Whether you’re just looking to upgrade or thinking of replacing the entire sound system in your single cab truck, choosing the best size subwoofer for your ride can make a world of difference.
But how do you decide? You want a subwoofer that provides maximum bass and performance but also fits comfortably in your vehicle.
The best size subwoofer for a single cab truck depends on the available space and budget, but an 8-inch or 10-inch subwoofer is a good choice. 8-inch subwoofers are compact and powerful, while 10-inch subwoofers offer a good balance of size and power. A 12-inch subwoofer may be considered for stronger bass output, but if the driver is not shallow mounted, it may require a custom enclosure for installation.
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Tip: When you are searching for a good sub and do not have time to read the whole article, below I listed my three best picks to fill up the space in your single cab truck:
Kenwood KSC-PSW8 8″ under-seat powered subwoofer
Kicker CompC 44TCWC104 single 10″ behind seat subwoofer
Rockford Fosgate 2S-1X12 single 12″ shallow behind seat subwoofer
All three offer excellent sound quality and are the right size for a single-cab truck.
I understand how important it is that a car driver like yourself gets full enjoyment from every drive, so in the article below, I am going to explore what size subwoofer is best suited for a single cab truck.
The Best Subwoofer Sizes for Regular Cab Trucks:
There are four main sizes of subwoofers I suggest considering for a single cab truck: 6.5-inch, 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch.
#1. 6.5″ subwoofers are small and compact, making them well suited for single-cab trucks.
They don’t require a lot of space, but they still produce reasonably good bass, although not of the lowest frequencies. Therefore 6.5″ are much better for a mid bass or when combined with larger subs.
#2. 8-inch subwoofers are an excellent choice for those who want a compact size with powerful bass.
They are often used in powered subwoofers, which makes them easy to install and takes up minimal space. Those are perfect choices for everyone with limited space in their truck.
#3. 10-inch subwoofers offer a good balance of size and power and are a good choice if you want a bit more and slightly deeper bass than an 8-inch subwoofer.
#4. 12-inch subwoofers can make strong and excellent bass, but possible to be installed in shallow enclosures behind the seat.
The standard depth of 12″ subs may be too large for single cab trucks without modifying or building customized enclosures.
Considerations When Choosing a Subwoofer for a Single Cab Truck:
There are a few factors to consider when choosing a subwoofer for a single cab truck.
#1. The first factor is the space available, which as you know is limited. Single cab trucks have the shortest cab, so choosing a subwoofer that will fit in the available space is important.
#2. The second factor is the budget. Subwoofers come in a wide range of prices, and it’s essential to choose one that fits your budget while still providing good sound quality.
The Best Mounting Locations for Subwoofers in Single Cab Trucks:
When installing a subwoofer in a single cab truck, there are a few different mounting locations:
#1. One option is to mount the subwoofer under the seat. This utilizes unused space and is easy to install.
However, the bass output may not be as strong as with other mounting locations, and also under-seat subwoofers are the smallest ones.
#2. Another option is to mount the subwoofer behind the seat. This will allow you to use a larger sub, but in most cases, it will have to be a shallow mounted one.
#3. The third option is to create a custom enclosure that allows maximum bass output and often installs several drivers, but it requires more time and effort.
Also, those boxes are expensive, so it all depends on how much you are willing to spend on bass.
If you are interested in something unique for your truck, check out CarAudioFabrications for custom enclosures.
Recommended Subwoofers for Single Cab Trucks.
When choosing a subwoofer for your single cab truck, there are quite a few options with a similar design.
You’ll want to find a subwoofer that fits comfortably in your truck without taking up too much space, but at the same time, you don’t want to skimp on quality and performance.
To help you make an informed decision, I have compiled a list of the top 3 subwoofers for single-cab trucks based on size, power, bass strength, and price.
#1. Kenwood KSC-PSW8
The Kenwood KSC-PSW8 (link to Amazon) is a compact, powered underseat subwoofer that provides impressive bass in a small package.
It features an 8″ woofer in a rigid enclosure that eliminates rattles and a built-in amplifier that delivers 150 watts of RMS power (250 watts maximum).
The subwoofer also includes a wired remote that allows you to control the volume level, variable low-pass crossover (50-125 Hz), and selectable phase control (0°, 180°) from the driver’s seat.
Design and Functionality:
The Kenwood KSC-PSW8 is designed to fit under the seat of most vehicles, making it an excellent solution for those who want to reinforce their low-frequency punch without losing a lot of room.
