Spare Tire Subwoofer vs Underseat Subwoofer - Which One is Right for You?

Spare Tire Subwoofer vs Underseat Subwoofer - Which One is Right for You?

Spare Tire Subwoofer vs Underseat Subwoofer - Which One is Right for You?

Subwoofers are necessary for realizing the deep bass, because standard car speakers are mostly without deep bass; it makes a valuable addition to any car audio setup. There are several options available but spare tire subwoofers and underseat subwoofers have unique designs and functionalities. Both subwoofers enhance the sound system, but differ in terms of placement, installation process, and overall performance.

This post guides in-depth comparison of subwoofer types to support you in your selection of a model for your preferred vehicle configuration.

Spare Tire Subwoofer?

It’s designed to fit in the spare tire compartment of a vehicle. Innovative solution for powerful bass without losing trunk space. These subwoofers are shaped to match the spare tire fit making them virtually invisible once installed.

Key Features

  • Compact design, utilizing unused space.

  • Delivers strong, deep bass.

  • Typically powered, meaning they come with a built-in amplifier.

Spare tire subwoofers are ideal for vehicles with limited interior space or for those who want a clean, minimalist setup.

Underseat Subwoofer?

These are designed to fit under the car seat. Their compatibility and lightweight, making them easy to install in tight spaces.

Key Features

  • Slim design for tight spaces.

  • Provides a balanced bass response.

  • Often includes built-in amplifiers.

Underseat subwoofers are a popular choice for drivers who prioritize convenience and straightforward installation.

Difference Between Spare Tire and Underseat Subwoofers

Feature

Spare Tire Subwoofer

Underseat Subwoofer

Location

Fits in the spare tire well.

Fits under the car seat.

Bass Quality

Deep and powerful bass.

Balanced, moderate bass.

Space Efficiency

Saves trunk space.

Utilizes underseat space.

Installation Complexity

Moderate to high.

Simple and quick.

Target Audience

Bass enthusiasts.

General listeners.


Pros and Cons of Spare Tire Subwoofers

Pros:

  • Maximized Trunk Space: Perfect for smaller cars or those with frequent cargo needs.

  • Enhanced Bass: It enhanced the richer and deeper bass experience.

  • Stealthy Installation: With its hidden design car interior looks clean and organized.

Cons:

  • Installation Difficulty: Require professional installation.

  • Higher Cost: Often more expensive than underseat subwoofers.

  • Limited Vehicle Compatibility: It's only suitable for spare tire cars.

Pros and Cons of Underseat Subwoofers

Pros:

  • Ease of Installation: Can be installed quickly.

  • Compact Design: Fits in almost any vehicle.

  • Affordable Option: Typically costs less than spare tire subwoofers.

Cons:

  • Bass Limitations: May not deliver the same deep bass as a spare tire subwoofer.

  • Exposure: More visible and potentially exposed to damage under the seat.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Subwoofer

1. Vehicle Space

  • If trunk space is a priority, a spare tire subwoofer is the better choice.

  • For tight interiors, an underseat subwoofer fits seamlessly.

2. Sound Preferences

  • Audiophiles who crave deep, powerful bass should opt for a spare tire subwoofer.

  • Those seeking balanced sound might find an underseat subwoofer sufficient.

3. Budget

  • Underseat subwoofers are more budget-friendly and ideal for casual users.

  • Spare tire subwoofers come with a higher price tag but offer premium sound quality.

4. Installation Requirements

  • Spare tire subwoofers may require professional installation, adding to the cost.

  • Underseat subwoofers are easier to install on your own.

7. Which Subwoofer Is Best for You?

Choose a Spare Tire Subwoofer If:

  • You value a hidden, clutter-free setup.

  • You want the best possible bass performance.

  • Your vehicle has a spare tire compartment.

Choose an Underseat Subwoofer If:

  • You need a quick, hassle-free installation.

  • You have a limited budget.

Final Decision

Both spare tire subwoofers and underseat subwoofers are best depending on needs and preferences. Spare tire subwoofers are perfect for those seeking powerful bass and a sneaky setup, whereas underseat subwoofers are best for their convenience and affordability.

Your decision should consider the car space, budget, and how much place you have for bass quality. By carefully estimating these factors, you can choose the perfect subwoofer to enhance your driving experience.

If you’re ready to upgrade your car sound system, take the time to explore your options in Sound Skins Global and consult with our experts if needed. A great audio setup can make every drive more enjoyable!

