Deaf Bonce MF-08S Review: A 600 W 8-Inch Sub for Tight Boots
Updated: Oct 6
The Deaf Bonce MF-08S is an 8-inch Machete subwoofer driver rated at 600 W RMS (1,200 W max), with a 2-inch copper voice coil, 12 mm of linear excursion and a choice of dual 2 Ω (D2) or dual 4 Ω (D4) coils. That is double the power rating of the 10-inch ML-10S in a smaller driver. Its India MRP is ₹18,990, the same as the 12-inch Hannibal HS-1200, and it suits cars where boot space is scarce but the owner still wants a sub that can take real amplifier power. See today's offer on our Deaf Bonce MF-08S product page.
Quick summary
600 W RMS through a 2-inch coil with 12 mm Xmax, in a driver that needs only a 183.0 mm cut-out.
Deaf Bonce's manual recommends a 23-litre ported box tuned to 39 Hz, and the 48.0 Hz Fs means it is more about punch than the lowest octave.
One D4 wired to 2 Ω suits the MLA-800; two D4s wired to 1 Ω suit the MLA-1000.
No owner or press reviews were available to us, so this review works from Deaf Bonce's published figures.
Deaf Bonce MF-08S specifications
Specification | Machete MF-08S |
|---|---|
Type | 8-inch (203 mm) subwoofer driver |
Voice coils | Dual 2 Ω (D2) or dual 4 Ω (D4) |
Voice coil | 2-inch, copper wire |
Power handling | 600 W RMS, 1,200 W max |
SPL | D2 84.0 dB; D4 84.3 dB |
Fs | D2 48.0 Hz; D4 48.2 Hz |
Qts | D2 0.41; D4 0.42 |
BL | D2 15.1 T·m; D4 15.4 T·m |
Vas | D2 7.5 litres; D4 7.9 litres |
Xmax / Xmech | 12 mm / 24 mm |
Construction | Paper cone, foam surround, ferrite magnet, steel frame |
Mounting depth | 115.8 mm |
Cut-out diameter | 183.0 mm |
Recommended box (manual) | Ported, 23 litres, 65 cm² port 45 cm long, tuned to 39 Hz |
India MRP | ₹18,990 |
The driver figures are from Deaf Bonce's MF-08S D2/D4 page, which lists both versions, and match our listing. The box recommendation comes from the combined MF-series manual linked from Deaf Bonce's MF-15S page.
The recommended box, and what the high Fs means
The MF-08S page lists no box volumes, but Deaf Bonce's manual for the MF-08S, MF-10S, MF-12S and MF-15S does. For the MF-08S it recommends a ported box of 23 litres (0.8 cubic feet) with a 65 cm² port 45 cm long, tuned to 39 Hz. That is compact, in line with a Vas of 7.5 litres (7.9 litres for the D4), less than half the ML-10S's 16.2 litres. A Qts of 0.41 also leaves a sealed design open if you want an even smaller box.
The trade-off is the 48.0 Hz Fs, noticeably higher than the 36.0 Hz of the 10-inch MF-10S or the 39.7 Hz of the ML-10S. An 8-inch like this delivers tight, punchy upper bass more readily than the deepest notes, and in a small sealed box its system resonance rises further. If you want the bottom octave of film soundtracks, a bigger driver is the better tool; if you want kick drums and bass guitar to land with weight from a small box, that is what the MF-08S is for.
The manual suggests a subsonic filter 5 Hz below the port tuning, about 34 Hz for the recommended box, and a low-pass between 63 and 80 Hz. Its 12 mm of Xmax is more than the 300 W ML subs offer.
Wiring the D2 and D4
Both versions have two coils, and both should always be connected. The D2 wires to 4 Ω in series or 1 Ω in parallel; the D4 to 8 Ω in series or 2 Ω in parallel. Two subs open more options: two D4s, each in parallel and then paralleled together, make 1 Ω, while two D2s, each in series and then paralleled, make 2 Ω.
Amplifier pairing: one sub or two
Deaf Bonce rates its Machete amplifiers at 14.4 V: the MLA-800 at 790, 540 and 340 W into 1, 2 and 4 Ω; the MLA-1000 at 990, 680 and 400 W; and the MLA-1500 at 1,480, 920 and 540 W. Against the MF-08S's 600 W rating:
One D4 at 2 Ω on the MLA-800 gets 540 W, 90 per cent of the rating. A D2 at 4 Ω on the MLA-1500 also gets 540 W, but that is a larger amplifier.
One D4 at 2 Ω on the MLA-1000 gets 680 W, slightly over the rating, so it needs a carefully set gain.
