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Woofers & Subwoofers

Difference between a Woofer and a Subwoofer

While they share a lot of similarities, the difference between a woofer and a subwoofer is

  • Woofers typically have a wider frequency response to play both bass and mid range frequencies.
  • Subwoofers typically are used for low end, high-impact bass frequencies and often for high power levels.

Subwoofers and Woofers have different characteristics

In many cases you’ll notice them right away. To clarify a bit, here are some woofer vs subwoofer characteristics:

  • Woofers are usually part of a 2-way or 3-way speaker system, especially the main speakers for a home stereo. In this case, they produce a frequency range that includes both bass and midrange up to the tweeter’s cutoff frequency.
  • Subwoofers are typically used alone in a sealed or ported enclosure designed only for low frequency audio. The frequency range they produce is often about 30 to 100Hz and they’re used to complement a full range sound system.
  • Woofers tend to be more limited in their power handling, have a slightly different construction, and often use smaller magnets than subwoofers. Their cones also tend to be made from lighter materials than a subwoofer may use.
  • A subwoofer’s excursion (range of cone motion it can tolerate) is often bigger than that of a traditional woofer. This allows them to handle slamming bass at higher power levels.
  • Subwoofers often are built with voice coils that can handle higher power levels and vented subwoofer magnets with a “hole” (air vent) through the center to help keep the voice coil cool.
  • Especially tough subwoofers may have a much larger & durable cone surround to make very high sound pressure levels possible.
  • A subwoofer may also use larger speaker wire terminals for larger gauge wire and larger braided wire connected to the voice coils.
  • Most woofers are not dual voice coil (DVC) while you can easily find dual voice coil subwoofers when shopping. They offer additional wiring configurations, configurable impedance, and share power handling between the coils.
  • Subwoofers often have a thicker and stiffer cone than woofers in order to be able to produce extreme output levels when driven hard.

The wide range of subwoofer variants out there means you’re bound to find some that are essentially the same as a woofer...

Powered & Passive Subwoofers

The difference between a powered sub (also called active subwoofer) and a passive sub is that a powered sub is a self-contained enclosure with an amplifier and low pass crossover preinstalled.

A passive sub, often pre-installed in an enclosure, requires an amplifier and crossover separately to work.

Difference between a Woofer and a Subwoofer

While they share a lot of similarities, the difference between a woofer and a subwoofer is

  • Woofers typically have a wider frequency response to play both bass and mid range frequencies.
  • Subwoofers typically are used for low end, high-impact bass frequencies and often for high power levels.

Subwoofers and Woofers have different characteristics

In many cases you’ll notice them right away. To clarify a bit, here are some woofer vs subwoofer characteristics:

  • Woofers are usually part of a 2-way or 3-way speaker system, especially the main speakers for a home stereo. In this case, they produce a frequency range that includes both bass and midrange up to the tweeter’s cutoff frequency.
  • Subwoofers are typically used alone in a sealed or ported enclosure designed only for low frequency audio. The frequency range they produce is often about 30 to 100Hz and they’re used to complement a full range sound system.
  • Woofers tend to be more limited in their power handling, have a slightly different construction, and often use smaller magnets than subwoofers. Their cones also tend to be made from lighter materials than a subwoofer may use.
  • A subwoofer’s excursion (range of cone motion it can tolerate) is often bigger than that of a traditional woofer. This allows them to handle slamming bass at higher power levels.
  • Subwoofers often are built with voice coils that can handle higher power levels and vented subwoofer magnets with a “hole” (air vent) through the center to help keep the voice coil cool.
  • Especially tough subwoofers may have a much larger & durable cone surround to make very high sound pressure levels possible.
  • A subwoofer may also use larger speaker wire terminals for larger gauge wire and larger braided wire connected to the voice coils.
  • Most woofers are not dual voice coil (DVC) while you can easily find dual voice coil subwoofers when shopping. They offer additional wiring configurations, configurable impedance, and share power handling between the coils.
  • Subwoofers often have a thicker and stiffer cone than woofers in order to be able to produce extreme output levels when driven hard.

The wide range of subwoofer variants out there means you’re bound to find some that are essentially the same as a woofer...

Powered & Passive Subwoofers

The difference between a powered sub (also called active subwoofer) and a passive sub is that a powered sub is a self-contained enclosure with an amplifier and low pass crossover preinstalled.

A passive sub, often pre-installed in an enclosure, requires an amplifier and crossover separately to work.

