Deaf Bonce ML-10S Review: A 300 W Dual 2-Ohm 10-Inch Sub for Small Boots
Updated: Oct 6
The Deaf Bonce ML-10S is a 10-inch Machete subwoofer driver with dual 2 Ω voice coils, rated at 300 W RMS and 600 W max, with a 1.75-inch copper voice coil and 10 mm of linear excursion. At an Indian MRP of ₹12,990 it is the least expensive Deaf Bonce subwoofer we list, just below the 12-inch ML-12S and well below the Machete MF models. It suits a first bass upgrade in a hatchback or compact sedan, where boot space and budget both matter. Today's price is on our Deaf Bonce ML-10S product page.
Quick summary
A modest 10-inch: 300 W RMS, a Vas of 16.2 litres and a 116.3 mm mounting depth, so it can work in a compact box.
The dual 2 Ω coils wire to 4 Ω in series or 1 Ω in parallel; one sub in series suits a mid-size Deaf Bonce mono amplifier.
Deaf Bonce's product page gives Thiele-Small figures but no recommended box volumes, so the enclosure has to be designed from those figures.
We found no published owner or press reviews of this model, so this review sticks to verified specifications.
Deaf Bonce ML-10S specifications
Specification | Machete ML-10S D2 |
|---|---|
Type | 10-inch (254 mm) subwoofer driver |
Voice coils | Dual 2 Ω (2+2 Ω) |
Voice coil | 1.75-inch, copper wire |
Power handling | 300 W RMS, 600 W max |
SPL | 85.9 dB |
Fs | 39.7 Hz |
Qts | 0.40 |
BL | 16.0 T·m |
Vas | 16.2 litres |
Xmax / Xmech | 10 mm / 20 mm |
Cone and surround | Paper cone, foam surround |
Motor and frame | Ferrite magnet, steel frame |
Mounting depth | 116.3 mm |
Cut-out diameter | 232.0 mm |
Gross weight (packed) | 4.20 kg |
India MRP | ₹12,990 |
Figures come from Deaf Bonce's ML-10S D2 product page and match our store listing. Deaf Bonce lists only this dual 2 Ω version; there is no 4 Ω ML-10S on its site.
What the published figures say about the box
Deaf Bonce doesn't print recommended enclosure volumes on the ML-10S page, and the manual PDF linked there wasn't readable for us. The page does give Thiele-Small parameters and a box-calculator link, so the enclosure should be worked out from those figures; when you buy, we can check the printed manual for any box guidance.
Three numbers matter most. The Vas of 16.2 litres describes a fairly stiff suspension, which points towards a compact box. The Qts of 0.40 sits where both sealed and ported designs are workable: sealed for tighter bass in less space, ported for more output around the tuning frequency in a bigger box. In a sealed box the system resonance rises above the 39.7 Hz Fs, which is why small sealed boxes trade some deep extension for size.
With 10 mm of linear excursion, the ML-10S is not a long-throw design, so in a ported box set a subsonic filter below the port tuning.
Wiring the dual 2 Ω coils
Each ML-10S has two 2 Ω voice coils, and both should always be connected. In series, with the positive of one coil linked to the negative of the other, the sub presents 4 Ω. In parallel, positive to positive and negative to negative, it presents 1 Ω. For two subs, wire each in series to 4 Ω and connect the pair in parallel for a final 2 Ω load. The right choice depends on the amplifier, because a Class D mono amp's output climbs steeply as the load falls.
Choosing an amplifier
The ML-10S needs an external amplifier; a head unit's built-in amp can't supply anything close to 300 W. Our guide to why car audio systems need an amplifier covers the basics.
Deaf Bonce's Machete MLA-800 is a natural partner. Deaf Bonce rates it at 340 W RMS into 4 Ω, 540 W into 2 Ω and 790 W into 1 Ω at 14.4 V. Wired in series, one ML-10S presents 4 Ω and gets up to about 340 W, a little above its 300 W rating, so set the gain with care. Wired in parallel at 1 Ω it would see 790 W, more than twice its rating, which risks overheating the coils unless the gain is held well back. The MLA-800's subsonic filter, adjustable from 10 to 50 Hz, is useful in a ported box.
Two ML-10S subs wired to 2 Ω on one MLA-800 would share 540 W, about 270 W each. The larger MLA-1000 makes 400 W into 4 Ω, a third more than one ML-10S is rated for, so it makes most sense if you plan a second sub; at 2 Ω it would give a pair about 340 W each. These ratings are at 14.4 V; with the engine idling and the AC on, the supply voltage and the amplifier's output are lower.
