BASSBOSS is known for its subwoofers, and we create variety of different subs that differ in size and application. This article explains the philosophy behind each product to help you narrow down your choices and find a speaker that is right for you.
Factors to Consider:
Size - Larger subs like the Kraken and Makara are larger and heavier, however they provide a more cost effective and easier solution for larger teams than smaller subs like the SSP118 and VS21. However the SSP118 and VS21 can be easily moved and set up by a single person, and can work better in tighter spaces. Consider the size of shows you are doing (and want to be doing) when purchasing subs.
Expandability - Subs like the SSP118 and Makara can easily stack vertically, while subs like the Sublim8 and DJ18S are not designed to stack.
SPL and efficiency - While all of our subs are phase and time aligned with one another, some (like the VS21) provide more SPL per watt, making it perfect when running on a generator
Desired depth/what you will be playing: Subs like the ZV28 and Makara excel at DEEP bass, perfect for electronic genres that require reproducing in the mid 20Hz range, while subs like the SSP215 and BB15 extend down to the 30s and 40s. If you are primarily playing acoustic music, 90s hip hop, and rock 'n roll, you may not need the extra LF (and size) that the deeper subs provide, and can thus use smaller and lighter boxes.
At a Glance - BASSBOSS Subs:
| Product | Cabinet Type | Frequency Response (+/- 3dB) | Dimensions (H x W x D) | Weight | dBSPL (Continuous) | dBSPL (Peak) | Nominal Current Draw, 120V | Flyable |
BB15 | Vented | 40Hz-115Hz | 20.5" (21.25" with feet) x 17" x 24 | 72lbs | 127 | 130 | 4.6A | No |
DJ18S | Vented | 27Hz-100Hz | 27.5" (28.75" with feet) x 20.5" x 29.5" | 110lbs | 129 | 132 | 4.6A | No |
Kraken | 6th-Order Hybrid Bandpass | 27Hz-100Hz | 48" (48.5" with feet) x 48" x 36" | 460lbs | 145 | 148 | 18A | Yes |
Makara | 6th-Order Hybrid Bandpass | 23Hz-100Hz | 28" (28.5" with feet) x 48" x 36" | 294lbs | 140 | 143 | 9A | Yes |
SSP118 | Vented | 30Hz-100Hz | 22.5" (23.25" with feet) x 30" x 24" | 125lbs | 130 | 133 | 4.6A | Yes |
SSP215 | Vented | 30Hz-100Hz | 22.5" (23.25" with feet) x 48" x 29.5" | 199lbs | 133 | 136 | 9A | Yes |
SSP218 | Vented | 35Hz-100Hz | 17.25" x 48" x 28.5" | 180lbs | 136 | 139 | 9A | Yes |
Sublim8 | Vented, Full Range | 33Hz-100Hz | 36" x 19.75" x 24" | 116lbs | 130 | 133 | 5.4A | No |
VS21 | 6th-Order Hybrid Bandpass | 28Hz - 100Hz | 22.5" (23.25" with feet) x 30" x 24" | 180lbs | 135 | 138 | 4.6A | Yes |
ZV28 | Vented | 23Hz-90Hz | 22.5" (23.38" with feet)" x 42" x 42" | 235lbs | 134 | 137 | 9A | Yes |
BB15:
The BB15 is our smallest and lightest subwoofer, weighing only 72lbs. But don't let its size fool you, this little monster has the SPL and LF extension that rivals many 18" subwoofers, thanks to a 15" driver with a 4.5" voice coil. The BB15 is a flexible box that works well for live music, hip hop, pop, and more, with a tight and punchy sound. It does not have the same low frequency extension as some of our other boxes, like the ZV28 or Makara, instead focusing on maximum SPL with extension down to 40Hz.
If you
Need a subwoofer that is small and light but has plenty of headroom
Are a mobile DJ or band who wants a subwoofer a single person can lift or roll in.
