When we think of subwoofers and their enclosures, we imagine these big boxes that bring the boom. But subs also come in flat, shallow-mount sizes that are made to fit into smaller vehicles. So how do these two subwoofer styles compare?
Mounting Depth
One of the most apparent differences between a full-size subwoofer and a flat subwoofer is their individual mounting depth. In other words, how they fit into enclosures, and by extension, your vehicle. Shallow-mount subs are smaller than full-size subs, so their enclosures don’t need to be as large. More than that, flat subs have more flexibility with where they can be mounted due to usually having a shorter mounting depth than a full-size sub. Both a shallow-mount and full-size sub can fit a variety of enclosure types, but what fits for a shallow-mount sub may not fit a full-size sub. To put it another way: shallow-mount subs have more space to work with.
Take the IXS12.4D, a 12” shallow-mount subwoofer with a power rating of 800W RMS / 1600W MAX. Its mounting depth is 4.33” / 110mm, which is more than two inches less than a standard full-size subwoofer with the same nominal diameter. Even so, it still provides a great power rating for its size, in addition to a sensitivity of 85dB and a frequency response of 20-600Hz.
Enclosure Size
The size of your subwoofer can decide the size of your enclosure. If you’re using a full-size, large sub, your enclosure needs to fit within those parameters. That means a large subwoofer will most likely need a large enclosure.
The GEN-XX12.4DHE is a 12” high excursion subwoofer that features a mounting depth of 6.5” / 165mm, along with a power rating of 600W RMS / 1200W MAX and a frequency range of 20Hz-1.5kHz. For a full-size subwoofer like this, you want to make sure you have a large enough enclosure for it to fit in, which will naturally take up more space in your vehicle.
This is what makes shallow-mount subs so attractive for some car owners; since they are smaller, their enclosures are also smaller. More than that, both smaller subs and enclosures are thinner, giving them an additional advantage for the space conscious.
Power Handling
The power handling between full-size subwoofers and shallow-mount subwoofers can be drastic. It should be pointed out that smaller subs still contain a lot of power, especially for most people who just want to improve their car’s sound system. That said, full-size subs are able to handle a lot more power. They can contain twice or three times the amount of power handling of a shallow-mount sub.
No subwoofer makes that more apparent than the HOOL-X15.2DHE. At 15”, this high-excursion sub has a power rating of 4000W RMS / 6000W MAX, a frequency range of 26-500Hz, and a sensitivity of 88.2dB. This is the sort of sub that’s made for those who want to play it as loud as possible, where the focus is on pumping up the volume and keeping it that way. This is not the sort of sub that would need to be in someone’s daily driver. That said, if you have the space and desire for a sub as intense as this one, the only thing stopping you would be your budget.
Installation Space
At the end of the day, the subwoofer of your choosing must be able to fit your vehicle. This is probably the most decisive factor determining which type of sub you get. So if you have the space for a large sub and want as much power as possible, you might want to go for a full-size sub. If you don’t have a lot of space and don’t mind the lower power, then a shallow-mount sub should work for you. At the same time, a shallow-mount sub works for nearly all vehicles due to its size. You can put a flat subwoofer in the back of your vehicle or even underneath your seat, making it work for vehicles big and small.
A shallow-mount sub like the 12” PSW12.4S is able to fit into many more vehicles than a full-size sub. It has a mounting depth of 3.3” / 84mm and an overall depth of 3.9” / 100mm, as well as a power rating of 600W RMS / 1200W MAX and a frequency response of 20-600Hz. So, while small, it takes up a lot less space while still providing plenty of bass.
DS18 has all types of subwoofers and enclosures for all kinds of drivers and audiophiles. Whether you want to shake the windows of your car, or you just want a fuller music experience while on the road, DS18 has what you need to upgrade your sound system.
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