Hertz CS 200 S4 Review: An 8-Inch Cento Sub for Small Sealed or Ported Boxes
Updated: Oct 7
The Hertz CS 200 S4 is the 8-inch (200 mm) driver in Hertz's mid-range Cento subwoofer range: a single 4-ohm voice coil, 150 W continuous and 300 W peak, 84 dB sensitivity, and a recommended sealed box of only 9.6 litres. Its Indian MRP is ₹14,990, the lowest of the Cento subs we sell. It is meant for buyers who need bass from a small space and plan a modest amplifier, including those keeping a factory head unit. Today's price is on our Hertz CS 200 S4 product page.
Quick summary
Hertz publishes two boxes for it: 9.6 litres sealed or 14.5 litres ported.
At 150 W continuous into 4 Ω, it suits small amplifiers, including bridged two-channel amps and five-channel system amps.
A 101 mm mounting depth and no rear decompression hole let the box stay compact.
We found no owner reviews when we checked; the only commentary is Hertz's own launch material.
Hertz CS 200 S4 specifications
Specification | Hertz CS 200 S4 |
|---|---|
Type | 8-inch (200 mm) subwoofer driver, single voice coil |
Impedance | 4 Ω |
Power handling | 150 W continuous, 300 W peak |
Sensitivity | 84 dB |
Fs / Qts / Vas | 40 Hz / 0.52 / 13.7 l |
Xmax / Xmech | 9 mm / 11.5 mm |
Voice coil | 35 mm, six layers of pure copper |
Cone | Polypropylene |
Magnet | Ferrite, 120 x 50 x 28 mm |
Sealed box | 9.6 l, Fb 60 Hz, Qtc 0.81 |
Ported box | 14.5 l, Fb 40 Hz, port 63 mm diameter x 235 mm long |
Mounting depth | 101 mm |
Outer diameter | 213 mm |
Weight | 2.87 kg |
India MRP | ₹14,990 |
Figures come from Hertz's official CS 200 S4 page, with the MRP from our listing. Hertz's box drawings give a 180 mm mounting hole; measure the driver before cutting a baffle.
Sealed or ported: Hertz gives you both
For the 10- and 12-inch Cento drivers, Hertz's pages list only sealed boxes. For this one it publishes two. The sealed option is 9.6 litres with an Fb of 60 Hz and a Qtc of 0.81, a compact, controlled alignment that suits tight, quick bass and the smallest spaces.
The ported option is 14.5 litres, about half as large again, tuned to 40 Hz with a 63 mm port 235 mm long. A port tuned that low should give more output in the deepest octave than the sealed box, at the cost of space and some of the sealed box's control. The port's length also has to fit inside the enclosure, so a good box builder may fold or angle it. If your boot can spare the extra litres and you listen to bass-heavy music, the ported box is worth considering; if space rules, stay sealed.
Same Cento construction, scaled down
The polypropylene cone and dust cap are shaped with FEM simulation to keep low-frequency distortion down, and the 35 mm voice coil is wound in six layers of pure copper on a glass-fibre former designed for high temperatures. Hertz's fluid dynamic work aims to reduce the distortion caused by air compression at high excursion. One-way Xmax is 9 mm, against 12.5 mm on the larger CS drivers, which is in keeping with its smaller cone and lower power rating.
The design point Hertz stresses is depth. With reduced depth, a compact magnet assembly and no rear decompression hole, Hertz's May 2022 launch article says the box can be shaped around the subwoofer, ending up almost as shallow as the driver itself. Push terminals take cable up to 8 AWG, a rubber cover protects the magnet, and an ABS gasket accepts the optional CG 200 grille.
Amplifier power and factory head units
Even a small sub needs its own amplifier; head-unit power won't drive it properly. Our guide on when a car needs an amplifier explains why. The good news is that 150 W into 4 Ω is easy to supply.
On a budget, the Zapco ST-2B bridges to 180 W into 4 Ω and accepts OEM speaker-level input, so it can take its signal from a factory head unit. For a complete system, the JL Audio JD700/5 pairs four 75 W speaker channels with a 180 W subwoofer channel at 4 Ω, and it works with speaker-level signals too. Both land a little above the CS 200 S4's continuous rating, so set the gain with a test tone rather than by ear. A large mono amplifier such as the Hertz DP 1.500, at 280 W into 4 Ω, is nearly double the rating and not a natural partner.
