-Ultra. This ported enclosure features a gargantuan 17” subwoofer that will knock pictures off your walls and have you grinning from ear-to-ear. This is one of a few reasons why this SVS subwoofer toppled the competition to claim our “Best Home Theater Subwoofer” this year! Want to know more, please read on!

A large subwoofer is going to need a whole lot of power thrown at it to keep it sounding good throughout the volume spectrum, and SVS doesn’t disappoint. Two monoblock amplifiers are implemented - one for each massive 8” voice coil that exists. The two amplifiers total a whopping 2800 watts of power, with 6000 watts peak output. If that doesn’t move a subwoofer then nothing will! Oh, and it moves all the way down to 14Hz!

The front-firing 17” subwoofer belts out bass like you’ve never heard before thanks to its overly-large size married to the three imposing 4” ports installed directly below the woofer. The cabinet was specifically designed to handle the amount of bass response that this SVS subwoofer can make - Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) coupled with robust internal bracing ensures long-lasting performance.

Like SVS’s other offerings, you can download SVS’s app for iOS or Android to help tailor the performance to your liking (or the room’s needs). Too much bass response for this particular movie? Turn the level down from your seat. There are even more controls for you (or your installer) to tinker with.

The large cabinet (measuring 25”H x 21-3/4”W x 29-3/8”D) is available in two finishes - gloss black and black oak (a real wood veneer is used). Weighing in at almost 165 pounds, this big boy is meant to impress.

We have zero doubt that if you’re in the market for serious bass response for your home theater that you will love the SB17-Ultra!

Pros:

• Very strong output
• Good sound quality
• Comprehensive sound tuning options
• Excels in medium-to-large rooms

Cons:

• Only black finishes are available
• Can sound a bit too “rumbley” when music is played through it

This is one impressive little box. SVS’s SB-1000 delivers tight bass response that delves deep into the subterranean arena (think around 20Hz), which makes it the perfect companion to any home theater/music listening setup. Continue reading about this subwoofer and you will see why it snagged our “Best Sealed Subwoofer” title for this year!

Why does the SB-1000 sound so good? It’s because SVS spends a lot of time improving their speaker and amplifier technologies for the perfect pairing in clarity and output. The subwoofer gets even more formidable if you decide to download the iOS or Android SVS app to fine-tune the subwoofer for your listening preferences or the room in which it resides. Adjustments include such things as level, crossover point, a parametric EQ, phase, and more.

If you find yourself in need of a wireless subwoofer, don’t write of the SVS SB-1000! All you have to do is add the optional SVS SoundPath Wireless Audio Adapter and, viola, you now have a wireless SVS subwoofer!

If you’re not keen on SVS’s Black Ash finish (we happen to really like it!), the SB-1000 is available in both gloss black and gloss white finishes, albeit for a slight additional cost.

We love the SB-1000, and we believe you will, too!

If you'd prefer the ported variant, check out the PB-1000.

Watch our full video review of the SB-1000 Pro here.

Pros:

• Strong output
• Good sound quality
• Comprehensive sound tuning options
• Three finishes to choose from

Cons:

• A more limited bass response range when compared to the PB-1000
• Not quite as “tight” sounding as SVS’s better offerings

Let's face it: SVS rules the low end. SVS is one of the leading manufacturers of high-performance subwoofers, and we’ve been highly impressed by the advances and improvements they continue to make  to each iteration of their subwoofers. The PB-1000 12” ported sub is ideal for medium-sized rooms, and it delivers powerful and warm bass response at satisfying and/or wall-shaking levels - which, coincidentally, is why it captured our "Best Ported Subwoofer" award.

Going against conventional wisdom that says ported enclosures make for sloppy bass, the response is quick and tight, making the PB-1000 one of those ported subwoofers that excels at music as well as movies, thanks to advanced speaker design and being paired with an amazingly efficient and powerful amplifier. This subwoofer can be an impactful addition to your home theater system or home stereo system. And if you want to put the PB-1000 in its sealed mode and make its response even tighter, just close the ports with plugs that are available at no charge. Not many subwoofers in this price range offer this much flexibility with configuration.

