The 8 Best Studio Subwoofers
Special Honors
DynAudio 18S It works best with the company's own high-end monitors, but in truth, the 18S will do a fine job no matter your setup. It's specifically engineered for consistent and accurate bass at any volume, and suitable for mixing in basically the most high-end studios out there. dynaudio.com
Genelec 7350A Not everyone has a ton of space to work with, but the Genelec 7350A makes that a non-issue. It's remarkably powerful for something so compact, and like the rest of the brand's studio-focused equipment, is durable, reliable, and consistent, at every point in the low end of the spectrum. genelec.com
Editor's Notes
February 19, 2021:
We haven't made a ton of changes in this round, but we did remove an on-stage option that turned out to not be so accurate or quick-responding. We also elevated the Yamaha HS8 to the top spot, as it's incredibly popular for legitimate reasons, including its long-term reliability and rock-solid construction. Speaking of rock-solid builds, both the KRK 12SHO and Neumann KH 750 have one, and while expensive, they offer advanced onboard controls and are suitable for the fanciest studios.
If you don't want to spend a fortune, though, you're not out of luck. The Mackie MRS10, JBL LSR310S, and especially the PreSonus Temblor T10 are about as cost-effective as they come, and perform nearly as well as far more expensive models. Finally, if you're on a super-tight budget and need something that can pull double duty or more, the Samson MediaOne 10S is worth a look. It's not the most consistent on the market, but amateur engineers should still be highly satisfied.
March 09, 2019:
If you've decided that your home studio or professional control room would benefit from a standalone subwoofer, there are a few directions in which you could go. No matter your budget or focus, it's important to remember that in smaller rooms (as studios usually are) and in precision-related endeavors (as recording usually is), quality of sound beats out quantity of sound any day. So you're not really looking for volume here, as you'll be spending most of your mixing time just a couple feet away from the sub, or less.
With that said, the KRK, and also the relatively fresh Neumann, are a couple of the most accurate and low-reaching units you'll find, though they are definitely priced on the high end. The Adam8 is a bit less well-known, but it's a good way to ensure your sub-bass is legitimate throughout the production process, without breaking the bank. The Mackie, JBL, and Yamaha are all fantastic entry-level options, and their brands are all very much associated with reliability and long lifespans. The Seismic is remarkably durable, and a good choice if you'll be lugging it around to gigs or public events, while the Samson is a multipurpose unit that's mostly made to stay in one place. If you're looking for an especially affordable option, but don't want to sacrifice on accuracy, and want to absolutely avoid distortion, it's awfully hard to beat the Rockville, in terms of bang for the buck.