Audioengine S8 Powered Subwoofer Speaker Review | 250W 8-inch Home Woofer

When it comes to home audio, one of the most overlooked elements is low-frequency response. Most bookshelf or desktop speakers deliver solid mids and highs, but they rarely reproduce the deep bass notes that make music, movies, and games truly immersive. That’s where a subwoofer comes in — and for those who want power in a compact design, the Audioengine S8 Powered Subwoofer is one of the best solutions available.

Featuring an 8-inch custom woofer, built-in 250W amplifier, variable crossover control, and multiple input options, the S8 is designed to work seamlessly with a wide range of setups. Whether you’re building a desktop audio system, enhancing a living room speaker setup, or adding low-end to a home theater, the S8 is built to deliver tight, accurate, and powerful bass — without taking up too much space.

Audioengine S8 Powered Subwoofer Speaker – 250W 8-inch Home Woofer…

ROOM FILLING – 8 inch woofer with 250 watts of premium bass you can feel
EASY POSITIONING – Big bass in a small package allows for ideal placement. Add an audioengine W3 wireless subwoofer kit and go wireless

Key Specifications – Audioengine S8

Feature	Details
Woofer	8-inch long-throw custom driver
Amplifier Power	250W peak (125W RMS)
Frequency Response	27Hz – 180Hz (±2.0dB)
Inputs	Dual RCA line-in, 3.5mm mini-jack
Outputs	RCA variable line-out
Crossover Control	50Hz – 130Hz (adjustable)
Cabinet	Sealed MDF, front-ported
Dimensions	11.25″ H × 11.25″ W × 11.25″ D
Weight	29 lbs
Additional Features	Auto-sensing standby mode, phase switch, wireless option (with W3 adapter)

Section 1: Build & Design

The Audioengine S8 is purpose-built for those who want deep bass performance in a small footprint.

Compact Cube Design: At just over 11 inches per side, the S8 is small enough to tuck beside a desk, under a table, or near a wall.
Front Ported: Many subwoofers are down-firing or rear-ported, but the S8’s front port allows for flexible placement without sacrificing sound quality.
Sturdy Cabinet: Made of MDF wood with internal bracing, the cabinet is designed to resist vibration and distortion.
Minimalist Aesthetic: Available in matte black or white finishes, the S8 blends seamlessly into most setups without drawing attention.

It’s built to be stylish yet unobtrusive, perfect for both office and living room environments.

Section 2: Performance & Sound Quality

2.1 Low-End Depth

The 27Hz–180Hz frequency range ensures that the S8 delivers true sub-bass rumble that most speakers can’t touch. Whether it’s the deep synth lines in EDM, the kick of a bass drum, or the low-frequency effects in movies, the S8 produces sound that you can feel as much as you hear.

2.2 Power Output

125W RMS continuous power ensures reliable, distortion-free performance.
250W peak power handles dynamic bursts — think explosions in action films or drops in bass-heavy tracks.

This makes it ideal for small to mid-sized rooms.

2.3 Bass Accuracy vs Boom

Unlike cheaper subs that exaggerate bass to the point of muddiness, the Audioengine S8 focuses on accuracy and clarity. The bass is tight and responsive, which is especially noticeable when paired with bookshelf speakers.

Perfect for music lovers who want realism, not just rumble.
Balanced enough that dialogue in movies remains clear and unaffected.

2.4 Adjustable Crossover

The 50Hz–130Hz crossover dial allows you to match the S8’s output with your main speakers. Set it lower for large floor-standing speakers, higher for smaller desktop speakers. This adjustability is key to getting a smooth, cohesive sound.

Section 3: Setup & Connectivity

Inputs & Outputs

RCA and 3.5mm inputs make it compatible with virtually all systems.
Variable RCA output allows chaining with other speakers or subs.
Works with Audioengine’s wireless W3 adapter, enabling clutter-free placement.

Placement Flexibility

Thanks to its front-firing port, the S8 can be placed against walls or in tight spaces without negatively impacting performance. This makes it particularly well-suited for apartments or offices.

