Hertz DBA 201 Review: An All-in-One 8-Inch Active Sub for Factory Systems
Updated: Oct 6
The Hertz DBA 201 is a compact active subwoofer from Hertz's Dieci range: an 8-inch (200 mm) driver and two passive radiators in a solid MDF box, with a built-in Class D amplifier rated at 220 W RMS (14.4 V, 1% THD) and 440 W peak. Its Indian MRP is ₹34,990, and unlike the DS drivers and the DBX 25.3 box, which need a separate amplifier, it's self-contained, with the amplifier built in. It suits owners who want to keep a factory touchscreen and add tidy, controllable bass without a separate amplifier or a custom box. See today's price on our Hertz DBA 201 product page.
Quick summary
8-inch driver, two passive radiators and a 220 W RMS Class D amplifier in one 315 x 291 x 264 mm box.
Speaker-level input (1.2 to 30 V RMS) with automatic turn-on, so it can take a factory head unit's speaker outputs.
Hertz quotes a 50–150 Hz response: it fills in the bass factory speakers miss rather than chasing deep, loud bass.
No reviews of this exact box yet; the flat DBA 201F sibling has four ratings, three at the top of its scale.
Hertz DBA 201 specifications
Specification | Hertz DBA 201 |
|---|---|
Type | Active subwoofer box, double passive radiator |
Driver | 8-inch (200 mm), pressed paper cone, foam surround |
Amplifier | Class D, 220 W RMS (14.4 V, 1% THD) / 440 W peak |
Frequency response | 50–150 Hz |
Low-pass filter | 50–150 Hz, 24 dB/oct |
Subsonic / bass boost / phase | 15 Hz, 24 dB/oct / 0–6 dB at 45 Hz / 0 or 180° |
Inputs | Speaker level 1.2–30 V RMS; RCA 0.2–5 V RMS |
Turn-on | Audio sense, with automatic standby |
Remote | HRC 01 level control (-15 to 0 dB), included |
Power supply | 6.5–18 V DC, 15 A fuse |
Dimensions | 315 x 291 x 264 mm |
India MRP | ₹34,990 |
Figures come from Hertz's official DBA 201 page and match our store listing. Hertz's page also lists an idling current that is evidently misprinted, so we haven't quoted it.
Built to plug into a factory system
If you're keeping a factory touchscreen with no RCA outputs, the DBA 201 is designed for exactly that situation. Its speaker-level input accepts 1.2 to 30 V RMS, and Hertz says it includes USS for OEM systems. An audio-sense circuit switches it on when it detects a signal and puts it into standby when the music stops, so no separate turn-on wire is needed from the head unit.
Installation is simplified by Hertz's plug-and-play Molex connector and harness, which includes the power connection. The supplied HRC 01 remote adjusts the subwoofer level from -15 dB to 0 dB, so you can turn the bass down for news and podcasts and back up for music without reaching into the boot. An RCA input (0.2 to 5 V RMS) covers aftermarket head units and DSPs.
Passive radiators, power and the 50–150 Hz question
Passive radiators are unpowered cones that move with the air pressure inside the box, reinforcing low bass the way a port does but without port noise and in a smaller cabinet. Hertz says the double passive radiator enclosure is solid MDF and was optimised with FEM simulation. The driver's 0.4 Ω DC resistance is matched to the amplifier's He-Li (high efficiency, low impedance) Class D design.
Be realistic about what an 8-inch active box does. Hertz quotes the DBA 201's response as 50–150 Hz, and its low-pass filter is adjustable over the same range at 24 dB/oct. That makes it a tool for filling in the bass beneath factory or upgraded door speakers, not for deep, chest-pressure output. Hertz also calls it fully EV friendly, citing low idling current and the wide 6.5 to 18 V supply range; that's a manufacturer claim, but a relevant one if you drive an electric car.
What owners and reviewers say about the Hertz DBA 201
When we checked in October 2026, we found no customer reviews of the DBA 201 itself. UK retailer Four Car Audio sells it, but its DBA 201 page had none.
