The reason that many have found themselves on this journey is that bass tubes provide one with the opportunity to turn up the bass without having to allocate a lot of room. A bass tube comes in a more compact form than subs originally come, and a lot of them have an amp built into them as well.
Spoiler Alert: For those of you who either don’t want to read all of the reviews below or for those pressed on time, the unpowered winner of our bass tubes roundup and also the most powerful is Kicker 46CWTB and in the powered apartment, we recommend MTX Audio RT8PT.
Table of Contents
| Image | Bass Tubes | Power | Dimensions | Frequency Response | Woofer Size |
 | Our Pick UNPOWERED Price at AmazonPrice at Crutchfield | RMS: 400 W Peak: 800 W | 10.625 x 16.56 x 10.75 | 25-500 Hz | 10" |
 | Our Pick POWERED Price at Amazon | RMS: 120 W Peak: 360 W | 22.58 x 11.25 x 11 in | 35-250 Hz | 8" |
 | Runner Up POWERED Price at Amazon | RMS: 45 W Peak: 50 W | 8-3/4"W x 10-1/4"H x 18-11/16"D | 39-250 Hz | 8" |
 | Runner Up UNPOWERED Price at Amazon | RMS: 250 W Peak: 500 W | 26.9 x 13 x 12.5 in | 30-250 Hz | 10" |
Passive/Unpowered Bass Tubes
Kicker 46CWTB102 Enclosure
Available Sizes: 8 or 10-inches
Power: 300/400 Watts RMS (2 or 4 ohms)
Dimensions: 10.6 x 10.6 x 16.5 inches
Other Kicker tube enclosure options:
Kicker has won over the hearts of many, including ours. However, they could have done better when it comes to bringing something to the table in terms of a sub-enclosure. Their competitors outperformed them due to their bulkier design.
However, one thing (maybe the most important) that it brings to the table is power handling. By connecting it to the amplifier you will be able to get 400 watts RMS (at 2 or 4 ohms). There is also an 8″ option for those with a weak heart.
Being backed by one of the top names in the industry makes this model a great choice. Especially if you want something where the sub might get exposed to the elements, after all, nothing crashes a party faster than crashing the music when everyone is having a good time.
It’s good to see Kicker bringing such a powerful 10″ subwoofer to the table (there is also an 8″ option). They’re known for keeping things thumping over the years, and this is living proof that they don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
Bazooka BT1024DVC Dual Passive Bass Tube
Available Sizes: 6″, 8″, 10″, and 12″
Power: RMS (250 watts per voice coil)
Dimensions: 26.9 x 13 x 12.5 inches
For the average consumer, this Bazooka sub provides the bass that’s needed to take their car audio experience to the next level. In terms of size, there are options starting from 6″ all the way to 12″ options.
At more of a high price point, you’ll have to keep in mind that you do get what you pay for with this enclosed sub. Bazooka is one of the top names in the industry, and they’re not the kind of company to leave you sitting in the dark.
“Bass Reflex Technology” is also incorporated to ensure that no bass energy has the chance to get wasted. In simpler terms, it uses both directions (the front and the back of the subwoofer) to power the bass flow for this Bazooka subwoofer.
By the way, this subwoofer comes packaged with straps (and mounting brackets). Allowing you to customize its placement while making sure the sub stays securely in place. Unlike those that forget this basic element, it’s good to see that it comes packaged with exactly what you need for the easiest installation possible.
Alpine SWT-S10 Sealed Subwoofer
Size: 10-inches
Power: 250W RMS
Dimensions: Not accurately specified.
Alpine is a brand with a rather lengthy history in the car audio industry, and it didn’t come without putting in the work to make it happen. They’ve developed a reputation for providing high-quality car audio equipment, and now they also come to the market with more affordable solutions.
You might be thinking they sacrificed quality with affordability, especially when it comes to the Alpine SWT-S10 since you can get your hands on it for less than a hundred bucks. It isn’t the case, and you’re about to see why.
One thousand two hundred watts (250W RMS) isn’t something that can easily be ignored, and it’s also a decent size for most car audio applications. Many have found it to be the addition they needed to top off their mid-range systems with some sweet, yet deep bass. If you want an enclosed subwoofer that you can count on, Alpine has brought one to the table this time around.
Powered Bass Tubes
MTX Audio RT8PT Powered Tube
Size: 8″
Power: 120 Watts RMS
Dimensions: 22.58 x 11.25 x 11 in
While you may not hear the name MTX Audio as you may the name of some of its mainstream competitors, those who have dabbled the slightest in high-performance car audio surely have heard of the name. This is their solution for where space is critical, but where there’s a need for bass.
That’s because it has been one of the industry’s leaders for years. Thanks to its continued innovation in the world of car stereos as well as a proven level of reliability. For those looking to add quality sound components to their system, there’s no disappointment in this direction.
Keep in mind that this bass tube was designed to be efficient when it comes to how much space it takes up, which makes it great for vans, smaller trucks, SUVs, and cars. It looks just like an oversized Bluetooth speaker. Making it great for those who found issues in the past with bulkier systems.
At a price tag that sits at the top of the market, it’s a smart buying choice for those who want an all-in-one solution. And this is exactly what you get with MTX RT8PT – a subwoofer and amp in one box.
