1) Rockford Fosgate Punch P1S415 15” Subwoofer |  Our Rating:

The RF punch series has always offered good value for money or those looking for a good quality sub without wanting to spend megabucks. This sub may be getting on a bit but the noise that this thing makes is serious! They have a very sleek look to them, and the sound quality is better than the other two listed here. While there are models that sound better out there, the fact is that they cost about 4-5 times the cost of the P1S415. A great first time sub for the discerning buyer.

Rockford Fosgate Punch P1 P1S415 15-Inch 400 Watt Subwoofer – 4 Ohm

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$139.99

 
2) Pyle Dryver PLD15WD 15” Subwoofer |  Our Rating:

If sheer noise is more important to you than crystal clear sound quality then the PLD15WD is hard to beat, especially for this price. One really nice thing about these subs as well as their incredible power output is the “nasty” look – these subs look exactly the same as they sound. It’s hard to find these in stock since they sell out so fast so it’s worth checking back every few days if you are set on buying them.
 
 
 

PYLE PLD15WD 15-Inch 4000 Watt DVC Subwoofer

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$75.99

3) Lanzar Vibe VW15D 15” Sub |  Our Rating:

Finally, in the low, low price range comes close to the Lanzar. When looking at the price one may assume that these are flimsy but nothing else could be further than the truth! The VW15D puts out a lot of noise but not as much as the Pyle, although many would say that this is a good thing. Looks-wise they are nothing to shout about but for the price range they are unmatched. As usual, you will also want to pick up a good amp and enclosure for the best effect. If cash is really tight then this model is fantastic for those on a budget.

Lanzar VW15D Vibe 15-Inch 2000 Watt Dual 4 Ohm Chrome Subwoofer

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$51.99

General Considerations:

• Think about the class of music you are fond of listening to and what you like about it. If enhanced bass in your music is what you need, then you should consider going for larger woofers.

• Decide an appropriate location for the the subwoofers. Carefully analyze the space you have. These sound systems are typically installed to produce bass effects from the rear. See if you can utilize ordinary enclosures, such as side closet for sliding your new 15″ subwoofer. Keep in mind that a subwoofer requires adequate space for producing quality sound effects; so choose an area with enough space to ensure quality sound production.

• Figure out a budget for your subwoofer purchase. Subwoofers range in price from several hundred dollars up to a thousand dollars and more. It is best to set a price limit before going for shopping.

Selecting the Subwoofer:

• Browse the internet and look for different 15” subwoofers models accessible to you within your budget line. You can also visit the nearest store that deals in subwoofers. Consider the auxiliaries being offered along with your purchase.

• Decide if you want to purchase one subwoofer or two. This primarily depends on the quality of sound you’re looking to produce, but may also be affected by the space available to you. One is excellent for those who enjoy rock, classical, or country, while two are more suitable rap/techno fans.

• Keep in mind the sensitivity issue. Sensitivity is the amount of sound you get with respect to the power your speaker consumes, higher is better.

• Think about maximum wattage RMS; the amount of power a subwoofer is capable of switching. Generally, the more power a subwoofer can switch, the more sound it’s capable of producing, but also, the more costly it will be.

• Select your preferable cone. Options include aluminum, polypropylene, or carbon fiber cone. Don’t go for a paper cone.

• Surrounds should also be considered while selecting a subwoofer. Rubber surrounds are finest; foam is also acceptable. Do not buy woofers with urethane surrounds. Cones and surrounds not only affect the quality of the sound the subwoofer produces, but also its durability.

• Select an amplifier to power your latest subwoofers. You want something that is as close to producing RMS power as the max RMS rating of your subs. Other than that, the total harmonic distortion (THD) also impacts the rating of an amplifier. THD is given out as percentage, and you want the lowest figure possible.

The first big question is how low should you go? While human hearing can rarely reach below the 40 hertz level, a 15″ subwoofer can often reach into the 20 or even 10 hertz range. If you even listen to high quality recordings of traditional church organs than you would know the importance of this extreme low end. This is why the general advice is to go as low as you can afford to get the deepest low-end.

The next big question is sensitivity. When dealing with a speaker sensitivity is directly related to how loud the speaker will be given at a specific wattage. When dealing with a guitar amplifier a speaker with a 100db per watt sensitivity will be half the volume of a speaker with 103db response per watt. If you need more volume or are dealing with an industrial application a higher sensitivity is crucial for your subwoofer to be felt.

Finally you must consider the importance of frequency response. To a consumer this basically boils down to what sounds better? A quality subwoofer will respond in such a way that is pleasing to the ear. A low quality speaker will sound harsh and will have a grating effect on the listener. This is why it is critical that one choose a subwoofer after listening to it. This subjective quality can’t be expressed through mathematics thus it is important to consult someone who is experienced with quality sound systems before making a purchase.

Knowing what to look for when buying a 15″ subwoofer is not hard. Only a few major qualities need to be considered. This and a keen ear will result in a decision that will last a lifetime. When listening to music it is important that a speaker deliver a musical response and not overpower the other speakers. This is why one must always personally preview equipment before purchase.

