Are Soundstream Subwoofers Good? (Buy or Avoid?)
Sometimes when audio companies set out to engineer new products, it’s easy for them to get caught up trying to fit in all the possibilities. So, should they just focus on functionality? Or should they focus on aesthetics?
Well, as an audiophile, I prefer a blend of both. And unfortunately, few companies can deliver what I want at the right price. If you’re like me, you might be wondering how good Soundstream subwoofers are. Here’s all you need to know.
Soundstream subwoofers are of good quality. At their price, they are durable, have good bass, are well-engineered, and are cheaper than similar-rated brands. However, they fall short compared to premium, higher-end subs from other companies as they suffer massive distortion at full volume.
Fortunately, you might not notice some of their defects if you’re not a heavy user. Therefore, these subwoofers may suit those of us that prefer smooth, silky, and low-to-medium sounds but not those that play music at full volume.
Actually, they’re better than budget subs from higher-end brands. But how better? Read on.
The Quality of Soundstream Subwoofers
Soundstream subwoofers have been in the audio equipment market for nearly 20 years, and their reputation speaks well for the brand. From the start, the company focuses on delivering electronics that make our lives more enjoyable and productive.
They believe that sound quality and performance are the two key areas in any audio design, and hence you’ll find that their subwoofers are very compact and reliable.
Some subwoofers under this brand’s umbrella include the Underseat Subwoofers, Picasso Shallow, BXW Subwoofers, Reference R3, Tarantula T5, and Team Subwoofer.
Underseat Subwoofers
At just under 3 inches tall, the Underseat Subwoofers can fit anywhere in constricted spaces and still deliver extraordinary bass sound. They have a built-in 150-watt RMS amplifier that instantly adds thump and intensity to any sound. One model under the Underseat Subwoofer umbrella is the USB-10P Subwoofer.
To avoid any confusion, the name has nothing to do with the Universal Serial Bus that you know of but rather stands for Under Seat Enclosure Subwoofer with a Built-in Amplifier. The USB-10P subwoofer is vented with a sturdy die-cast enclosure and two passive radiators. It also has a high and low-level input with high-level sensing for OEM integration.
The subwoofer is strong, durable, produces decent bass sound, and is versatile. However, it’s rated higher than what it delivers. Soundstream claims that the subwoofer offers 400 watts of RMS power, whereas the sub suffers from immense distortion and clipping when highly powered.
Reference R3
Another excellent line of subwoofers from the brand is the Reference R3. The R3s have a high roll surround, giving the subs a higher excursion and an excellent low-frequency sound. Furthermore, the subs have an astounding motor structure and 4-layer voice coils to deliver even when heavily powered or loaded.
As a result, the subwoofer can match the performance of any SQ or SPL competitor subs. Additionally, they’re strong and feature fiberglass stranding for ultimate strength and reduced elasticity.
The engineers designed this subwoofer for medium-to-heavy use, focusing less on cosmetics and more on sound delivery. A large 5 ½ inch motor ferrite assembly provides magnetic energy to drive the dual 4-layer voice coils.
Is Soundstream Technologies a Good Brand?
Soundstream Technologies is a good brand that makes decent source units and audio appliances.
Their products are made to the highest standards and are usually durable and reliable. And one area that the company focuses on is delivery rather than cosmetics; hence their products aren’t the most feature-packed in the market.
To compensate for the lack of cosmetic appeal, the company creates powerful amplifiers, speakers, and subwoofers with clean output, decent power, and affordable prices.
Who Owns Soundstream Subwoofers?
California-based Epsilon Electronics currently own Soundstream Technologies. Epsilon also owns the brands Precision Power, Power Acoustik, Fahrenheit, Nesa, and VST.
Generally, the company deals in consumer goods, portable audio devices, home audio, furniture, musical instruments, and apparel.
Where Are Soundstream Subwoofers Made?
Soundstream Technologies subwoofers are made in Montebello, California, and sold through authorized dealerships across the nation.
According to the company website, their preferred online retailers are Crutchfield, WooofersEtc, Sonic Electronix, and OnlineCarStereo.com.
What’s the Warranty on Soundstream Subwoofers?
Soundstream Technologies has a decent but not extraordinary warranty cover for all its subwoofers, source units, and amplifiers.
According to the company website, “Products purchased from an online retailer have a 90-day warranty. If your return was purchased before 90 days, you would need to furnish a receipt showing that the unit was professionally installed.”
In effect, the company has a less-than-ideal warranty cover for any of its products purchased from an online retailer such as Sonic Electronix. Moreover, the audio manufacturer warrants only the products purchased directly from their authorized online sellers, not 3rd parties.
On the other hand, Soundstream Technologies warrants all their products to be free from material and quality defects resulting from everyday use for one year. The warranty cover commences on the purchase day and is exclusively offered to the original purchaser.
Soundstream Technologies’ warranty won’t cover the following:
- Products that have been physically damaged or misused.
- Any product that suffers from defects resulting from poor installation such as incorrect enclosure, poor wiring, overloading, and overpowering.
- Any units that have been previously tampered with or repaired by an unauthorized service center.
- Any units that don’t conform to original production standards.
What Do Soundstream Subwoofers Reviews Say?
Soundstream subwoofers are known for delivering excellent sound at the right price. For example, the Soundstream T5.122 Tarantula Series Subwoofer receives many positive reviews on Amazon. Many reviewers like the sub’s sound, compactness, premium quality materials, and fair pricing.
On the other hand, others had major quality issues with their subs. One that stood out was that some Soundstream subs have poor wiring and are rated higher than the power they can handle. A 400-watt subwoofer had distortions and clipping when paired with an equally-rated amplifier.
Some claim that the coils have quality problems due to design flaws that limit heat dissipation. Therefore, the subs get hot quickly, especially under full load, and at times the coils get stuck to the back of the magnet.
So Should You Buy Soundstream Subwoofers?
It depends. From reviews, there’s a likelihood that present-day Soundstream subwoofers are of a lesser quality than the original subs.
However, this can be subjective as most of their products are well-rated on many online product review pages.
Therefore, given the fair pricing, reliable customer support, a decent warranty cover, and good engineering, the Soundstream subs are a buy for me.
Final Words
Honestly, Soundstream performs extraordinary as a medium-level and fair-priced brand. And a majority of audiophiles that have had a chance to own their products laud the brand’s dedication to quality over cosmetics. Why have a chrome-plated sub when you can work on improving the coils?
Unfortunately, Soundstream’s dedication to offering good audio systems at affordable prices means that it doesn’t invest extensively in its subwoofers. The result is that you’ll get a functional but not extraordinary or premium-quality sub.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a medium-priced and decent sub, go for a Soundstream subwoofer. But invest more in premium subwoofers if you want better quality and better-engineered products.
Sources
Car Audio – Soundstream Technologies
Brands – Epsilon Electronics Inc
Warranty – Soundstream Technologies
Soundstream Store at Sonic Electronix
Soundstream 10″ Car Subwoofers at Sonic Electronix
Amazon.com: Soundstream T5.122 12″ Dual 2 Ohm Tarantula Series Subwoofer : Electronics