Kenwood KSC-PSW7EQ Active Compact Subwoofer with Active EQ (160 Watt Output Power, Class-D Amplifier, Aluminium Housing, Cable Remote Control)

Why it's worth it

The KSC-PSW7EQ is a die-cast aluminum wedge under three inches tall, with a Class-D amplifier and a signal-sensing speaker-level input. It slides under a front seat, wakes up when your stereo does, and adds warmth to a factory system without touching your cargo space.

Nothing else here disappears this completely. The housing measures about 11 inches wide, 8.7 inches deep and 2.8 inches tall, and the whole thing weighs under six pounds. That fits under the driver or passenger seat in most sedans and crossovers, which means you keep the trunk and nobody looking through your windows knows it's there.

The wiring is the easiest of any pick. It takes high-level speaker inputs with automatic signal-sensing turn-on, so you can tap your factory speaker wires and skip hunting for a remote turn-on lead. There's an RCA input too if you've got an aftermarket receiver. Kenwood includes a five-meter wired remote with volume, crossover frequency, phase reverse and an EQ preset switch.

From our review of 6 powered car subwoofers

What we like

• +Nothing else here disappears this completely
• +The wiring is the easiest of any pick
• +Kenwood uses a Class-D amplifier, which matters in a spot with no airflow

What to know

• –Kenwood quotes 160 watts as maximum output, not continuous, so the real figure is meaningfully lower
• –Under-seat mounting has practical catches