Top 8 Best Shallow Mount Subwoofers for 2021

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Size is an important factor when you’re considering purchasing a subwoofer.  If you’re looking to get big bass in your car audio system, it’s advisable to opt for larger sizes.

Obviously, right?

But smaller cars and trucks present a dilemma, and they cannot accommodate these larger subs without major modifications.

It would help if you had a flat subwoofer.  (Or pancake sub, if you will.  Something with a shallow mount.)

These subs feature a very slim profile for getting into the tightest spaces compared to their regular counterparts.  These shallow mount subwoofers can be housed in small enclosures with minimal modifications if any at all.

That’s the reason why they’ve opened up a variety of subwoofer options for vehicles with limited space.

So, what are the best shallow mount subwoofers on the market?We conducted extensive research and discovered that the following five are among the best on the market. All of them have different advantages and disadvantages, so you can choose the best one for you depending on what is important to you. 

Best Shallow Mount Subwoofer Reviews

BEST CHOICE
Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 8" Dual 2-Ohm Punch Series Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer
BEST SELLER
Rockford Fosgate R2S-1X10 Prime R2S Single 10-Inch Shallow Loaded Enclosure
Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 8" Dual 2-Ohm Punch Series Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer
Rockford Fosgate R2S-1X10 Prime R2S Single 10-Inch Shallow Loaded Enclosure
Power Handling : 150 Watts RMS / 300 Watts Max
Power Handling : 200 Watts RMS, 400 Watts Max
Nominal Impedance: Dual 2-Ohm
Nominal Impedance (ea): 2-Ohm
Mounting Depth: 2.66 in.
Mounting Depth: N/A
-
BEST CHOICE
Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 8" Dual 2-Ohm Punch Series Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer
Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 8" Dual 2-Ohm Punch Series Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer
Power Handling : 150 Watts RMS / 300 Watts Max
Nominal Impedance: Dual 2-Ohm
Mounting Depth: 2.66 in.
BEST SELLER
Rockford Fosgate R2S-1X10 Prime R2S Single 10-Inch Shallow Loaded Enclosure
Rockford Fosgate R2S-1X10 Prime R2S Single 10-Inch Shallow Loaded Enclosure
Power Handling : 200 Watts RMS, 400 Watts Max
Nominal Impedance (ea): 2-Ohm
Mounting Depth: N/A
-

1. JL Audio 13TW5V2-4 Subwoofer

JL Audio 13TW5V2-4 Subwoofer review

This is truly one of the best flat subwoofers that you can buy for your vehicle. Of course, it’s a bit highly-priced, but it’s very well-engineered and would be a great investment.

Our purpose here isn’t to convince you guys to go out and splurge on the most expensive subwoofer.  Quite honestly, this sub isn’t even close to the most expensive we’ve seen.

We think you get a lot of great-sounding and deep bass for your money with this shallow mount subwoofer.

So what’s so special about this bad boy?  First of all, this woofer is engineered for use in tiny boxes, which makes it best suited for your sports car, truck, or any other compact vehicle.

Unlike other shallow mount subwoofers, power handling is one of the most remarkable features of this woofer.  Coming in at 600 watts of RMS continuous handling and a maximum of 1200 watts of peak power.

JL Audio 13TW5V2-4 Subwoofers review

The design of this subwoofer is great as well.  Its 2.5 inches mounting depth makes it ideal for tight spaces.  This sub fits in places where only 6-1/2″ or 8″ subs would usually go.  It’s really well-conceived.

On the other hand, it is built with high-quality materials that won’t fall apart under severe use or strain.

The cast-alloy frame, for example, provides a solid base for the mica-filled polypropylene cone and its resilient Santoprene rubber surround. You’ll enjoy an accurate sound with a full-bodied bass.

The low notes are full and round – though not as deep as we hoped due to the comparatively limited low-end frequency response range.
This set is handsome as hell; you won’t be disappointed if you choose it.

Pros:

  • Class-leading combination of clarity and response
  • Extremely shallow mounting depth
  • High-quality components designed to last a lifetime

Cons:

  • Price

No products found.

2. Alpine Swr-t12

alpine-swr-t12 review

Alpine’s Type-R Thin subwoofers are one of the most expensive shallow mount subwoofers out there and the second most expensive that we are going to review.  However, when you pick one of these up, you will know where the extra money went.

