Menu
Your Cart

Woofers & Subwoofers

Difference between a Woofer and a Subwoofer

While they share a lot of similarities, the difference between a woofer and a subwoofer is

  • Woofers typically have a wider frequency response to play both bass and mid range frequencies.
  • Subwoofers typically are used for low end, high-impact bass frequencies and often for high power levels.

Subwoofers and Woofers have different characteristics

In many cases you’ll notice them right away. To clarify a bit, here are some woofer vs subwoofer characteristics:

  • Woofers are usually part of a 2-way or 3-way speaker system, especially the main speakers for a home stereo. In this case, they produce a frequency range that includes both bass and midrange up to the tweeter’s cutoff frequency.
  • Subwoofers are typically used alone in a sealed or ported enclosure designed only for low frequency audio. The frequency range they produce is often about 30 to 100Hz and they’re used to complement a full range sound system.
  • Woofers tend to be more limited in their power handling, have a slightly different construction, and often use smaller magnets than subwoofers. Their cones also tend to be made from lighter materials than a subwoofer may use.
  • A subwoofer’s excursion (range of cone motion it can tolerate) is often bigger than that of a traditional woofer. This allows them to handle slamming bass at higher power levels.
  • Subwoofers often are built with voice coils that can handle higher power levels and vented subwoofer magnets with a “hole” (air vent) through the center to help keep the voice coil cool.
  • Especially tough subwoofers may have a much larger & durable cone surround to make very high sound pressure levels possible.
  • A subwoofer may also use larger speaker wire terminals for larger gauge wire and larger braided wire connected to the voice coils.
  • Most woofers are not dual voice coil (DVC) while you can easily find dual voice coil subwoofers when shopping. They offer additional wiring configurations, configurable impedance, and share power handling between the coils.
  • Subwoofers often have a thicker and stiffer cone than woofers in order to be able to produce extreme output levels when driven hard.

The wide range of subwoofer variants out there means you’re bound to find some that are essentially the same as a woofer...

Powered & Passive Subwoofers

The difference between a powered sub (also called active subwoofer) and a passive sub is that a powered sub is a self-contained enclosure with an amplifier and low pass crossover preinstalled.

A passive sub, often pre-installed in an enclosure, requires an amplifier and crossover separately to work.

Difference between a Woofer and a Subwoofer

While they share a lot of similarities, the difference between a woofer and a subwoofer is

  • Woofers typically have a wider frequency response to play both bass and mid range frequencies.
  • Subwoofers typically are used for low end, high-impact bass frequencies and often for high power levels.

Subwoofers and Woofers have different characteristics

In many cases you’ll notice them right away. To clarify a bit, here are some woofer vs subwoofer characteristics:

  • Woofers are usually part of a 2-way or 3-way speaker system, especially the main speakers for a home stereo. In this case, they produce a frequency range that includes both bass and midrange up to the tweeter’s cutoff frequency.
  • Subwoofers are typically used alone in a sealed or ported enclosure designed only for low frequency audio. The frequency range they produce is often about 30 to 100Hz and they’re used to complement a full range sound system.
  • Woofers tend to be more limited in their power handling, have a slightly different construction, and often use smaller magnets than subwoofers. Their cones also tend to be made from lighter materials than a subwoofer may use.
  • A subwoofer’s excursion (range of cone motion it can tolerate) is often bigger than that of a traditional woofer. This allows them to handle slamming bass at higher power levels.
  • Subwoofers often are built with voice coils that can handle higher power levels and vented subwoofer magnets with a “hole” (air vent) through the center to help keep the voice coil cool.
  • Especially tough subwoofers may have a much larger & durable cone surround to make very high sound pressure levels possible.
  • A subwoofer may also use larger speaker wire terminals for larger gauge wire and larger braided wire connected to the voice coils.
  • Most woofers are not dual voice coil (DVC) while you can easily find dual voice coil subwoofers when shopping. They offer additional wiring configurations, configurable impedance, and share power handling between the coils.
  • Subwoofers often have a thicker and stiffer cone than woofers in order to be able to produce extreme output levels when driven hard.

The wide range of subwoofer variants out there means you’re bound to find some that are essentially the same as a woofer...

Powered & Passive Subwoofers

The difference between a powered sub (also called active subwoofer) and a passive sub is that a powered sub is a self-contained enclosure with an amplifier and low pass crossover preinstalled.