Focal ISU690 2-Way Separate Woofer Kit - Shallow Speakers 690mm Focal ISU690 2-Way Separate Woofer Kit - Shallow Speakers 690mm
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Brand: Focal Model: ISU690
Shallow Speakers - 690mm 2-Way ComponentThis ISU690 2-way separate kit is the result of research into the constraints associated with using original-fit locations. Truly compact, powerful and "fits-anywhere". The ISU690, 690mm (6"x9") speaker kit, makes it possible to improve on a..
£189.99
Ex Tax:£158.33
Focal SUB 25 A4 Single Coil 10" Subwoofer Focal SUB 25 A4 Single Coil 10" Subwoofer
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Brand: Focal Model: 25A4
Focal 10" Single Coil SubwooferPerformance Access RangeThe Access 25 A4 sub is the ideal boost to your car audio system's bass performance. With its 25 cm (10") diameter and its 200 W RMS rated power, it is ideally suited for fitting in a sealed or bass reflex enclosure. ..
£99.99
Ex Tax:£83.33
Focal SUB 30 A4 Single Coil 12" Subwoofer Focal SUB 30 A4 Single Coil 12" Subwoofer
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Brand: Focal Model: 30A4
Focal 12" Single Coil SubwooferPerformance Access RangeThe 12'' Access 30 A4 subwoofer develops a rated power of 250 W RMS. The essential complement to your car audio installation, it gives your kit heightened dynamics and you benefit from powerful Focal sound. Ideal for use in sealed ..
£109.99
Ex Tax:£91.66
Alpine PWE-S8 Powered 8-inch (20cm) Quad-Coil Subwoofer Box - 240W Alpine PWE-S8 Powered 8-inch (20cm) Quad-Coil Subwoofer Box - 240W
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Brand: Alpine Model: PWE-S8
Alpine Powered 8-inch (20cm) Quad-Coil Subwoofer BoxThe compact Alpine PWE-S8 amplified subwoofer system lets you add deep, accurate bass to your sound system without taking up much space in your vehicle.With the Alpine PWE-S8, the high-excursion 8-inch subwoofer and 120W (RMS) gives strong ..
£229.00
Ex Tax:£190.83
Alpine SPC-D84AT6 - 6.ch DSP Amplifier & Subwoofer Kit  - Volkswagen T6.1 & T6 Alpine SPC-D84AT6 - 6.ch DSP Amplifier & Subwoofer Kit  - Volkswagen T6.1 & T6
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Brand: Alpine Model: SPC-D84AT6
Alpine Adventure Audio System Range - SPC-D84AT6Premium Alpine Sound System for Volkswagen Transporter 6 & Transporter 6.16.ch DSP Amplifier & Subwoofer Kit for Volkswagen T6.1 and T6Upgrade your Volkswagen T6.1 or T6 with the SPC-D84AT6 high-end 6.ch DSP Ampli..
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Alpine SWC-D84S - Stage2 Custom Subwoofer System - Fiat Ducato Alpine SWC-D84S - Stage2 Custom Subwoofer System - Fiat Ducato
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Brand: Alpine Model: SWC-D84S
Alpine Adventure Audio System Range - SWC-D84SPremium Alpine Sound System for Fiat Ducato, Citroën Jumper 2 and Peugeot Boxer 2.Stage 2: Upgrade to Crescendo Ensemble SPC-R100-DU and SWC-D84S the Custom Subwoofer System for Fiat Ducato 3Alpine Adventure Audio sound sys..
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Focal Auditor RSB-250 10" Performance Subwoofer - 250mm Focal Auditor RSB-250 10" Performance Subwoofer - 250mm
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Brand: Focal Model: RSB-250
Focal 10" Subwoofer - RSB-250Focal Auditor Range This double voice coil subwoofer from Focal's Auditor range benefits from a polypropylene cone with high rigidity, a crucial requirement in the low end for preventing distortion at very high volume.The Focal RSB-250 subwoofe..
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Ex Tax:£74.99
Focal Auditor RSB-300 12" Performance Subwoofer - 300mm Focal Auditor RSB-300 12" Performance Subwoofer - 300mm
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Brand: Focal Model: RSB-300
Focal 12" Subwoofer - RSB-300Focal Auditor Range This double voice coil subwoofer from Focal's Auditor range benefits from a polypropylene cone with high rigidity, a crucial requirement in the low end for preventing distortion at very high volume.The Focal RSB-300 subwoofe..
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Focal IFBMW-SUB - 8" 200mm Flat Subwoofer Dedicated for BMW Focal IFBMW-SUB - 8" 200mm Flat Subwoofer Dedicated for BMW
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Brand: Focal Model: IFBMW-SUB
Focal IFBMW-SUB - 8" 200mm Flat SubwooferIFBMW-Sub is a subwoofer made in France and designed for the compatibility or the optimum adaptability in terms of mechanics (installation in the original location) as well as in terms of acoustics, into the original locations of the BMW®’s most popular m..
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Brand: Focal Model: ISU165
Shallow Speakers - 2-Way ComponentThis ISU165 2-way separate kit is the result of research into the constraints associated with using original-fit locations. Truly compact, powerful and "fits-anywhere", the ISU165 makes it possible to improve on audio systems without major technical modification..
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Brand: Focal Model: ISUBBMW-2
Focal ISUB BMW 2 8" 200mm 180W Car SubwooferISUB BMW 2 is a subwoofer that delivers powerful bass thanks to its neodymium engine, a high performing Focal technology. With ISUB BMW 2, the sound is neutral and the install is quick thanks to the spacer integrated in the chassis that allows perfect ..
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Focal ISUB BMW 4 8" 200mm 180W Car Subwoofer Focal ISUB BMW 4 8" 200mm 180W Car Subwoofer
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Brand: Focal Model: ISUBBMW-4
ISUB BMW 4 is a subwoofer that delivers powerful bass thanks to its neodymium engine, a high performing Focal technology. With ISUB BMW 4, the sound is neutral and the install is quick thanks to the spacer integrated in the chassis that allows perfect integration into the original location. With its..
£199.99
Ex Tax:£166.66
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