Alpine S2-W8D4 Review: An 8-Inch DVC Sub for Small Boots and Five-Channel Amps
Updated: Oct 6
The Alpine S2-W8D4 is an 8-inch (20 cm) subwoofer from Alpine's next-generation S-Series with dual 4-ohm voice coils, rated at 300 W RMS and 900 W peak, with 82.7 dB sensitivity and 13 mm of one-way excursion. Its Indian MRP is ₹20,999, making it the smallest and most affordable of the three S2 subwoofers we stock, below the 10-inch S2-W10 and 12-inch S2-W12. It suits buyers who want real bass without giving up much boot space, and those running a modest amplifier such as the subwoofer channel of a five-channel amp. You can check today's price on our S2-W8D4 product page.
Key takeaways
A compact driver for small boxes: Alpine UK recommends 5.1 to 15 litres sealed or 10.8 to 20.7 litres ported.
Dual 4-ohm coils wire to 2 ohms (parallel) or 8 ohms (series); 2 ohms is the useful load for most amplifiers.
At 2 ohms it matches the 300 W RMS subwoofer channel of Alpine's S2-A55V exactly.
Owner feedback is very thin: one useful review, which says it has more punch than a stock subwoofer billed as premium.
Alpine S2-W8D4 specifications
Specification | Alpine S2-W8D4 |
|---|---|
Size | 8 in (20 cm) |
Voice coils | Dual 4 Ω, with configuration jumpers |
Power handling | 300 W RMS / 900 W peak |
Sensitivity | 82.7 dB (1 W / 1 m) |
Frequency response | 23 Hz – 215 Hz (Alpine UK product page); 35 Hz – 215 Hz (Alpine spec sheet) |
Voice coil diameter | 35.5 mm |
Xmax (one way) | 13 mm |
Magnet | Strontium ferrite, 0.96 kg |
Cone and surround | Carbon fibre and polypropylene cone, polypropylene and ceramic dust cap, HAMR rubber surround |
Sealed box | 5.1 – 15 litres |
Ported box | 10.8 – 20.7 litres |
Terminals | Push-type, up to 8 AWG |
Grille | Not included; twist-lock grille mount |
India MRP | ₹20,999 |
Figures come from Alpine UK's S2-W8D4 page and the S2 subwoofer spec sheet linked from it. They disagree on the low end: the product page and our listing say 23 Hz, but the spec sheet lists 35 Hz for the 8-inch models, and 23 Hz for the 12-inch. We'd treat 35 Hz as the more realistic figure for an 8-inch driver. Neither source we read gives a mounting depth or cutout, so ask us to measure one before you plan a tight box.
What the design is aiming for
Alpine pairs a carbon fibre and polypropylene cone with a polypropylene and ceramic dust cap, aiming for a stiff, light moving assembly. The headline feature is the HAMR (High-Amplitude Multi-Roll) rubber surround, which Alpine's US page says lets the cone move air efficiently while staying cool; the same page quotes 13 mm of one-way excursion. For an 8-inch driver, excursion is what turns a small cone into usable bass, so that figure matters more than the peak power rating.
The motor uses a 0.96 kg strontium ferrite magnet and a 35.5 mm voice coil. The 82.7 dB sensitivity is modest, as you'd expect from a small sub built for small boxes, so plan on giving it its full rated power rather than expecting it to play loud on a little.
Box choice and boot space
Alpine UK's ranges give you room to suit the car. A sealed box toward the small end of the 5.1 to 15 litre range is the space-saver: tight, controlled bass that blends well with door speakers, and easy to tuck into a boot corner. A ported box of 10.8 to 20.7 litres trades space for extra output around its tuning frequency, which suits buyers who listen to bass-heavy music. Either way, use 18 mm MDF or thicker, seal every joint and brace large panels; the box matters as much as the driver.
If you'd rather not build a box or add an amplifier, Alpine's PWE-M770 is a compact powered subwoofer, rated at 150 W RMS in our listing, a different kind of product at ₹34,999 MRP.
Wiring the dual 4-ohm coils, and amplifier pairing
The two 4-ohm voice coils can be wired in parallel for a 2-ohm load or in series for 8 ohms. Most mono and subwoofer channels make far more power at 2 ohms, so parallel is the usual choice for one sub.
