7 Best Car Amplifiers For Perfect Sound – Review & Expert’s Guide
Nowadays all modern cars are equipped with a decent sound system. However, if you are an audio lover, then the best car amplifiers will ensure improved car sound. The fault usually lies with the speakers if the car radio does not produce the desired volume or flat music.
However, this is not only the fault of the car loudspeakers, but also of the amplifier. Therefore, the best way to improve the volume and sound quality of your car stereo is to install a quality external amplifier.
Whether you want big bass, consistently clear audio, or a little of both, the best car amp will make your car speakers shine. Also, there are many different types of car amplifiers, all for different purposes.
Because audio amplification is so technical, many people are open to delving into the possibilities that the best car amplifier offers. This guide can give you the knowledge to become familiar with amp selection and decide which amp is best for you.
Here Are The Top Picks For Best Amplifier For Car Subwoofers
For more power and tunability, you may need an audio amplifier to up the ante. With an amplifier, you can install subwoofers and even aftermarket speakers to enhance your sound.
If you’re just starting your search and aren’t sure where to start, you’ve come to the right place. We know exactly how difficult it is to find the perfect sound amplifier. That is why we created this post to make your choice as easy as possible.
We selected the five best amps in terms of clarity, precision, delivered power, and of course, value for money.
1
Skar Audio SKv2-3500 Class D Subwoofer Amplifier
2Our Pick
Rockville dB15 Mono 2 Ohm 6000 Watt Amplifier
3
Kicker 46CXA8001 Mono Class D Subwoofer Amp
7 Best Audiophile Car Amplifiers You Can Buy Right Now – Detailed Review In 2023
Ever wondered which car amps are best for bass? Or there’s a specific amp that’s great for your vehicle but you don’t know what it is. Well, we’ve found the best bass amps for you! When it comes to amplifiers, you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve put together a comprehensive overview of the best car amplifiers for audiophiles to take your car audio experience to the next level. Our expert review dives deep into critical features, power delivery, sound quality, and compatibility to help you make an informed decision.
1. Rockford Fosgate P400X4 4-Channel Amplifier
Key Details
- Style: P400X4
- Voltage: 12 Volts
- Manufacturer: Rockford Fosgate
- Mounting Type: Car Mount
- Brand: Rockford Fosgate
- 4-channel amplifier
- Used Class A/B topology
- Punch EQ
- Multi-Signal Inputs
- 1-year warranty
The Rockford Fosgate Amplifier is a great, high-quality amplifier that delivers just the right amount of power to make these speakers shine. This Rockford Fosgate amplifier is a 4-channel amplifier that allows you to drive two to six speakers.
It’s also Class A/B, which means you’ll get the clear sound quality you’ve always wanted. This is how Rockford does things, surpassing everything it produces. This is especially true given the low price of this amp.
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The Fosgate P4000X4 has easy-to-access and use controls right on top of the amp and the sound quality is excellent. Add to that the compact design that ensures it can fit in just about any vehicle, and it’s not hard to see how it made the list.
This Rockford Fosgate is an amazing amp and yes it does have a few flaws but these shouldn’t be a hindrance. It packs a punch and is the best choice for clean and clear sound quality.
2. Alpine MRV-F300 50 Watts 4-Channel Car Amplifier
Key Details
- Voltage: 14.4 Volts
- Manufacturer: Alpine
- Brand: Alpine
- Number of Channels: 4
- 75W RMS X 4
- 50W RMS X 4
- Mid-range option
- Offers clean, crisp music
- Easy to install
Alpine is another great car soundtrack maker and the MRV-F300 is one of their best amps. It is a compact amplifier that is easy to install even in smaller vehicles. But despite its smaller size, this amp packs plenty of power.
You get a 4-channel Class D amplifier. That means it can easily power two to six speakers. It’s also class D, so it’s extremely efficient and runs fantastically, so no fans are required. The wiring of the amplifier is not complicated, making it very easy to install and use.
The versatile amplifier is very compact and you can use it to power the entire car, including the subwoofer. The Alpine amplifier is highly efficient and produces clear, high-quality sound.
While no one can claim the Alpine is loud, it doesn’t offer the same sound quality as many other amps. The MRV-F300 is all about noise and as a result, the sound quality suffers a bit.
3. Kenwood X802-5 1600 Watts 5 Channel Car Audio Amplifier
Key Details
- Manufacturer: KENWOOD
- Brand: Kenwood
- Number of Channels: 5
- High-quality sonic experience
- Enhanced sound quality
- It comes with a sleek design
- Convenient technology
- Sliding terminal cover
- Exceeds CD standard
- CEA-2006 Compliant
Kenwood car amplifiers are famous for delivering the best sound quality and bass enhancement. The X802-5 amplifier is CEA 2006 compliant and delivers up to 1600 watts RMS of power to your subwoofer for superior audio performance at an affordable price.
