Best Outdoor Subwoofer For Your Home, Pool, And Patio
Last updated on January 7th, 2023 at 05:10 pm
Already know what you’re looking for? Jump straight to the Coolest 5 Outdoor Subwoofers List.
Outdoor Subwoofer
Can You Put A Subwoofer Outside?
You sure can. Outdoor subwoofers have become very popular and increasingly well-designed.
From above ground to partially buried, to full burial, to even rock speakers, they are available in many styles and designs.
If you have a deck or patio area, or a swimming pool, you probably already have a way to have your tunes playing while you’re hanging out. It can be pretty easy to add a subwoofer to your existing outdoor speaker arreangement.
Maybe it’s just a bluetooth speaker that you pair with your phone. It might be some outdoor speakers mounted somewhere on your patio. Or even some free standing speakers spread around the area.
An outdoor subwoofer can make tham sound better.
What Does A Subwoofer Do?
Subwoofers are a type of speaker dedicated to reproducing the lower end of the audio spectrum. The bass. The boomy stuff. The stuff makes make music feel good.
An outdoor subwoofers is meant to be used and installed outside. They come in a variety of designs, and are constructed to withstand all types of weather and harsh conditions.
Outdoor subwoofers are becoming very popular and allow you to have a much better sounding music experience when you’re relaxing, barbecuing, having a party, etc.
Are Outdoor Subwoofers Worth It?
Most of us enjoy listening to our favorite music while we enjoy our downtime. And a lot of us would really appreciate a simple additon that makes our patio or pool area sound better.
That’s a big part of what makes outdoor subwoofers worth it.
With the advancement of smart phones, and other emerging technologies, we’ve gotten used to having our music and podcasts with us just about everywhere. There are some really good bluetooth speakers that sound great for their size. But the form-factor of those spears keeps them pretty small.
What happens when you’re in the deep end of the pool and your music is playing all the way up by the house? It gets pretty thin.
Do I Need To Add A Subwoofer?
To get the range of audio sound and feel more immersed in the music, you need to add a subwoofer. It reproduces the lower frequencies of the audio spectrum. Usually from around 200Hz and below. Then your satellite speakers produce everything above that frequency.
An added benefit is that when an audio signal is crossed-over, or split in two, only the upper frequencies are going to your satellite speakers. Then they don’t have to work as hard. And the subwoofer is getting the low-end stuff that it is made for.
So let’s get right to the list…
More Coolest 5
Heating With Wood Stove – Find Your Best Electric Log Splitter
Many people are heating with wood stove. It saves money and is an option to other fuels. For heating with wood, here’s the best electric log splitter.
Police Car Laptop Mount… Best Productivity Hack On The Go
Boost your mobile office with a police car laptop mount. See the 5 best car/truck laptop mount choices that will increase your productivity. From Coolest5.com
In Ground Subwoofer – Guide To Best Outdoor Sub
Looking for an in ground subwoofer? Read this guide to the best outdoor sub and find your best outdoor listening experience. Coolest5.com
Your Coolest 5 List
Click Title To Jump To Section
Not sure about all this sub-woofin’, bottom end business? Take a look at What Is A Subwoofer… And What Does A Crossover Do?
The Coolest 5: Outdoor Subwoofers
Convenient And Attractive Solution
This may be one of the most convenient solutions in your quest for more bass in your outdoor audio installation. Mainly because the Polk Audio Atrium SUB100 does not require any mounting. You just set it where you want it, and let it do its thing.
Solid And Attractive Design
First of all, the look of this unit is an important part of the overall design. It is meant to blend in with its surroundings. And the rounded, curved shape does a good job of not drawing attention to itself.
You can place it wherever you like because low frequency audio waves are omnidirectional. IE, you cannot distinguish which direction they are coming from. (That’s why you can place the subwoofer in any audio system wherever you want, and not affect the stereo or multi-channel imaging.)
