Sub Average (Cheap)
Cheap subwoofers will not perform as well as what is considered generally appropriate based their given specifications, cost, and initial expectations. Cheap woofers feature a very lost cost and very low build quality. Many fail unexpectedly in use.
Examples: Pyle, Legacy, Sony, Durabrand
Average (Regular)
Regular woofers will perform in a manner considered generally appropriate by their given specifications, cost, and initial expectations. Regular woofers can handle an average 1.5X of their rated power based on install. Regular woofers occasionally fail unexpectedly in use. Occasionally a regular woofer is hyped blurring it's tier between Sub Average and Above Average (Good).
Examples: Kicker Comp, Dayton Reference, Audiobahn
Above Average (Good)
Good woofers perform better than what is considered generally appropriate by their given specifications, cost, and initial expectations. Good woofers can handle an average excess of two to three times their rated power in certain installs. Good woofers rarely fail during use, but it does happen. A hyped Regular woofer or unpopular Super woofer can be considered a Good woofer for temporary periods.
Examples: IA 187, Alpine Type R, Mach 5 MAW, Aura RPM
Adept (Super)
Super woofers perfom well beyond what is initially expected of them. Super woofers are the speakers of choice in high end daily driver installs and many competitions. Super woofers take an average of 3 to 4 times their rated power in certain installs. The chance of a Super woofer failing during use is very rare outside of competitions.
Examples: IA Lethal Injection, Stereo Integrity BM, Alpine Type X
Exceptional (Uber)
Uber woofers are classified when a hyped Super woofer performs better than the exaggerated expectations given to it. Uber woofers tend to hold SPL / SQ records and unique defining traits in throw, motor types, and acceptable enclosures. Uber woofers almost never fail unless acted upon by outside forces like water or physical damage, and specific numbers about power handling are often unnecessary. Uber woofers generally cost significantly more than lesser tiers thanks to the lack of compromise in their design. A hyped Super woofer can temporarily be a lesser Uber woofer.
Examples: Stereo Integrity Mag, Aura MR, Fi BTL