Auto Power-Saving

The S8 automatically switches to standby mode when not in use, saving energy while still being ready to deliver bass instantly when audio resumes.

Section 4: Real-World Use Cases

Music Playback

Enhances genres like hip-hop, EDM, jazz, and orchestral.
Completes the frequency range missing in bookshelf speakers.
Provides punchy bass without drowning out mids/highs.

Home Theater

Adds cinematic depth to explosions, thunder, and soundtrack basslines.
Small enough for bedrooms and secondary TVs, but powerful enough for living rooms.

Gaming

Brings immersion with rumbles, gunfire, and atmospheric effects.
Compact enough for desktop gaming rigs while still packing room-filling bass.

Apartment Living

Loud enough to impress, but tunable so you won’t annoy neighbors.
A great choice for renters who want bass without the footprint of a 12″+ subwoofer.

Section 5: Pros & Cons

✅ Pros

Compact yet powerful 8-inch design.
250W peak power — great for small/mid rooms.
Tight, accurate bass (not boomy).
Adjustable crossover for system matching.
Plug-and-play setup with RCA and 3.5mm.
Wireless option available.
Attractive design in black or white.

❌ Cons

Doesn’t dig as deep as larger 12–15″ subs.
No built-in wireless (adapter required).
Best for medium rooms; large home theaters may want dual subs.

Section 6: Comparisons

vs Audioengine S6

S6 is smaller (6″ woofer, 210W).
S8 goes lower (27Hz vs 33Hz) with more authority.
S6 is for desks; S8 is for full-room setups.

vs SVS SB-1000 Pro

SVS has more raw power and digs deeper (20Hz).
S8 is more apartment-friendly and compact.
SVS better for big rooms; S8 better for everyday setups.

vs Klipsch Sub-120

Klipsch has a 12-inch woofer, more volume, more boom.
S8 is tighter and more accurate, better for music.

Section 7: Who Should Buy the Audioengine S8?

The S8 is designed for:

Music lovers wanting bass that complements, not overwhelms.
Apartment dwellers who need compact size and tunable output.
Gamers building immersive desktop rigs.
Home theater enthusiasts with smaller to medium rooms.

It’s not the best fit for:

Large theaters that require dual 12–15″ subs.
Extreme bass heads who want “shake the house” performance.

Section 8: Buying Considerations

Room Size: Ideal for spaces up to ~300 sq. ft.
Speaker Pairing: Best with bookshelf or powered speakers (like Audioengine A5+).
Budget: More expensive than entry-level subs, but worth it for accuracy.
Use Case: Music-first listeners will appreciate its balance; movie lovers might want a larger model if space allows.

Section 9: Final Verdict

The Audioengine S8 Powered Subwoofer is the perfect balance of size, power, and accuracy. It’s compact enough for offices and apartments, but powerful enough to shake up your music, movies, and gaming experiences.

If you want clean, tight, accurate bass without a massive box, the S8 delivers in spades. It’s especially recommended for Audioengine speaker owners, but it integrates seamlessly into any setup.

👉 See Audioengine S8 deals here

Expanded FAQs

Q1. Does the Audioengine S8 support wireless?
Yes, with the Audioengine W3 wireless adapter (sold separately).

Q2. What’s the ideal crossover setting?
Start at 80Hz and adjust to match your speakers.

Q3. How does it perform for movies vs music?
Excellent for both, but especially tuned for music accuracy.

Q4. Can I use it with a TV soundbar?
Yes, if the soundbar has a sub-out (RCA or 3.5mm).

Q5. Is it good for gaming setups?
Yes — small footprint + powerful bass makes it ideal for PC gaming rigs.

Q6. Is 8 inches enough?
For small to medium rooms, yes. For large rooms, consider a 12-inch+ sub.

Q7. How heavy is it?
29 lbs — solid, but easy to move compared to larger subs.

Q8. Does it turn off automatically?
Yes, it features auto-sensing standby mode.

Q9. Is it boomy or accurate?
Accurate — designed to complement, not overpower.

Q10. Does it pair with non-Audioengine speakers?
Absolutely. Works with any RCA/3.5mm compatible setup.

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