Best Dual 12-Inch Subwoofers [UPDATED]

Unless you want to take the vehicle to a shop for upgrades and pay a hefty amount just for attaching an extra woofer, you’ll probably want to stick with something that allows you to make the upgrade much more convenient.

Dual 12” subwoofers are the best case because of their incredibly nimble response, tight and punchy bass, as well as lower power requirements. You’ll still need an aftermarket amplifier with most, but the power of the amplifier doesn’t have to be over the top.

Dual 12-inch Subwoofers We Recommend

MTX 12 Inch Terminator Series TNE212D

RMS: 400 watts
Peak Power: 1,200 watts
Sensitivity: 86 dB
Frequency Response: 37-150 Hz
Impedance: 2 Ohms

These petite (14” x 29” x 13”) 12-inch dual subs pack a nice punch but you’ll need an amplifier that generates plenty of juice to keep the 400 W drivers happy at all volume levels – as explained in full MTX Audio TNE212D review.

Yes, that is 400 W RMS, not peak. The peak is a whopping 800 W, although the speakers can go as high as 1200 W before they begin to break down. They have been optimized for usage with the MTX THUNDER500.1 amplifier, although you can run these off pretty much any amp that delivers 300-500 W of power at 2 ohms.

An aviation-grade black carpet surrounds the entire 5/8” super-tough MDF enclosure. This carpet is labeled as “aviation grade” because it is made from the same materials that are used in noise-dampening carpets for airplane cockpits and cabins.

Impressed yet? Well, you’re not the only one. We wholeheartedly recommend this dual 12” sub for just about any car- whether it is an SUV, sedan, coupe, or hatchback. The front porting really helps bring out the subtle, yet powerful sub-150 Hz frequencies. On the con side, it requires a pretty hefty amp to make the most of the 400W RMS.

Your windshields are literally going to tremble if you pump this dual woofer setup all the way up to 100% volume when it is connected to a good amp that supplies all of those 400 watts at 2 ohms.

The front-ported enclosure means that you should probably fit these inside your trunk or under the seats for maximum bass release, although the size of this speaker does mean that it will actually fit under the dash of a large SUV (Cadillac Escalade, Hummer, etc.) or truck.

Just remember, though be prepared to purchase a beefy amplifier if you plan on pushing this dual sub to its limits.

Skar Audio Dual SDR-2X12D4

RMS: 1,200 watts
Peak Power: 2,400 watts
Sensitivity: 97 dB
Frequency Response: 32 – 300 Hz
Impedance: 4 Ohms

Not every audiophile wants to take the time to design their own system, which is why Skar has done it for you. These encased subwoofers have only one job, to deliver hard-hitting bass. The two subwoofers are prewired in the vented enclosure.

To allow for extreme bass output the casing has a split-chamber design for the woofer and a distinct kerf port in the middle. Crank the volume up, these 12-inch subwoofers can handle it. Power from an external amp also isn’t a problem since they have a combined RMS of 1,200 watts.

You’ll be proud to show the SDR-2x12D4 by Skar off. The casing has a black carpet covering, with the company’s logo emblazoned in white on top. It has a sleek appearance that is matched by its’ phenomenal sound quality. It is advisable to make sure that the subs are compatible with your current audio system.

JL Audio CP212-W0V3 Dual 12″ 12W0v3 Ported Subwoofer

RMS: 300 watts
Peak Power: 600 watts
Sensitivity: 86 dB
Frequency Response: 22-250 Hz
Impedance: 2 Ohms

If you are willing to shell out top dollar for something that is absolutely top-notch and no-compromises, then take a look at the JL Audio CP212.

Many car owners swear by JL Audio, and will not purchase any other brand simply because of the fact that JL Audio has been delivering top-quality audio solutions for cars for several decades.

They did not fail to impress this time either, as the CP212 sounds as good as it looks. Starting off with the exterior- a gray carpet adorns the tough MDF enclosure that lies underneath.

The carpet dampens shocks from the car body, allowing the drivers to produce clean and noise-free audio at all times. MDF enclosures are preferred for high-grade speaker enclosures because of their natural resonance tendencies which tend to match that of most speakers.

