If you’re considering an upgrade to your car stereo system and you want to achieve the best possible sound, one of the first things you should do is forget every stereotype you’ve ever heard about subwoofers. Sure, you might have witnessed a heavy bass line setting off a round of car alarms in a parking garage once or twice. But subwoofers are an essential part of any stereo setup—in the car or your living room—so it’s worth understanding what they are and what they really do.

Subwoofers are king of the low-frequency audio

Subwoofers are speakers dedicated solely to the reproduction of low-frequency sounds, benefiting all music types—not just bass-heavy genres—because a full range of sound frequencies gives music realism and depth. Most mid-range car speakers (located in the door panels) are too small to produce enough low-frequency sound, which is why adding a subwoofer to the system dramatically improves your listening experience.

Subs let smaller car speakers shine

Using a subwoofer to reproduce lower frequencies also reduces the demands on other speakers in the car. Once free of low-frequency responsibilities, smaller speakers, such as mid-range and high-range (also known as tweeters), can focus on reproducing the higher range frequency sounds they were designed to play. Forcing low-frequency sounds through inadequate speakers can also produce distortion, which occurs when the speaker’s cone is vibrated beyond its capacity.

Subs extend the life of your car stereo system

Relying on mid-range speakers to handle lower bass tones not only results in low-quality, distorted sound, but it also causes permanent damage. Mid-range speaker cones are typically made of cardboard or plastic, and playing low-frequency sounds at high volumes will cause them to crack or tear. Subwoofers are specifically designed to allow the deeper cone fluctuations required for precise low-frequency replication, so lifting the burden from smaller speakers will extend the life of your stereo system overall.

Subwoofers don’t require special placement in a car

Subwoofers tend to be on the larger side of car stereo speakers, but fortunately, you don’t have to worry about finding room for them within the limited space of your car. Subwoofers can be placed anywhere—typically in the trunk—because bass tones are non-directional. That means the human ear cannot determine where low frequencies are coming from, so bass tones sound like they’re coming from all around the car, delivering the same impact as if the subwoofer was located underneath your seat.

Boost your bass and enjoy rich, full sound with a car subwoofer

Whether you blast rock, rap, country, or even classical music in your car, you’ll be amazed at how a car subwoofer can boost bass tones while creating an overall sense of fullness in your favorite music, regardless of how loud or soft you play it. At Audiosport in Escondido, our car audio experts can help you select the right subwoofer, subwoofer box, or other elements for your car stereo upgrade. We also offer professional installation services to ensure the best possible sound, so stop by our showroom or give us a call today. Call us at (760) 743-2333.