Its compact enclosure is engineered to produce a bass response equal to that of a larger subwoofer in the trunk.
Features:
- Built-in amplifier: 150 watts RMS power (250 watts maximum)
- Wired remote for control over volume level, variable low-pass crossover (50-125 Hz), selectable phase control (0°, 180°)
- Frequency response: 35-150 Hz
- Sensitivity: 81 dB
- Dimensions: 13-3/4″W x 2-15/16″H x 9-7/16″D
Ease of Use:
The Kenwood KSC-PSW8 is relatively easy to install, even for someone with no car audio experience. It comes equipped with a wiring harness and mounting brackets.
The wired remote allows you to control the subwoofer directly from the driver set, making it easy to adjust the bass to suit your preferences.
Based on my personal experience, I recommend this subwoofer to anyone who does not have room for larger types.
I bought this for my smaller car, and if I did not know its size, based on the bass quality I would not say this is just 8″.
The only regret I have is that I didn’t do this sooner. The hardest part of the installation, or rather the most time-consuming, was getting the power wire from the battery into the cabin and hiding it behind the carpet. Other than that, it is straightforward.
Pros:
- Compact and powerful
- Built-in amplifier and wired remote
- Can fit under most seats
- Easy to install
- Improves bass and low-end sound
Cons:
- It may be a tight fit under some seats.
- The power wire installation can be tricky.
#2. Kicker CompC 44TCWC104
The passive Kicker CompC 44TCWC104 (link to Amazon) is another excellent option for those looking for big bass in a small space.
The loaded enclosure is specifically designed to fit behind a truck seat, or anywhere space is tight, making it ideal for single cab trucks.
In terms of design, the subwoofer features a flex-resistant polypropylene cone for hard-hitting lows without distortion.
The ribbed foam surround promotes long excursion and helps to keep the cone on target, while the heavy-duty steel basket provides a reliable foundation for big bass.
The enclosure is made of sturdy medium-density fiberboard, which ensures long-lasting performance.
Functionality and Features:
- 4-ohm total impedance
- Power handling: 300 watts RMS (600 watts peak power)
- Frequency response: 30-500 Hz
- Sensitivity: 93.8 dB
Ease of Use:
Installing this subwoofer is relatively straightforward. It barely takes up any space, and the sound is very clean.
The manual recommends that it may take up to 2 weeks to break in, which is around the standard recommendation, and I would not push this sub too hard earlier.
Pros:
- Small size, perfect for single cab trucks
- Hard-hitting CompC subwoofer
- Heavy-duty enclosure
- Compatible with a wide range of amplifiers
- Easy to install
Cons:
- It may take some time to break in.
#3. Rockford Fosgate’s R2S-1X12
Rockford Fosgate’s Prime Series R2S-1X12 subwoofer (link to Amazon) is my largest recommendation for a regular cab truck.
The shallow enclosure is only 5-1/4″ deep, making it perfect for regular cab trucks or other vehicles with limited space.
Similar to the above Kicker, it is made from a 5/8″ thick medium-density fiberboard, which is protected by rugged black carpeting, making it tough and durable.
The subwoofer is a Prime R2SD4 that can handle up to 250 watts RMS and works with a 2-ohm impedance. So, to make it kick hard, you also need a low-impedance amp.
The subwoofer’s cone is made of mica-injected polypropylene and has a poly-foam surround, which helps to produce accurate bass you can feel.
In terms of design, the R2S-1X12 has a sealed truck-style enclosure with one 12″ Prime subwoofer. The sub can handle power handling of 250 watts RMS (500 watts peak power) with a frequency response of 29-250 Hz and a sensitivity of 85 dB.
Ease of use is another strong point of the R2S-1X12. It comes with two side brackets, which make it easy to secure from any movement.
For connection with the amp, you will need 12AWG speaker wires, and all connection is straightforward.
Pros:
- Big bass in a tight space
- Durable and tough construction
- Easy to install
- Accurate bass
- Great value for the price
Cons:
- It’s not a competition-grade sub.
- You need a strong, low impedance amplifier to get the best results.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it’s important to consider several factors when choosing a subwoofer and mounting location for a single cab truck.
The size of the subwoofer is the main factor that will determine the bass output, with 8-inch subwoofers offering a compact size with powerful bass, 10-inch subwoofers providing a good balance of size and power, and 12-inch subwoofers offering the strongest bass output but also the largest size.
