Most audiophiles want their bass to sound clear and boomy. At the same time, they want their car stereo to sound good inside and outside the confines of the car. Fortunately, there are many ways you can make your subwoofer loud outside the car without interfering with the overall sound quality of your car stereo.
A good subwoofer is designed to reproduce low-end sound frequencies effectively, and most car owners take pride when other people can hear and feel the bass impact outside the car. This is especially true when you want to turn more heads as you drive past local car shows or social meet-ups.
Ideally, car subwoofers are originally designed to perform optimally when used as part of the car audio system. However, you can repurpose your subwoofer for outdoor applications or when looking to make your system perform to its full potential.
So, what’s makes a subwoofer loud? In this article, we’ll provide different ways on how to get deep bass from car subwoofer.
How to make subs louder outside the car
To make your subwoofer louder outside your, you may want to make several adjustments to your existing sound setup. These include;
i. Increasing the size of your subs
The first measure you can take to make your subwoofer louder is to increase the size of your subwoofer. Ideally, the bigger the subwoofer the deeper the bass, and the more the chances of making the subwoofer louder outside your car. As such, installing a bigger subwoofer not only allows you to enjoy a powerful performance but it will also make the bass louder outside the car.
An increase in the cone surface area helps move more air, which in turn makes the sub reproduce more sound pressure. Equally important, big subwoofers offer better power handling, which translates to louder bass. However, you may need to consider the space you have in your trunk before you get a bigger subwoofer.
ii. Adding a second subwoofer
If getting a bigger subwoofer is not an option, you can always add a second car subwoofer. Getting a second subwoofer translates to a double loudness effect, which may be impossible to achieve with one subwoofer.
So, instead of going with one 15-inch sub, you can install two high-end 10-inch subs for the best bass effect. However, you’ll need to ensure that your car has enough room to accommodate the extra subwoofer.
iii. Getting a ported box
The type of enclosure you choose for your subwoofer has a great impact on the loudness of your subwoofer. Although ported subwoofer boxes are not the best when it comes to sound quality, they tend to be louder than their sealed counterparts.
Ported enclosures utilize the port to improve the bass reflex and the airflow, thereby maximizing your subwoofer loudness. Furthermore, the tonal effect of the vent helps to not only amplify the bass notes but also reduce the overall power consumption for improved efficiency.
iv. Adjusting the subwoofer settings
Getting the right enclosure or buying a big subwoofer will definitely make your bass more dynamic, but that may not be enough. For the best performance, you may want to fine-tune the initial subwoofer settings to suit your system needs. Besides, adjusting the subwoofer settings will help you achieve precise bass output while allowing you to add more depth to your music.
Some of the adjustments you can make for a car subwoofer not loud enough include turning the subwoofer gain up or down, turning the bass boost on, as well as twerking the volume level until you’re satisfied with the results.
v. Changing the direction of the subwoofer
The direction of the subwoofer also plays a critical role in the overall audio experience. In addition, placing the subwoofer facing the wrong direction can minimize the amount of bass projected outside the car, plus it increases the risk of the bass sounding muffled.
When placing any car subwoofer, consider installing your unit in an area that will allow air to move freely. Cars with small trunks may limit your placement options, but you should always find a placement position that guarantees maximum entertainment experience both inside and outside of the car.
The best way to achieve this is to always ensure that the port and the area near the cone are free from any physical distractions. Free airflow will improve the bass reflex effect, plus you’ll be able to hear your bass from a distance.
vi. Using a powerful amplifier
As you increase the amount of power supplied to the sub, the amount of bass both inside and outside bass your car is also going to increase. In addition, using a more powerful amplifier is also going to reduce the risk of amp error or occasional clipping, especially when it is pushed to the limits.
However, it is important to note that the amplifier you choose is going to depend on the RMS rating of your subwoofer. Simply put, always ensure that the amplifier matches your subwoofer’s power needs to optimize its performance.
vii. Adding sound-deadening materials
Adding sound-deadening materials is yet another way you can use to improve sound pressure level and consequently make your subs louder outside the car. Generally, car subwoofers generate a lot of vibrations, so you’ll need to find ways on how to make subwoofer loud and reduce the noise.
While some cars come with some form of sound deadener, the cheap factory materials used are not often enough to compliment your bass. Applying high-quality sound-deadening materials helps seal the car from external interferences while making it easy for the car audio system to distribute the bass outside the cabin.
The Parting Shot!
Car subwoofers are a great way to add the ‘boom effect’ to your rides, but for you to make your sub louder outside the car, you’ll need to find a way to increase the bass output. Car audio enthusiasts spend a lot of time trying to not only make their sub loud for their personal entertainment, but also to get the attention of other drivers and other road users. Adding a second subwoofer is by far the most viable solution. However, if you’re not willing to spend extra bucks for an extra subwoofer, you can try the other alternatives mentioned above.
