Do you dream of bass that rattles your rearview mirror without taking up your entire trunk? Many car audio fans want that deep, powerful thump, but they often get stuck when looking at 8-inch subwoofers. Choosing the perfect one is tough! You worry about power handling, sound quality, and whether it will actually fit in your space. Skar Audio makes some of the most popular 8-inch subs on the market, but knowing which model—like the EVL or the VD—is right for *your* ride can feel like a guessing game.
Don’t let confusion keep you from enjoying amazing low-end sound. This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down the key features, specs, and real-world performance of the best Skar 8-inch subwoofers available. By the end of this article, you will know exactly which subwoofer delivers the punch you need for your specific setup.
Top Skar 8 Inch Subwoofer Recommendations
- Peak Power: 1,200 Watts | RMS Power: 600 Watts
- 2.5" Dual 4-ohm High Temperature 4-Layer Copper Voice Coil with Black Coating | Sensitivity: dB
- Authoritative and Powerful High Flux 122 Oz. Double Stack Ferrite Magnet | Bl: n/a
- Extremely Dynamic and Powerful Low End Frequency Response for Incredible Bass | Fs: Hz
- Utilizes a High Roll Foam Surround Stitched to a Competition Grade Pressed Paper Cone
- 8-Inch Dual 2-ohm Car Subwoofer
- Peak Power: 700 Watts | RMS Power: 350 watts
- 2" 4-Layer High Temperature Copper voice Coil
- High Roll Foam Surround and Competition Grade Pressed Paper Cone
- Frequency Response Range: 30 Hz - 350 Hz | Sensitivity: 83.8 dB
- Peak Power: 1,200 Watts | RMS Power: 600 Watts
- 2.5" Dual 2-ohm High Temperature 4-Layer Copper Voice Coil with Black Coating | Sensitivity: 81.8 dB
- Authoritative and Powerful High Flux 122 Oz. Double Stack Ferrite Magnet | Bl: 20.27 n/a
- Extremely Dynamic and Powerful Low End Frequency Response for Incredible Bass | Fs: 44.9 Hz
- Utilizes a High Roll Foam Surround Stitched to a Competition Grade Pressed Paper Cone
- Peak Power: 800 watts | RMS Power: 400 watts
- 2.6" (65.5mm) dual 2-ohm high temperature 4-layer copper Voice Coil
- Powerful high flux ferrite motor with advanced air Flow Cooling Design | Fs: 47 Hz
- Engineered for incredibly deep, dynamic, and powerful bass | Sensitivity: 82.0 dB
- High Roll Foam Surround stitched to competition Grade pressed paper cone
- 8-Inch Dual 4-ohm Car Subwoofer
- Peak Power: 700 Watts | RMS Power: 350 Watts
- 2" 4-Layer High Temperature Copper Voice Coil
- High Roll Foam Surround and Competition Grade Pressed Paper Cone
- Frequency Response Range: 30 Hz - 350 Hz | Sensitivity: 83.7 dB
- All-in-One Complete SDR Series Loaded Subwoofer Complete Bass Package
- Peak Power: 700 Watts | RMS Power: 350 Watts
- Includes x1 Skar Audio SDR-1X8D2 Single 8" Loaded 700 Watt Vented Subwoofer Enclosure
- Includes x1 Skar Audio SKAR4ANL-CCA 4 Gauge Complete Amplifier Wiring Kit
- High Performance Aftermarket Subwoofer System | Easy to Install
- 8-inch Dual 2 Ohm SPL Car Subwoofer
- Peak Power: 1,100 Watts | RMS Power: 900 Watts
- Competition Grade Pressed Paper Cone with Stitched High Roll Foam Surround
- Massive Triple Stack Magnet | 2.5" Voice Coil
- Sensitivity: 80.4 dB | Fs: 41.8 Hz
- 8-Inch Dual 2 ohm Shallow Mount Subwoofer
- Peak Power: 600 Watts | RMS Power: 400 Watts
- Shallow Mount Design - Mounting Depth: 3.94"
- High Performance Pressed Paper Cone Stitched to Premium Foam Surround
- Sensitivity: 83.2 dB | Fs: 45.1 Hz
Choosing Your Skar 8-Inch Subwoofer: A Buying Guide
Picking the right 8-inch subwoofer from Skar Audio can really boost your car’s sound. These small powerhouses deliver big bass. This guide helps you find the perfect match for your audio needs.
1. Key Features to Look For
When you look at different Skar 8-inch models, a few features really stand out. These tell you how well the sub will perform.
Power Handling (RMS vs. Peak):
- RMS Power: This is the most important number. It tells you how much continuous power the subwoofer can handle without getting damaged. Look for an RMS rating that matches your amplifier’s output.
- Peak Power: This is the maximum power the sub can handle for very short bursts. Don’t rely on this number for daily listening.
Mounting Depth and Cutout Size:
You must measure your installation space. Mounting depth is how deep the magnet assembly sits. Ensure it fits behind your seat or in your trunk enclosure. The cutout size is the hole needed to mount the speaker itself.
