The 10 Best Passive subwoofers (2023 reviews)

We consider a passive subwoofer to be a worthy investment in the long run. We are here to help you choose the right one for your needs from all the best available products in market today.

Our review process: Show/Hide

Our Top Picks:

electrovoice Passive Subwoofer Buy: READ REVIEW

electrovoice Passive Subwoofer Buy: READ REVIEW

Rockville Passive Subwoofer Buy: READ REVIEW

QSC Passive Subwoofer Buy: READ REVIEW

Cerwin-Vega Passive Subwoofer Buy: READ REVIEW

Sound Town Passive Subwoofer Buy: READ REVIEW

Peavey Passive Subwoofer Buy: READ REVIEW

QSC direct Radiation Subwoofer Buy: READ REVIEW

Mackie Passive Subwoofer Buy: READ REVIEW

Peavey Passive Subwoofer Buy: READ REVIEW

electrovoice Passive Subwoofer

Buy on Amazon

If you often find yourself confused about appropriate and satisfactory subwoofer, electrovoice passive subwoofer should be your first option for buying. The ELX200 18sp has a more efficient amplifier and despite being rated at a slightly lower SPL, or sound pressure level than the older ELX 118p, it’s louder in actuality. It’s the loudest subwoofer, but it can sound pretty close with a proper sub harmonic sytensizer used very sparingly, because that cuts off some of the potentially muddy frequencies allowing for a more boomy sound. It's no longer top heavy either and really kicks butt.

The main one is that they’re all but required if you’re playing for large crowds above 60 people in order to fill the venue with sound that’s not drowned out by everyone there. It’s rated by QSC as having a maximum peak Sound Pressure Level (SPL) of 135, at 1000 Watts RMS, which is a more accurate representation of its actual power. There’s also a High Pitch Frequency cutoff that cuts 10hz and bellow signals out, to round out the sound mix. It is sleek looking and ez-pz to move around.

• Lightweight quality subwoofer with tight clean loud bass
• Impressive sound for a compact subwoofer
• Compact, lightweight and great sound quality

electrovoice Passive Subwoofer

Buy on Amazon

Not everyone likes to purchase subwoofer for their daily usage, but the electrovoice passive subwoofer would be an anomoly. It is best to have your system setup with your sub/subs with tops on them on two sides of a stage. It's compact, it's light. It certainly does not disappoint when it comes to "thump" for it's size. It's not a huge chest rattling punch like a 150lb box will give you, but you can feel it.

These subs also have an awesome built-in dsp that provides all the functionality that you would normally need a 6u rack for. It gets low, not ETX low (28hz), but for most any mobile application it should sound very good, including hip-hop or EDM. The cabinet scratches extremely easy.

• Powered, yet compact 18" thump for the low bass you & your client want
• 150 hz and includes preset crossovers for many current ev speakers
• Good brand reputation

Rockville Passive Subwoofer

Buy on Amazon

Compared with other subwoofer in this category, the rockville passive subwoofer has a convenient design. The Rockville 18” definitely has more punch and sometimes too much. It is used to produce midrange and mid bass. Pulled out and the cabinets are well made, sturdy and heavy, which is a good thing for a sub cabinet. They can do what you need to do long as you stay in the power range as long as you stay in the power range.

This speaker produces mid range better than it does the sub bass frequencies. It has a frequency response from all the way down 20hz to 500hz. They are good bang for the buck. These will compete with your mains with muddy volume without a crossover.

• Dual ported enclosure for improved bass response
• Light enough for a one person carry
• High-density, high-quality non resonant particleboard, stapled, bonded & braced
• 3 high temperature aluminum voice coil

QSC Passive Subwoofer

Buy on Amazon

If you want nothing but a subwoofer that is suitable, this qsc passive subwoofer is certainly a right investment. This QSC sub blows all the rest, this sub will hurt your chest when the bass drops deep and hard. It features an 18" direct radiating driver powered by a 3600w class d amp, to deliver high spl with dynamic and musical sound reproduction of very low frequencies. It offers advanced capabilities such as the ability to array two units in a cardioid arrangement.

This is the hardest hitting subwoofer that was ever made. It features a selectable deep mode for extremely low frequency extension as well as adjustable crossover and delay. The included built-in casters are quiet and strong. This sub will easily be good for over 300 people in an open area with some good tops. Its worth every penny and it dont consume that much power which is another plus. The rugged enclosure features comfortable handles with a professional and elegant appearance in any application, plus four low noise casters.

