Automobiles are well suited to the "hidden" subwoofer approach due to space limitations in the passenger compartments. It's not possible, in most circumstances, to fit such drivers and enclosures into doors or dashboards. In addition, there are acoustic problems in most car interiors (e.g., too reflective, too small, too noisy at many frequencies, ...). Typically, subwoofers are installed in the trunk or back seat space. Some car audio enthusiasts compete to produce very high sound pressure levels in the confines of their vehicle's cabin; sometimes dangerously high. The "SPL wars" have drawn much attention to subwoofers in general, but subjective competitions in sound quality ("SQ") have not gained equivalent popularity. Top SPL cars are not able to play normal music, or perhaps even to drive normally as they are designed solely for competition.
Even normal consumer-grade subwoofers are often capable of generating exceptionally high levels in cars due to the small volume of the typical car interior. High sound levels can cause hearing loss and tinnitus if one is exposed to them for an extended period of time.
Since much bass is felt, sub-bass can be 'augmented' using tactile transducers. These have recently emerged as a device class, called variously "bass shakers", "butt shakers" and "throne shakers". They are attached to a seat, for instance a drummer's stool ("throne") or gamer's chair or car seat, and the vibrations of the driver are transmitted to the body then to the ear via bone conduction. They connect to an amplifier like a normal subwoofer. They can be attached to a large flat surface (for instance a floor or window) to create a large low frequency conduction area, though the transmission of low frequencies through the feet isn't as efficient as the seat. The advantage of tactile transducers used for low frequencies is that they allow a listening environment that isn't filled with loud low frequency waves. This helps the concert drummer to monitor his or her kick drum performance without polluting the stage with low frequency waves from a subwoofer monitor. Bass shakers help the user avoid disturbing others nearby and help to augment the headphone listening experience. However, some feel that the felt vibrations are disconnected from the auditory experience.