5 Best Car Stereo for Subwoofers: Buying Guide In 2024

Last Updated on February 1, 2024 by John Robinson

If you’re an audiophile, you’ll easily be able to tell the difference between a regular car stereo and one that’s been specially designed for subwoofer use. The primary difference is that the car stereo is going to have more power than the standard, run of the mill car stereos which are typically used in a vehicle. This means that it will have a higher wattage, which in turn will allow your subwoofers to sound louder and deeper. 

You’ll also find that the car stereo has a higher quality of sound output than its standard counterpart. This is because it has been specifically designed for subwoofer use, meaning that it has a higher sound quality output than a standard car stereo would have, which can give your subwoofers better bass reproduction and more powerful sound reproduction overall.

There are many different car stereos on the market, and it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. To help you make your decision, here are some of the best car stereos for subwoofers. Alternatively, if you are looking for the best car subwoofers, check out this best car subwoofers article for the top picks out there.

Best Car Stereos for subwoofers At a Glance:

  1. ATOTO S8 Pro
  2. Kenwood KMM-BT325
  3. JVC KW-M560BT
  4. Sony DSX-A410BT
  5. Alpine iLX-F411

5 Best Car Stereos for subwoofers You Can Buy Today


ATOTO S8 Pro
ATOTO S8 Pro (Image credit: Amazon)

1. ATOTO S8 Pro

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Atoto | Single/Double DIN: Double | Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, USB | Control Method: Touch | Ouput Wattage: N/A

REASONS TO BUY

10.1″ Large Display

Wireless Apple CarPlay

Built-in GPS

REASONS TO AVOID

No wireless connection for Android Auto

The ATOTO S8 Pro car stereo represents the latest in car audio technology. It has a 10.1 inch HD capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 and a 16:10 aspect ratio. The aspect ratio means that videos will not be stretched or squished when played on the screen. The display also has a 178° full-viewing angle and high contrast ratio for better viewing in sunlight. The stereo has a built-in amplifier with 50 watts x 4 channels of power. It also has a subwoofer output for an added bass boost. The stereo supports Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity and has a built-in microphone for hands-free calling.

Additionally, you can use the stereo’s split-screen mode to run two apps simultaneously, such as a map app and a music app. The stereo also has a digital photo frame mode, which allows you to set a slideshow of photos to play on the screen. The stereo also has speed-compensated volume control to compensate for road noise. Thus, delivers a clear and powerful sound.

The ATOTO S8 Pro has a variety of inputs and outputs to allow for different types of connections. There are two audio input jacks, one for a front-view camera and one for a rear-view camera. The stereo also has four RCA audio outputs, which can be connected to an amplifier. There is also a subwoofer output. The stereo also has three USB inputs, which can be used for data communication, connecting phones for Mirror casting or Phone Integration Link, or for charging.

Kenwood KMM-BT325 for subwoofer
Kenwood KMM-BT325 (Image credit: Amazon)

2. Kenwood KMM-BT325

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Kenwood | Single/Double DIN: Single | Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, USB | Control Method: Remote | Ouput Wattage: 50 Watts

REASONS TO BUY

AM and FM tuner

Detachable faceplate

Remote Control included

REASONS TO AVOID

Smaller control buttons

The Kenwood KMM-BT325 is a good car stereo that provides a number of features for the user. One of these features is Bluetooth with apt for superior sound quality. With Bluetooth, you can easily and conveniently connect two phones at the same time. The stereo also has a built-in microphone for clear, convenient, distortion-free talking. This is a great feature for anyone who wants to make calls while driving. Another feature is the 13-band graphic equalizer. This allows you to select the tone curves that work best for you.

The stereo also has 3.5mm Front Audio Auxiliary Input and Front USB Input. This allows you to easily connect devices, such as an MP3 player or a USB drive, to the stereo. The stereo also has 3 sets of preamp outputs, one for the front, one for the rear, and one for the subwoofer. This is great for people who want to have a powerful bass sound in their car.

The Kenwood KMM-BT325 helps you to get the most out of your music while driving. It has a number of features that allow you to customize your listening experience. It has an FM/AM tuner with 18FM/6AM presets. It also has a theft-deterrent, detachable faceplate. This is a great feature for people who are worried about their stereo being stolen. The stereo displays Title/Artist/Album information on the screen. This is a great feature for people who want to know the name of the song that is playing or the artist that is performing.