A passive sub, often pre-installed in an enclosure, requires an amplifier and crossover separately to work.

Alpine DP2-80WF-B 20 cm (8") Under-seat Subwoofers for BMW 3-Series, 4-Series
New Special Order (Contact Us)
Brand: Alpine Model: DP2-80WF-B
Alpine DP2-80WF-B 20 cm (8") under-seat Subwoofers designed for BMW Introducing Alpine DP2-80WF-B, an example of car audio excellence, proudly belonging to our Digital Precision Series and tailored exclusively for BMW owners. This cutting-edge DP-Series is a compelling audio solut..
£389.00
Ex Tax:£324.17
Alpine SPC-100ML Premium 20cm 2-Way High Performance Speaker System for Mercedes ML (W164) Alpine SPC-100ML Premium 20cm 2-Way High Performance Speaker System for Mercedes ML (W164)
New Special Order (Contact Us)
Brand: Alpine Model: SPC-100ML
Alpine Premium Speaker System for Mercedes ML (W164)Alpine SPC-100M premium speaker package includes a front system with soft dome tweeters and large midrange speakers, plus a 20cm high performance subwoofer featuring a vehicle specific housing. All speakers are perfectly matched to the digital ..
£429.00
Ex Tax:£357.50
Alpine SPC-2045ABMW-HR Premium Complete Sound System for BMW G-Series Models Alpine SPC-2045ABMW-HR Premium Complete Sound System for BMW G-Series Models
New Special Order (Contact Us)
Brand: Alpine Model: SPC-2045ABMW-HR
Alpine Premium Sound System Door speakers, Under-seat subwoofers & 12-channel Sound Audio Processor for BMW G-Series ModelsExperience sound like never before! Our exclusive sound system is specially designed for BMW G-Series models with RAM (Radio Amplifier Module). It seamlessly integr..
£1,699.00
Ex Tax:£1,415.83
Alpine SPC-W84ACRA2-2 6-Channel DSP Amplifier & Subwoofer System for VW Crafter 2 / Grand California & MAN TGE Alpine SPC-W84ACRA2-2 6-Channel DSP Amplifier & Subwoofer System for VW Crafter 2 / Grand California & MAN TGE
New Special Order (Contact Us)
Brand: Alpine Model: SPC-W84ACRA2-2
Alpine SPC-W84ACRA2-2 6-Channel DSP Amplifier & Subwoofer System for Volkswagen Crafter 2 / Grand California & MAN TGEUpgrade your Alpine Adventure Audio speaker system for Volkswagen Crafter 2 / Grand California / MAN TGE to the Concert Ensemble with the new SPC-W84ACRA2-2 6-Channel DSP..
£799.00
Ex Tax:£665.83
Alpine SPC-W84AS907-2 6-Channel DSP Amplifier & Subwoofer System for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 907 / 910 Alpine SPC-W84AS907-2 6-Channel DSP Amplifier & Subwoofer System for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 907 / 910
New Special Order (Contact Us)
Brand: Alpine Model: SPC-W84AS907-2
Alpine 6-Channel DSP Amplifier & Subwoofer System for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 907 / 910Upgrade your Alpine Adventure Audio speaker system for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 907 / 910 to the Concert Ensemble with the new SPC-W84AS907-2 6-Channel DSP amplifier and subwoofer system. ..
£699.00
Ex Tax:£582.50
Alpine SPC-W84AT6-2 6-Channel DSP Amplifier & Subwoofer System for Volkswagen T6.1 / T6 Alpine SPC-W84AT6-2 6-Channel DSP Amplifier & Subwoofer System for Volkswagen T6.1 / T6
New Special Order (Contact Us)
Brand: Alpine Model: SPC-W84AT6-2
Alpine SPC-W84AT6-2 6-Channel DSP Amplifier & Subwoofer System for Volkswagen T6.1 / T6Upgrade your Alpine Adventure Audio speaker system for Volkswagen T6.1 or T6 to the Concert Ensemble with the new SPC-W84AT6-2 6-Channel DSP amplifier PDA-S560 and subwoofer system.This ..
