Are Rockford Fosgate Subs Good? (Buy Or Avoid)
Whether you’ve been in the audio system market for some time or you’re new, the chances are that you may have come across the name Rockford Fosgate. It’s a future-oriented technology-inclined audio systems manufacturer based in Tempe, Arizona. It’s also known for its high-quality sound systems, including subwoofers, amplifiers, processors, and source units.
But how good are their subs? Well, here’s the answer.
Rockford Fosgate subwoofers are undoubtedly some of the best you’ll encounter. They’re well-engineered, compact, durable, and feature state-of-the-art sound system technologies. The subs are also easy to install, have overheating protection, and have deep bass. However, they’re generally more expensive than similarly rated subwoofers from other brands.
So should you buy one? Read on to find out.
Today’s article looks at Rockford Fosgate subs, their quality, warranty, customer reviews, and warranty terms. Let’s get started.
Who Owns Rockford Fosgate?
Rockford Fosgate is currently owned by Elkhart, Indiana-based Patrick Industries.
Patrick is a leader in the manufacturing and distributing of building materials and component products for Marine, Manufactured Housing (MH), Recreational Vehicles (RV), and industrial categories. The company’s core values are centered around trust, teamwork, empowerment, respect, and balance.
Furthermore, the company has 79 smaller subsidiary companies under its umbrella. These include Adorn, Alpha Systems, All Counties Glass, Xtreme Tower Products, Rockford Fosgate, etc.
Where Are Rockford Fosgate Subs Made?
The Rockford Fosgate line of audio systems is designed and engineered in Tempe, Arizona.
The systems include processors, subwoofers, speakers, source units, and processors.
What’s the Quality of Rockford Fosgate Subs?
Rockford Fosgate is known for its relatively higher-priced but excellent and well-engineered sound systems. Through years and years of development, the brand is now one of the leading American manufacturers of car audio systems.
Here’s why you should buy a Rockford Fosgate sub.
Well-Engineered
The company excels in making solid subwoofers that perform well even when “pushed to the limit.” You won’t have their subs clipping when power is insufficient nor experience mechanical failures when you subject them to too much power.
The intricate design of the subs ensures that you won’t feel a significant audio distortion or dynamic compression when you exceed their excursion or motor limits. The sound will always remain clear and punchy.
Overheating Protection
Rockford Fosgate is a customer-oriented company that delivers products that the market wants and not what they think you may like. Therefore, the company’s car subwoofers feature an overheating protection technology. Is it necessary? Yes.
Those who use their subwoofers for extended periods understand that sometimes they may get really hot. Heating in sound systems distorts the sound quality and drains more power than necessary from your power source.
As a result, Rockford Fosgate blends sound, technology, and innovation to provide overheating protection mechanisms in their subwoofers. The subwoofers have advanced heat sink cones that direct heat energy away from the voice coils.
Furthermore, they’re vented to increase heat dissipation and, in the long run, increase the subwoofer’s life span.
Sleek Design and VAST Surround Tech
Rockford Fosgate introduced the Vertical Attach Surround Technology (VAST) in all their speakers to be a leader in the subwoofer and speaker category. VAST increases the effective radiating cone of a speaker by up to 25% without any complications during installations.
Basically, the VAST technology reduces the contact or landing points of the subwoofer to give it a greater exposed cone area. It also brings the surround closer to the basket, resulting in a larger cone area, better efficiency, and greater output.
Rockford Fosgate Subwoofers are Durable
Rockford Fosgate subwoofers are made using high-quality materials, including stitched tinsel leads. Stitching the subwoofer leads improves their performance and reliability by reducing possible short circuits or metal fatigue.
Additionally, the subwoofers are made of sturdy materials, such as the aluminum in the anodized aluminum voice coil former. Aluminum improves the subwoofers’ lifespan by providing superior heat dissipation during high sound pressure level (SPL) conditions.
Why You Shouldn’t Buy Rockford Fosgate Subwoofers From Some Aspects?
They’re Overpriced/ Expensive
A general drawback with Rockford Fosgate subwoofers is the high pricing. There is no justification or reasonable basis for the high price tags other than the brand perception.
Honestly, you can get similar-rated subwoofers at lower prices. But why risk? Rockford Fosgate is a tested brand, and you’re sure to get a quality product when purchasing from them.
Some Subs Are Substandard
I can’t quantify the percentage of substandard Rockford Fosgate subwoofers in any pool since we don’t have the data. Regardless, some of their subwoofers have quality issues even two to three weeks after purchase.
One pertinent issue is that the cone and rubber separate even with minimal use. The result is that you’ll start hearing some heavy distortion and a reduction in the sound quality.
How Long Do Rockford Fosgate Subwoofers Last?
Given their high price tags, buyers expect Rockford Fosgate subwoofers to last for generations, but that may not be the case. Some of their products have quality issues, and a common way to tell if yours will last long is if it makes it past the warranty window without any significant damages.
After that, most of their subwoofers last for more than ten years.
However, a product’s longevity depends on its use and how you care for it. Overloading your subwoofer wears it down quickly, and it may fail in less than a year or two.
What Do Reviews Say About Rockford Fosgate Subwoofers?
Rockford Fosgate subwoofers are highly rated and popular for their durability, reliability, good heat dissipation, and good sound quality.
Some reviewers also gave positive brand reviews as Rockford Fosgate remains a leader in sound system innovation across the nation. If you want to buy a speaker with the latest specs, you’d better go for a Rockford Fosgate. The subwoofers also have a solid clean sounding deep bass that can suit your home.
However, the brand received some strong negative reviews, with a majority centering around what buyers feel is extortion. Rockford Fosgate subwoofers are highly-priced, and some feel that they can buy similar-quality subwoofers elsewhere.
Furthermore, some don’t appreciate the subwoofers’ weight, but most good-quality sound systems use denser premium-quality materials.
So Should You Buy Rockford Fosgate Subwoofers?
The answer is yes.
Rockford Fosgate subwoofers aren’t expensive because the company targets the rich but are so given the technology and effort during production. Additionally, the subwoofers retain their incredible sounds for decades.
Go the Rockford Fosgate way if you need a punchy and tight bass sound in your car. The installation is easy, the build quality is extraordinary, and the customer support is excellent.
How Much Do Rockford Fosgate Subs Cost?
Rockford Fosgate subs are relatively more expensive than other subwoofers with similar specs.
But generally, they have a higher sound quality and durable materials. As a result, you’ll part with $200 to $700 to own one.
What’s the Rockford Fosgate Subwoofer Warranty?
Rockford Fosgate’s product warranty may leave you questioning the brand’s approach to marketing its products.
Like most higher-end electronic manufacturers, the company offers a 1-year warranty on all its speakers, signal processors, and amplifiers (PRIME and PUNCH). It offers a 2-year warranty for its POWER amplifiers.
Additionally, the cover applies only to the original purchaser of the Rockford Fosgate subwoofer who got it from their authorized dealership. You must provide proof of purchase indicating your name, dealer’s name, the subwoofer’s number, and date of purchase.
Final Remarks
Rockford Fosgate is a leader in the audio systems industry in the United States. The brand produces car subwoofers that have deep bass and crystal clear sound all through its years.
Furthermore, their subwoofers have a FlexFit basket that makes them easy to install without much knowledge of subwoofer installations.
And for the excellent features that come with the subwoofers, be ready to spend more. Nothing good comes cheap.
Sources
Rockford Fosgate Official Site