As for mounting locations, you can mount the subwoofer under the seat, behind the seat, or in a custom enclosure. Each option has pros and cons, so you must define your specific needs and preferences.
FAQ
What Tools and Materials Do I Need for the Installation?
To install a subwoofer in your single cab truck, you’ll need the following tools and materials:
- Screwdriver (Phillips’s head)
- Wire stripper
- Amplifier (if your subwoofer doesn’t have a built-in amplifier)
- Power and ground wire
- Remote turn-on wire
- RCA cables
- Speaker wire
- Fuse holder and fuse
- Wire ties
How Do I Wire the Subwoofer to the Amplifier?
To wire the subwoofer to the amplifier, you’ll need to follow these steps:
#1. Connect the power and ground wires to the amplifier. The power wire should be connected to the positive terminal, and the ground wire should be connected to the negative terminal.
#2. Connect the remote turn-on wire to the amplifier. This wire activates the amplifier when the audio system is turned on.
#3. Connect the RCA cables to the amplifier and the subwoofer. These cables transmit the audio signal from the amplifier to the subwoofer.
#4. Connect the speaker wire to the amplifier and the subwoofer. This wire carries the amplified audio signal from the amplifier to the subwoofer.
#5. Secure all the connections with wire ties to keep everything neat and tidy.
How Do I Set the Gain on the Amplifier?
To set the gain on the amplifier, you’ll need to:
#1. Play music through the audio system and turn the gain knob on the amplifier to the lowest setting.
#2. Slowly turn the gain knob up until you hear distortion in the bass.
#3. Once you hear distortion, turn the gain knob down slightly until the distortion disappears.
#4. The gain is now set correctly.
Why Is My Subwoofer Making a Buzzing Noise?
There are several possible causes for a buzzing noise coming from your subwoofer:
#1. The subwoofer may be wired incorrectly to the amplifier. Double-check all the connections to make sure they’re secure and correct.
#2. The amplifier may be set to the wrong channel. Ensure the amplifier is set to the “subwoofer” channel and that filters have the correct settings.
#3. The amplifier may be overheating. Make sure the amplifier has enough ventilation to dissipate heat.
#4. The subwoofer may be damaged. If none of the above solutions work, the subwoofer may be damaged and need to be replaced.
Can I Install a Subwoofer in a Single Cab Truck Myself?
It’s possible to install a subwoofer in a single cab truck yourself if you have basic electrical skills and a good understanding of how the audio system works.
However, if you’re not comfortable with electrical work or don’t have the necessary tools and materials, it’s best to seek the help of a professional.
Is It Necessary to Have an Amplifier for the Subwoofer?
Not all subwoofers have a built-in amplifier, so you will need to purchase one separately.
An amplifier is necessary to amplify the audio signal from the head unit (radio) to the subwoofer, which allows the subwoofer to produce sound. Otherwise, the stereo is not powerful enough for any car subwoofer.
You don’t need to purchase a separate amplifier if you have an active subwoofer with a built-in amplifier.
Why Is Subwoofer Producing Weak Sounds?
You can try a few things to increase the volume of your subwoofer.
#1. One option is to adjust the settings on your amplifier. For example, if the gain on the amplifier is set to low, increasing it may increase the subwoofer’s volume.
#2. You can also increase the volume on your head unit. If these adjustments don’t improve the bass volume, you may need to upgrade to a more powerful amplifier or subwoofer.
Why Does My Sub Sound Distorted?
Distorted bass can be caused by a few different things.
#1. One possible issue is that the amplifier is being pushed beyond its limits, causing the sound to become distorted. You can try turning the volume down or adjusting the gain on the amplifier to see if this helps.
#2. Another possible cause of distorted bass is a problem with the subwoofer itself, such as a damaged speaker cone. If you suspect this is the case, you may need to have the subwoofer repaired or replaced.
How Do I Properly Set the Crossover and Bass Boost on My Amplifier?
The crossover and bass boost controls on your amplifier allow you to fine-tune your subwoofer’s sound.
The crossover control determines the frequency at which the subwoofer will start to produce sound, and the bass boost allows you to increase the overall bass level.
To properly set these controls, you will need a test tone CD or a smartphone app that can generate test tones.
#1. Start by setting the crossover control to the lowest frequency and gradually increasing it until you hear the subwoofer produce sound.
#2. From there, adjust the bass boost to your desired level. You may need to experiment with different settings to find the sound that you.