£699.00
Ex Tax:£582.50
Alpine SPC-W84ATRA7-2 6-Channel DSP Amplifier & Subwoofer System for Ford Transit Custom, Tourneo Custom Alpine SPC-W84ATRA7-2 6-Channel DSP Amplifier & Subwoofer System for Ford Transit Custom, Tourneo Custom
New Special Order (Contact Us)
Brand: Alpine Model: SPC-W84ATRA7-2
Alpine SPC-W84ATRA7-2 6-Channel DSP Amplifier & Subwoofer System for Ford Transit 7, Transit 7 Custom, Tourneo 7 CustomUpgrade your Alpine Adventure Audio speaker system for Ford Transit 7, Transit 7 Custom, Tourneo 7 Custom to the Concert Ensemble with the new SPC-W84AT6-2 6-..
£699.00
Ex Tax:£582.50
Alpine SWC-D84T6 Subwoofer with Enclosure for VW California, Multivan, Transporter T6.1 / T6 Alpine SWC-D84T6 Subwoofer with Enclosure for VW California, Multivan, Transporter T6.1 / T6
New Special Order (Contact Us)
Brand: Alpine Model: SWC-D84T6
Alpine SWC-D84T6 20cm 8inch Subwoofer with Enclosure for VW T6, T6.1Bring exciting bass to your vehicle with the SWC-D84T6 Subwoofer designed for Volkswagen T6.1 or T6.The 180 Watt subwoofer come pre-installed in a custom-fit wooden enclosure for installation under t..
£169.00
Ex Tax:£140.83
Alpine SWC-W84CRA2 Subwoofer with Enclosure 20cm 180W for VW Crafter 2, MAN TGE Alpine SWC-W84CRA2 Subwoofer with Enclosure 20cm 180W for VW Crafter 2, MAN TGE
New Special Order (Contact Us)
Brand: Alpine Model: SWC-W84CRA2
Alpine 20cm / 8 inch Subwoofer with Enclosure for Volkswagen Crafter 2, MAN TGEBring powerful bass to your vehicle with the SWC-D84CRA2 Subwoofer designed for Volkswagen Crafter 2, Man TGE. The 180 Watt subwoofer comes pre-installed in a custom-fit wooden enclosure ..
£219.00
Ex Tax:£182.50
Alpine SWC-W84S907 Subwoofer 180W with Enclosure for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 907 / 910 Alpine SWC-W84S907 Subwoofer 180W with Enclosure for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 907 / 910
New Special Order (Contact Us)
Brand: Alpine Model: SWC-W84S907
Alpine Adventure Audio Subwoofer with Enclosure for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 907 / 910Bring exciting bass to your vehicle with the Alpine SWC-W84S907 Subwoofer designed for Mercedes Sprinter 907 / 910. The 180 Watt subwoofer comes pre-installed in a sealed, custom-fit..
£169.00
Ex Tax:£140.83
Alpine SWC-W84TRA7 Subwoofer with Enclosure 20cm for Ford Transit 7, Transit 7 Custom, Tourneo 7 Custom Alpine SWC-W84TRA7 Subwoofer with Enclosure 20cm for Ford Transit 7, Transit 7 Custom, Tourneo 7 Custom
New Special Order (Contact Us)
Brand: Alpine Model: SWC-W84TRA7
Alpine SWC-W84TRA7 Subwoofer with Enclosure for Ford Transit 7, Transit 7 Custom, Tourneo 7 CustomBring exciting bass to your vehicle with the SWC-W84TRA7, Subwoofer designed for Ford Transit 7, Transit 7 Custom and Tourneo 7 Custom.The 180 Watt subwoofer comes pre-installed i..
£149.00
Ex Tax:£124.17
Focal P 20 FE - 20cm / 8" 500W Flax Evo Subwoofer Focal P 20 FE - 20cm / 8" 500W Flax Evo Subwoofer
Pre-Order - Contact Us
Brand: Focal Model: P20FE
Focal P 20 FE - 200mm / 500W SubwooferFlax Evo 200mm 250W RMS Car Subwoofer SpeakerThe P 20 FE subwoofer is equipped with Focal's exclusive Flax cone which guarantees high rigidity and therefore bass reproduction with impact.Robust and reliable, its shaped rubber surround allows impr..
£219.99
Ex Tax:£183.33
Showing 1 to 12 of 68 (6 Pages)
We use cookies and other similar technologies to improve your browsing experience and the functionality of our site. Privacy Policy.