Whatever you drive, its compact size makes installation easy, and the overall sound quality it produces is amazing too. Whether you’re looking for a car amplifier for a small car or a big one, the Kenwood X802-5 eXcelon fits all sizes of vehicles.
It is a versatile amplifier that has speaker-level inputs and power-on blackout signals that can work with any radio. The aluminum cover plate protects the connections and, thanks to its simple design, ensures an attractive appearance.
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Remember, you won’t win any sound competition with just this amp, but you’re on your way to building an amazing sounding system with it!
4. Skar Audio SKv2-3500 Class D Subwoofer Amplifier
Key Details
- Voltage: 14.4 Volts
- Manufacturer: Skar Audio
- Brand: Skar Audio
- Number of Channels: 1
- Size: SKv2-3500.1D
- 4-Way protection circuitry
- 3, 500 watts RMS power
- Feature remote subwoofer level control
- Offers maximum cooling & efficiency
Despite having an affordable price, The Skar Audio SKv2-3500 offers excellent sound quality in your car. It’s a top-of-the-line amp that also packs plenty of power, truly giving you the best of both worlds.
Skar Audio features feature slim efficient frame and integrated heatsinks to ensure heat-free sounding performance. It’s a great everyday amplifier, perfect for reliably powering a low-voltage subwoofer.
Most importantly, the car amplifier has 4-way protection to withstand any adverse conditions. The MOSFET power supply ensures efficient performance in continuous use.
Plus, it’s easy to install and has a compact design, so you shouldn’t have a problem finding a place for it in your car, no matter what you drive. However, if you don’t want to spend that much, there are plenty of cheaper options that aren’t as loud but aren’t as expensive.
5. BOSS Audio Systems MC900B 4-Channel Amplifier
Key Details
- Voltage: 12 Volts
- Manufacturer: BOSS Audio Systems
- Mounting Type: Car Mount
- Brand: BOSS Audio Systems
- Power – 500 Watts Max
- Bluetooth Audio Streaming
- USB Charging
- Inline Multi-Function
- Class A/B Full Range
- Features weatherproof connectors
The MC900B car amplifier is a great example of what Boss Audio does. They are a decent amp but not the best. And then set at an attractive price. So if you’re looking to upgrade the system or install your first system, you’ll get good sound performance and plenty of it.
It’s an extremely compact unit that can fit in almost any size car, and overall the installation process is incredibly easy. It also has many unique features such as a Bluetooth remote for ease of use and USB charging ports.
So you don’t have to worry about all your favorite devices running out of power when you try to listen to music. The controls are designed so that you can change the settings from the main unit.
This way you don’t have to make any adjustments to the amp. A solid system is offered at a beautiful price. It is suitable for those who are on a budget. Or those who simply need a quick and inexpensive upgrade to an existing system.
6. Rockville dB15 Mono 2 Ohm 6000 Watt Amplifier
Key Details
- Voltage: 16 Volts
- Manufacturer: Rockville
- Brand: Rockville
- Number of Channels: 1
- Frequency Response: 15Hz – 250Hz
- Phase Control Switch
- RCA Preamp Line Output
- 8 Volt Preamp Circuitry
- Status Mode LED Indicator
Rockville DB15 6000-watt mono amplifiers are the perfect solution for your speaker needs. They feature peak EQ circuitry and an EQ control so you can add up to 12dB of bass boost, customize your bass response, and bring out every nuance in your music.
They are all easy to install and don’t take up much space compared to many other amps. Despite being incredibly affordable, one of the most significant downsides to these amps is their durability.
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They might last a few years, but with heavy use, they won’t last forever. It’s not a huge bargain given the affordability, but you should keep that in mind when making your purchase. This amplifier is equipped with two red LEDs to show the operational status.
It will alert you when it reaches an unsafe temperature of 80 degrees Celsius to turn off the car amplifier. This LED will tell you if your speaker shorted out due to a burned voice coil or if the amplifier is detecting too low an impedance.
7. Kicker 46CXA8001 Mono Class D Subwoofer Amp
Key Details
- Voltage: 8 Volts
- Manufacturer: Kicker
- Brand: KICKER
- Number of Channels: 1
- CX Amplifiers
- One Ohm Stable
- Towers of Power
- 24dB subsonic filter used
- 6dB variable bass boost
The Kicker is a well-known name in the automotive sound industry, and with products like the Kicker 46CXA8001, it’s not hard to see why.
