Hertz CBA 250 Review: A Flat 10-Inch Active Sub for Factory Systems
Updated: Oct 6
The Hertz CBA 250 is a ready-to-fit active subwoofer: a 10-inch (250 mm) driver in a sealed box just 158 mm tall, driven by a built-in Class D amplifier rated at 250 W continuous and 500 W peak. It comes from Hertz's mid-range Cento line and carries an Indian MRP of ₹49,990. It suits owners who want proper low bass but would rather keep the factory touchscreen and most of the boot, because it accepts speaker-level signals as well as RCA. Current pricing is on our Hertz CBA 250 product page.
Quick summary
Driver, sealed box, 250 W RMS amplifier, remote level control and metal grille come in one package.
The box measures 440 x 334 x 158 mm and can fire down or up, thanks to Hertz's 2S² (2 Sides / 2 Sounds) design.
A high-level input suits factory head units; RCA and a defeatable low-pass filter suit aftermarket stereos and DSPs.
We found no published owner reviews, so this assessment rests on Hertz's figures.
Hertz CBA 250 specifications
Specification | Hertz CBA 250 |
|---|---|
Type | Active sealed subwoofer box |
Driver | 250 mm (10-inch), pressed paper cone, rubber surround |
Voice coil | 60 mm, copper; 0.4 Ω resistance (Re) |
Amplifier | Class D, He-Li design, 90% efficiency claimed |
Power | 250 W continuous, 500 W peak |
Sensitivity | 82.4 dB |
Frequency response | 20 – 200 Hz |
Low-pass filter | 50 – 200 Hz, 12 dB/octave, can be bypassed |
Subsonic filter | 20 Hz, 24 dB/octave |
Bass boost | 0 – 6 dB at 45 Hz |
Phase | 0 – 180° |
Inputs | High-level (multi-pole connector), RCA |
Supply voltage | 10 – 16 V DC |
Fuse rating | 20 A |
Dimensions | 440 x 334 x 158 mm |
Included | HRC AP remote, metal grille, levelling feet with Velcro inserts |
India MRP | ₹49,990 |
Figures come from Hertz's official CBA 250 page, with the fuse rating from the official store of Hertz's parent, Elettromedia. Neither lists a weight or internal volume, so check the footprint against your boot.
A sealed box with its amplifier built in
The driver pairs a pressed paper cone and rubber surround with a 60 mm copper voice coil and a ferrite magnet. The unusual part is the coil's resistance: just 0.4 Ω. Most car amplifiers step the battery voltage up through a DC-DC converter. Hertz's He-Li (high efficiency, low impedance) module skips that stage and drives the low-impedance coil directly, and Hertz quotes 90% efficiency as a result. Less wasted power means less heat, which counts in a sun-baked boot in May.
The enclosure is sealed rather than ported, which generally trades some peak output for tighter, better-controlled bass. The 2S² layout lets you fire it downwards, on levelling feet whose Velcro inserts grip the carpet, or upwards behind the metal grille. Hertz's SSP (Sub Smart Plug) terminal block comes with a single plug-and-play connector, so the box can be disconnected easily and lifted out when you need the whole boot.
Factory head unit, aftermarket stereo or DSP
Many buyers want to keep their car's factory touchscreen. Hertz says the CBA 250's high-level speaker input, on a multi-pole connector, eases integration with factory audio systems, so the box can take its signal from the existing speaker wiring. Aftermarket head units with subwoofer pre-outs use the RCA input instead.
The 12 dB/octave low-pass filter runs from 50 to 200 Hz and can be bypassed when a processor already sends a filtered sub signal (see our explainer on why a DSP helps car audio). The 20 Hz subsonic filter stops the cone wasting excursion, the 0 to 180° phase control helps the sub blend with the front speakers, and the bass boost adds up to 6 dB at 45 Hz. Use the boost sparingly; it is the quickest way to turn tight bass into boom. The HRC AP remote trims the level from the driver's seat.
Hertz specifies a 10 to 16 V supply, and Elettromedia lists a 20 A fuse rating, a light load next to a big external amplifier. Long idling with the AC on is routine in NCR traffic, so check the battery first.
What owners and reviewers say about the Hertz CBA 250
When we checked in October 2026, we could not find any published owner reviews or independent tests of this subwoofer. Its listings at Crutchfield, Sonic Electronix, OnlineCarStereo and Visions.ca showed no customer reviews, and searches of Team-BHP, Reddit and DIYMobileAudio found no owner threads.