What owners and reviewers say about the Deaf Bonce ML-10S
When we checked in October 2026, we could not find any published owner reviews, forum write-ups or press tests of the ML-10S that we could read and verify. Deaf Bonce's own product page carries specifications only. The listing at Alphard Audio, the online store named for Deaf Bonce's US dealer, shows the same figures but no customer reviews. Several large marketplaces wouldn't let us read their review pages, so this absence says nothing either way about performance.
What can be stated is that the published figures agree across Deaf Bonce's site, its US dealer and our listing. If you own an ML-10S, tell us how it performs in your car; your experience will help the next buyer.
How it compares with the ML-12S and MF-10S
The ML-12S (₹13,990 MRP) is the same recipe in a 12-inch frame, with the identical 300 W RMS rating, 1.75-inch coil and 10 mm Xmax. Its published SPL figure is 3 dB higher (88.9 dB against 85.9 dB) and its Fs is lower (35.7 Hz against 39.7 Hz). The catch is size: its Vas of 41.6 litres calls for a much bigger box. For ₹1,000 more, it's worth considering if your boot can spare the room.
The MF-10S (₹19,990 MRP) stays at 10 inches but is a different class of driver: 800 W RMS, a 2.5-inch coil and 14 mm Xmax. It needs far more amplifier power, and its 143.0 mm mounting depth needs a deeper enclosure. Choose it for a 10-inch that takes serious power, and the ML-10S for a modest upgrade.
Who should buy it, and who shouldn't
Buy the ML-10S if you want a first subwoofer on a tight budget, you drive a hatchback or compact sedan and need to keep most of the boot, and you're happy pairing it with a mid-size mono amplifier. It adds bass without turning the car into a competition build.
Look elsewhere if you want very loud, very deep bass, or you already own a big amplifier. At 300 W RMS and 10 mm Xmax, the ML-10S isn't built to absorb 800 W; the MF-10S and its bigger siblings are.
Installation notes for Indian cars
With a 116.3 mm mounting depth and a 232.0 mm cut-out, the ML-10S fits a compact box that can sit against the rear seat back or in a corner of a hatchback boot, leaving room for luggage. Keep the spare-wheel well reachable, and in cars with a CNG cylinder in the boot, measure the space that's left before choosing a box shape.
Bolt or strap the box down: rough roads loosen unsecured boxes, and a loose enclosure is dangerous in a hard stop. Run a fused power cable from the battery and treat rattling boot lids and number-plate areas; our sound damping guide shows how. VA3 Car Studio in Ghaziabad can build the box, fit the sub and amplifier, and set the gains properly.
Price and where to buy
The ML-10S carries an MRP of ₹12,990, and our listing describes it as a genuine Deaf Bonce product. We often sell below MRP, so check today's offer on the Machete ML-10S D2 listing, and ask us about a combined quote with amplifier, box and installation.
The bottom line
The ML-10S is an uncomplicated way into Deaf Bonce bass: a 300 W, dual 2 Ω 10-inch that works in a small box and pairs neatly with an MLA-800 wired to 4 Ω. Its specifications are clear and consistent; what's missing is independent owner feedback, which we couldn't find. For a modest, space-saving first sub, it's a sensible place to start.
Deaf Bonce ML-10S FAQ
Does the Deaf Bonce ML-10S need an amplifier?
Yes. It is a passive driver rated at 300 W RMS, far beyond what a head unit can supply. A mono amplifier such as the Deaf Bonce MLA-800, rated at 340 W RMS into 4 ohms, suits one ML-10S wired in series.
What size box does the ML-10S need?
Deaf Bonce's product page lists no recommended box volumes for it. It gives Thiele-Small figures instead (Fs 39.7 Hz, Qts 0.40, Vas 16.2 litres), which point to a compact enclosure. Ask us to design one from these figures for your boot.
Can I wire the ML-10S to 4 ohms?
Yes. Connecting its two 2-ohm coils in series gives 4 ohms, and connecting them in parallel gives 1 ohm. For one sub on an MLA-800, the 4-ohm series connection is the better match.
Buy Deaf Bonce Subwoofers in India
You can buy the Deaf Bonce Machete ML-10S D2 10-Inch Subwoofer 300W RMS online from VA3 Car Studio with pan-India shipping. See more Deaf Bonce subwoofers, compare other car subwoofers, or book subwoofer installation in Ghaziabad.
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