A studio subwoofer is a sure way to improve the sound quality of your music production. Having a better perception of the low frequencies when mixing enables you to adjust the balance correctly. Therefore, when setting up your studio, you should also consider purchasing the best studio subwoofers. Thankfully, this article is in your best interest. We will highlight some of the best studio subwoofers in 2021. So, buckle up, and let's get started!
1. Best Budget Studio Subwoofer: Polk Audio PSW10 Powered Subwoofer
Not all of us have a huge budget to set up the studio, but that doesn't mean we can't. Without a doubt, this Polk PSW10 is one of the cheapest options you can get in the market today. Hands down! No other company has tried to bring professional results at an affordable price and succeeded until now. The Polk PSW10 is a 10" driver that gives out 50Watts to reach low frequencies of 35Hz.
Typically, the frequency response is listed to range between 35-200HZ. However, the Polk PSW10 is known to go a bit lower and higher, but the response might not be that great at such levels. All in all that goes for every subwoofer out there. This speaker connects to the speaker using cables, and it also comes with a polymer cone.
One of the ways they've managed to keep this studio subwoofer at a low budget is by using medium-density fiberboard as the box. That's an advantage when using this speaker since you can design the response without taking the chamber resonance into effect. Even though other companies are doing the same thing with their speakers, the Polk PSW10 ensures you have all the new features at a lower cost. Also, have you noted the isolation pegs at the bottom? These items help provide the base is insulated and completely unaffected by the stand or ground.
2. Best Studio Subwoofer under $500: Yamaha HS8S
Another studio subwoofer that's worth more than its current price is the Yamaha HS8S. Above all, this item is so light that it would fit any place you want it. For instance, the HS8S is good for home use as well. If you are a new producer and you don't know where to start, this is the best deal for you. This subwoofer is easy to use and control so that you won't have any challenges navigating through its settings. The best part is that you can get this subwoofer at an affordable price, and the quality is still high-end, like most of the pricey studio subwoofers.
The HS8S is engineered with a 150W amplifier capable of producing those low frequencies without any issues. This 8-inch bass serves accurate low frequencies down to 22Hz hence you will hear everything in your recording. The phase switch grants you the chance to set up your subwoofer with simple connections, and you don't need any additional equipment.
3. Best Small Studio Subwoofer: Adam Audio T10S
The ADAM Audio T10S is the heart of my life. This subwoofer features high-end features that will highlight every sound perfection and imperfection in your production. The Adam T10S is a 10-inch subwoofer specifically designed for the T-series; however, it can also connect with other studio monitors with ease. The lowest frequency this bad boy can comfortably handle is at 28Hz, but it goes up to around 45Hz. Therefore, with this speaker, you will perceive a wider frequency range and clarity.
What's more, connecting the subwoofer is also easy, but you will need extra cables. Typically, the wires will run from your audio interface to the studio subwoofer then back to the studio monitors. That can be done by using XLR and also RCA. The woofer itself is sealed at the bottom, which makes it almost invisible. The outside is minimalistic, and you don't see much, which makes it quite elegant. Additionally, the legs are sturdy hence giving the speaker support against vibrations.
The outside of this subwoofer is made out of wood coupled with black lacquer, which looks amazing. All in all, this speaker is sturdy and doesn't have any parts that vibrate when exposed to intensive sound. When you pair this up with the T-series, you will make the best sounds with your studio monitors. And generally, since there's less pressure applied on the studio monitor display, you will notice a quieter mid-low spectrum that works perfectly.
4. Home and Studio Subwoofer: Pioneer SW-8MKS 100W subwoofer
If you are a die-hard music fan like I am, then you'd want the same sound effects at home as well. That's where Pioneer SW8 comes in. This speaker is a breakaway option from the rest of the top choices. Typically, the SW8 can work for both home and studio, and it will blend well with any environment thanks to its neutral colors. Above all, it's a cost-effective option for anyone looking for audio without the sub-bass rap vibe. The crossover frequency can be set at around the 40-150Hz range.
