Unlike some Subwoofers, the Dali Sub C-8 D has been engineered to perform equally well on both music and movies. It is very important to us that a Subwoofer can render a performance true to the input signal. Though featuring an 8” down-firing woofer, the Sub C-8 D is everything but a ‘boombox’. The design is fairly basic, with a simple matte finish, but given MK speakers and subwoofers are regularly used on mixing stages around the world, that’s not surprising. This is a no-nonsense THX-certified subwoofer that’s the choice of the professionals, making the X12+ perfect for any self-respecting movie fan. The regular Sub is better suited to larger rooms and remains the superior choice for those who own larger, more powerful Sonos devices like the Sonos Arc. But for those with small to medium sized listening environments, the Sonos Sub Mini is an exceptional device offering most of the same features as its bigger sibling for significantly less money. The benefit of a sealed design is that performance is tighter and more controlled, but at the expense of overall output and extension. Conversely, a ported sub will deliver increased volume and deeper bass extension, while sacrificing a degree of subtlety and definition. For the deepest bass you need a large cone and you won't find a lot bigger than the Dali's 14 inch beast. This sizeable cone shifts plenty of air so you can feel the lowest bass notes rather than just hearing them. The long stroke woofer is made from aluminium, meaning it's light and rigid - perfect for clean, accurate low frequencies.

To improve sound reproduction and to ensure performance under difficult circumstances, a limiter has been incorporated in the amplifier section. The integrated limiter works in two areas: It compares the input signal amplitude to the potential output signal level, and it compares the available supply voltage from the power supply to the expected output signal. If any of these comparisons show a potential problem, the limiter will cut the signal in a soft manner and without affecting peak power.Partnered with the DALI Oberon 5 5.1 system, the E-9F subwoofer helped secure the success in the 2020 What Hi-Fi Awards and a 5-star review. Considered one of the finest budget subwoofers from DALI in some time, the E-9F certainly doesn't want for critical praise. A solid 170W of Class-D amplification is ample for even the largest room, and a downward-firing reflex port adds fixed-boundary reinforcement.” ’What Hi-Fi?’

Although the C-8 D is quite capable of going (very) loud, it’s musical, too. You get the impact you crave from action movies but, when listening to music, the C8D is subtle enough to let you hear the different textures from a bass guitar – rather than a single one-note bass boom. DALI’s famous paper fibre cone provides the flexibility here – making bass sound part of the music rather than apart from it. When it comes to connecting a subwoofer, there are often a number of options available, primarily based around stereo and mono line level inputs using either RCA or balanced XLR connectors. These are also sometimes referred to as low-level or LFE (low frequency effects) connections. The voice coil is 26.5 mm long and built for long excursions. It is vented to ensure air-cooling to the system and the benefit is a stable impedance response. The pole piece is likewise vented for maximum cooling, and here the venting also reduces internal compression in the motor system. This ensures free movement of the cone without any over/under pressure affecting the performance. Adhering to the low-loss sound design principle, the surround of the woofer is built to allow long and linear excursion. The over-sized suspension is designed to allow both weak and strong transients to turn into undistorted acoustic signals. Adhering to Dali’s low-loss sound design principle, the surround of the 8” down-firing woofer is built to allow long and linear excursion. The integrated 170 Watt RMS Class D amplifier enables the Dali Sub C-8 D to follow and render the required signal with an absolute minimum of bias.The sealed enclosure is extremely well made, and somehow SVS has managed to cram a redesigned 12in high-excursion driver and upgraded amplification into what is basically a 13in cube. The result is bass performance that’s precise, tight, musical and controlled, with a surprising amount of extension considering the SB-1000 Pro’s diminutive proportions. Subwoofers come in two flavours: passive and active. A passive sub requires external power from an amp or AV receiver, whereas an active sub has its amplification built in. All the subs in this guide are of the active variety, raising the question of how much power an active subwoofer requires.

