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Shallow mount subwoofers have become more and more popular because they allow for flexibility with the installation. Thanks to these low profile subwoofers, you can easily add two subwoofers underneath the rear seat of your truck. You can put two 12-inch subwoofers in the trunk of your car and still have plenty of room to use your trunk for storage. Adding some bass to your vehicle has become much more practical now that you can have both subwoofers and a rear seat, or subwoofers and a trunk. But, not all shallow subwoofers are the same. Many of them sound just that "Shallow." We will break down what is available, what we like, and what we don't like so that you can pick the right shallow mount subwoofers for your installation.
The JL Audio TW3 subwoofers are the best overall shallow mount subwoofers on the market. Some might even argue that the TW3 sounds as good if not better than the T1S. The JL Audio TW3 subwoofers come in 10-inch and 12-inch sizes and can handle some power. Both sizes handle up to 400 watts RMS. JL Audio is best known for their subwoofers, and the TW3 lives up to the reputation. The output of these thin-profile subwoofers is on-par with the full-size W3, and these do not disappoint. If you say, "I want the best shallow subwoofers, I am willing to spend money, but I don't necessarily want to go completely over the top," the JL Audio TW3 is the way to go. We like the TW3 over the TW5 because of the sizes available and the price point puts it within reach of more customers.
The R2S is the "Affordable" low-profile subwoofer from Rockford Fosgate, and we prefer it over the more expensive P3S. The Rockford Fosgate R2S subwoofers come in both 10" and 12" models and handle 200 watts and 250 watts RMS, respectively. These subwoofers will give you good bass response, they don't need a crazy big amplifier, and for the money, they sound great. If you are looking at an entry-level price point and you don't have room for a full-size subwoofer, this is our choice. The Kicker CompVT sounds like garbage, and the JL Audio TW1 is overpriced for what it is, and it isn't even that shallow.
The Kicker CompRT subwoofers are amazing. These low-profile subwoofers come in 6.75-inch, 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch sizes and sound incredible. For the money, this is the best value among low-profile subwoofers and one of the best values among any car subwoofer. The 10-inch model handles 400 watts RMS, and the 12-inch handles 500 watts RMS. If you are limited in space, check out the 8" and 6.75". These shallow subwoofers sound anything but shallow. If you don't need a custom box, check out the down-firing loaded enclosures. They come with a passive radiator, and they sound incredible. A 10" sounds like two, 12s.
After they released the R2S and the P3S, Rockford Fosgate set out to build a pure-performance, low-profile subwoofer. The result is the T1S. The Rockford T1S comes in both 10-inch and 12-inch models. The 10 can handle 500 watts RMS, and the 12 can handle 600 watts RMS. These two subwoofers do not sound shallow at all. They can handle some serious power, and they have some serious output. However, you are paying for the best of all worlds with the power handling, output, and low-profile design. The T1S subwoofers are not cheap, but you also get what you pay for. I have a single 12-inch in my daily driver, and I love it. I put a Kicker CompRT enclosure in there to see how it compared, and it just wasn't the same. The same thing is true with the 12" TW3.
The JL Audio TW5 is JL's top of the line low profile subwoofer. They took many of the technologies used in their home subwoofers and applied them to a car audio product. The TW5 can handle up to 600 watts RMS and only comes in a 13.5" diameter. The size may be limiting for many applications, but the bigger subwoofer has more output and sounds better. The JL Audio TW5 is a premium product at a premium price point. It costs a bit more than the T1S, but it's also a 13.5" instead of a 10" or a 12".
If you a die-hard Rockford Fosgate fanatic and you want a low-profile subwoofer, you are better off saving your money and going with the R2S or paying up for the T1 Slim. Shallow mount subwoofers can sound "shallow" and the P3S is the perfect example. If you aren't a die-hard Rockford Fosgate fanatic go with the Kicker CompRT, JL Audio TW1, or JL Audio TW3 which have similar performance specs. I would not put a Rockford Fosgate P3S in my own vehicle. I grew up a "Rockford Guy," and there's just no way. (I went with the T1 Slim).
The Kicker CompVT was designed for Kicker's VSS (Vehicle Specific Solutions) subwoofer line for OEM upgrades. The CompVT is another one of the shallow subwoofers that sounds shallow. You are much better off opting for the CompRT or the Rockford Fosgate R2S. Don't go with the CompVT, choose something else.
When looking at the best low-profile car subwoofers, it isn't so much as "Which one should I get?" It is more, "Which ones should I stay away from?" If you are trying to control costs, the Rockford Fosgate R2S is our choice. In the mid-level tier, the key thing is to stay away from the P3S. If you are in the market for a premium, low-profile subwoofer, there are no bad choices. If you have any further questions, you can always email us at support@classiccarstereos.com or give us a call at 760-477-8525.
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