Hertz CS 300 Review: 12-Inch Cento Sub, S2 vs S4 and the 32-Litre Box
Updated: Oct 7
The Hertz CS 300 is a 12-inch (300 mm) subwoofer driver from Hertz's mid-range Cento line, rated at 350 W continuous and 700 W peak with 86.5 dB sensitivity. Our listing covers both versions, the 2-ohm CS 300 S2 and the 4-ohm CS 300 S4, at an Indian MRP of ₹19,990. Hertz designed it for sealed boxes from 32 litres, so it suits sedans and SUVs whose boots can spare that space, and buyers who want to choose their own amplifier. See our Hertz CS 300 product page for today's price.
Quick summary
The S2 (2 Ω) and S4 (4 Ω) share the same 350 W continuous rating, so pick the one your amplifier suits best.
Hertz recommends a 32-litre sealed box (Fb 50 Hz, Qtc 0.9) and lists no ported design for this model.
At 86.5 dB, it is the most sensitive of the three Cento sub drivers we sell; the CS 250 and CS 200 S4 are rated 84 dB.
We found no readable owner reviews, only promotional commentary.
Hertz CS 300 specifications
Specification | Hertz CS 300 S2 / S4 |
|---|---|
Type | 12-inch (300 mm) subwoofer driver, single voice coil |
Impedance | 2 Ω (S2) or 4 Ω (S4) |
Power handling | 350 W continuous, 700 W peak |
Sensitivity | 86.5 dB |
Fs / Qts | 25 Hz / 0.46 (S2), 25 Hz / 0.47 (S4) |
Vas | 87.25 l (S2), 93.42 l (S4) |
Xmax / Xmech | 12.5 mm / 16.5 mm |
Voice coil | 35 mm, six layers of copper on a glass-fibre former |
Cone and surround | Polypropylene, nitrile rubber |
Magnet | Ferrite, 134 x 45 x 34 mm |
Recommended box | 32 l sealed, Fb 50 Hz, Qtc 0.9 |
Cutout / outer diameter | 281 mm / 318 mm |
Mounting depth | 130 mm (S4 page); both pages also list 147 mm |
India MRP | ₹19,990 |
Figures come from Hertz's official CS 300 S4 page and CS 300 S2 page, plus our listing for the MRP. Only the S4 page labels a mounting depth (130 mm), and both pages also list a 147 mm dimension, so plan around the larger figure.
Inside the driver
Hertz shaped the polypropylene cone and dust cap with FEM simulation to lower low-frequency distortion, and hung them on a nitrile rubber surround; neither material minds a humid monsoon boot. The 35 mm voice coil is wound in six layers of pure copper on a high-temperature glass-fibre former, with a dedicated cooling system.
Hertz's fluid dynamic optimisation is about air: the spider support channels it towards vents in the basket, which Hertz says cuts the distortion caused by air compression at high excursion. There is no rear decompression hole and the magnet group is compact, so a box builder can shape the enclosure closely around the driver. The push terminals take cable up to 8 AWG.
The 32-litre sealed box
Hertz recommends a 32-litre sealed enclosure with an Fb of 50 Hz and a Qtc of 0.9, a slightly punchier alignment than the flattest possible one. Its example box measures 495 x 495 x 200 mm in 19 mm board: wide and shallow, so it can stand against the rear seat back.
Hertz suggests a 15 Hz subsonic filter and a 60 to 70 Hz low-pass, both at 24 dB/octave. Its pages list no ported alignment for the CS 300, so if you want a vented box for more output, have one designed properly; we can help.
S2 or S4, and how much amplifier
No head unit, factory or aftermarket, can drive a 12-inch sub properly, so plan for a mono amplifier from the start; our guide on when a car needs an amplifier covers the basics. The S2 and S4 share the same power ratings, sensitivity and recommended box, and differ in voice coil impedance and a few related parameters, so the choice depends on the amplifier.
Take the Hertz DP 1.500, rated at 280 W into 4 Ω and 500 W into 2 Ω. On the S4 it delivers 280 W, comfortably inside the 350 W continuous rating; on the S2 it can deliver up to 500 W, more than that rating, so the gain must be set carefully. A smaller amplifier flips the logic: the Zapco ST-500XM III makes 200 W into 4 Ω but 300 W into 2 Ω, so the S2 suits it better. The DP 1.500 also accepts speaker-level inputs, so it can take its signal straight from a factory head unit.