The same retailer's DBA 201F page does have feedback, but note what it covers: the DBA 201F is Hertz's flat, under-seat version, a different box from this one. It has four ratings dated February 2025 to May 2026, three at the top of the site's seven-point scale and one at 5. A May 2025 buyer described it as very powerful with minimal impact on power and recommended it to anyone who doesn't want an elaborate install; an August 2025 buyer summed it up as fantastic. The 5 out of 7 rating has no comment, so we can't say why that buyer rated it lower.
Hertz's descriptions of the DBA 201 are promotional. If you've fitted one, we'd like to hear how it has worked with your car's system.
DBA 201 vs CBA 250 and the passive route
The step up is the Cento CBA 250 (₹49,990 MRP), a sealed active box with a 10-inch driver, 250 W of power and a quoted 20–200 Hz response. Its cabinet is only 158 mm tall, but its other two dimensions are larger at 440 x 334 mm, and it needs 10 to 16 V where the DBA 201 accepts 6.5 to 18 V. If you want deeper reach and have the floor space, the CBA 250 is the one to consider.
The passive route costs less but takes more parts. The DBX 25.3 puts a 10-inch Dieci driver in a sealed box for ₹19,990 MRP, and with a Zapco ST-2B amplifier (₹10,990 MRP, with OEM speaker-level input) the pair still costs less at MRP than the DBA 201. The bare DS 25.3 is cheaper again but needs a custom box. What the DBA 201 adds is tidiness: one box, one harness and a level remote.
Who should buy it, and who shouldn't
Buy the DBA 201 if you're keeping a factory touchscreen, want a clean installation with no separate amplifier, and want to fill in the bass your door speakers can't produce, in a petrol, diesel or electric car.
Look elsewhere if you want deep, loud bass for bass-heavy music at high volume. A passive 10-inch or 12-inch sub with its own amplifier reaches lower on paper; Hertz quotes 28 Hz for the 12-inch DS 30.3.
Installation notes for Indian cars
Measure the boot against 315 x 291 x 264 mm, then secure the box with brackets or straps so it stays put over speed breakers. Leave the passive radiators room to move: don't wedge luggage against them or push them hard against the boot trim.
Hertz specifies a 15 A fuse, and as with any amplifier, the main power feed should be fused close to the battery. Taking the speaker-level signal from the head unit harness keeps the car's wiring intact, and the audio-sense turn-on avoids hunting for a remote wire. If you drive an EV, ask us to check the 12 V supply point before fitting. Our sound damping guide helps with boot rattles, and VA3 Car Studio in Ghaziabad offers professional installation.
Price and where to buy
The Hertz DBA 201 carries an MRP of ₹34,990, which includes the grille, the HRC 01 remote and the plug-and-play harness. VA3 Car Studio often sells below MRP, so check the current offer on our DBA 201 product page.
The bottom line
The DBA 201 is an easy way to add bass to a factory system: an 8-inch driver, passive radiators and a 220 W amplifier in one box, with a speaker-level input, auto turn-on and a level remote. Its quoted 50–150 Hz range suggests modest low-bass reach, and owner feedback so far covers only its flat sibling. For a tidy upgrade that keeps the factory screen, it's a sensible choice.
Hertz DBA 201 FAQ
Does the Hertz DBA 201 need a separate amplifier?
No. It has a built-in Class D amplifier rated at 220 W RMS at 14.4 V, so it needs only power, ground and a signal from the head unit, either speaker level or RCA.
Can the DBA 201 work with a factory touchscreen?
Yes. Its speaker-level input accepts 1.2 to 30 V RMS, Hertz says it includes USS for OEM systems, and its audio-sense circuit turns it on automatically, so no RCA outputs or turn-on wire are needed.
How deep does the DBA 201 play?
Hertz quotes 50–150 Hz. It fills in the bass beneath factory speakers rather than producing deep, loud bass; the larger CBA 250 is quoted down to 20 Hz.
Buy Hertz Subwoofers in India
Check the Hertz DBA 201 Dieci 8 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.
Comments