The power handling is impressive even compared to other shallow subs. In addition, the sub’s sound quality is consistent, and you don’t see any degradation in terms of performance with this sub.

We have reviewed several Alpine products on this site. We believe that Alpine makes a great product, and this shallow sub is no exception.

It features a combination of a low-profile design and high power handling, which result in powerful bass coming out from your vehicle’s hard-to-fit spaces.

Alpine Swr-t12 12-Inch 1800 Watt 4 Ohm Shallow Mount Subwoofer review

This new slim subwoofer from Alpine features some innovative technologies.  Alpine’s Type-R thin-line subwoofers feature a special spider design that uses a series of adjacent rolls to help the cone moving without requiring a lot of space.

Furthermore, The advanced motor structure comes into play, reducing the sub’s profile while maintaining accuracy.

Alpine went the extra step and did an excellent job using a dynamic neodymium magnet structure which allows the sub to handle more power than a typical shallow-mount subwoofer.

This shallow sub offers a mounting depth of 3 1/2 inches, but its cone is nearly as long as its regular counterparts.

This can be a downside for those who are looking for strictly slim shallow-mount subs.  That being said, it’s still an ideal solution for applications with limited available space, such as pickup trucks and compact cars.

Pros:

  • Combines low-profile design with deep, powerful, and satisfying bass
  • Unique spider design
  • Works great right out of the box

Cons:

  • A bit on the pricier end
Infinity REF1000S Reference 10 Inch Low Profile Subwoofer with SSI (Selectable Smart Impedance)
  • Nominal Impedance - 2 ohm or 4 ohm, switch selectable
  • Power Handling (RMS) - 200W
  • Frequency Response - 35 – 175 Hz
  • Sensitivity - 89dB

3. Pioneer TS-SW3001S4

Pioneer TS-SW3001S4 review

To ensure that you get a radically thin subwoofer, Pioneer had to develop a revolutionary subwoofer technology.

Regular subwoofers use the traditional spider design to keep the speaker’s voice coil aligned while it moves. Unfortunately, this design isn’t best suited for shallow subs simply because it would impact the sub’s tightness.

For this reason, Pioneer developed their Air Suspension Control System, which consists of locking air between the main cone and the drive cone.

The cones move together and simultaneously, with the locked-in thin air behaving like a spring.

The dual-cone structure results in a spider-less design and much shallower subs than conventional subwoofers.

The pressure from the locked-in air results in a consistent bass response across a wide frequency range. The result is a tight, accurate movement with powerful and full low-end notes.

When it comes to building quality, Pioneer TS-SW3001S4 feels impressive.  And because it must be able to withstand heavy playing without deteriorating sound quality, Pioneer incorporated an innovative woven cloth reinforced radial urethane surround to reduce distortion, enhance power handling and improve durability.

Pioneer TS-SWX310 shallow subwoofer

Additionally, the woofers surround consists of three layers; two of urethane and one of interwoven cloth.

The interwoven cloth layer is responsible for distributing strongly over the surrounding material resulting in high power handling capability and true line array acoustic performance.

This sub can be ordered in two configurations, 2-ohm and 4-ohm single voice coil designs. However, for flexibility purposes, we highly recommend that you opt for a 4-ohm configuration.

If you are on the lookout for an easy off-the-shelf solution to add some bass-boost to your sound, Pioneer TS-SWX310 is an ideal preloaded enclosure that can get the job done without fuss and muss.  It’s built with the same materials and design concepts discussed above.

Pros:

  • Air suspension control system
  • Three-layer woofers
  • The sub could be ordered in 2-ohm and 4-ohm
  • Able to withstand heavy playing 
  • Produces powerful and low-end notes.

Cons:

  • Not ideal for tight spaces and limited installations

No products found.

4. MTX Audio FPR12-04

MTX Audio FPR12-04

Another contender in our lineup of the best shallow mount subwoofer is the MTX FPR12-04.  This sub boasts a healthy concentration of features and great sound quality.

MTX built this thin subwoofer to give you big bass in your vehicle, no matter how space restrained or resource-limited you’re encountering.