The Speaker And Enclosure
The Atrium Sub100 contains a 10 inch long-throw Dynamic Balance composite cone driver. It is downward-firing and is constructed with dual voice coils and butyl rubber surrounds.
This sounds a little complicated but it just means that it is designed for the speaker cone to be able to move further in and out. That’s the “long throw” part. This is what produces the sounds waves that make bass sound deeper and louder.
“Downward-firing” simply means the speakers is pointing down, towards the ground.
This movement of the speaker, or excursion, is enabled by the rubber that is around the outside diameter. Butyl rubber works very well for this purpose because it is extremely durable for outside environments.
“Dual voice coils” allows the driver to handle higher amplifier outputs. Higher wattage amps help a subwoofer do its job of reproducing low frequencies.
WHAT’S INCLUDED: Atrium SUB100 subwoofer, Weatherproof (IPX68) aluminum grille, Junction box, 4 wiring nuts, Owner’s Manual
Other Features
The Sub100 unit is designed to be screwed down. You can drill in a couple screws to the surface that it sits on to fasten it down. Although, this isn’t required it is strongly recommended. Attaching it this way will couple it to your deck or slab and help increase its performance.
There is also an eye bolt security anchor. This keeps it from being easy to just pick up and steal.
Also included is a junction box, or pigtail cable as they call it. This can be buried or routed discreetly to help conceal the wiring and make the whole thing look a lot better.
The enclosure on the Atrium Sub100 is color-impregnated resin that is resistant to fading. Plus, it is able to be painted. Which means you can make it blend in with your environment even more.
Specs And Manufacturer
This unit is 11″ high and 16.9 inches in diameter. Weighs 16.75 lbs and comes with a 5 year manufacturer’s warrantee on the cabinet and the driver.
The nominal impedance is rated at 8 ohms, and the power rating is from 10 to 200 watts. I would recommend an amp with at least 100 watts rated at 8 ohms to drive this subwoofer. Anything less and it will not perform sufficiently for an outdoor environment.
Polk Audio is a very respected company that has been around since 1972. They have a reputation for making some of the best speakers and audio products on the market.
They are located in San Diego, CA and have a very good online presence and website. Customer support can be reached online and by phone. And you can register your product online to get even better tech support and information.
COOLS
- Easy installation
- Good features & specs
- 5 Year warrantee
UN-COOLS
- Price may be high for some
In-Ground, Omnidirectional Subwoofer
TIC Corp offers this in-ground, 8″ subwoofer. This unit is designed to be only partially in the ground. Only up to the diffuser, which enhances the omnidirectional effect. This lets you place the speaker anywhere in your outdoor application.
The TIC B50 can also be surface mounted. However, the in-ground installation enhances its resonance and yields better low-end performance.
Attractive Design And Durability
This subwoofer is well designed to fit into your patio or deck environment. The manufacturer rates the molded ABS plastic cabinet as weatherproof and impact resistant.
This is an important point when considering the speaker placement. You will want to be sure to keep it away from mowers hitting it. As well as other landscaping that may be done.
The Cabinet And Speaker
As just mentioned, the cabinet is constructed from durable ABS plastic. It contains an 8″ down firing driver. Just below the subwoofer driver is a diffuser that helps direct the sound. This helps increase the bass frequencies and and enhances the 360° capability. (ie, omnidirectional)
Versatility: Multiple Inputs
While this unit is a passive subwoofer, like the others, you have options when connecting the TIC B50. It can be wired in a standard cofiguration of sending a dedicated subwoofer signal to it. This will produce only the lower frequencies.
But because it has a built-in passive crossover, you can also wire it with a full range output signal. The B50 will pass the low frequencies to the subwoofer, and send the higher range of frequencies to your satellite speakers.
MANUFACTURER’S RECOMENDATION: For the best performance in full-range mode, TIC Corp recommends pairing the B50 with their GS4 series of satllite speakers.