• Optional ks-loc security cover prevents unauthorized tampering of controls
• Very powerful with tight robust bass
• Delivers what they promise

Cerwin-Vega Passive Subwoofer

Buy on Amazon

Next on the list, we've got yet another subwoofer that manages to win our hearts. It's the cerwin-vega passive subwoofer and it's widely considered as subwoofer that has the most suitable features. The CVi-218S (Contra-Sub) is a portable, dual eighteen inch dedicated subwoofer system designed to extend and supplement the low frequency extension of CVi full range systems in live music and playback applications. It features two high power, cast frame eighteen inch transducers with 3" voice coils for extended use during high spl applications. These are used for (bass) low end of a sound system.

It is cleaner, smoother and low frequency reinforcement at higher spl levels. It allows the two drivers to work together in the same acoustic space to reduce distortion components caused by driver mechanical non-linearity when the system is driven at high levels. Steel handles and pole mount cup are also featured for use as a base for pole mounted full range systems.

• Delivers what they promise
• Good investment for long term

Sound Town Passive Subwoofer

Buy on Amazon

The sound town passive subwoofer is suitable and reliable and fits well with your daily usage. It comes with a high-quality cast aluminum framed 18 woofer built in, sound town carme. The Rugged construction with textured paint finish, metal corners and perforated grille holds up to touring applications. It is equipped with two speakon connectors which makes it easy to be connected with any pa system. It is easy to transport with recessed handles on both sides.

The Plywood enclosure damps out unwanted vibration and guarantees reliable and consistent performance. It is also road ready for touring applications. The high-quality cast aluminum frame woofer with 120 oz magnet and 4” voice coil delivers chest thumping low-end bass all the way down to 35Hz. It is a heavy-duty socket pole on the top to easily mount monitor speakers.

• One pole socket on top for easily mounting monitor speakers
• Professional-grade, powerful, roadworthiness pa passive subwoofer
• Good investment for long term

Peavey Passive Subwoofer

Buy on Amazon

Peavey offers a variety of subwoofer for personal choice and yet maintaining quality in all the variants.

• Good brand reputation
• One of the new comers and featured product

QSC direct Radiation Subwoofer

Buy on Amazon

Qsc offers a variety of subwoofer for personal choice and yet maintaining quality in all the variants. Today’s powered loudspeakers rely on finely tuned digital signal processing (DSP) to achieve a higher level of performance. The E Series is a range of passive loudspeakers offering robust construction, trusted reliability and overall sonic performance beyond expectations.

The E118sw passive subwoofer features high output and professional quality sound with 800 watts continuous power. It includes a speaker pole to add to that includes attachment points for four optional casters. It’s designed to produce crushing low-end for live performance with kick-drum and bass in the PA or for high-level, high-energy dance music. These settings support a variety of applications including live sound reinforcement (with and without subwoofers), stage monitoring, dance music and karaoke.

• For portable applications it includes attachment points for four optional casters
• Good investment for long term

Mackie Passive Subwoofer

Buy on Amazon

The mackie passive subwoofer is suitable and reliable and fits well with your regular usage. The Mackie DRM18S-P is flyable via optional FB100 Fly Bar. It offers increased sensitivity, bass response, and reliability to withstand the most demanding live performances and applications. It is a 2000w 18" passive subwoofer designed for medium-sized theaters to large music venues as well as djs, clubs, houses of worship, and rental systems. It includes parallel speakon inputs, while the integrated pole cup is designed for use with drm series loudspeakers or other pole-mounted speakers.

• Delivers what they promise
• One of the new comers and featured product

Peavey Passive Subwoofer

Buy on Amazon

We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate subwoofer. The peavey passive subwoofer is exactly that - it's a simple subwoofer that hits all the right notes. The Crest Audio Versarray 218 Mk III Sub incorporates the ultra-high power Lo Max. It reduces power compression under heavy continuous drive conditions. The large vent area and long path length allow for a large volume of air to move with very low resistance.

The Versarray 218 Mk III is a direct radiator vented subwoofer designed specifically for the most demanding Pro-Audio applications. This helps keep the woofer operating temperatures from getting so high, and increases reliability and reduces power compression under heavy continuous drive conditions. The air pumping action is achieved without excessive turbulence or any significant net asymmetry of total vent air flow. The Versarray 218 Mk III Sub incorporates the UniVent venting system that literally pumps air through the enclosure, exchanging the stale hot air inside the cabinet for the cooler outside air.

• Designed specifically for the most demanding pro
• Good investment for long term