You can use the controls on the subwoofer’s rear panel or with the SVS app (available for both iOS and Android) to adjust not only the speaker’s level or crossover point, but also things such as a parametric EQ, phase, room gain compensation, and port tuning for best performance.

Add the optional SoundPath Wireless Audio Adapter for wireless connectivity.

Watch our full video review of the SVS PB-1000 Pro.

Pros:

• Strong output
• Good sound quality
• Ported/Sealed options out of the box
• Comprehensive sound tuning options

Cons:

• Not a “true” sealed design w/ plugs installed
• Limited finishes compared to sealed option

Let’s cut to the chase: If you have a Sonos Arc or Beam sound bar, you should add this subwoofer into the fold. With that out of the way, let’s talk about why you should get one (and why it took our “Best Wireless Subwoofer” title).

The Sonos Sub has been ranked number one in just about everyone's best subwoofers list out there at one time or another. It's also been a global best-selling subwoofer for years. That should say a lot right there. But let's look deeper.

The brilliant design of the Sub (gotta love the simplicity of the name, too) is as functional as it is eye-popping. We love that Sonos went to a matte finish this year for a more discreet look (and hides those pesky fingerprints better at the same time). The hole in the middle hides two ports, inside of which are identical drivers, aimed to fire directly at each other and configured to cancel out excess vibration while enhancing response. The result is that the Sub has almost no rattle or vibration, even when it’s pumping at max volume. Another feature of this unique design is that you can stand the Sub vertically or lay it on its side, with no change in performance. You can even slide it under a piece of furniture and still receive incredibly-full bass response.

Not only does it add serious theatrical thumps to your movie night, it will also improve your music listening sessions. Every bit of music from heavy metal to classical to hip hop have bass response that even the Sonos Arc cannot faithfully replicate. Let the sound bar handle the mid and highs while the Sub belts out the bass.

The Sub connects wirelessly with the push of its connect button, and your Sonos system automatically configures the Sub optimally for whatever you’re playing. You do have some control via the Sonos app, which allows you to flip the phase of the Sub and reduce or increase its volume. While the Sub is ideal for the Arc and Beam sound bars, you can add the Sub to any Sonos system that’s running the S2 version; it won’t work with S1-equipped systems, however. This 4th generation Sonos Sub is equipped with a WiFi 6 chipset for better connectivity.

Well, have we convinced you? Click that Add to Cart button and get what you and your existing Sonos system so desperately need!

Pros:

• Strong bass output
• Easy to connect to Sonos system
• Stands upright or on its back
• Matte finish

Cons:

• Only works in Sonos S2 applications
• Minimal subwoofer adjustments in Sonos app

Klipsch’s RP-1600SW is as substantial in output as it is in size. The 16” ultra-long-throw Cerametallic driver moves a tremendous amount of air, creating a massive amount of bass response from a cabinet measuring in at 23-3/8”H x 23-1/2”W x 27-3/8”D in size. There’s nothing discreet about the RP-1600SW, and that should please both home theater buffs and music enthusiasts. This is just the tip of the iceberg for this Klipsch subwoofer, and that’s why it took our “Best 16” Subwoofer” award this model year!

Because of its high-output capability, the Klipsch sound engineers built a rugged MDF (medium density fiberboard) enclosure for the 16” subwoofer to ensure long-lasting performance and rigidity. Wrapped in a black vinyl with a woodgrain finish, the cabinet looks quite nice and should look great with just about decor.

An 800-watt amplifier drives the large woofer with ease and produces surprisingly good sound quality considering the size of that woofer. Klipsch’s Aerofoil front-firing slot port enhances output while reducing the “chuffing” sound that traditional ported subwoofers can create. Stretching down to about 15Hz, this monstrosity can hit low-lying frequencies without breaking a sweat. The RP-1600SW works very well in large rooms.