Specs And Manufacturer
The B50 contains one 8 inch down-firing subwoofer speaker. It provides 360° omnidirectional sound. It also has the capability of connecting to your non-powered satellite speakers.
The impedance is 8 ohms and can handle up to 125 watts. (250 watts peak) It is crossed over at 200Hz, and has a frequency response of 45Hz – 200Hz. It has excellent weather protection and is built to last in an outdoor environment.
TIC Corp
TIC Corp has been making outdoor audio components for over 35 years. They have a great reputation and are located in the state of California, USA. Their website has a lot of helpful information. Including Instruction Manual, Spec Sheet, and Wiring Diagrams.
This unit comes with a 1 year full parts and labor warrantee. You can contact them online or submit a ticket through their Help Desk. They even include their What’sApp number so you can contact them that way as well.
COOLS
- Easy Installation
- Can accept full-range signal
- Connects to satellite speakers
- Durable construction
UN-COOLS
- 8″ driver may be small for larger areas
- Only 1 year warrantee
Looking For An Easy DIY Project That Makes A Big Change?
Be sure to read: Best Double Curved Shower Curtain Rods
Put It In The Ground
The Dayton Audio DB8 is the first of our “burial” type subwoofers. And yes, it is exactly what it sounds like. You dig a hole put the unit in. And cover it up. except for a small tube with a cap on it that sticks up above the ground.
In The Ground Benefits
Burial subwoofers have some benefits over the othe types. The look is one thing. You really can’t even see them. They can blend right into your landscape. Performance is another benefit. Speakers reproducing the low end of the spectrum like to be coupled to something with mass and resonance. I think actually being in the earth is a pretty solid environment for a subwoofer setup. Another huge benefit is security. If your outdoor area might be susceptible to theft, it’s a pretty safe bet they aren’t going to dig up your subwoofers and walk off with them. If the thieves could even find them.
Dayton Audio DB8 Rugged Construction
The DB8 is loaded with polypropolene 8″ cone containing rubber surrounds. These help ensure long-life and superior excursion to reproduce those low notes.
The unit is rated ay 180 watts, and is capable of handling up to 400 watts. So it has excellent power handling capabilities. You will want to drive it with at least its rated 180 watts. Much less that that and it will be underpowered.
Dayton Audio designates the subwoofer should be buried about 18 inches in the ground. When the installation is completed you will only see about 13 or 14 inches of the black round piece and the diffuser above ground. So it is very discreet and can be easily incorporated into your landscaping.
Superior Performance
Burial type subwoofers provide excellent performance because they are mounted (buried) in the ground. This gives the sturdy ABS plastic speaker enclosure plenty of solid reinforcement allowing the speaker to put out the best sound.
Along with burying the subwoofer itself the best installation method is to dig a trench to bury the speaker cables as well. This will keep them from getting cut when mowing, trimming weeds and landscaping. Plus it adds to the security of the unit. Making it less susceptible to theft.
The DB8 weighs in at 32 lbs and comes with a 5 year manufacturer’s warrantee. If you have a smaller to medium size deck or patio area, the Dayton Audio DB8 will provide clear and punchy bottom end to fill up your audio range.
MANUFACTURER’S RECOMENDATION: Dayton Audio offers a superior line of subwoofer amplifiers. The BSA-200 Bass Shaker is a perfect dedicated amp for the DB8. Plus they make high quality outdoor speakers like the IO655BT 6.5″ 2 way cabinets that would perfectly round out the whole system.
About Dayton Audio
Dayton Audio is located in the state of Ohio, USA. They have been providing innovative designs and manufacturing high quality audio components for over 20 years. They have an excellent reputation domestically and internationally for achieving the best results for their customers.
The User Manual is downloadable online. The company’s website has lots of useful information, and their Customer Support can be can be contacted by phone and email.