JVC KW-M560BT
JVC KW-M560BT (Image credit: Amazon)

3. JVC KW-M560BT

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: JVC | Single/Double DIN: Double | Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth | Control Method: App, Touch | Ouput Wattage: 50 Watts

REASONS TO BUY

13 Band Equalizer

Time Alignment Options

Mirror Link via USB

REASONS TO AVOID

13 Band Equalizer

Time Alignment Options

Mirror Link via USB

The JVC KW-M560BT offers a number of features that make it a good choice for a car stereo for subwoofers. It has a 6.75-inch capacitive touchscreen panel that responds to finger movements to control volume level and track selection. The screen also displays the song, artist, and album information. The stereo is Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatible, so it can be controlled with voice commands using an Android or Apple device. The stereo also has built-in Bluetooth for hands-free calling and audio streaming with a dual phone connection.

The stereo has a number of features that make it a good choice for someone looking for a car stereo for subwoofers. One of these features is a quick charge USB. This allows a 1.5A faster-charging USB connection for compatible devices. Another feature is the shallow mounting depth. This makes it a good choice for newer vehicles with smaller radio cavities. The backup camera input is also a great safety feature. This allows you to add a backup camera, like the KV-CM30, to your vehicle.

As a result of its compatibility with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, the JVC KW-M560BT can be controlled using voice commands with either an Android or Apple device. With Android Auto, you can access maps, music, messaging, and other apps using your voice. With Apple CarPlay, you can use Siri to access your music, maps, messages, and other apps. The stereo also has built-in Bluetooth for hands-free calling and audio streaming with a dual phone connection. This allows you to easily and conveniently connect two phones at the same time.

sony dsx-a410bt single din head unit for subwoofer
sony dsx-a410bt (Image credit: Amazon)

4. Sony DSX-A410BT

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Sony | Single/Double DIN: Single | Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, Auxiliary, USB | Control Method: Touch, Voice | Ouput Wattage: N/A

REASONS TO BUY

Voice commands

Dual Bluetooth connectivity

Budget-Friendly

REASONS TO AVOID

No CD Player

Tiny buttons

The Sony DSX-A410BT provides everything you need in a car stereo and more. It offers Bluetooth capabilities for streaming music and hands-free calling, as well as an auxiliary input for connecting devices like an iPod. The stereo also has a USB port for charging your devices on the go, and it’s even equipped with a built-in FM radio. It’s a great choice for anyone looking for a versatile and affordable car stereo. It is also very easy to use. The controls are simple and straightforward, and the stereo is Bluetooth-enabled, so connecting to it is a breeze.

The sound quality is also excellent, and the stereo has plenty of power to deliver great sound even when driving on the highway. When used in conjunction with a subwoofer, the Sony DSX-A410BT is an excellent car stereo choice. The sound is clear and powerful, and it’s great for listening to music, watching videos, or making calls. The stereo is also very affordable, making it a great option for anyone on a budget.

It also offers great control options. You can manage your music and navigation using voice commands, which is a really convenient feature. The stereo also has a built-in FM radio, so you can keep up with the latest news and weather while you’re on the go. And if you need to charge your devices, the USB port on the Sony DSX-A410BT will come in handy.

Alpine iLX-F411
Alpine iLX-F411 (Image credit: Amazon)

5. Alpine iLX-F411

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Alpine | Single/Double DIN: Single Floating | Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, USB, HDMI | Control Method: Touch | Ouput Wattage: N/A

REASONS TO BUY

Subwoofer level control

11″ Capacitive Screen

Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto

REASONS TO AVOID

Not Budget-friendly

To have the best car stereo for subwoofers, you need to have the Alpine iLX-F411. This digital multimedia receiver offers a ton of features that will make your driving experience much better. The 11″ capacitive touchscreen offers a great viewing angle, and it can be mounted in different positions to fit your needs. You can also control your music and videos with your iPhone or Android device, and even see engine performance data on the screen. Plus, the built-in amp delivers 18 watts RMS of power, so your music will sound great.

It delivers great audio quality, with support for a wide range of music file formats. You can also enjoy high-resolution videos on the capacitive touchscreen display. The receiver is even compatible with the iDatalink Maestro, which will allow you to keep all of your factory features in your car. Plus, the 6-channel preamp outputs provide plenty of power for your subwoofer.

