When you want to boost the bass experience in your vehicle, but you don’t want to sacrifice cargo space, a spare tire subwoofer can do wonders. But not just any sub will do.
And this is something we knew. Which led to a fulfilling search to find the best spare tire subwoofers. At the top of our list is none other than the Cerwin Vega VPAS12ST, fitted just for spare tire applications. Learn more about it and other spare tire subwoofers for yourself, just keep reading.
Table of Contents
Recommended Spare Wheel Subwoofers
Image | Spare Tire Subwoofers | Dimension | RMS Peak | Frequency Response | Subwoofer Size |
Our Pick Price at Amazon | 14.1"W x 13.7"L x 5.7"H | 150 W 600 W | 20Hz - 150Hz | 11.3" | |
Runner Up Price at AmazonPrice at Crutchfield | 6.5"H x 14.13"D | 200 W 400 W | 30Hz-150Hz | 11" | |
Budget Price at Amazon | 14.17” D x 5.7” H | 200 W 800 W | 20 Hz – 250 Hz | 8" | |
Budget Price at Amazon | 14” D x 6” H | N/A 400 W | 50Hz-100Hz | 8" |
Cerwin-Vega VPAS12ST Active Spare Tire Subwoofer
RMS: 150W
Peak: 600W
Frequency Response: 20Hz-150Hz
Other versions:
Cerwin-Vega Passive Spare Tire (VS12) – Dimensions: 14.2” x 5.7”
Cerwin-Vega Passive Spare Tire (VS12SH) – Dimensions: 14.2” x 4.7”
It shouldn’t come as no surprise that Cerwin Vega VPAS12ST tops our list when it comes to the best subwoofers for spare tire applications. When it hit the market, it ruffled a lot of feathers, and over time has proven itself as one of the most powerful subs of its kind.
The secret to its power lies within its built-in amplifier (although there is a passive option). When it comes to delivering the decibels to you (and anyone around you for that matter), Cerwin Vega doesn’t disappoint. Keep in mind that the best solution to the warranty is to purchase extended protection through Amazon to cover its replacement if there arises a need to do so over the next few years.
As far as achieving the best sound, it does work if you place it directly in your spare tire. However, you won’t see the awesome results until it’s used without the spare tire. This has also made it an ideal solution for those seeking a slim subwoofer that could fit right under their seat without any problems.
At the end of the day, Cerwin Vega VPAS12ST won us over because it is indeed one of the most powerful spare tire subs with an amplifier built into the dang thing. Being backed by one of the leading brands in the industry is just the icing on the cake we all like to see.
If you demand the best and are willing to fork over a few hundred bucks to enhance your audio experience this is beyond a doubt the best way to go. It’s not just us saying it either, it’s a top-rated product on Amazon where many have shared their positive experiences for you to see.
Check out this video for an audio test and review
JBL BassPro Hub
RMS Power Output: 200 W
Peak Power Output: 400 W
Frequency Response: 30Hz-150Hz
There is also a non-powered (passive) option from the same brand – JBL Stadium BassHub
For those who love their bass as much as they love their car, you can’t go wrong with the JBL BassPro Hub. As long as you can afford to spend a little bit more than you would for an average spare tire subwoofer with the amp.
The BassPro Hub is designed to provide you with deep, clean bass. Without taking up space. Using a Class D amplifier, it’s designed to provide a powerful punch without the risk of overheating.
It also helps in eliminating interference and sound anomalies. Use the wired remote to fine-tune your sound experience and it’ll be clear to see that this is one of the best solutions for those with minimal space on the market today.
It comes backed with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty, but you probably won’t even need it judging from this subwoofer’s great track record. For the best protection, we always recommended getting extended protection when it’s offered.
Rockville RockGhost Hidden Spare Tire Sub-No Lost Space
RMS Power Output: 200W
Peak Power Output: 800W
Frequency Response: 20Hz-250Hz
For less than a couple hundred bucks (at the time of writing), you can get your hands on the RockGhost sub. It’s a great deal considering you can easily pay several hundred bucks on a spare tire subwoofer setup.
The downside is that you must deal directly with the manufacturer for the returns, and there have been reports of defects being shipped out. However, these end up getting resolved without a hitch, so if you can afford to risk having to return your Rockville Rock Ghost you can save some dough.
Rockville prides itself on delivering crisp and clean sound backed by the bass you need, without unnecessary noises or vibrations. It also features an air-ported design that takes things a step further than some of the other spare tire subs were able to take things.
Don’t forget that it comes with a 20-foot wired remote. Changing up the sound coming from your sub couldn’t be easier. At the end of the day, you won’t be having to deal with fatigued ears.
For a budget-friendly solution, this is no doubt the route to go. While it may not be raved about as much as some of the other spare tire subwoofers on this page, it does come at a significantly cheaper price than most of the others. Of course, you might have to deal with some headaches along the way, but this is expected when you’re trying to go with the route of affordability.
Seismic Audio – Hide-A-Bump88
RMS Power Output: N/A
Peak Power Output: 400W
Frequency Response: 40Hz-180Hz
If you want to spare some money on your new bass option, the Hide-A-Bump88 from Seismic Audio provides you with the opportunity to do so.
While the woofer is smaller (8″) than some of the other subs we reviewed here today, this is proof that sometimes size just doesn’t matter. With a built-in 400W amplifier (Peak power) and dual‚ 5×8 aluminum woofers, it’s sure to provide you with bass at a balance you can be proud of.
Keep in mind that if you’re looking for a more powerful solution, you might take a closer look at the top picks that were featured earlier. However, if you just want some added bass when you jam going down the road, this is a reliable solution.
CDT Audio SUB-15H
RMS Power Output: Not Specified
Peak Power Output: 380W
Frequency Response: 40Hz-150Hz
One of the biggest reasons that the CDT Audio SUB-15H didn’t make it higher on our list of the best spare tire subwoofer setups is that it’s just not as powerful.
With a mid-level price tag, we feel that it just didn’t deliver as much as the others did when they were given their opportunity to shine.
However, for those just looking for a simple spare tire sub that won’t break the bank, they may feel that this is the approach that they want to take. It does boast a minimalistic design and is made of quality material, as you would expect any sub-manufactured by a California company to be.
As for the frequency response, it is aligned with what some of the top spare wheel subs had to offer. It is 15 inches which is a lot bigger than the other subwoofers of its kind. If you want something that will give you that extra bass, and you have a tire that can support it, it’s an ideal option.
What is a spare tire subwoofer?
A spare tire subwoofer is a powered subwoofer that you can mount over your spare wheel hub. This is a great way to save space and get maximum power.
Last update on 2024-12-07 / 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.