COOLS
- Excellent specs and preformance
- Affordable price
- 5 Year Warrantee
- Manufacturer reputation
UN-COOLS
- 8″ driver may be small for larger areas
- Limited User Manual information
The Big Daddy
Rockustics Ultra Fidelity Outdoor Speakers, a division of MSE Audio, brings the biggest one to the table. The Subscape 12 is another full burial form factor subwoofer. But this one has a 12 inch driver and can handle 300 watts RMS of power. Max power capability is 600 watts, all rated at 8 ohms of impedance.
It contains their 12″ ultra-long throw Mica Graphite poly cone subwoofer driver with NBR surrounds. Now that all sounds pretty complicated. But it basically means the cone of the speaker is made from a composite material, the mica graphite. The rubber that surrounds the speaker and lets the cone move back and forth is made of ultra strong and durable NBR rubber. The “ultra-long throw” part refers to excursion. That is how far the speaker can move in and out which produces the air waves creating the sound. This 12″ driver is designed to have an extra long excursion to help it produce the low bass notes in the music.
One thing to note about this unit is it requires a lot of power. To drive this unit correctly and get the best sound quality you will need a dedicated subwoofer amplifier. Some integrated amp units have a separate subwoofer out. But you will need a signal with around 300 watts of power for the SoundScape 12 to sound its best.
(In The) Ground Pounding Low End
The Subscape 12 has the largest speaker of the ones reviewed here. And with the solid construction and in-ground form factor, it will give you the best low end performance. It will also cover the largest area.
This is a hefty unit. It weighs in at almost 34 lbs (15.4 KG). It is 25 inches high (635 mm). When the cabinet is buried, about 8-10 inches of the port tube and cap will be visible above ground.
It is a dark brown color and will blend in naturally with your landscaping. They also have optional rock tops that fit over the cap to make it even less noticeable.
MANUFACTURER’S RECOMENDATION: Rockustics recommends pairing the Subscape 12 with their Periscape Series of outdoor speakers. One subwoofer can be used with 4 to 7 Periscape units. It is also designed to be used with the PHASETECH P350 subwoofer amplifier.
Manufacturer Information
Rockustics is a division of MSE Audio. They are located in the state of Kansas, USA. The company began in 1995 and was created by a group of businessmen, engineers, and audiophiles. All of their products are designed and engineered in the USA.
Their website is well done and quite helpful. It contains extensive product information as well as helpful downloads for specs and installation. Their Customer Service can be contacted online or by phone. Products can be registered online for even more efficient service.
COOLS
- Solid build
- 12″ long throw driver
- Birial form factor deters theft
- 10 year Mfr. warrantee
UN-COOLS
- Price may be high for some
- Requires a lot of power
ROCK-on With Your Sub
The Earthquake Sound Granite-10 Outdoor Subwoofer is a recent addition to their ROCK-ON speaker series. As the name suggests, the speaker has a rock-like appearance. It blends into your outdoor environment, and can match up nicely if you already have rock type speakers in your system. But it can easily work with other speaker types as well. It is constructed from an epoxy resin that is extremely durable. And they are made to stand up to outdoors environments.
The ROCK-ON Granite-10 is designed to provide true bass response to your sound system. It is designed with a ‘S’ shaped port that helps prevent water from being trapped inside the enclosure. It is ported out the back of the cabinet. The cabinets can be painted to fit in better with your outdoor space. They are also available in a limestone finish.
Heat Resistant Design
Outdoor speakers have sealed designs, and tend to let heat build up. This degrades performance and life expectancy of components. The specially engineered “S” shaped port is also designed to allow heat to escape. In addition to keeping the subwoofer cool and dry, it adds an additional 3dB of bass response.
10″ Subwoofer Driver
The unit is loaded with a 10″ subwoofer driver. The cone is constructed with a waterproof polypropylene. The surrounds are made of butyl rubber for long life and extended excursion of the speaker cone. The whole enclosure is designed to prevent water from being trapped inside.