What owners and reviewers say about the Hertz CS 200 S4
When we checked in October 2026, we found no owner reviews or independent tests of this subwoofer. The Sonic Electronix listing shows no reviews, we could not access Amazon's listings, and searches for reviews and forum threads turned up only retailer pages.
The only commentary is Hertz's own launch article, which is promotional. It promises high performance from boxes starting at 9.6 litres and freedom to install the sub in any type of car. That is a design intention, not a verdict, so we can't offer an owner consensus. If you have fitted a CS 200 S4, we would like to hear how it performs in your car.
CS 200 S4 vs CS 250 and DBA 201
The 10-inch Hertz CS 250 (₹19,990 MRP) handles twice the power at 300 W continuous, comes in 2 Ω or 4 Ω form and needs a 16-litre sealed box. Choose it if you can spare the space and the amplifier power; the CS 200 S4 is the one for genuinely small boxes and modest amplifiers.
If you'd rather not build a box at all, the Hertz DBA 201 is an 8-inch active enclosure from the Dieci line, with a 220 W continuous amplifier built into a double passive-radiator box measuring 315 x 291 x 264 mm. It costs more than this driver alone but includes the amplifier and enclosure. The CS 200 S4 leaves you free to choose the box shape, which matters when the space is awkward.
Who should buy it, and who shouldn't
Buy the CS 200 S4 if you want to add proper low end to a hatchback or compact sedan without giving up much boot, you plan a small or multi-channel amplifier, and you value a box that can be shaped to fit.
Look elsewhere if you want loud, deep bass for large cabins, where the CS 250 or the 12-inch CS 300 makes more sense, or if you want a ready-made plug-in unit.
Installation notes for Indian cars
A 9.6-litre sealed box is small enough to sit in a boot corner, and a custom shape can use space a square box would waste. Build it from rigid MDF, seal every joint and the driver's mounting, and strap it down so speed breakers and broken roads can't move it. Check clearance around a spare wheel or CNG cylinder before settling on a shape.
Fuse the amplifier's power cable close to the battery, ground it to bare metal, and check the battery's health, since long idling with the AC on strains a weak one. Even an 8-inch sub will find rattles in the boot lid and number plate; our guide to applying sound damping explains how to treat them. VA3 Car Studio offers professional installation in Ghaziabad.
Price and where to buy
The Hertz CS 200 S4 has an MRP of ₹14,990 in our listing. Check today's price on the CS 200 S4 product page. The CG 200 grille is sold separately, and every driver we sell is a genuine Hertz product.
The bottom line
This is a well-thought-out small sub: modest power needs, a choice of published sealed and ported boxes, and a shallow motor that lets the enclosure fit awkward spaces. There are no owner reviews yet, so you are relying on Hertz's figures. In a small car with a sensible amplifier, it should fill in the bass that door speakers can't reach.
Hertz CS 200 S4 FAQ
What box does the Hertz CS 200 S4 need?
Hertz publishes two designs: a 9.6-litre sealed box with an Fb of 60 Hz and a Qtc of 0.81, or a 14.5-litre ported box tuned to 40 Hz with a 63 mm port 235 mm long. The ported box needs more space but should dig deeper.
How much amplifier power does the CS 200 S4 need?
It handles 150 W continuous into 4 ohms. A bridged two-channel amplifier such as the Zapco ST-2B (180 W into 4 ohms) or the subwoofer channel of a five-channel amplifier suits it, with the gain set carefully.
Can the CS 200 S4 work with a factory head unit?
Yes, through an amplifier with speaker-level inputs. The Zapco ST-2B accepts OEM speaker-level input and the JL Audio JD700/5 works with speaker-level signals, so neither needs an aftermarket head unit.
Buy the Hertz CS 200 S4 Cento in India
You can buy the Hertz CS 200 S4 Cento online from VA3 Car Studio with pan-India shipping. See more Hertz subwoofers, compare other car subwoofers, or book subwoofer installation in Ghaziabad.
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