Which MTX Subwoofer Is Right for You? | MTX Audio Buying Guide

Which MTX Sub
Is Right for You?

MTX has been building car subwoofers for over 40 years. That means there are a lot of options, and picking the right one comes down to three things: how much power your system can deliver, how much space you're working with, and how loud you actually want to go. This guide walks through every current MTX car subwoofer series so you can find your match.

Start with your amplifier The right sub starts with knowing your amp. Before you buy, check your amplifier's RMS power rating at your target impedance. Then choose a subwoofer whose RMS power handling matches. Overpowering or underpowering a sub are both problems. Not sure? Use our impedance matching guide.

Series at a Glance

Series Sizes RMS Power Starting at
Terminator
Your first real sub
10", 12" 150–200W $69.95 View series
35 Series
Apex surround on a budget
10", 12" + shallow 250–300W $109.95 View series
55 Series
The most popular MTX sub
10", 12", 15" 400W $169.95 View series
75 Series
Serious output, serious build
12", 15" 750W $349.95 View series
S65 Series
Square cone, round sound
10", 12" 500W $349.95 View series
Jackhammer
The world's largest production sub
24" 4,000W $9,999.95 View series

Series Breakdown

MTX Terminator Series Subwoofer
Terminator Series
Your first real sub
Best for:  Budget builds · First system · Factory upgrade
The Terminator is the most accessible sub in the MTX lineup: straightforward design, honest bass, and enough power handling to make a real difference in any stock system. It's not trying to shake the block, but if your car came with factory speakers and no bass at all, this is the sub that changes that. Pair it with a Terminator amp and a sealed enclosure and you'll immediately hear what you've been missing.
Sizes10", 12"
Power150–200W RMS
Voice coilSingle
Starting at$69.95
Shop Terminator Series ›
MTX 35 Series Subwoofer
35 Series
Apex surround on a budget
Best for:  Budget builds · Tight spaces · First upgrade
The 35 Series is where MTX's Inverted Apex Surround technology starts, giving you more cone area and up to 10% more Xmax than competitor subs at the same price point. Available in 10" and 12" standard mount, plus 10" and 12" shallow mount options for vehicles with limited enclosure depth. If you want real bass without spending big, this is your entry point into the MTX surround advantage.
Sizes10", 12" (+ shallow)
Power250–300W RMS
Voice coilSingle
Starting at$109.95
Shop 35 Series ›
MTX 75 Series Subwoofer
75 Series
Serious output, serious build
Best for:  High-output builds · Competition · Demanding listeners
The 75 Series is built for people who want more — more power, more output, more bass. At 750W RMS, this is a subwoofer that demands a quality amplifier and a properly built enclosure. The motor assembly is significantly beefier than the 55 Series, the voice coil runs cooler at sustained high output, and the Inverted Apex Surround design pushes Xmax to the limits of what this diameter can physically achieve. If you've already run a 55 Series and you're ready for the next level, this is it. Available in 12" and 15".
Sizes12", 15"
Power750W RMS
Voice coilDual
Starting at$499.95
Shop 75 Series ›
MTX S65 Series Subwoofer
S65 Series
Square cone, round sound
Best for:  Unique builds · Maximum cone area · Standing out
The S65 uses a square cone design that gives you more effective cone surface area than a standard circular driver of the same size. More cone area means more air displaced per cycle, which means more output. If you want a sub that looks different, works differently, and moves more air than you'd expect from a square driver, the S65 is in a category of its own.
DesignSquare cone
Size10", 12"
Power500W RMS
Starting at$349.95
Shop S65 Series ›
MTX Jackhammer Subwoofer
The Jackhammer
The world's largest production subwoofer
Best for:  Record-breaking SPL · Serious bragging rights · Because you can
The Jackhammer exists because MTX wanted to see how far a subwoofer could go. The answer is a 24-inch, 400-pound statement that holds its place as the world's largest production subwoofer. MTX built it because no one else would. It takes roughly 4,000 watts to run properly, demands a vehicle rethought from the ground up, and produces output that has to be experienced to be believed. If you want to know what the absolute limit of car audio looks like, this is it.
Size24"
Power4,000W RMS
Weight~400 lbs
Price$9,999.95
View the Jackhammer ›

Frequently Asked Questions

What size subwoofer should I get?
Size determines how much air a subwoofer can move. A 12" sub moves more air than a 10" at the same power and excursion, which generally means more bass output. A 15" moves even more. That said, bigger isn't always better. Larger subs need larger enclosures, and a well-powered 10" or 12" in the right box will outperform a 15" that's underpowered or in the wrong enclosure. Match the size to your available space and amplifier first.
Do I need a separate amplifier for my subwoofer?
Yes. All of the subwoofers in this guide are passive drivers that require an external amplifier. Your factory head unit does not have enough power to drive them properly. A dedicated mono subwoofer amplifier matched to your sub's RMS power rating is the right setup. MTX makes a range of mono amps in the Terminator, Thunder, and RTX series to match every sub in this guide.
What is the difference between sealed and ported enclosures?
A sealed enclosure produces tight, accurate bass and is more forgiving of enclosure volume variations. A ported enclosure is tuned to a specific frequency and produces louder output in a narrower range — more boom, less accuracy. Sealed is generally recommended for music that benefits from clean bass like rock, jazz, or acoustic. Ported works well for hip-hop, EDM, or anyone who wants maximum low-frequency impact.
What is the Inverted Apex Surround and which subs have it?
The Inverted Apex Surround is MTX's proprietary surround design that uses a narrower profile than a traditional half-roll surround, freeing up more cone surface area and allowing up to 10% more Xmax. The result is more volume displacement and more SPL from the same diameter driver. It's featured on the 35, 55, and 75 Series subwoofers. See the full Inverted Apex Surround guide for a side-by-side comparison.
Can I run two subwoofers off one amplifier?
Yes, and it's a common setup. The key is wiring them correctly so the total impedance stays within your amplifier's stable operating range. Two 4-ohm single voice coil subs wired in parallel present a 2-ohm load to the amp, which is ideal for most mono subwoofer amplifiers. Use the MTX resistance calculator to verify your wiring before you connect anything.

Shop Subwoofers

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35 Series Subwoofers
35 Series Subwoofers
Entry-level · Inverted Apex
View series
55 Series Subwoofers
55 Series Subwoofers
Most popular · DVC
View series
75 Series Subwoofers
75 Series Subwoofers
High output · 750W RMS
View series
Sub + Amp + Box Packages
Sub + Amp + Box Packages
Pre-matched · Ready to install
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