SPL vs SQ Subwoofers - Which Is Best for You?

SPL vs SQ Subwoofers - Which Is Best for You?

SPL vs SQ Subwoofers - Which Is Best for You?

Subwoofers are important for enhancing the audio system with deep bass, it elevates the listening experience. For choosing the right subwoofer, there are two common types of subwoofers SPL and SQ

This guide presents a comparison of SPL and SQ subwoofers alongside each model's Pros and Cons to aid decision making about your system selection.

After understanding the difference between them, you will ensure that your audio setup aligns with your preferences and needs.

What Are SPL Subwoofers?

SPL subwoofers produce maximum bass output and achieve incredibly high sound pressure levels. These subwoofers are built for power, mostly used in audio competitions or for those who want their bass to be the loudest and most impactful in a vehicle or room.

Key Characteristics of SPL Subwoofers:

  • High Power Handling: SPL subs require amplifiers capable of delivering a lot of power to produce extreme bass levels.

  • Optimized for Loudness: They prioritize volume over sound clarity, making them ideal for bass-heavy music genres.

  • Larger Size: SPL subs are typically larger and require custom enclosures to achieve their full potential.

  • Competition Focus: Many SPL subwoofers are specifically designed for audio competitions where volume is the primary goal.

Pros of SPL Subwoofers:

  • Excellent for creating thunderous bass that can shake your car or home.

  • Perfect for audio enthusiasts who value loudness over precision.

  • Great for showcasing the raw power of your audio system.

Cons of SPL Subwoofers:

  • Sound clarity and accuracy may suffer compared to SQ subwoofers.

  • Requires more power, which can strain the vehicle electrical system.

  • Usually, SPL are more expensive due to the need for larger enclosures and powerful amplifiers.

What Are SQ Subwoofers?

SQ subwoofers are designed to deliver clean, accurate, and well balanced bass. Rather than focusing on sheer loudness, SQ subwoofers enhance the overall sound experience by merging seamlessly with the rest of your audio system.

Key Characteristics of SQ Subwoofers:

  • Focus on Accuracy: SQ subs prioritize tonal balance and clarity, making them ideal for audiophiles.

  • Compact Design: They often come in smaller sizes and require less power compared to SPL subwoofers.

  • Versatile Music Genres: SQ subs perform well across a wide range of music styles, from classical to rock.

  • Blend with Full System: They complement the mid and highs of your audio setup, ensuring an immersive soundstage.

Pros of SQ Subwoofers:

  • Produces crisp and clean bass without overpowering other frequencies.

  • Ideal for music lovers who want an authentic audio experience.

  • More Energy Efficient and easier to install in compact spaces.

Cons of SQ Subwoofers:

  • May lack the earth shaking bass impact that SPL subwoofers provide.

  • Not suited for bass-heavy enthusiasts or audio competitions.

  • Lower power handling limits extreme performance.

SPL vs SQ Subwoofers: Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature

SPL Subwoofers

SQ Subwoofers

Purpose

Maximum loudness and bass impact

Clean and balanced sound quality

Power Requirement

High

Moderate

Sound Clarity

Lower than SQ subs

Excellent

Enclosure Size

Larger, often custom-built

Smaller and more compact

Best for

Bass-heavy music and competitions

Audiophiles and general music lovers

Cost

Higher due to additional power needs

More affordable and energy-efficient


Which Subwoofer Is Best for You SPL or SQ?

Choosing SPL and SQ subwoofers depends on your preferences and intended use. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:

Choose an SPL Subwoofer If You Are:

  • Passionate about bass heavy music EDM, Hip-hop, or dubstep.

  • Want to compete in sound competitions or impress others with extreme bass.

  • Don’t mind investing in a High Power amplifier and custom enclosures.

Choose an SQ Subwoofer If You’re:

  • An audiophile who values sound quality and tonal balance.

  • Listen to a wide variety of music genres and want a natural sound.

  • Prefer a subwoofer that is easy to install and more energy efficient.

Popular Subwoofers:

  1. Universal Dual 15" Ported Up Fire XL SPL - Premium USA Made Subwoofer Box with Bed Liner Spray Finish

  2. Universal Single 8" Ported XL SPL - Premium USA Made Subwoofer Box with Bed Liner Spray Finish

  3. Universal Single 15" Ported XL SPL for Kicker Solo X - Premium USA Made Subwoofer Box with Bed Liner Spray Finish

  4. Dodge Single Cab Dual 8" Ported - Premium USA Made Subwoofer Box with Bed Liner Spray Finish

FAQs About SPL and SQ Subwoofers

Q: Can I combine SPL and SQ subwoofers in one setup?
A: While possible, it’s challenging to balance the two types effectively. Most audio enthusiasts recommend choosing one based on your primary preference.

Q: Do SPL subwoofers require special wiring?
A: Yes, due to their high power demands, SPL subs often require thicker gauge wiring and upgraded electrical systems.

Q: Are SQ subwoofers good for home theaters?
A: Absolutely. Their balanced and precise sound makes them an excellent choice for home audio setups.

Conclusion: Find the Right Subwoofer for Your Needs

Choosing the SPL or SQ subwoofer depends on your goals and preferences. If you need a high volume bass that dominates the room, an SPL subwoofer is best. On the other hand, if you value natural listening then the SQ subwoofer will meet your expectations.

You should evaluate how your audio system works together with what music you like and what budget you can afford before buying any equipment. Identifying the specific characteristics alongside your real needs will help you make a subwoofer purchase that fundamentally changes how you listen to music.

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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