With only 3-3/8″ deep, this sub can be mounted in low-profile enclosures that’ll fit almost anywhere.

Additionally, this sub can handle up to 400 watts RMS and delivers almost the same powerful performance that you’d usually only experience with a traditional sub.

MTX Audio FPR12-04 shallow sub

When it comes to building quality and reliability, we must admit that this subwoofer is unique and well-designed.

It’s unique because the cone is attached directly to the spider, making the cone movement easily controllable by the spider.

Furthermore, the cone utilizes a curved design where it connects to the surround.  This is a better and easy way to connect to the spider, but it greatly impacts increasing the cone’s surface diameter.

This well-engineered design allows the subwoofer to move air freely and generate higher sound pressure levels (SPL).

MTX incorporated a mechanical cooling system called “Spider Plateau Ventingis responsible for continually circulating air to the voice coil eliminating distortion resulting from excessive temperatures.
P.S: This sub requires a sealed box

Pros:

  • Comes with a five-year warranty
  • Thin 3.3-inch depth for tight enclosures

Cons:

  • Relatively low sensitivity at 83dB
Soundstream PSW.104 Picasso Series 10″ 500W Shallow Subwoofer
  • Max power: 500W
  • RMS power: 250W
  • Efficiency: 86.40Db
  • Voice coil: 2" svc 4 ohm
  • Optimum sealed:.75ft

5. Rockford Fosgate R2S-1X10 Prime

Rockford Fosgate R2S-1X10 Prime R2S Single 10-Inch Shallow Loaded Enclosure

If you’re looking for an easy of the shelf shallow subwoofer that features big bass in a tight space, Rockford Fosgate R2S-1X10 is another great option.

Coming in at 5-1/4″ deep, this enclosure is built with a 5/8″ thick medium-density fiberboard protected by rugged black carpeting, which makes it durable and long-lasting.

This enclosure comes loaded with a decent 10-inch subwoofer (Prime R2SD4) that can handle up to 250 RMS. In addition, the sub’s dual 4-ohm voice coils give you more flexibility wiring your system for 2- or 8-ohm impedance.

Additionally, Rockford Fosgate incorporated a special elevated motor structure which allows the subwoofer to handle plenty of power in extremely compact enclosures.

Furthermore, the sub features a 10″ mica-injected polypropylene cone with a high-density poly-foam surround for accurate deep notes that you can feel.

Pros:

  • Compact and minimal design
  • Built for rugged users

Cons:

  • Relatively weak bass for its price
Rockford Fosgate R2S-1X10 Prime R2S Single 10-Inch Shallow Loaded Enclosure
  • High-flow, low-noise port design
  • Constructed with 5/8-Inch MDF
  • 10 AWG input terminals
  • These shallow loaded enclosures can fit in tight spaces due to the slim-line depth of 3.25 inch on the top and 5.25 inch on the bottom

6. Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer

A relatively compact 8-inch shallow mount sub, the smallest speaker in Rockford Fosgate’s Punch line punches well above its weight, or so to speak.

Despite its relatively diminutive size, it has a max RMS of 300W and an 82db sensitive rating, a combination that allows it to deliver some oomph and sensitivity that should be perfect at balancing out any car’s audio system, whether as an upgrade or as a replacement for the older stock subs.

The 2 and 5/8 inch mounting depth also makes the P3SD2-8 perfect for tight installations.

Durability-wise, you’re looking at an anodized aluminum cone paired with a Santoprene rubber surround. It’s also got a low impedance rating.

In the end, the P3SD2-8 isn’t going to be blowing anyone away. But, it packs plenty of punch and is responsive, with a deep, powerful bass that makes the ideal complement for balancing out an already existing system that needs a little bit of help.

