As we wrap up 2025, let’s reflect on the standout moments in home cinema from this year. We’ve seen impressive flagship OLED TVs from top brands like Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, LG, and Philips. There were also fantastic projectors from Epson, Hisense, and BenQ. However, it’s the audio equipment that truly deserves the spotlight—especially subwoofers.
Subwoofers often get overshadowed by flashy floorstanding speakers or sleek soundbars. But this year, they really stepped into the limelight. One standout model is the Samsung HW-Q990F, which not only won my heart but also received an official Product of the Year award at the 2025 What Hi-Fi? Awards. Though the soundbar itself is excellent, the star of the show is the included wireless subwoofer.
Samsung designed this subwoofer to be small and neat, with dual 8-inch drivers. Surprisingly, it delivers powerful bass despite its compact size. In our review, we praised its ability to produce “rich, controlled, and tonally varied bass.” For scenes like the Harkonnen Arena in *Dune: Part Two*, it truly enhances the experience, making sound feel immersive and layered.
Another impressive subwoofer this year was found in the Yamaha True X Surround 90A. It rivals the Samsung with even richer bass tones. Yamaha used a new design called the “Symmetrical Flare Port” to reduce distortion and improve sound quality. Our review highlighted how well this sub handled complex bass during scenes from *Blade Runner 2049*, proving it can deliver without distorting even in the trickiest moments.
We’d be remiss not to mention the KEF Kube 12 MIE, which, though released in 2024, made waves in our testing late this year. This larger subwoofer excelled at grounding the overall sound setup. It produced punchy, dynamic bass without any muddiness, particularly during action-packed sequences.
These three subwoofers have shown that quality bass can elevate your viewing experience. They set a high standard, and it’s clear that they are crucial to crafting excellent home cinema systems. As the year comes to a close, it’s fair to say that subwoofers have earned the title of MVP for their role in enhancing sound quality.
Looking forward, I am eager to test the JBL Bar 1300 MK2 and LG W7’s upcoming Sound Suite system, as it seems that subwoofers will continue to play an important role in home audio innovation.
