Best Mini Subwoofers: Compact woofers with rich bass

Whether in the living room, on the computer or in the car – a mini subwoofer does not require much space and delivers rich bass for the best entertainment. These compact subs will get you vibrating.

By Sven Wernicke

Separation reason subwoofer? The bass speakers are probably responsible for the end of relationships in the rarest of cases. But the often bulky devices can be a thorn in the partner’s side. The alternative is a mini subwoofer, which brings deep tones into the home cinema without attracting much attention in the living room. There are also mini subwoofers for PCs and cars, which provide powerful bass despite their small volume and reduced membrane area.

Logitech Z333: Harmonious bass on the PC

Gamers know: Even very compact subwoofers deliver a lot of bass. The multimedia speakers Logitech Z333 prove that in a powerful way. The subwoofer has a frontally aligned 13 cm loudspeaker, which not only creates the right atmosphere for games.

The Logitech Z333 also make it clear that such mini subwoofers for PC and Mac are primarily available as 2.1 systems with the associated satellite speakers. On the other hand, these speaker systems are attractively priced and usually much cheaper than a regular subwoofer for home cinema.

Per	against
+ Attractive 2.1 sound system with mini subwoofer	– Unsuitable for home cinema
+ 3.5mm and RCA input
+ Wired control unit and bass control

Logitech Z333
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Pioneer TS-WX130EA: Almost invisible mini subwoofer for the car

This active subwoofer including power amplifier solves a problem that many drivers know: where to put the sub? If you don’t want to store it in the trunk, install it under the seat.

Of the TS-WX130EA can be integrated into almost any car audio system. It has an output of 50 watts and covers a frequency range from 40 to 200 Hz.

Per	against
+ Mini subwoofer as an addition to the car hi-fi system	– Unsuitable for the living room
+ Dimensions: 280 x 70 x 200 mm (width x height x depth)

Pioneer TS-WX130EA
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Polk Audio HTS-Sub 10: Monumental bass

It’s really mini Polk Audio’s HTS-Sub 10 isn’t, but it’s pleasantly small compared to similarly powerful subwoofers. With a total output of 200 watts, the 10-inch driver produces powerful bass for your home cinema.

If you like, you can remove the speaker grille. This is how the attractive membrane comes into its own. The frequency range is also between 40 and 200 Hz.

Per	against
+ Dimensions: 330 x 356 x 356 mm	– Not really mini
+ Connections for LFE In and Line In (RCA)
+ 200 watts of total power

Polk Audio HTS Sub 10
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Sonos Sub (Gen3): Control via app

With the Sonos Sub upgrade your Sonos sound system with crystal clear bass. The subwoofer is subtly reminiscent of a PC in a mini-tower case. Inside are two high-precision force-cancelling drivers that eliminate vibration, rattling and rattling.

You connect the Sonos Sub to other Sonos speakers via WLAN; it is not compatible with models from other manufacturers. The setup is done via app. If you like, you can even integrate two subs into your home cinema.

Per	against
+ Dimensions: 402 x 389 x 158 mm	– Only works with Sonos speakers
+ High quality design subwoofer

Sonos Sub (Gen3)
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Bose Bass Module 500: bass in a small space

It’s amazing how small that is Bass Module 500 is. With dimensions of 250 x 240 x 250 mm, it can be placed inconspicuously in the home. In combination with the Bose Soundbar 700, Soundbar 500 or SoundTouch 300, the subwoofer shows what it is capable of.

A wireless connection is possible. If you wish, you can also connect the Bass Module 500 to your Bose soundbar via cable.

Per	against
+ Easy setup	– Only suitable for selected Bose soundbars
+ Very small and weighs only 6 kilograms

Bose Bass Module 500
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What you should consider when buying a mini subwoofer

Consider a few important aspects to find the best mini subwoofer for you:

• Active vs. Passive: All models mentioned here are active mini subwoofers, which means they have a built-in amplifier, you don’t need a separate one. Active subwoofers usually work with electronic filters and therefore deliver better sound quality, so you should prefer such a model.
• Dimensions: If a subwoofer is significantly less than 400 mm wide, high or deep, it can be said to have compact dimensions. Nevertheless, such loudspeakers usually weigh around 15 kilograms and take up some space in the apartment. Before you buy, check if it is available.
• Compromises: A mini subwoofer means you’re making compromises. Due to the more compact design with a smaller housing volume and a smaller membrane area, you have to accept certain compromises in terms of bass depth. Because instead of in large subwoofers with a housing volume of 50 liters, the bass tones now vibrate in subwoofers with 20 or 30 liters volume. But: Thanks to clever construction and innovative approaches, high-quality bass can still be generated.
• Technical specifications: Mini subwoofers usually cover a frequency range of 30 to 200 Hz and have a total output of 100 to 500 watts.
• Compatibility: Before you buy, make sure that the mini subwoofer is compatible with your hi-fi system, soundbar or car hi-fi system. Many manufacturers such as Sonos, Bose, Samsung and Canton offer subwoofers exclusively for their own audio systems.