Do not need extension in the 20 or low 30Hz range
Want to add extra "punch" to our deeper subwoofers, like the ZV28
Work out of a small vehicle or SUV
The BB15 may be right for you!
DJ18S:
The DJ18S was originally designed to be a more cost effective SSP118, but with the MK3 series, it has been upgraded with same driver and amplification as our SSP118. As a result, there is a smaller gap between the two (for more on the differences between the DJ18S and SSP118, see [[SSP118 vs DJ18S - Which is Right For Me?|this article]]). Unlike many 18" subwoofers, the DJ18S has low frequency extension all the way down to 27Hz, making it perfect for deep hip hop and EDM, as well as Pop, RnB, and more. The DJ18S is not meant to stack vertically, instead being designed to be used on either side of a dancefloor or DJ booth. The DJ18S is also slightly smaller and lighter than the SSP118.
If you:
Want a single 18" subwoofer that has more low frequency extension than most 21's
Are a solo operator who wants a subwoofer that is easy to move around
Want a box that takes up a very small amount of floor space
Do not plan on stacking your subwoofers
Work out of a small van or trailer
The DJ18S may be right for you!
Kraken:
The Kraken is our biggest and largest subwoofer; a quad 21" box that provides thunderous output. What sets the Kraken apart is its sheer density, producing the output of 3-4 double 18" cabinets produce in only 12 square feet of space. The hybrid design of the Kraken loads its 21" drivers so it provides more sensitivity in the upper-bass range, meaning it is not "slow" in the way some 21's are, adopting the same technology as our VS21 and Makara. It provides approximately the same output as 4x VS21s or 2x Makaras. The Kraken is suitable for recorded music and live music alike, and provides a solid foundation for our Stackatoa system.
If you
Provide sound for large festivals, bands, and touring acts
Want the most output per cubic foot possible, both in terms of truck pack and floor space
Put on events with hundreds (if not thousands) of people
Work out of a box truck, trailer, or pickup with a crew of 3-4
Are friends with the local police
The Kraken may be right for you!
Makara:
The Makara is our double 21" subwoofer, taking the technology inside of our popular VS21 and doubling the drivers and amplification. It has a deep, smooth response without sacrificing efficiency further up, providing full-spectrum low end, providing approximately the same output as 2x VS21s or half of a Kraken. It can be used either vertically or horizontally, and has pole cups on the top and on either side, which pairs well with our AT212 or AT312
If you
Want a larger "building block" than our VS21
Need a sub that produces output into the mid-20Hz range
Are a production company that wants a sub that handles prerecorded and live music equally well
Work out of a large van, box truck, or trailer with a crew of 2-3
The Makara may be right for you!
SSP118:
The SSP118 is a single 18" subwoofer that matches and often exceeds the performance of other double 18" cabinets in both output and low frequency extension. It was designed to be half of our popular SSP218, in a smaller package a single person can easily move around. The SSP118 is constructed with four corner ports, which help circulate cool air to the driver, allowing it to run louder for longer. It also stacks vertically, making for an expandable system. The SSP118 is popular with mobile DJ's and production companies who want to do more with less gear.
If you:
Want a sub that is flat down to 30Hz, perfect for Pop, RnB, House, and Rock
Are a mobile DJ who wants more output and low frequencies than competing subs
Need a sub that a single person can move around
Value flexibility, with the option to stack or fly your subs as your system expands.
Work out of a small van, trailer, or pickup truck
The SSP118 may be right for you!
SSP215:
The SSP215 is a double 15" cabinet that shares the same width and depth as the SSP218, but is shorter and lighter. At only 17.5" tall, the SSP215 can easily fit under a stage, and it can easily stack in sets of 6 (or more) for a huge amount of SPL per square foot. It has a similar volume to the larger SSP218, but gives up a bit in the 20-30Hz range, excelling at live music, pop, and genres of EDM such as house and trance. The SSP215 is punchy and musical, great for bands, churches, and mobile production teams.