Pros:

  • Made of high-grade, quality components
  • Responsive with plenty of bass
  • Very shallow mounting depth

Cons:

  • Loses a lot of power compared to other larger subs
Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 8" Dual 2-Ohm Punch Series Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer
  • The Rockford Fosgate P3S series shallow mount subwoofers deliver Punch, designed to deliver big bass in a tight space, with its low profile mounting depth design
  • The Punch P3SD2-8 is a slim 8” 2-Ohm DVC (dual voice coil) subwoofer with 150 Watts RMS / 300 Watts Max power handling and custom 10-AWG nickel plated push terminals
  • Featuring anodized aluminum cones and dustcaps, with a unique spider venting design to keep the motor cooler and a new hybrid stamp-cast basket providing super strength while minimizing weight and resonance
  • Optimized for both sealed and vented enclosures {Sealed (Vb): 0.25 cu. ft. (7.0 Liters) / Vented (Vb): 0.75 cu. ft. (21.2 Liters) / Mounting Depth: 2.66 in. (67.5 mm) / Cutout Diameter: 7.13 in. (181.0 mm)}
  • Famous Rockford Fosgate build quality with a full 1-year warranty

7. Kenwood Excelon KFC-XW1200F-Shallow Mount Sub

The Kenwood Excelon line of subs is known for providing excellent products with some pretty serious headroom.

The KFC-XW1200F, in particular, is well worth a close look.

A 1400W max RMS packed into all of its compact 12 inches is way more than what most enthusiasts need, let alone the average person. Paired with sensitive numbers hovering at 91db and a 30-700Hz wide frequency range, and you’d be hard-pressed to find something just as good.

As for its build, you can rest easy knowing that the Excelon can take quite the beating. Using a high-tech carbon glass fiber for the cone, with a butyl rubber surround, the only cone is the single voice coil that, although it helps with its heat transfer system, limits just how much more you can squeeze out of this speaker.

That’s not, in any way, a deal-breaker, though.

For most people, this sub is near-perfect, and with a 4-inch mounting depth, it should still be narrow enough to fit most applications.

Pros:

  • Plenty of headroom
  • Built to last for a long time
  • High sensitivity range

Cons:

  • No grille
Sale
Kenwood Excelon KFC-XW1200F 12in Mount Subwoofer Car
  • 12" 4-Ohm shallow-mount subwoofer
  • Carbon-glass fiber composite Cone with butyl rubber surround
  • Cast aluminum basket
  • Power range: 50-350 watts RMS

8. JL Audio 10TW3-D4 Shadow Mount Subwoofer

Thanks to the JL Audio 13TW5V2-4 sub we featured earlier on our list, we’ve already established how JL Audio is pretty much the crème of the crop of professional car audio. But, the prohibitive prize makes the 13TW5V2-4 impractical for the average user, which is where the 10TW3-D4 comes in.

Sporting the same premium quality expected of JL Audio products, the 10TW3-D4 sacrifices quite a fair bit from its more expensive brother to come up with a relatively shallow (3.25-inch mounting depth), a 10-inch subwoofer that can let you hear all of the low notes while going out for a ride without necessarily having to dedicate a lot of space for a larger subwoofer.

The cast alloy frame and polypropylene cone give the sub a stable, long-lasting housing that won’t flex in maximum power, and the 100-400 watts RMS gives it wide enough power handling to project accurate and clean bass lines.

Pros:

  • Lightweight, shallow, and easy to install
  • Affordable
  • Clear and accurate bass

Cons:

  • Odd-size means that you might have to make some adjustments during installation

No products found.

The Best Places to Put Shallow Mount Subwoofers

Only a few good locations are best suited for mounting shallow mount subwoofers, depending on what sound you’re seeking. But, of course, mounting your subs in these locations depends on how much space is available inside your vehicle and how much bass is enough for you.

Shallow mounting subwoofer

In your trunk: If you’re after big bass, and want to feel your music rather than hear it, then putting your subs in your vehicle’s trunk is your best bet.  You’ll get the loudest outside sound without compromising on high quality.  Furthermore, your music will be heard from far away.

12 shallow subs

In the rear speakers’ deck: If you’re an audiophile who’s striving for making the balance of clear, powerful low notes and resonant high notes, then you should consider installing your shallow sub(s) in your vehicle’s rear deck or behind the back seats.  They add a more realistic dimension to your music, truly making you feel like you’re right there.

Benefits of using a Shallow Mount Subwoofer

Lightness and portability are two major points of contrast between shallow subwoofers and regular subwoofers.

And due to the way these subs are usually mounted in your vehicle, they must be lighter than the regular ones and easier to install, remove and transport outside the vehicle.