One of the main reasons this option works perfectly is because even when you down fire, the MDF cabinet is immovable. That's one less problem that the engineer has to deal with to make sure there's a flat response even with the price. The best part is that this equipment comes with all the necessary bell and whistle, but you will need a foot pedal or remote control when dealing with this subwoofer. There's also the option of using the RCA cable, but the output will be restricted to the speaker cable. That means you will have to consider your monitors before you commit to this speaker. Overall, it's worth the price, and you can use it in whatever environment you choose. And it's not that expensive so, all things considered, it's worth it.
5. The Best Studio Subwoofer in 2021: Mackie MR10Smk3
My top-shelf choice would be the Mackie MR10Smk3. Yes, I said it! It's probably one of the best studio speakers in 2021, and you will never regret this choice. The Mackie MR10 is now ranked as the mark three, which means that this speaker is efficient enough to produce three revisions while getting better each time. This speaker is packed with features that will ultimately enhance the listening experience and ensure effective production.
The driver is around 10-inch in diameter coupled with an all-wood cabinet. Additionally, the speaker comes with rubber feet that help to isolate the vibrations from the ground. Therefore, that keeps the frequency of 40-180Hz together without any interference from the surrounding. I'm sure you expect a deeper response when it comes to the ten inches and 120Watt power. But honestly, what you will get is less distortion throughout the frequency response range. Therefore, you can trust what you hear without peaks and nulls or even harmonics added into it.
My top-shelf choice would be the Mackie MR10Smk3. Yes, I said it! It's probably one of the best studio speakers in 2021, and you will never regret this choice. The Mackie MR10 is now ranked as the mark three, which means that this speaker is efficient enough to produce three revisions while getting better each time. This speaker is packed with features that will ultimately enhance the listening experience and ensure effective production.
The driver is around 10-inch in diameter coupled with an all-wood cabinet. Additionally, the speaker comes with rubber feet that help to isolate the vibrations from the ground. Therefore, that keeps the frequency of 40-180Hz together without any interference from the surrounding. I'm sure you expect a deeper response when it comes to the ten inches and 120Watt power. But honestly, what you will get is less distortion throughout the frequency response range. Therefore, you can trust what you hear without peaks and nulls or even harmonics added into it.
Buyer's Guide when choosing the best studio subwoofer in 2021
Not so fast. Now that we've looked into the top studio subwoofers out there, we need to look at the considerations we used. And of course, that will help you decide whether the speaker you are going for will work perfectly or not, even if it's not featured in our top 5 list. So, without further ado, let's get down to business.
a. Size and Price
Honestly, your subwoofer's size and price don't matter that much, and it typically depends on the circumstances. If you have a small studio, then the size of the subwoofer should be taken into account. The same can be said when it comes to the budget. Other than that, if the quality is your primary objective, then the size and the budget shouldn't be that important.
b. Matching subwoofers
Without a doubt, if you already purchased the studio monitors, you should buy subwoofers from the same manufacturer. More specifically, from the same line of studio monitors. That's because the speakers are always tuned to fill in whatever your studio monitors might lack.
c. Acoustic treatment
You will always need to incorporate an acoustic treatment into your studio monitoring equipment with a studio subwoofer. That's because if you don't, you will likely get an inaccurate representation of the mix. If you have a studio and plan to get a sub, you will need thick acoustics wall panels, bass traps, and floor rugs.
To sum it all up
Regardless of your budget, our top 5 best studio subwoofers in 2021 are pretty solid choices, and you could never go wrong with them. However, you are free to pick any other brand that's not listed above but make sure you put the tips above into consideration. As we all know, when it comes to music, 'the devil is in the details.' With that in mind, if you are only starting in your music production venture, the best way to look professional is by paying attention to the nitty-gritty frequency responses. That should put your studio on the map in no time.