Also, they are extremely tough as well as light. The mineral-infused polypropylene cone is not too light, nor is it too heavy. This means that the bass produced from this dual sub feels really warm and natural without any standout peaks or flat notes.

The surround on the cones is pretty large and highly elastic, which allows for a rather large role.

Kicker Dual 43DCWR122

RMS: 1,000 watts
Peak Power: 2,000 watts
Sensitivity: 98 dB
Frequency Response: 25 – 500 Hz
Impedance: 2 Ohms

Get ready to hear your music the way it was meant to be heard. Kicker’s 43DCWR122 double 12-inch subwoofers come in a rugged box that was designed especially for them.

You get optimal performance regardless of the type of music you listen to. If you haven’t hooked up subwoofers to your amp, you’re in for an audio treat.

Bass is sharp, punchy, and accurate, thanks to the polypropylene cone that is tough and rigid. Since the cone keeps its shape, the bass won’t sound muddy or flat. The top and backplate are designed to give the woofers room to move, while sturdy rubber surrounds protect and hold the cone. Play bass-heavy music for hours, without straining the subwoofers.

For maximum audio performance, you may want to add an external amp. These subwoofers can take up to 1,000 watts of RMS power and the frequency response is the largest (25 – 500 Hz) on this list.

Rockford Fosgate Punch P1-2X12 Dual

RMS: 500 watts
Peak Power: 1000 watts
Sensitivity: 86 dB
Frequency Response: 25 – 250 Hz
Impedance: 2 Ohms

Rock out with your favorite music with the P1-2×12 subwoofers from Rockford Fosgate. The two subs come with Kevlar reinforced paper cones that are held in place with firm rubber surrounds.

With cooling vents in the housing and sturdy motor assemblies, the subwoofers won’t have a problem handling 500-watts of RMS.

Heavy bass with a rich, full sound is possible with the fiberboard construction. Your trunk won’t get scratched due to the thick black carpet on the casing. It also gives the subs a sleek and professional appearance. If you really want to hear the lower frequencies and get louder and deeper bass, add an external amp for that extra boost.

Dual Electronics SBX212i

RMS: 600 watts
Peak Power: 1100 watts
Sensitivity: 89 dB
Frequency Response: 30 – 200 Hz
Impedance: 4 Ohms

These car audio subs are designed with bass lovers in mind. The brushed aluminum woofer cones are injection-molded for precise bass. Lower frequencies will have the punch you want, without annoying distortion.

A broad frequency response ensures that everything from drums to bass guitar chords is crisp and clear, even when you have the volume cranked up.

Along with their impressive sound quality, these subs have a sleek and almost surreal appearance. The “illuminate design” combined with the mirrored chambers allows the blue lights to shine throughout your vehicle. It is an impressive effect.

The subs are also designed to last, thanks to the sturdy enclosure with protective plexiglass in the front. With these subs, you get exceptional bass from audio components you’ll be proud to show off.

Rockville RV10.2B

RMS: 200 watts
Peak Power: 1200 watts
Sensitivity: 97 dB
Frequency Response: 35 – 500 Hz
Impedance: 4 Ohms

Get ready for rich, punchy bass with the Rockville RV10.2B double subwoofers. Every part of the subs is designed with optimal bass production in mind. The enclosure has vents on the bottom and it is also angled 15-degrees. You get amazing sound quality across the lower frequencies.

For added quality bass, instead of the standard 2-channel amp, there is a mono-black amplifier included in the price. The amp was designed specifically for loud, heavy bass.

You’ll appreciate that the subwoofers are CEA-2006 certified. This means that the subs will give you the powerful performance you expect from them.

4-layer voice coils and magnet motors that are vented prevent overheating, no matter how loud or bass-heavy your music is.

ALPHASONIK APP122

RMS: 500 watts
Peak Power: 1,500 watts
Sensitivity: 97 dB
Frequency Response: 26Hz – 1kHz
Impedance: 4 Ohms

The App122 from Alphasonic comes with two 12-inch subwoofers with a maximum power of 1,500 watts. You might not rattle any windows, but you’ll hear bass that is deep, rich and clear.

The MDF port on the enclosure, along with its sturdy wood build, effectively minimizes distortion so all you hear is the bass you love. For easy control of bass levels, there is a small knob that can be installed on your dash. How convenient is this?