Alpine iLX-F411 helps you easily integrate your smartphone for an even better driving experience. It supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can access all of your favorite music, navigation, and messaging apps while you’re on the road. You can also control Pandora and Spotify with your iPhone or Android device. The receiver also includes a rear USB port and HDMI input, so you can easily connect your devices.

Buying Guide

Pre-amp outputs

This is probably the most important part when buying a new car stereo for subwoofers. Most factory stereos come with 2 pre-amps that are at about 0.8-volt or less. To make your music sound great, you’ll need to get at least 3 or 4 pre-amps that range from 1 to 4 volts or more.

That way, your amp will receive a strong signal from the head unit and produce better sound quality and louder volume overall.

Amplifier Power

Amplifiers are designed to work with either two or four speakers. The difference is that four-channel amps can bridge more power into two channels instead of splitting their power between four speakers. A two-channel amp can also be bridged, but their wattage output drops off once they’re bridged, making them less powerful than four-channel amps in terms of power output vs cost.

RMS Power Rating

The most important thing to look for when buying an amp for a subwoofer is the RMS power rating, which tells you how much continuous power it can deliver. No matter what the maximum output power of an amp is, it’s never good to crank up the volume to max and leave it there — this will cause distortion, which can damage the speakers.

The RMS rating tells you the safe maximum power level for long periods of time. A rule of thumb is that the amplifier should have an RMS output roughly equal to the peak power handling of your subwoofer (or woofers if you have more than one). This way, you’ll be able to set a comfortable listening level without running into problems later.

Frequency Response

The frequency response of a stereo tells you the range of frequencies that it can reproduce accurately. When it comes to subwoofers, you want a stereo that can play low bass frequencies such as 20Hz or lower. In general, the wider the frequency response range, the better the stereo will be at reproducing low bass frequencies.

Crossover Controls

Look for a car stereo with crossover controls. A low-pass crossover will block high frequencies from reaching your subwoofer, which improves its overall sound quality. The stereo should also have an adjustable crossover frequency control so you can set your speaker up for optimal performance.

Some stereos feature both low-pass and high-pass crossovers, which allows you to configure different sets of speakers for different purposes. This is especially useful if you’re adding components like tweeters and midrange speakers.

Subwoofer level control

The best car stereos will have a subwoofer level control. This is so you can match the volume of your subs with your speakers. It is also important to balance the levels of the subwoofer and the speakers so that they don’t overpower each other. If the subwoofer is too loud, it can drown out the sound of the speakers.

Conclusion

A car stereo is an important part of any car. It allows the driver to listen to music, make phone calls, and navigate. A good car stereo should be able to produce clear sound at all volumes and have a user-friendly interface. A subwoofer is a speaker that is designed to reproduce low-frequency sounds, such as bass. Adding it to a car stereo can improve the sound quality by making the bass more pronounced. It can also make the music sound fuller and more lifelike. As a result, a subwoofer is an excellent way to improve the sound of a car stereo.

If you are in the market for a new car stereo, you may be wondering if you should buy a stereo for subwoofers. While a subwoofer is not essential for a great sound system, it can add an extra element of fun and excitement. A subwoofer is a large speaker that is designed to reproduce low-frequency sounds. These sounds are often felt more than they are heard, giving your music a more immersive quality. In addition, it can make your music sound more powerful and dynamic. If you enjoy listening to music while you drive, it is a great way to improve your experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alpine better than Pioneer in terms of a car stereo?

Alpine has better audio quality on most of their decks. Pioneer is more user-friendly, with larger fonts and more buttons to control your stereo. Both Alpine and Pioneer make great stereos. If your looking for a good stereo either will do the job.

Can you connect a subwoofer to a standard car stereo?

Yes, you can connect a subwoofer to your standard car stereo. You can either use an active subwoofer that comes with its own amplifier, or you can use a passive subwoofer that requires an external amplifier. You’ll need to connect the subwoofer to the amplifier, then connect the amp to the head unit of your stereo.

John Robinson
John Robinson

Howdy! I’m John Robinson from Levittown, New York. I am a mechanical engineer for 15 years and already had an established car repair company. I developed a personal relationship with cars since I was a kid. I always love the sounds and smell emitted by a car or truck and even at construction machinery. Since then I have been married but my love for cars only grew.