Best Subwoofer – Buyer’s Guide

Giving an extra level of lows that you are missing, whether you are listening to music or watching a film. Wharfedale may not be the most well-known name when it comes to audio technology, but the Diamond lives up to its name.

It can be as subtle as you want it to be but also performs ridiculously well when maxed out without any loss of quality or distortion. Whether the kids are watching the Lion King, or you are watching the new Marvel action movie, the exact level of perfection is just a dial-turn away.

We wouldn’t say it is the most booming out there, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes, you can indeed have too much power. Instead, it offers a natural extension to the lower end of the noise scale. For this reason, don’t risk it on heavy drum and bass any time soon, but anything a bit softer will be brought to life.

Bear the size in mind – it is rather huge. Some people have commented that there is a slight rumbling/humming noise when it is turned on, but this isn’t something that we experienced, so we assume they were isolated incidents.

For the price, you get a really impactful woofer. You may be on a bit of a budget and want to spend under £200, yet still get the best for the money. This model certainly delivers, plus you’ll have enough money left over to add another device to your collection.

Sonos and good sound are two things which go together just as well as garlic bread and pasta. Our expectations were high, yet this still exceeded them.

It has been designed to be compatible with Sonos PLAY and PLAYBAR systems, so if you already have these set up, then you’re on to a winner. This subwoofer is the perfect complementary addition to your wireless sound system, improving quality tenfold. Even if you think it is already pretty astronomical.

Bass is delivered with intensity, which is even felt. It can sync with other Sonos speakers in different rooms so that music can be played throughout the house. Or, pick a different tune for each separate device straight from your iPhone.

Up to 32 people can add their own music to the playlist queue. So if you want a party but don’t want to be the DJ, just let everyone know they can use their Apple device to pick what they want. No responsibility, and also no blame if someone picks a bit of a clanger. It is also compatible with Android when picking music.

You get the Ethernet cable required to give it the wireless connectivity, and in terms of design, it is well up there. The price is high, and it is a complete dust magnet thanks to the smooth, sleek exterior. But the sound is worth it.

A slim and neat design, this Yamaha is ideal for anybody who wants the power of a subwoofer but doesn’t necessarily have space or layout for one.

It is one of the oldest models on our list, but its size and design made it a real frontrunner when it first came out, and the fact it is still available says all you need to know.

The frequency response can reach between 30-150 Hz, so no matter how deep and punchy or gentle the bass is meant to be, you will hear what the creator had in mind. It offers the perfect level of enhancement for your TV – you won’t recreate a club night in Ibiza, but you will certainly feel an immersive difference.

Perfect for use with a soundbar of a hi-fi system, the connection uses an HDMI cable so as long as you have space and an appropriate port, you should be good to go. Arguably easier than faffing about trying to connect it to your network and get everything in perfect synchronicity. It can also be connected to an amp for music tasks.

Cost-wise, it falls in our ‘under £100’ bracket, so is fabulous if you maybe want to purchase an entire sound system on a budget, or you simply want to see what the fuss is about.

Perfect for deep bass, cancelling distortion and clean setup, this wireless subwoofer from Samsung is just what we’d expect from this brand.

Because it connects wirelessly, you can place it anywhere in your room and it will still communicate with your soundbar. Perfect if you have your sleek design and placements and don’t want to disturb this with a relatively bulky appliance.

It goes as low as 27 Hz for brilliant deep sound. If you’re watching a big booming movie, then you’re going to feel as though you’re there in the comfort of your own home. It cancels out distortion before it is even created, so you always have the sound that the creator imagined. There is no muddying of vocals in music, either.

We say that it is bulky, but actually, the size is perfectly acceptable to keep it on display. In fact, if we are being honest, it looks so seamless and jazzy that we’d actually love to have it on show. You want people to know that the perfect sound was intentional, right?

Because it connects via Wi-Fi, we expected a few issues. They didn’t occur, though. You will need a good connection, but it keeps it well. No wonder it has a host of glowing reviews and 5* across the board.

Able to work with any compatible device, this Yamaha adds a notable amount of weight and boom to your sound.

Distortion is minimised, and Yamaha Active Servo Technology II ensures that you have both a stable bass and accurate, clear sound. Whether you are listening to techno, watching the latest blockbuster or having to hear every word of the must-watch drama everyone is talking about, you’re in safe hands.

Because it works with any existing kit, it is seamless to install and get up and running. It is small, so it should fit comfortably in any space, and it also doesn’t look too garish.

The price is absolutely brilliant when comparing to other subwoofers on the market. Granted, it isn’t quite as booming and powerful as those at the higher end. But when comparing, we’d still say it was a steal.