One D2 at 1 Ω on the MLA-800 gets 790 W, about a third over the rating; we'd choose the D4 instead.
Two D4s at 1 Ω on the MLA-1000 get about 495 W each; two D2s at 2 Ω on the MLA-1500 get about 460 W each.
A pair is worth considering. Two 8-inch cones have more combined area than one 10-inch, though less than one 12-inch, and two small boxes can be easier to place than one large one. Remember that these ratings are at 14.4 V, and output drops at idle with the AC running.
What owners and reviewers say about the Deaf Bonce MF-08S
When we checked in October 2026, we found no owner reviews, forum discussions or press tests of the MF-08S that we could read and verify. Several major marketplaces and car audio forums that might hold owner feedback blocked our access to their review pages, and Deaf Bonce's own page lists specifications only.
With no feedback to summarise, we won't guess at one. If you've installed an MF-08S, especially in a small car, we'd like to hear how it performs.
MF-08S vs ML-10S, MF-10S and HS-1200
The ML-10S (₹12,990 MRP) is cheaper, and its larger cone and 85.9 dB SPL figure give it an edge in efficiency on paper, but it is rated at only 300 W and needs a box sized for a 16.2-litre Vas. The MF-10S (₹19,990 MRP) costs ₹1,000 more than the MF-08S and is the natural step up: 800 W RMS, a 2.5-inch coil, 14 mm Xmax and a lower 36.0 Hz Fs, at the cost of a 143.0 mm mounting depth and a bigger box: Deaf Bonce recommends 40 litres for it.
At the same ₹18,990 MRP, the HS-1200 offers the same 600 W rating in a 12-inch Hannibal frame. Choose it if you have the space and want more cone area; choose the MF-08S when the box has to be small.
Who should buy it, and who shouldn't
Buy the MF-08S if space is tight, whether that's a small hatchback boot, a CNG car or a family car that must keep its luggage room, and you still want a sub that can take several hundred watts.
Look elsewhere if deep extension is your priority. A 10-inch or 12-inch driver with a lower Fs is the better tool for the bottom octave.
Installation notes for Indian cars
With a 183.0 mm cut-out and 115.8 mm mounting depth, the MF-08S suits enclosures that can sit in a boot corner or against a side panel, leaving most of the floor free. Keep the spare-wheel well accessible, and allow for a CNG cylinder if your car has one.
Despite its size, a 600 W sub needs a proper electrical feed: a fused, heavy-gauge power cable sized to the amplifier and a solid ground. Ventilate the amplifier, secure the box against hard braking, and damp the boot area to stop rattles; our sound damping guide covers the method. VA3 Car Studio in Ghaziabad can build compact boxes and handle the full installation.
Price and where to buy
The MF-08S has an MRP of ₹18,990 for either version. We often sell below MRP; select D2 or D4 and check today's price on the Machete MF-08S D2/D4 listing. If you're planning a pair, ask us to quote both subs, the amplifier and the boxes together.
The bottom line
The MF-08S puts 600 W of power handling into a driver that Deaf Bonce pairs with a 23-litre box, and its D2 and D4 versions make amplifier matching easy, with the D4 on an MLA-800 at 2 Ω a close single-sub match. Its high Fs means it favours punch over the deepest bass, so it's best for owners who need a small footprint. We found no independent owner feedback, and we'd welcome some.
Deaf Bonce MF-08S FAQ
Is the Deaf Bonce MF-08S powerful enough on its own?
It is rated at 600 W RMS, double the 300 W of Deaf Bonce's ML-10S, so it can take serious amplifier power. Its 48.0 Hz Fs means it favours punchy upper bass rather than the deepest notes, which a larger driver handles better.
Should I choose the D2 or D4 MF-08S?
For one sub on a Deaf Bonce MLA-800, the D4 wired to 2 ohms gets 540 W, close to the 600 W rating. The D2 wired to 1 ohm would get 790 W from the same amp, which is more than it is rated for.
What box does the MF-08S need?
Deaf Bonce's combined MF-series manual recommends a ported box of 23 litres with a 65 cm² port 45 cm long, tuned to 39 Hz. For a sealed design, work from the published parameters, such as the 7.5-litre Vas of the D2.
Buy Deaf Bonce Subwoofers in India
Check the Deaf Bonce Machete MF-08S D2/D4 8-Inch Subwoofer 600W RMS price in India, browse more Deaf Bonce subwoofers or compare all car subwoofers in India. Want it fitted properly? Book subwoofer installation at our Ghaziabad studio.
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