A subwoofer is a kind of loudspeaker that reproduces the lowest bass notes in the music. Typically, its a one-trick pony delivering bass with authority and nothing else. Doing that needs lots of power and a specially designed speaker with some key empirical measurements that should be maximized.

Key points that should be considered when choosing a subwoofer...

Impedance

Materials

Free-air or boxed enclosure

Sensitivity

Frequency response

RMS power range

Peak power output

Volume acoustic suspension

Getting the best from your sub

You must have heard about obnoxious car stereos that have way too much bass for our tastes -- that rattle the windows of homes or other cars. For that reason, one may think that a stereo purist might not appreciate the subwoofer, but that is not quite true.

Stereo purists think that the subwoofer ha a place as an accent, not the main course. When it's the focus of the system, the normal result is that the sound produced loses all the nuances and detail present in the original recording.

Here's my take: If you are striving for high-quality, crisp and detailed car stereo sound, then add a subwoofer.

And, please, if you do intend to crank up the volume, go to the countryside or a highway where your fun won't ruin someone else's day.