There are subwoofers that employ two drivers firing to the left and right simultaneously, which use force-cancelling to generate increased output from smaller cabinets. This type of subwoofer also works well at the front of the room, and can be used in corners. All Dali Subwoofers are compatible with almost any amplifier, receiver or processor due to the choice of LFE or LINE inputs. The elegant and simple cabinet is designed to fit perfectly to the size of the woofer, but without forgoing the inner volume that is needed to produce a powerful bass performance. A downward-firing subwoofer mounts the bass driver in the bottom, and this approach works well in corners. The output of this style of subwoofer can be increased by using it on a solid floor, though doing so is best avoided if your room is on an upper floor with people below.

The best subwoofers you can buy in 2023

While the built-in amplification will play a role in the amount of energy a sub can produce, as a general rule of thumb, the bigger the driver the better. For deep bass you should be looking for a sub with a driver that is at least 10in, but you could consider a 12in or even larger woofer. Interestingly, a big driver doesn’t necessarily mean the subwoofer has to be huge, and there are a number of sealed units that manage to cram 12in drivers into surprisingly compact cabinets. Does driver orientation matter for subwoofers? Manufacturers such as SVS and Paradigm even offer remote apps that allow you to complete setup and control of the subwoofer using a smart device. They also include a degree of bass correction, allowing users to optimise the sub’s performance based on the room’s acoustics. What’s the best place to put a subwoofer? If you have a smaller room, or are thinking of using multiple subs, then a sealed design is probably best because it’s able to deliver a more nuanced performance. If you’ve got a bigger room or plan on using a single sub, a ported model will energise a larger space. What’s the difference between passive and active subwoofers? This classy model combines a 13in high-excursion driver with powerful Class D amplification to create an uncompromising subwoofer that can generate exceptional amounts of bass with pinpoint control and flawless tonal accuracy. The result is an exciting and muscular performer that often feels like an iron fist inside a velvet glove.

The inclusion of a remote app and ARC room correction make for useful features you won’t find on competing subwoofers with more power and deeper frequency response. Setup and control are both easy thanks to this app, and ARC ensures that the bass is smooth and perfectly integrated with the rest of the system. If you don’t like the idea of running subwoofer cables all over your living room, some brands offer optional wireless modules that pass the full-range audio signal with no latency, thus eliminating clutter. Other subs are designed to be used only as part of a wireless system. With its Class D digital amplifier built-in, the E9F produces an immense 170W. This low distortion amplifier provides the bass cone with a powerful, well-balanced sound for even the largest rooms. On the rear panel you'll find controls for volume, phase and frequency cut-off, plus the option of auto on/off. This reference subwoofer is beautifully made, sports a curved metal mesh grille, and includes the SVS remote app for easy setup, simple control and effective optimisation. The SB-3000 also won’t break the bank, so whether you’re a hardcore audiophile or home cinema fanatic, this superb subwoofer is sure to please. SVS is well known for building subwoofers with room-shaking power and monstrous bass, but with the SB-3000 the company has managed to deliver this subterranean extension from a 15in cube with a remarkably small footprint.But don't let this detract from what is a stunning performance by the Spektor 2 5.1. It's evidently deserving of all five stars within moments of plugging it in. As mentioned in the introduction, the more air a driver can displace, the lower the frequencies it can generate. This means that when it comes to subwoofers, size does matter. It was crucial for our project team to enable the Sub C-8 D to render the finer low-frequency details in music - also at high sound pressure levels. The measured values indicate that we reached a level of control and precision that is rarely to be found in this category at all. And the numerous listening sessions has truly convinced us that this was the right way to go. With its built-in Class D digital amplifier, the E12F produces an immense 170W. This provides the bass cone with a powerful, well-balanced sound that works well even in the largest of rooms. On the rear panel of the E-12F you'll find controls for volume, phase and frequency cut-off. There's also the option of auto power on/off, while for a clean, purposeful look, the E-12F uses magnetic grille fixing for smooth lines when removed.