Components And Power Handling
The speaker contains a single 2.5″ voice coil with a 1.5″ winding height. It is rated at 8 ohms of impedance and has a power handling rating of 250 wats RMS. And a max rating of 500 watts. The size of the cabinet is H=14″ (356mm); W=18.5″ (470mm); L=21″ (534mm). This one is also fairly heavy and weighs in at just under 38 lbs (17.24 kg).
UV Treated And Water Resistant
This subwoofer’s cabinet is constructed from durable epoxy resin. It is UV coated and weather resistant to keep it from fading and degrading in the harsh outdoor conditions. You will have a long life of great performance with the ROCK-ON Granite-10.
MANUFACTURER’S RECOMENDATION: For best performance, Earthquake Sound recommends paring the Granite-10 with a pair of their Granite-52 Series Full-Range Outdoor Speakers.
Manufacturer: EarthQuake Sound
Earthquake Sound Corporation has been making high-quality audio products since 1985. They are located in the state of California, USA. They have an excellent website with lots of information.
The Granite-10 Subwoofer unit comes with a limited one year manufacturer’s warranty. You can’t register your product online, but if you mail the registration card back it will validate the warranty.
The User Manual and a Cut Sheet are available for download on their website. Earthquake Sound’s Customer Support can be messaged from their Contact page. You can also email them directly, or call on the toll free number.
COOLS
- Quality construction and components
- 1 Year of free service
- Attractive design
UN-COOLS
- May not be best for larger areas
- No theft deterrent
The Best Of The Best
(Or – The Coolest Of The Cool)
EASE OF USE
The Polk Audio Atrium SUB100 is the choice for making it easy. Just pick your spot, run the cable to it, and you’re done. Plus it has a safety feature to help prevent theft.
BEST SOUND
The OSD XSUB12 is the easy pick for best sound. With the massive 12″ driver and solid construction it will give you all the bottom you’ve been craving for your outdoor time.
COOL DESIGN
The Earthquake Sound Granite-10 is the pick for design coolness. As rock speakers go, this one is a bolder. And it will fit right in with existing system and landscape.
What These Speakers Aren’t
These speaker are not powered.
They need an amplified signal to make them work. The only wire that you will need to run to them is the speaker wire from your amplifier. There is no power cable or anything to plug in. You may also see speakers like this referred to as passive speakers.
These speakers are not full-range
Subwoofers only reproduce the lower frequencies of the audio spectrum. Generally from around 200Hz and below. You will need to use them together with a set of outdoor satellite speakers. There is a few different ways to get the right powered signal to your subwoofer.
Most subwoofers have a built-in crossover that accepts a full-range signal but only lets the lower frequencies pass through to the speaker. This allows you to run a full-range signal from your amplifier. Some amplifiers have a subwoofer out. These will generally have a variable controlled crossover point. So you will want to find out what the frequency range of your subwoofer is and dial in the signal from your amplifier.
What These Outdoor Subwoofers Are
Bad Ass…
That’s what these speakers are. We’ve had superior sound in our homes for a very long time. And it was fairly easy to achieve as well. But our outside spaces have been suffering with inferior audio quality. An outdoor subwoofer changes everything for your outdoor listening. They add that rich, deep bottom end that all music sounds better with.
Making Your Speakers Sound Better
You might be inspired to upgrade your old outdoor speakers and really up your outside listening game. But even if you don’t, you’ll be surprised how much better your old speakers will sound when you pair them up with a subwoofer.
Because you are powering them with a signal that is only around 200Hz and above, they are not working so hard. They are only reproducing the upper frequencies so they’re probably able to be a little louder.
Whichever unit you decide to go with, these outdoor subwoofers will completely change your outdoor space. You’ll be listening to your music like never before and spending more time in your favorite place.
I hope you have found this article helpful and informative. If you have any questions or comments please contact me and let me know. I will assist you in any way I can. And I love to get helpful input from readers.