Install video
Bazooka BTA850FH Amplified Tube
Size: 8-inch
Power: 45W RMS
Dimensions: 8-3/4″W x 10-1/4″H x 18-11/16″D
Other Bazooka options:
Bazooka BTA850FH is our runner-up in the amplified tube options. It’s not as powerful as some of the models we covered on this page, but it’s still able to get the job done. It’s not the cheapest on the market, but it’s also a sub that doesn’t produce cheap results.
Included with this amplified tube is its 8″ subwoofer to help you take things to the next level when it comes to making things really bump. It’s a 50W amp that’s proven as the best fit for this sub.
With every purchase, you’ll get the F.A.S.T.-9999 universal harness from Bazooka that has all you need to hook up the TA850C to the factory radio in your vehicle.
While this isn’t one of the big-box brands you saw above, it seems that their customers were happy with their purchase. It’s exactly why they were afforded this placement on this page as they did what some subwoofer manufacturers were unable to do when it comes to satisfying their customers.
Skar Audio SK8TBV 8″ option
Available Sizes: 8″, 10“, 12″
Power: 400W RMS
Dimensions: L: 22.5″ W: 9.5″ H: 9.5″
Pros
- Decent frequency response
- Powerful and accurate bass response
- Affordable
- Compact design
- Vented enclosure for increased airflow
Cons
- Output is not loud enough for larger cars
- Noise isolation is meh
The Skar Audio SK8TBV is an excellent choice for those looking to add some thump and punch to their car audio system. This bass tube offers a powerful and accurate bass response in a convenient and affordable package, making it an ideal option for those who don’t want to break the bank but still want quality sound.
The frequency response of the SK8TBV is quite good and provides a nice balance between low-end bass and mid-range performance. The peak power output of 400 watts is also impressive, giving you plenty of volumes to work with. Thanks to its compact design, installation is also relatively straightforward, so you won’t have to worry about any complicated wiring.
One potential downside of the SK8TBV is that users may find that the volume output isn’t loud enough for larger vehicles. The vented enclosure does keep the bass tube cooler than its competitors, but it doesn’t do much to improve noise isolation.
Overall, the Skar Audio SK8TBV is a great choice if you’re looking to add some extra low-end rumble and power to your car system without breaking the bank. This versatile bass tube offers powerful and accurate sound with plenty of peak power output that should be more than enough for most applications.
Rockville RTB12A Powered Bass Tube
Available Sizes: 6.5″, 8″, 10“, 12″
Power: 300W RMS
Dimensions: 12.75” x 22.83“
Other Rockville options:
If you want an all-in-one solution, Rockville RTB is the way to go. While it may not be as popular of a brand name as some of the others we’ve reviewed here, it still makes up for it.
Coming packed with a 500-watt amplifier, it’s also able to deliver a deeper base than some of the other model’s bass tubes featured here. You might be thinking that this provides for a more complex installation, but it doesn’t as the amp is built into the enclosure itself.
Attention to detail is something that the folks over at Rockville don’t lack, as it also comes with a wiring kit that gives you true 10-gauge speaker wire unlike those that say they do only to disappoint. They know that their customers are guys and gals who take their bass seriously, and they’re not going to fail.
When we look at the price tag, it’s one of the more affordable ones currently on the market. This means that not only do you get a quality solution, but you get a quality price point as well.
What to Look for When Buying Bass Tubes
Venturing into the world of bass tubes can get confusing if you let it. Thankfully, we’ve done all the hard work when it comes to knowing everything there is to know about the world of car audio, possibly.
There are 3 main things you want to look for/take into consideration when you want to buy the best bass tube for your needs (and for the money).
How Much It Costs
Before you go out buying anything, you need to have your boundaries in place. You don’t want to end up spending what you can’t afford to spend on car audio equipment. So set aside a certain amount of money and don’t blow your budget!
Also, you want to make sure the price that you’re paying for the enclosed sub is one that’s truly a good deal and not something that you end up finding out, in the long run, you overpaid for it.
The Frequency It Uses
While it may seem that a vast majority of bass tubes on the market today come with a low frequency, know that they go up to 300 Hz. Make sure the choice you make is one that’s on the frequency you need to get the most out of your car audio system. It is especially important when you’re incorporating a more complex sound system with more than just the sub.
How Powerful the Bass Tube Is
The level of power of a bass tube is gauged in Watts, and it’s what tells you whether your sub is weak when it comes to knocking or if it’s one of the more powerful enclosed subwoofers of its kind. A good option to go with is the bass tubes that come with their amplifier.
Instead of having to buy one individually to turn up the bass, you’ll have it right there with you out of the gate. Not to mention, many subwoofer manufacturers have tested and refined the amp that they include with the sub to deliver the most optimal listening experience possible.
We hope that this helped you with your search for the best bass tubes. Is there anything else that you would like to know? Have the experience to share? Just let us know below, and we’ll respond to as many comments as we possibly can.
Are bass tubes good for cars?
The bass tubes are ideal for cars due to their ability to take up less space. So you don’t have to sacrifice as much trunk space to get the same amount of bass as with cube shape enclosures.
Last update on 2024-11-21 / 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.