What owners and reviewers say about the Hertz CS 300
When we checked in October 2026, we could not find owner reviews of this subwoofer that we could read. The Sonic Electronix listing for the S4 shows none, eBay's catalogue pages in the US and Germany show no ratings, and Crutchfield's review section did not load for us. Team-BHP and Reddit searches turned up nothing specific.
The only commentary we found is promotional. A 2019 BestCarAudio product spotlight, written for retailers and republished by a US installer, calls the Cento subs trickle-down technology and highlights the four-spoke basket, vented voice-coil cooling and a magnet design that allows flush mounting. It quotes an F3 just under 50 Hz for the 12-inch models in a one-cubic-foot enclosure, without claiming to have listened to them. If you have fitted a CS 300, we would like to hear how it sounds.
CS 300 vs CS 250, CS 200 S4 and CBA 250
The 10-inch Hertz CS 250 has the same ₹19,990 MRP and the same S2 and S4 choice, so the decision is mostly about space. The CS 250 needs half the box (16 litres sealed) and is rated at 300 W continuous and 84 dB; the CS 300 asks for 32 litres in return for a bigger cone and its 86.5 dB rating. For very tight boots, the 8-inch CS 200 S4 (₹14,990 MRP, 150 W continuous) works in 9.6 litres.
If you would rather not buy a box and amplifier at all, the Hertz CBA 250 is a 10-inch active sealed box with a 250 W amplifier built in, at ₹49,990 MRP. It is simpler to fit; the CS 300 gives you a larger driver and a free choice of amplifier.
Who should buy it, and who shouldn't
Buy the CS 300 if your boot can give up a 32-litre box, you want the weight of a 12-inch under your music, and you are happy to match a mono amplifier to the S2 or S4.
Look elsewhere if boot space is tight, you want a single plug-in unit, or you want a ported box, for which Hertz publishes no design.
Installation notes for Indian cars
Build the enclosure from 19 mm MDF, glue and seal every joint, and brace large panels; a sealed box only works if it is airtight. Allow for 147 mm of mounting depth, the larger of Hertz's two figures. With the 4.84 kg driver inside, the box is heavy, so bolt or strap it down: broken roads and speed breakers will move a loose box, and a CNG cylinder or full-size spare may limit where it can go.
Follow the amplifier maker's fuse and power-cable advice, and check the battery first, because voltage sags with the AC running at idle in traffic. Damping the boot lid and number-plate area stops the rattles a 12-inch sub will find; our guide to applying sound damping explains how. VA3 Car Studio offers professional installation in Ghaziabad.
Price and where to buy
The Hertz CS 300 has an MRP of ₹19,990 in our listing, which covers both the S2 and the S4; tell us which impedance you need when you order. Check today's price on the CS 300 S2/S4 product page. The CG 300 grille is sold separately, and every driver we sell is a genuine Hertz product.
The bottom line
This is the big-cone choice among our Cento subs: a well-specified 12-inch driver with the best sensitivity of the three, and a simple sealed box recipe. It needs space, a proper box and a matched mono amplifier, and there are no owner reviews to lean on yet. With those in place, it is a sound choice for a sedan or SUV that wants deeper, fuller bass.
Hertz CS 300 FAQ
Should I buy the Hertz CS 300 S2 or S4?
Choose by amplifier. Both handle 350 W continuous. Hertz's DP 1.500 gives 280 W into the 4-ohm S4 and up to 500 W into the 2-ohm S2, while a smaller amp such as Zapco's ST-500XM III makes more of the S2 (300 W against 200 W into 4 ohms).
What size box does the CS 300 need?
Hertz recommends a 32-litre sealed box with an Fb of 50 Hz and a Qtc of 0.9. Its example measures 495 x 495 x 200 mm in 19 mm board. Hertz's pages list no ported design for this driver.
Does the CS 300 come with a grille?
No. Hertz sells the CG 300 steel mesh grille as an optional extra, and the driver has an ABS gasket to accept it. Fit it if luggage can reach the cone.
Buy the Hertz CS 300 S2/S4 Cento in India
Check the Hertz CS 300 S2/S4 Cento price in India, browse more Hertz subwoofers or compare all car subwoofers in India. Want it fitted properly? Book subwoofer installation at our Ghaziabad studio.
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