Controls on the rear panel permit the listener to make adjustments to the low-pass filter, gain, and the subwoofer’s phase. We wish there were some controls (either on-board or through an app) that allowed for more advanced tuning options such as room correction).

For those who have been on the quest for a great subwoofer that will make their movies and music shine, the Klipsch RP-1600SW is the ticket!

Also, Read Chris' review if you want to learn more about the rest of the Klipsch Reference Premiere subwoofers.

Pros:

• Very strong output
• Good sound quality
• Excels in large rooms
• Delivers subterranean bass response

Cons:

• Only one finish available
• Lacks the tuning suite found on other subwoofers

You’ve heard the expression “good things come in small packages,” right? This perfectly represents SVS’s 3000 Micro compact subwoofer. This little guy hits hard, and can please even the most demanding of listeners. Best of all, it virtually disappears in the corner of your theater room! These are just a couple of examples as to why this SVS subwoofer was crowned with our “Best Small Subwoofer for Home Theater” title this year. Read on for more information on this amazing little guy!

Tucked into this subwoofer compact chassis is a pair of 8” subwoofers, which fire in opposite directions to ensure maximum output while not impeding the other’s performance. It also allows a good coverage spread at the same time and hits down to 24Hz. Speaking of spread, this subwoofer works best in small-to-medium-sized rooms. While the enclosure is available in either gloss black or gloss white finishes, we wish there was an option for a matte finish to hide dust and fingerprints more readily.

Powering the 3000 Micro is an 800-watt amplifier that does a fantastic job in controlling the output of the subwoofers throughout the volume spectrum while mitigating distortion. Speaking of the amplifier, the on-board controls that exist allow the listener to adjust the subwoofer’s output, low-pass filter, and the phase of the driver. If you want even more control, download the SVS app onto your iPhone or Android to take a deeper dive into room-correcting features to maximize the 3000 Micro’s performance.

If your application requires a wireless subwoofer solution, SVS offers their SoundPath Wireless Audio Adapter for that very reason.

If you want to know even more about the SVS 3000 Micro, please watch our full video review of the SVS 3000 Micro sub.

Pros:

• Robust output
• Good sound quality
• Comprehensive sound tuning options
• Excels in small-to-medium rooms

Cons:

• Only gloss finishes available
• Can’t hit quite as low as SVS’s larger offerings

If you’ve been searching for a subwoofer that excels in both movies AND music, you must check out Klipsch’s RP-1200SW. This 12” ported subwoofer belts out bass response as low as 16.5Hz with amazing clarity. For years, Klipsch has been a leading speaker and subwoofer manufacturer and their commitment to quality is why the RP-1200SW took our “Best Home Audio Subwoofer Under $1000” title this year.

Measuring in at 17”W x 18-7/8”H x 25-15/16” in size, the RP-1200SW is rather compact given its performance. Thanks to Klipsch’s Aerofoil port design, the subwoofer’s output is robust without that boominess that can be prevalent in other ported subwoofers that are on the market. The sturdy MDF cabinet does a perfect job in stifling resonance, too, for a more enjoyable listening experience. The cabinet is wrapped in an ebony vinyl finish that has a great-looking wood-like resemblance. We wish there was an option for a lighter finish - maybe something along the lines of a walnut wood finish?

A 400-watt amplifier drives the 12” Cerametallic woofer with ease. Speaking of the subwoofer, the ultra-long throw design helps the listener hear those extended bass frequencies that we mentioned briefly earlier (16.5Hz). That’s darn-near bone-rattling bass response right there. It doesn’t matter if you’re listening to explosions in your favorite action movie or listening to a composition by Mozart - this subwoofer delivers smiles with everything it does.