Subwoofers are speaker enclosures using 8 to 21 inch drivers dedicated to handling only the lowest part of the sonic spectrum, which explains why they are so large. The bass signal is routed to the subs through a crossover, which prevents the subwoofer from trying to reproduce the higher tones and the main speakers from trying to reproduce the deep bass tones intended for the subwoofer. Since the subs are carrying the bottom load, the main speakers can be smaller.

Subwoofers require more power than the main speakers because they have to push more air, which explains why subwoofers frequently have their own power source. This power source can be either built in (powered), part of the main system, or a stand-alone component to the main system (passive). Powered subs have the advantage of not drawing from the total power output of the main speakers.

Satellite home theater speakers systems usually have one omni-directional sub woofer and 5 satellites speakers with 4 to8 inch drivers. They are placed in the 4 corners of the room and directly in front of the television screen, giving a realistic stereophonic experience. Subwoofers have rigid, heavy cabinets that resist vibration to prevent hearing the box and not the speaker.

To paraphrase Chubby Checker, how low can they go? Very low, thank you. Home subwoofers cover a range from 20 to 200 Hz. Subs used for sound reinforcement in nightclubs cover the ultra low and painfully loud sub-100 Hz tones. THX-approved systems for movie theaters solely cover the range below 80 Hz.

Subwoofers were first used to add bass response to high-end stereo systems. Vinyl recordings had a built-in limit on bass output. The signal could only be as loud as the tone arm and needle could handle. Reel to reel tape systems and CD’s enabled the bass signal to go far lower and be much louder, which required subwoofers to handle the low tones.

Car stereos are notorious for their subwoofers that are built into the trunk or backseat. The small interior dimensions can make it painful to endure the volume and in some cities, the stereos violate noise ordinances. The limited space led to the invention of square speaker drivers for subwoofers.

Subwoofers make entertainment more vital and inclusive. Three dimensional video and subsonic, seat-shaking audio create a truly unique viewing experience at the Cineplex. Home theaters boast a professional feel. And, when you hit the dance floor, you’ll never lose the beat—not when it’s pounding a tattoo on your gut.

So I’m sure you are wondering what exactly makes a 15 inch model better than the 12, 10, or even 8 inch subwoofers. Well, it all can be explained through simple physics. Basically, the more air that passes through the subwoofer the more bass you get. If you have ever placed your hand in front of a decently sized enclosure I’m sure you have felt the blast of air at every deep bass hit. Anyway, if you want to pass more air you will need a larger speaker and that is exactly why a 15 inch subwoofer is the preferred choice by audiophiles and bass lovers alike.

For big booming bass you will have to make a few sacrifices, though. 15 inchers may be the best subwoofer size for you, but they also take up the most room. In a home sound system this does not matter too much, the increase in size is actually pretty negligible. However, if you are primarily shopping for your vehicle’s sound system then size is definitely a factor you will want to take into consideration. So if you drive a tiny two seater then perhaps a 15 inch speaker enclosure may take up more room than you are willing to give up. However, if you drive anything larger then the space requirements are far counteracted by the increase in audio quality you will experience.

By now you should have some more understanding of why a 15″ subwoofer is the best subwoofer size. For music lovers who need to get their bass fix, a subwoofer with a smaller diaphragm is just not going to cut it. Like I mentioned earlier, it is simple physics and you can’t argue with the laws of nature. Your speaker needs the greatest airflow possible and in a car or home sound system a 15 inch ‘woofer is your best bet.

What makes a subwoofer the “best?” Critical specifications for subwoofers are: low frequency extension (how low can you go?); peak SPL (how loud can you get?); power handling (how many watts?) and efficiency (how much power does it take to produce low frequencies at the same volume as the rest of the system).

15-inch subwoofers should be able to go as low as you need: at least to 35 Hertz (Hz on the spec sheet) and possibly as low as the threshold of audibility, which is usually considered to be 20 Hz. They can get loud enough so that the subwoofer will not be the limiting factor on your system, and that’s important – a home theater that isn’t loud enough just isn’t “theatrical.” 15 inch subwoofers will handle plenty of power, because they have large voice coils (the motor part) and cones (the part that pushes the air). And although a 15 ” subwoofer needs a large enclosure, it doesn’t need a huge amplifier to shake the walls and floors.

So what are the three best 15-inch subwoofers? For my money, the Cerwin Vega Pro CVA-115X 15-Inch Activeseries High Performance Subwoofer is high on the list. Its built-in amplification puts out 700 watts continuously, and 1400 watts for short peaks. A cast aluminum grille and auxiliary heat sink help keep the electronics and the speaker cool, increasing performance. The rigid hardwood enclosure lets the speaker do its job with maximum efficiency, and sports a Coolex paint finish.

Next up is the QSC HPR151i, another powered subwoofer with 700 watts. You could easily take this one out on a DJ or club band live gig: it’s got a rugged bich enclosure, a “tour grade” steel grill, and ergonomic handles so your homeys can help you lift.

The RCF ART705AS is an 800 watt powered subwoofer with a 3 inch voice coil that pumps out 130 dB max SPL and goes as low as 40 Hz.

Which is best? Any of these three subwoofers will rock your house, and possibly your neighbor’s as well.