Along with its optimal bass production, the subs also look great. The housing is encased with aviation-grade black carpeting, with Alphasonik’s label professionally stitched on the sides. While the subs look as great as they sound, you might run into some audio quality issues if your stereo does not have the power the App122 needs. This is a common problem when adding a powerful subwoofer to a factory-installed stereo system.

Pyle PLPPS212 Pyle Power

RMS: 500 watts
Peak Power: 1,000 watts
Sensitivity: 91 dB
Frequency Response: 30Hz – 3KHz
Impedance: 4 Ohms

Do you want incredibly loud, window-rattling bass for cheap? Are you more concerned with overall audio output rather than clarity and quality?

Then you need a really high RMS power rating, probably above 450 W, along with good sensitivity in order to make the most out of all those watts. Well, guess what- the Pyle PLPPS212 dual 12” sub has both of those.

With an RMS power rating of 500 W, it is more than capable of shaking your windows as well as your eardrums. The 91 dB SPL means that it is extremely efficient with power and will output more decibels per watt of power supplied.

The overall bass quality is decent though and is not at all special even though the enclosure is actually pretty high grade. And that is why we included this sub in the list- its low price and high-quality enclosure make this a very good purchase, so if you ever feel the need for better sound quality you can just swap out the default drivers for something better.

And it’s not like the default drivers are bad, they just lack clarity at the super low ends, and the mids seem slightly flat. Some EQ can help with that, or you can just pump everything up to max volume and impress everyone at the traffic stop with your window-rattling bass. Even though the enclosure is good, the sound seems a little weak and flat.

Dual Illumination Bandpass BP1204

RMS: 600 watts
Peak Power: 1,100 watts
Sensitivity: 89 dB
Frequency Response: 25-200 Hz
Impedance: 4 Ohms

If you are doing a total makeover of your prize car, and are outfitting it with neon lights, spinners, custom paint, etc. then you must try out one of these subwoofers.

But hey- even if you’re not into jazzing up your ride, they would still make a great addition to your car. And no, we are not saying that because they look like carnival lights from a Chinatown street procession. These things actually sound really good, with plenty of tight and punchy bass.

The enclosure is acoustically optimized, meaning that it will deliver consistent performance irrespective of the internal dimensions or cabin shape of your car.

The plexiglass viewing window provides a neat little aesthetic touch, while the brushed aluminum injection-molded woofer cones provide tons of clean, consistent bass.

Also, they look really sweet with the blue light shining through them! With an RMS power rating of 600 W and a peak power rating of 1100 W, there is never going to be any shortage of audio output.

The dual 12” drivers are optimized to maintain a low- factor, and they are supported by 45 Oz. Ferro-ceramic magnets. Blue lights might be a little annoying to some, enclosure shape is pretty unconventional.

Dual 12 Inch Subwoofers: What to look for?

There are some things that you need to pay attention to while purchasing a new dual 12-inch subwoofer, in order to ensure that you are satisfied with your overall audio experience. These include- enclosure type, cone material, frequency response, magnet quality, RMS power.

Enclosures for woofers are always ported and made from high-quality MDF or wood, with carpet covers on top of the box in order to dampen unwanted noise. The enclosure may be front or side ported, some even carry rear porting. Porting enhances the overall soundstage and allows the lower frequencies to shine.

Magnet quality plays a big role in determining the frequency response as well as the clarity of the speaker.

Neodymium magnets are the best, although most low-midrange subs will contain Ferro-ceramic magnets. One final thing, that needs to be paid attention to, is the actual size of the speaker enclosure.

Measure the dimensions of the space in your car where you plan to fit your new dual 12” setup. It could be somewhere under the seats, in the trunk (most common), or even the roof/dash if you own a truck or SUV.

Make sure that the speaker which you have chosen will fit in comfortably, also note its impedance as well as RMS power to make sure that the numbers match up with that of your receiver or amplifier.

Last update on 2024-12-21 / Affiliate links / *Image Disclaimer: We use images/data from Amazon Product Advertising API solely on products that link to Amazon. On products with the "Price at Crutchfield" button, we use images/data from Crutchfield.com as per the partnership deal.