The RP-1200SW excels in medium-sized rooms. As we said earlier, the footprint isn’t overly large, so you should find a perfect location for the subwoofer in the corner of the room. Controls on the rear panel of the subwoofer permit the listener to adjust level, crossover point, the woofer’s phase for maximum performance.

Don’t wait any longer - get your hands on the Klipsch RP-1200SW today and enjoy your movies and music like never before!

If you want a more detailed look at the entire lineup of Klipsch Reference Premiere subs, check out Chris' full review.

Pros:

• Robust output
• Good sound quality
• Excels in medium rooms
• Delivers subterranean bass response

Cons:

• Only one finish available
• Lacks the tuning suite found on other subwoofers

We know that this is the second offering from Sonos that has found its way into our “Best Of” selections, but we believe that the Sonos Sub Mini makes a strong case for its category. A ton of folks have and enjoy Sonos systems everyday and most of them would totally benefit from adding a subwoofer to enhance their listening experience. The Sub Mini’s compact size and robust bass response made it a home run for our “Best Subwoofer Under $500” title.

The Sub Mini is Sonos’s latest offering in their wireless subwoofer category. It has been engineered to work with their very own Arc, Arc Ultra, Ray, Beam, Era 100, Era 300, One, One SL, and the Amp (when it’s accompanied by a pair of bookshelf speakers).. It’s available in either a matte white or matte black finish.

In terms of performance, the Sub Mini uses a pair of specially-designed 6” woofers that are installed into a sealed cabinet. A pair of Class-D digital amplifiers have been implemented (one powers each woofer) for maximum output and low distortion possibility. The Mini works best in small-to-medium-sized rooms. If your Sonos system happens to reside in a larger room, you would want to consider Sonos’s Sub 4 as a subwoofer candidate.

The Sonos app allows you to quickly connect the Sub Mini to your existing system and even contains some tuning options in the form of output and an equalizer. When your Mini is paired to the system, volume will sync with the rest of the Sonos equipment.

All in all, we found the Sub Mini to pack quite the punch for such a small cabinet. We believe that you’ll enjoy it as much as we have - and all without having to run an inch of speaker wire! Make sure to watch Brian's video review on the Sub Mini to hear his full thoughts and testing notes to learn more!

Pros:

• Solid output
• Good sound quality
• Excels in small-to-medium rooms
• Compact size

Cons:

• Lack of in-depth tuning options
• Can only pair one to a Sonos system

You don’t have to drop ridiculous sums of money for better bass response from your speaker system - whether that system is tasked with music playback, surround sound, or a mixture of the two. Kanto has a solid offering in their SUB8 lineup. This is a compact sealed enclosure that houses an 8” subwoofer in either a white or black cabinet. Perfect for small-to-medium-sized rooms, the SUB8 offers robust performance for not a whole lot out of pocket. This is why it snagged our “Best Budget Subwoofer” award this year.

Some folks love the kind of bass response that rattles the roof off the house, while others enjoy bass response that neatly blends with their speakers. This Kanto subwoofer will thrill those that find themselves falling into that latter category. The SUB8 effortlessly fills in that bottom-end bass that even high-quality speakers can’t produce. Perhaps best of all is that with a cabinet measuring only 11-1/16”W x 11-7/8”H x 12-13/16”D, this subwoofer all but disappears in the corner of your room.

A 150-watt amplifier (300 watts of peak power) drives the 8” quite well, and it proves that you don’t need gobs of juice and a huge subwoofer for good bass performance. The subwoofer has a frequency response range of 35Hz to 175Hz, which isn’t bad at all considering the size of the speaker.

Long story short, if you’ve been looking for a great companion to your existing speaker system (or looking to replace an existing subwoofer) that doesn’t take up a lot of real estate and sounds pretty darn good, the Kanto SUB8 could be your ticket!

Pros:

• Solid output
• Great sound quality
• Excels in small-to-medium rooms
• Compact size

Cons:

• Only black and white finishes
• No in-depth tuning options