Bose Sub1From real comments

Verdict distilled from 42 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment68%
PROS 68%
CONS 32%

Rank based on 42 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You run one or two S1 Pro/Pro+ speakers and want a lightweight, battery-friendly bass boost
  • You value portability and vertical storage over a conventional upright sub shape
  • You want the Sub EQ/HPF filtering that cleanly splits bass from the S1 Pro tops

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need deep sub-40Hz extension for kick-heavy electronic music (consider Sub2 instead)
  • You dislike the flat-side pole mount and lack of an upright stand option
  • You're pushing bass-heavy tracks at max volume, where users reported bottoming out

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Kali Audio WS-6.2
Tight, punchy bassStrong low-end extension for its sizeCompact footprintLess tight than FC10S in upper-midsPrice increase disappointmentUncertainty about neighbor disturbance
Kali Audio WS-6.2
Tight, punchy bass
Strong low-end extension for its size
Compact footprint
Less tight than FC10S in upper-mids
Price increase disappointment
Uncertainty about neighbor disturbance
2Mid
Focal Sub One
Great pairing with Focal monitorsGood value for a pro-level subLong-term reliabilityDisputed frequency extension claimsHigher price than expectedPaired monitors criticized for harsh mids/highs
Focal Sub One
Great pairing with Focal monitors
Good value for a pro-level sub
Long-term reliability
Disputed frequency extension claims
Higher price than expected
Paired monitors criticized for harsh mids/highs
3Mid
Cambridge Audio Minx X301
Compact, Space-Saving DesignPunchy, Impactful BassTight, Music-Friendly BassBass Radiators Can Sound Uncontrolled
Cambridge Audio Minx X301
Compact, Space-Saving Design
Punchy, Impactful Bass
Tight, Music-Friendly Bass
Bass Radiators Can Sound Uncontrolled
4Premium
Genelec 7370A
Seamless GLM/SAM integration
Genelec 7370A
Seamless GLM/SAM integration
5Premium
Electro-Voice EKX-15SP
Lightweight & PortablePowerful Output for Its SizeGreat Sound QualityPremium PricingAudible Haze/NoiseLimiter Light Flashes at Volume
Electro-Voice EKX-15SP
Lightweight & Portable
Powerful Output for Its Size
Great Sound Quality
Premium Pricing
Audible Haze/Noise
Limiter Light Flashes at Volume
6Premium
Sonos Sub
Powerful, room-shaking bassMajor upgrade to movie/Atmos soundSub Mini fits small spaces wellHigh price for what you getUnderwhelming or unnoticeable for some setupsWireless connectivity dropouts
Sonos Sub
Powerful, room-shaking bass
Major upgrade to movie/Atmos sound
Sub Mini fits small spaces well
High price for what you get
Underwhelming or unnoticeable for some setups
Wireless connectivity dropouts
Best value
7Mid
Klipsch R-10SW
Deep, quality bassOwn powered amplifierGood value for the priceConnection confusion for some usersDriver cosmetics dislikedOlder model may outperform it
Klipsch R-10SW
Deep, quality bass
Own powered amplifier
Good value for the price
Connection confusion for some users
Driver cosmetics disliked
Older model may outperform it
8
RCF ART 745-A MK4
Attractive DesignOverall QualitySound Quality
RCF ART 745-A MK4
Attractive Design
Overall Quality
Sound Quality
9Mid
Klipsch R-121SW
Satisfying Home Theatre BassGreat Value for MoneyProven Reliability in the Product LineNot Ideal for Music-Only ListeningUnclear Upgrade Value
Klipsch R-121SW
Satisfying Home Theatre Bass
Great Value for Money
Proven Reliability in the Product Line
Not Ideal for Music-Only Listening
Unclear Upgrade Value
10Mid
Klipsch SPL-120
Owners expand with a second unitPowerful, room-filling bassFits well in all-Klipsch systemsBass lacks precision and firmnessLarge driver stroke hurts accuracyReliability concerns raised
Klipsch SPL-120
Owners expand with a second unit
Powerful, room-filling bass
Fits well in all-Klipsch systems
Bass lacks precision and firmness
Large driver stroke hurts accuracy
Reliability concerns raised
You are here
13Premium
Bose Sub1
Great pairing with S1 Pro/Pro+Sub EQ / High Pass Filter featureStrong power for its sizeConfusing setup and wiringAwkward flat-side designPole mount limitations
Bose Sub1
Great pairing with S1 Pro/Pro+
Sub EQ / High Pass Filter feature
Strong power for its size
Confusing setup and wiring
Awkward flat-side design
Pole mount limitations

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The Sub1 is praised as the ideal lightweight partner for the Bose S1 Pro system. Multiple users describe pairing one or two S1 Pros with a single Sub1 as their favorite portable rig, citing compact size, easy load-in/out, and enough output for gigs of 75-300 people. One user ran a full band setup with mixer, cables, and a Sub1 on one cart. The system is frequently called 'the ultimate micro system' for restaurant, bar, and small event use.

Its design divides opinion, offering portability at the cost of aesthetics and stability. Several commenters dislike that the Sub1 is meant to lie flat on its side, calling it 'ugly,' 'corny,' or wishing for an upright pole-mount option so tops could be raised higher. Others come to appreciate the vertical form for side-carrying and reduced floor footprint, and note it acts like a heavy base plate when a speaker pole is mounted on top, improving stability.

Power handling and setup features are strong, but heavy bass use has limits. The Sub1 pulled up to 194 watts under bass-heavy test tracks versus a competitor's 60 watts, and its Sub EQ/HPF setting is called a key feature for cleanly filtering bass out of the S1 Pro tops. However, one user reported the woofer bottoming out at max volume on an extreme bass track, and others note the Sub2 reaches lower frequencies (down to 37Hz) for a more physical kick.

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