What exists is promotional: Hertz's and Elettromedia's pages describe the features above, and this review relies on them. We won't invent a verdict. If you own a CBA 250, we would be glad to hear how it performs in your car.
CBA 250 vs DBA 201 and a passive Cento build
The closest alternative in our Hertz range is the 8-inch Hertz DBA 201 from the Dieci line. It shares the 45 Hz bass boost, phase control, subsonic filter, high-level input and remote level control, so the choice comes down to size, shape and power. The DBA 201 puts a 200 mm driver in a double passive-radiator MDF box of 315 x 291 x 264 mm, with 220 W continuous, a steeper 24 dB/octave low-pass filter and a wider 6.5 to 18 V operating range. The CBA 250 brings a larger driver, a higher rating and a much flatter box; the DBA 201, at least 264 mm in every direction, needs more height but less floor area.
The other route is a passive driver with your own box and amplifier. The Hertz CS 250 is a 10-inch Cento driver rated at 300 W continuous, designed for sealed boxes from 16 litres, at ₹19,990 MRP for the driver alone in 2 Ω or 4 Ω form. A box, mono amplifier and wiring add cost and installation time, but you choose every part and can upgrade later. With more boot space, the 12-inch CS 300 asks for a 32-litre sealed box. The CBA 250 is for buyers who want one tidy unit instead.
Who should buy it, and who shouldn't
Buy the CBA 250 if you want real bass from a factory system without replacing the head unit or building a custom box, and you need the boot for luggage most days. A 10-inch driver on 250 W suits fuller music at sensible volumes on daily drives and highway runs.
Look elsewhere if you want competition-level output; a passive sub in a larger box with a stronger amplifier gives more headroom. If a spare wheel or CNG cylinder already crowds the boot floor, measure the 440 x 334 mm footprint first; the DBA 201 may suit you better.
Installation notes for Indian cars
The usual spot is the boot floor against the rear seat back. Down-firing protects the cone from luggage, and the Velcro inserts resist sliding, but on broken roads we would add a bracket or strap. Don't bury the box under bags; even an efficient amplifier must shed heat.
With a factory head unit, the high-level input usually taps the rear speaker feed. Factory units rarely provide a remote turn-on wire, but Hertz lists an ART (Automatic Remote Turn-On) function that can be set to remote-in, high-level or audio signal, so the box can switch on from the signal itself; we will check the best option for your car. Fuse the power cable close to the battery and ground the box to bare metal. Treating rattles in the boot lid helps any subwoofer, and our guide to applying sound damping explains how. VA3 Car Studio offers professional installation in Ghaziabad.
Price and where to buy
The Hertz CBA 250 has an MRP of ₹49,990 in our current Indian listing. Check today's offer on the CBA 250 product page, and ask us to confirm it fits your boot. Every unit we sell is a genuine Hertz product.
The bottom line
This is a sensible way to add bass while keeping a factory system and most of the boot: a flat sealed box, an efficient amplifier, a high-level input and the controls most daily drivers need. It isn't built for competitions, and with no owner reviews published yet, you are buying on Hertz's specifications. Fitted securely and tuned with care, it should add the low end door speakers can't reach.
Hertz CBA 250 FAQ
Can the Hertz CBA 250 work with a factory head unit?
Yes. Hertz fits a high-level speaker input on a multi-pole connector to ease integration with factory audio systems, so the box can take its signal from the existing speaker wiring. Aftermarket head units with subwoofer pre-outs use the RCA input.
Does the CBA 250 need a separate amplifier?
No. A Class D amplifier rated at 250 W continuous and 500 W peak is built in. You still need a fused power cable from the battery, a good ground and a signal connection; Elettromedia's store lists a 20 A fuse rating.
How much space does the CBA 250 take?
The sealed box measures 440 x 334 x 158 mm and can be installed down-firing on its levelling feet or up-firing behind the supplied metal grille, lying flat on the boot floor either way.
Buy Hertz Subwoofers in India
Check the Hertz CBA 250 Cento 10 Inch Active Subwoofer Enclosure price in India, browse more Hertz subwoofers or compare all enclosed and powered subwoofers in India. Want it fitted properly? Book subwoofer installation at our Ghaziabad studio.
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