The neatest match is Alpine's S2-A55V, whose subwoofer channel is rated at 300 W RMS into 2 ohms, exactly the S2-W8D4's rating, while its four 40 W RMS channels run the door speakers. With the mono S2-A60M, rated at 600 W RMS into 2 ohms and also 600 W into 1 ohm, one sub would get twice its rating, so a safer plan is two S2-W8D4s: wire each to 2 ohms and the pair in parallel for 1 ohm, giving each sub its 300 W. Set the gain with a test tone, not by ear. Our guide on why an amplifier matters covers the basics.
What owners and reviewers say about the Alpine S2-W8D4
Feedback is very limited. When we checked in October 2026, the only owner reviews we found were two on OnlineCarStereo. A November 2023 reviewer says it packs more punch than the stock subwoofer billed as premium and is a big step up in power and sound. The second, from March 2025, only praises delivery and packaging before installation. The site moderates reviews to remove unproven negative comments.
For a related model rather than this one, the 12-inch S2-W12D4 has one OnlineCarStereo review reporting loud, powerful bass from an S2-A60M and good value. Alpine's pages are promotional, and we found no independent test. If you run an S2-W8D4, tell us how it performs in your car.
S2-W8D4 vs S2-W10 and the R-Series
The S2-W10 costs ₹24,999 MRP and doubles the rating to 600 W RMS, with 84.9 dB sensitivity in our listing. If you have the boot space and amplifier power, the 10-inch will play deeper and louder; the S2-W8D4 makes sense when space or power is the limit. The S2-W12 (₹25,999 MRP) goes further again. Alpine's R2-W10 (₹41,999 MRP) steps up to 750 W RMS for buyers building around a bigger amplifier.
Who should buy it, and who shouldn't
Buy the S2-W8D4 if you want to add low-end weight without losing much of your boot, you're running a five-channel amplifier like the S2-A55V, or you want two small subs on one mono amp.
Look elsewhere if you want chest-thumping output from a single sub; a 10 or 12-inch will move more air, and the S2-W10 lists at ₹24,999. If you want no box building at all, a powered unit like the PWE-M770 is simpler.
Installation notes for Indian cars
Bolt or strap the box to the boot floor so it can't slide on rough roads, and since no grille is included, plan a box design or cover that keeps luggage off the cone. The push terminals take up to 8 AWG speaker wire. For the amplifier, the S2-A55V manual calls for 4 AWG power wire. Fuse that run close to the battery and keep the ground short and clean. Alpine also advises mounting the amplifier where air can circulate freely, which matters in a boot that gets very hot in summer. VA3 Car Studio in Ghaziabad offers professional installation and can check what fits your boot.
Price and where to buy
The Alpine S2-W8D4 carries an India MRP of ₹20,999, with effect from 1 June 2026. Check today's price and stock on our Alpine S2-W8D4 8-inch subwoofer listing. Every unit we sell is a genuine Alpine product.
The bottom line
This is a sensible small sub: generous excursion for its size, flexible box options and a 300 W RMS rating that pairs perfectly with the S2-A55V's subwoofer channel. Its sensitivity is modest and owner feedback is almost non-existent, so buy it for the fit and the matching, not for headline output.
Alpine S2-W8D4 FAQ
How should I wire the Alpine S2-W8D4?
Wire the two 4-ohm coils in parallel for a 2-ohm load, which suits most amplifiers. Series wiring gives 8 ohms, which most amplifiers drive at lower power. Two subs, each at 2 ohms and wired in parallel, give 1 ohm.
What box does the S2-W8D4 need?
Alpine UK recommends 5.1 to 15 litres for a sealed box or 10.8 to 20.7 litres for a ported box. Sealed saves space and sounds tighter; ported gives more output around its tuning frequency.
Which Alpine amplifier suits the S2-W8D4?
The S2-A55V's subwoofer channel delivers 300 W RMS into 2 ohms, matching the sub's rating. For two subs, the S2-A60M's 600 W RMS into 1 ohm gives each 300 W.
Buy Alpine Subwoofers in India
You can buy the Alpine S2-W8D4 S-Series 8 Inch Subwoofer 300W RMS online from VA3 Car Studio with pan-India shipping. See more Alpine subwoofers, compare other car subwoofers, or book subwoofer installation in Ghaziabad.
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