If you:
Desire articulate, punchy bass
Do not need extension down to the low 30Hz range.
Want a low-profile box that fits under most stages and can easily fly
Work out of a cargo van, trailer, or box truck with a crew of 1-2.
The SSP215 may be right for you!
SSP218:
The SSP218 is one of the finest and loudest double-18" subwoofers on the market. It is +/-1.5dB from 30Hz-120Hz, delivering a flat and musical response across its operating range. The SSP218 is 48" wide, making it truck-pack friendly, and can be used in stacks exceeding 3 on the optional transport dolly. It has a pole cup on top and on its side, meaning it can be used vertically or horizontally. The SSP218 gets louder than our VS21, but also draws more power and does not get quite as deep. It works well for live music and prerecorded music including pop, EDM, and rock.
If you:
Want a larger "building block" than the SSP118, and desire a bit deeper extension than the SSP215
Are a production company wanting a subwoofer that excels at live and prerecorded music
Do not need extension in the 20Hz range
Work out of a cargo van, trailer, or box truck with a crew of 1-3
The SSP218 may be right for you!
Sublim8
The Sublim8 is a 3-way column loudspeaker system, featuring a single 18" subwoofer that is comparable to the SSP118. The subwoofer section of the Sublim8 is slightly larger than the SSP118, prioritizing SPL over super deep extension, though it can effortlessly produce bass notes from 32Hz and above. To read more about the Sublim8 sub, you can find more information here:
Sublim8 vs other BASSBOSS ProductsIf you:
Want an all-in-one system
Value aesthetics and a speaker system that does not block sightlines
Need a subwoofer that balances punch, SPL, and low frequency extension
Work solo out of a small cargo van or trailer
The Sublim8 may be right for you!
VS21:
The VS21 is our most popular subwoofer, and for good reason, as it gets significantly louder and deeper than most double 18" cabinets on the market, nearing the output of our own double 18" cabinets in a smaller and lighter box. It is a single 21" subwoofer with a 6th-order hybrid bandpass design. It's hybrid design consists of a short-horn section that produces a large amount of "punch" and a ported section that allows the subwoofer to perform well down into the mid to high 20Hz range. It has four pole cups (one on each side) and takes up only 6 square feet of space. It works well for live music, EDM, Pop, RnB, Hip Hop, Reggae, and more; popular with mobile DJ's and production teams alike for its flexibility.
If you:
Desire a subwoofer that excels at everything from live music to reggae to hip hop to EDM
Do not want to compromise between the articulate punch of smaller subwoofers and the extended depth of larger ones
Need an efficient box where multiples can be run on a single circuit, working well on generators
Want a box that is easy to transport, in a smaller form factor than the Makara or Kraken
Work out of a small van, trailer, or truck with a crew of 1-2.
The VS21 may be right for you!
ZV28:
The ZV28 was designed to go where most subs don't, with low frequency extension down to 23Hz (even deeper when used in pairs). It is our deepest playing subwoofer, making its debut at Ultra Fest in Miami at the DropZone stage. While the SSP218 gets slightly louder, the ZV28 gets deeper and has a slightly larger form factor. It also pairs well with our other subwoofers, commonly used either alone or underneath our VS21's. It can be deployed either horizontally or vertically, and features a pole cup on the top and side of the cabinet for mounting a top. The ZV28 has been installed in high end studios and nightclubs around the world.
If you:
Play bass music, including dubstep and drum & bass, or hip hop and trap
Are tired of subwoofers missing deeper notes
Need a subwoofer equally at home in a studio or for live production
Work out of a large van, trailer, or box truck with a crew of 1-3
The ZV28 may be right for you!
See Also:
- Which BASSBOSS Tops are right for me?
- SSP118 vs DJ18S - Which is Right For Me?
- Sublim8 vs Other BASSBOSS Products