We’d like auto on and off ability. But if you’re only going to be using it when the family are settling down on the sofa with some popcorn, then the chances of it being left on are minimal anyway.

One of the lowest frequency responses we have seen, and this is evident as soon as it is turned on. Yamaha’s items have been gaining a lot of traction over the past few years, and this relatively new sub is a perfect example of why.

Auto crossover frequency technology allows you to fine-tune the settings to help sync everything up seamlessly, so you won’t get screen scenes miles ahead of the sound. Then there is Twisted Flare Port technology, which delivers everything tightly and clearly, so your experience is the best it can be.

As it is wireless, you have a lot of freedom over where you place it. You just need a power point, and you’re good to go – ensure your other items are also wireless too, of course.

It is designed to be paired with the MusicCast BAR 40 Sound Bar and is also compatible with many other speakers and accessories in the Yamaha range. This doesn’t mean it won’t work with your chosen setup, however. Just check the compatibility.

Everything is controlled through the dedicated app, so there are not too many garish big buttons and dials ruining the look. Everything is encased within an attractive body, and the speaker cones are behind meshing, so it doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb.

It isn’t just your TV sound which it can improve, either. Music is instantly elevated, no matter how bassy and deep it is. From house to electronic, it never struggled. Even when playing slow, softer songs, we heard little details which we had previously been unaware of. Certainly an impactful device, well worth the cost – after all, it is a little ahead of the game so will last for years.

A very stylish offering which doesn’t even look like a subwoofer at first glance. Don’t be put off though – the sound certainly delivers.

It is one of the slimmest available, yet unlike some of the other slim offerings, isn’t ridiculously tall as a result. There are rubber feet and spikes included to raise it off the floor, or it can be wall mounted with suitable brackets.

All of the connections and controls are hidden behind a little magnetic hatch and are down facing, so as discreet as possible. Perfect if you like the clean, minimalistic look but your media setup is in dire need of something which can give you a bit of a deep rumble.

There are also four different casing colours available. Arctic White, Carbon Black, English Walnut and Graphite Grey are solid colours, and we love how Q Acoustics seemingly understand that plain old black just simply doesn’t cut it for some people who worry about aesthetics.

In terms of sound, there is plenty of bass there to make those everyday watches a lot more dramatic. It does all of this without getting too ahead of itself, as well. No distortion or crackling or evident straining.

Obviously, every eventuality will need a little catering in terms of the level, volume and crossover required. But it is an easy woofer to get to grips with.

Giving out a warm, hearty sound, with just enough bass to really add something to your television marathon.

If you want to create a bit of a surround sound feel, then it will connect up to other Q Acoustics speakers via Bluetooth. Instructions on the overall setup are clear, and it is an all-round easy experience.

Bear in mind the dimensions – it is slim but quite tall, which should suit most spaces yet will limit its placement within a display cabinet or on a TV stand. We do love the fact it comes in both black or gloss white, however, so whatever your decor or needs, there should be a close match at the very least.

The two smaller cones add even more punch compared to those which use just one large cone, so a lot of design thought has been put into this. It isn’t going to be the most booming on the list, which is evident by the frequency response range, but for the everyday little something extra it is ideal without pushing the viewing pleasure overboard.

It isn’t the absolute cheapest on the list but still falls under £200. A perfect entry-range model, or for someone who just wants to add a bit of extra depth to their already busy home cinema system.

This won’t worry the subwoofer market leaders as it is purely for anyone with an Amazon smart speaker, but it is a worthwhile addition to your setup.

There is no denying that Alexa’s are handy to have for playing music. But there is also denying that they don’t exactly rival ordinary speakers when it comes to sound quality. No smart speaker does.

The Echo Sub certainly raises the smart speaker bar, though. It is the first of its kind, and output can reach 30Hz, which will create a lovely low rumble. Because it is a wireless connection, it can be placed almost anywhere which is ideal if you have a large open room or need the sound to reach a particular area.

It is wrapped in soft charcoal fabric to complement the latest Echo’s. The shape is a little tubby but does match the Echo well so we can’t complain. We do actually prefer the rounded shape compared to some of the bulky, sharp subs we have reviewed.

Setting it up is simple thanks to the video tutorial on the Alexa app, and you can even connect it to two separate speakers if you want a more surround sound feel. When giving a command, you do need to tell it to play through the subwoofer – bear this in mind.

Should you already have an Echo product, then it is a worthwhile purchase which can improve your listening experience (if this is indeed what you use it for). Not yet made the leap into the smart speaker world? Perhaps you were put off by the fact it isn’t really a music speaker? Well, hopefully, this Sub will encourage you to make the jump and get with the times.