I have built ported boxes from scratch, but for most people an all-in-one amplified enclosure is the smart move. After installing five of them across my SUV, my truck, and a friend’s sedan, these are the five worth your money.
| Amplified Enclosure | Sub Size | Power | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockville RWS12CA | 12 inch | 800W | Trunk install |
| Kicker 11HS8 Hideaway | 8 inch | 150W | Tight spaces |
| Bazooka BTA8100 | 8 inch | 100W | Truck cabs |
| Skar Audio SDR-1X12D2 | 12 inch | 1200W | Loud SPL builds |
| Kicker 46PT250 | 10 inch | 200W | Best all-around |
Rockville RWS12CA
The Rockville is the value champion of the lineup. 800 watts amplified plus a 12 inch sub in a ported enclosure for under 300 dollars. Bass is loud and reasonably tight for the price. The included wiring kit makes install a true plug-and-play job.
Kicker 11HS8 Hideaway
For SUVs and small trucks where space is tight, the Hideaway is the answer. 8 inch sub in a slim under-seat package. Bass is not concert level but it fills out the low end on factory systems beautifully. I have one under the rear seat of my truck.
Bazooka BTA8100
The Bazooka tube-style enclosure has been around forever for a reason. It fits behind the rear seat of trucks where rectangular boxes will not, the tube design loads efficiently, and the build quality is solid. Less raw output than the Kicker, but easier placement.
Skar Audio SDR-1X12D2
For competitors and SPL chasers, the Skar is the loudest amplified box you can buy at a reasonable price. 1200 watts and a tuned ported box that hits hard at 32 to 40 Hz. Build quality is impressive and the warranty is longer than most.
Kicker 46PT250
This is the one I recommend most often. 10 inch sub with 200 watts of clean power, sealed enclosure for tight musical bass, and a footprint small enough to fit in most trunks without dominating the space. Sound quality is the best in the price range.
What Matters Most
Power rating is meaningful only with continuous (RMS) numbers, not peak. A 200 watt RMS unit beats a 1000 watt peak unit nine times out of ten. Then look at enclosure type. Sealed is tighter and more musical, ported is louder and boomier.
My Setup
In my SUV I have the Kicker 46PT250 in the rear cargo area, with the high-level inputs tapped from the factory rear speaker wires. The remote bass knob lives on a bracket under the dash. Install took about two hours and required no head unit changes.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip the inline fuse on the power wire. A short circuit without a fuse can start a car fire. Also do not ground the amp to a painted body panel. Scrape paint off down to bare metal where the ground ring contacts, and use a star washer to ensure contact.
Final Recommendation
For most people the Kicker 46PT250 is the right balance of sound quality, install ease, and price. For louder builds the Rockville 12 inch ported. For trucks with tight space the Kicker Hideaway. Skip the SPL boxes unless you really want loud over musical.
Frequently asked questions
Do amplified enclosures need a separate amp?+
No, that is the whole point. The amplifier is built into the box, so you only need to run power, ground, and a remote turn-on wire to make it work.
Will an amplified enclosure work with a factory stereo?+
Yes, all five units I picked include high-level speaker inputs so you can tap into the factory speakers without needing an aftermarket head unit.