Disadvantages of a Shallow Mount Subwoofer

Bass and sound quality are one the most major issues of shallow mount subwoofers.  Shallow subs have been known to lack bass and low-end frequencies reproduction.  This can be inconvenient.

Another concern is that some shallow mount subwoofers tend to become easily dislodged, which means that they can fall apart or suffer other serious damages.

Another problem is that shallow mount subs can only be used in slim enclosures. Slim enclosures perform best when sealed rather than ported. As a result, these subwoofers are only suitable for installation in slim, sealed enclosures.

Things to Think About Before Purchasing a Shallow Mount Subwoofer

Once you’ve decided on the type of subwoofer or system you want to buy, comparing specs may help in making your decision. 

Here are some important specifications to consider:

Sensitivity 

To get high output, sensitivity must be combined with power – a higher sensitivity subwoofer takes less power to create the same proportion of sound as a lesser sensitivity subwoofer.

Power

There is no replacement for plenty of power if you desire a system that booms. However, consider RMS power ratings rather than peak power values.

RMS ratings are a far more accurate measurement than peak power because they assess constant power handling or output. Check that the subwoofer can withstand the output power of your amplifier.

Type of Enclosure

The kind of enclosure in which a sub is mounted has a significant effect on the quality of sound it generates. In general, sealed boxes create the most precise and deep sound, whereas ported and bandpass enclosures produce higher volumes.

Woofer Size 

What capacity subwoofers play louder and lowest is a never-ending question. It’s not a simple question to answer – you must evaluate sensitivity, enclosure type, and available electricity.

If you want a system that can play loud and low, and storage isn’t an issue, opt for the largest subs. However, don’t dismiss smaller subs. Smaller subs, when properly powered and housed, may produce a lot of sound.

Frequency Range

The frequency range indicates how deep a sub can play. However, keep in mind that the overall performance of the sub can be affected by a variety of factors, including the sort of box it’s mounted in. 

Impedance 

Most subwoofers have an impedance of 4 ohms, however, 2-ohm, 8-ohm, and double voice coil subwoofers have become more popular.

When you’ve decided on a subwoofer, check for amps that have the same rated power and impedance as your sub. There are many different amps to choose from, so you should have no trouble selecting one that will exploit the potential in the sub you’ve picked. 

Disclaimer on Our Top 5 shallow mount subwoofers

This is not by any means a list of all the shallow-mount subs. There are hundreds of amazing, high-quality slim subs on the market. Simply too many to possibly cover.  However, we did want to give you a few good options.

Our goal here is to find you something that fits in your car and meets your needs.  If you feel we missed a shallow-mount sub you love, please hit us in the comments below.

Although you can get a shallow mound sub for under $80, good shallow subs are much more expensive. Therefore, we recommend you spend a little extra money on what we think will be a much better listening experience.

Before you pick the one you desire the most, remember to consider the size of the mount subwoofers, their power, and their impedance, since they will be your guide in choosing the best one!

BEST CHOICE
Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 8" Dual 2-Ohm Punch Series Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer
BEST SELLER
Rockford Fosgate R2S-1X10 Prime R2S Single 10-Inch Shallow Loaded Enclosure
Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 8" Dual 2-Ohm Punch Series Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer
Rockford Fosgate R2S-1X10 Prime R2S Single 10-Inch Shallow Loaded Enclosure
Power Handling : 150 Watts RMS / 300 Watts Max
Power Handling : 200 Watts RMS, 400 Watts Max
Nominal Impedance: Dual 2-Ohm
Nominal Impedance (ea): 2-Ohm
Mounting Depth: 2.66 in.
Mounting Depth: N/A
-
BEST CHOICE
Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 8" Dual 2-Ohm Punch Series Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer
Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 8" Dual 2-Ohm Punch Series Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer
Power Handling : 150 Watts RMS / 300 Watts Max
Nominal Impedance: Dual 2-Ohm
Mounting Depth: 2.66 in.
BEST SELLER
Rockford Fosgate R2S-1X10 Prime R2S Single 10-Inch Shallow Loaded Enclosure
Rockford Fosgate R2S-1X10 Prime R2S Single 10-Inch Shallow Loaded Enclosure
Power Handling : 200 Watts RMS, 400 Watts Max
Nominal Impedance (ea): 2-Ohm
Mounting Depth: N/A
-
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