Step 1

To install the material you need be working on the metal surface of the car, remove upholstery. If you have never done this, we suggest searching it up on YouTube. Once the upholstery is removed, make sure there is no debris, waxy oils or rust by cleaning the surface with denatured alcohol.

Step 2

Once surface is clean and ready to go, cut the sound deadening material to the right size so it fits desired area. For small surfaces, we recommend that you measure the dimensions and then cut to fit.

Step 3

With the surface area clean and pieces cut to desired dimensions, peel off the paper and apply material to surface area starting from the top to bottom using the car door holes to help with alignment. We recommend using a hand roller to ensure that there are no air pockets and ensure the adhesiveness.

Sound Deadener Install On Jeep

SOUNDSKINS GLOBAL

Sound Deadener Install FAQ: Tips & Tricks

What tools will I need to for a sound deadening project?  
  • Rag & Denatured Alcohol: Apply the alcohol to the rag and use to clean the metal surface areas you will be applying the material to.
  • Gloves: Our product is pretty safe to install without gloves but if you have never installed a sound deadener mat, we recommend using gloves.
  • Hand roller: We highly recommend using a small roller to reach the tighter surface areas of your vehicle. You can find these on Amazon or most online retail shops. There are wooden, rubber and metal rollers, we recommend wooden or rubber, try and stay away from metal as they can tear the material.
  • Utility Knife: The utility blade is to cut the material. Make sure to cut the material on top of a pice of cardboard so that your blade stays sharper longer, if it's a big job, have some extra blades around.
How do you apply sound deadener material? 

We sell our roll on sound deadener product in 2 different formats: custom cut to fit pro kits and an easy to work with rolled up large sheet. If you can measure, cut, peel and stick you can install sound deadener! You can use your hand to apply pressure when positioning the material and then use a roller to make sure it sticks down to metal surface.

After you cut the material and are ready to stick it on, some customers find it easier to peel off a small portion of the release liner and then apply it to metal surface, and then work their way across the sheet, peeling off a small section at a time.

Make sure to always remove the air bubbles with the roller. The second most important thing when it comes to quality of sound deadener is the quality of adhesion to the surface area. You want the material to be stuck down properly to ensure it stays in place.

Where do you apply the sound deadening material?  

The great thing about our sound deadening material is that it can be applied to all types of metal surfaces. All SoundSkins sheets use extremely strong adhesive and they can even be mounted on fiberglass, plastic and even wooden surfaces, but it's not very common to apply to these surfaces since they don't vibrate as much. By covering all metal surfaces such as your doors, roof, trunk and floor you can make a significant difference to unwanted road noise.

Your top priority when applying a car sound deadener is to cover the doors, floor and trunk. If you have extra material then proceed to other metal surfaces you wish to cover for extra sound insulation.

How much surface area should I cover?  

To properly deaden the metal surfaces, we recommend to at least do 25% coverage with our SoundSkins material, this will make a difference in unwanted road noise, but to have a huge impact we recommend covering up 60% of metal surfaces. If you want to get the most used from your sheet, one effective strategy is the CHECKER BOARD APPROACH, using this technique you cut the SoundSkins sheet into small pieces and apply them to the metal surface in a checkered pattern.

It is very common for our customers to do close to 100& coverage to any metal surface because not only are they looking to reduce road noise, they also want to insulate their car from heat or they like the way the material looks on the car's bare metal surface.

How do I make sure the sound deadener sticks well?

SoundSkins products are made with a very strong adhesive and create a extremely strong bond with the metal, it's really hard to NOT make it stick. To ensure the best possible bond, we highly recommend cleaning the metal surface before applying our material and then using a hand roller to firmly attach the SoundSkins deadening mats.

Great adhesion with no air bubbles is the absolute key if you want to get the best performance. Remember that any air pocket with poor adhesion means you will not get the full benefit of the deadener.

How to install car sound deadener: Recap
  1. Remove upholstery and carpet from your vehicle. Proceed to vacuum to get rid of debris and dirt. Clean all greasy spots with denatured alcohol, other solvents or degreasers will leave behind a film that prevents a solid contact surface. Allow metal surface to try.
  2. Cut the SoundSkins sheet to desired size and cut using a sharp utility knife. Use gloves to avoid any cuts.
  3. Peel off the wax paper from the back of material and apply to surface, this can be done by small sections at a time. Use roller to create a strong bond between material and metal surface and to get rid of any air bubbles.

If you have any questions, make to reach out to use and we'll be happy to help.

SOUNDSKINS GLOBAL