Voice Coil Configuration (SVC vs. DVC):
- Single Voice Coil (SVC): These are easier to wire, usually 4 ohms. They work well for simple, clean bass setups.
- Dual Voice Coil (DVC): These often come in 2+2 ohms or 4+4 ohms. DVC subs offer more wiring flexibility, letting you achieve a final impedance of 1 ohm or 4 ohms, which can increase power or efficiency.
2. Important Materials
The materials used determine the subwoofer’s durability and sound quality.
Cone Material:
Skar often uses high-quality, stiff materials for their cones. A treated paper or polypropylene cone is common. These materials stay rigid when moving a lot of air. Stiffness prevents distortion, giving you cleaner bass notes.
Surround and Spider:
The surround (the outer ring connecting the cone to the basket) should be high-density foam or treated rubber. This allows for long, controlled cone movement. The spider (the inner suspension component) needs to be strong to keep the voice coil centered during heavy flexing.
Basket/Frame:
A strong stamped steel or cast aluminum basket holds everything together. A heavy, rigid basket reduces vibrations that muddy the sound.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Good design choices boost performance. Poor design choices cause problems.
Factors Improving Quality:
- High-Quality Magnet Structure: Larger, high-grade ferrite magnets provide better control over the cone.
- Vented Motor Structure: Vents around the magnet help dissipate heat. Keeping the voice coil cool prevents power loss and damage.
- High Xmax Rating: Xmax measures how far the cone can move linearly. Higher Xmax means the sub can move more air, producing deeper, louder bass.
Factors Reducing Quality:
- Underpowering or Overpowering: If you use an amplifier that is too weak, the amp can “clip,” sending distorted power that quickly ruins the sub. Overpowering can instantly burn out the voice coil.
- Poor Enclosure Tuning: A subwoofer needs the correct box volume and port tuning (if ported). Using the wrong box severely limits bass response and can cause the subwoofer to bottom out easily.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
Skar 8-inch subs are versatile. Think about how you listen to music.
Daily Driver/Street Use:
If you want tight, accurate bass that blends well with your existing speakers, look for models with lower RMS ratings (around 300W-400W RMS) and stiff cones. These subs sound great for all music types, from rock to hip-hop, without overwhelming the car.
Competition/High Output Use:
For those chasing loud, deep notes, choose the highest RMS rating you can afford and match it with a powerful amplifier. These subs usually require larger, precisely tuned enclosures to handle the extreme air movement.
Remember, the best experience comes from matching the subwoofer, the amplifier, and the enclosure correctly. Skar Audio provides great components, but the installation ties it all together.
Skar 8 Inch Subwoofer FAQs
Q: What is the main difference between the Skar 8″ EVL and the SDR series?
A: The EVL series is generally designed for higher power handling and deeper excursion (Xmax), making them better for louder, deeper bass. The SDR series offers great performance for a lower price and handles moderate power well for everyday listening.
Q: Do I need a special box for these subwoofers?
A: Yes, every subwoofer needs a specific enclosure. Skar usually recommends a specific sealed or ported box volume for their 8-inch models. Using the manufacturer’s recommended box size ensures the best sound quality and protects the sub from damage.
Q: Can I run a single 8-inch subwoofer by itself?
A: You can, but it is not ideal. An 8-inch sub works best when paired with good quality door speakers that handle the higher musical frequencies. If you run it alone, you will need a high-pass filter on your amplifier to block very high sounds from reaching the sub.
Q: What impedance (ohms) should I wire my DVC 8-inch sub to?
A: It depends on your amplifier. If your amp is stable down to 1 ohm, wiring a 2+2 ohm sub to 1 ohm gets you the most power. If your amp only goes down to 2 ohms, wire it to 4 ohms for safety and stability.
Q: How much power (RMS) should my amplifier have?
A: You should aim for an amplifier that provides power very close to the subwoofer’s RMS rating. If the sub is rated for 400W RMS, look for an amp that puts out 350W to 450W RMS at the impedance you wired it to.
Q: Will an 8-inch sub rattle my car too much?
A: Any loud bass can cause rattling. Installing the subwoofer enclosure securely and adding sound deadening material to panels near the sub (like the trunk lid or rear deck) greatly reduces unwanted vibrations.
Q: Are Skar 8-inch subs good for small cars?
A: Absolutely. The 8-inch size is perfect for tight spaces like small trunks, under seats, or behind rear seats in trucks, offering a significant bass upgrade without taking up massive space.
Q: What is the lifespan of a Skar subwoofer?
A: If you power them correctly (matching RMS ratings) and use the right enclosure, a Skar subwoofer should last many years. Overpowering or playing them constantly at maximum distortion will shorten their life significantly.
Q: Do I need to break in my new subwoofer?
A: It is recommended. During the first 20-50 hours of use at moderate volumes, the surround and spider materials loosen up. This “break-in” period allows the subwoofer to reach its full performance potential.
Q: Where should I mount the subwoofer enclosure?
A: In a sedan, mounting the sub enclosure facing the rear seats often helps bass travel into the cabin better. In an SUV or hatchback, facing the sub toward the rear hatch door usually works best for overall volume and depth.