This powerful amp offers a great mix of price and quality and just missed out on the top spot on our list. Crossovers at 12dB give you useful control over sound performance. Therefore, you can configure it as you like.
Small enough to fit in most spaces in your vehicle. It depends on the level of sound that this amplifier can produce. While it offers excellent value for money and great sound quality, it’s not the most powerful amp on the market.
Price-wise this represents good value for money, so it fits well with the Kicker tradition of offering a decent product at a realistic price. That means it should easily be considered one of the best car amps you can buy.
What is a Car Amplifier?
A car amplifier is a device that amplifies the sound or audio signal sent to the speakers by the MP3 or CD player. Mostly because the basic audio signal from the player or speakers is very weak. You need to use an amplifier to make the sound louder, clearer, and more powerful.
Amplifier types are determined by the number of channels, essentially the positive and negative terminals that power the speaker. The more channels the amplifier has, the more speakers it can power and the better. sound quality
Different Types Of Audio Amplifier Classes
When considering buying an amplifier for your vehicle, you should pay attention to the kind of amplifier you are buying. There are four different classes of amps, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Generally, car amplifiers are divided into classes A, B, AB, and D.
1. Class A Amplifiers
These perfectly reproduce high-frequency sounds. They work at high temperatures, but not known for energy efficiency. They make a lot of power and must be much larger than many other amps, making them impractical in many vehicles.
2. Class B Amplifiers
Class B amps are significantly inferior in terms of sound quality compared to Class A amps. However, since they are slightly more efficient, it is possible to get them in a more compact size.
3. Class AB Amplifiers
Class AB is the cleanest-sounding class you can choose, but it’s inefficient. The best performance is limited to 65% energy efficiency and the rest is heat. Because of this, you need cooling fans, which can make installation difficult.
4. Class D Amplifiers
Class D amplifiers are energy efficient, have low operating temperatures, and have excellent low-frequency sound reproduction. However, there is a hiss when turning the unit on and distortion on the higher levers. Also, this technology is rapidly evolving and improving all the time.
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Things To Consider When Buying The Best Sound Quality Car Amplifier
When shopping for an audio amplifier, there are a few factors you need to consider. It can be a little overwhelming at first, but that’s why we’re breaking it down into five easy-to-understand tips here.
A. Channels
When looking for a car amplifier, the number of channels is very important. Typically you want one channel for each speaker, but it’s also possible to tie the output channels based on the impedance of your speakers.
When you need a car amplifier for a subwoofer, you usually need a powerful one or two-channel amplifier that can put out a lot of power. If you want to drive multiple 6.5″ or 6×9 speakers, a 4 or 5-channel amplifier is a better choice.
B. Car Size
The size of your car plays a big part in choosing the right amp. For example, you cannot use a large amp with a subwoofer in a small car, or a small amp with a pair of speakers in a large SUV.
C. RMS Value
The other aspect to which special attention must be paid is the power delivered by an amplifier. You want to look at the RMS value and not the maximum power rating of an amplifier. Do your best to match the RMS value to the power handling of your speakers to get the best sound from them.
D. Type Of Music
The type of music you listen to most of the time influences your choice of amplifier. For example, if the music you like has a lot of bass, look for an amplifier that can drive one or more subwoofers.
E. Budget
There are so many options for sound systems and amplifiers that you can spend a lot of money. However, it’s a good idea to limit the budget you’re willing to spend on your car audio system and buy an amplifier that fits your budget.
Top FAQs About The Best Amplifier For Car Subwoofers
What is the best amp to buy for a car?
When choosing the perfect amplifier for your car, we considered the size and price of the amplifier, as well as the sound quality, and chose the Rockford Fosgate R500X1D amplifier. Rockford Fosgate doesn’t just make good amps.
They make them at an attractive price. The P400X4 is a good example of an amp that does just that. It is a single-channel mono amplifier that delivers 500 watts of power.
There are some nice features built-in, including a “thumping bass”. That means you can create a bass sound that exactly matches what you’re listening to.
Are amplifiers have more power than speakers?
Yes, amplifiers can be too powerful for speakers. Loudspeakers are limited by how much electrical energy they can convert into audio.
Most of the time, if the amplifier generates high electrical power as compared to what speakers can handle, you will much better quality sound with a little bit of disturbance.
How many watts is enough for a car amp?
Ideally, your amplifier should be able to deliver enough power to match the speaker’s continuous power rating. For example, if a speaker has a continuous output of 50 watts and you have one of those speakers on each channel, the amplifier should produce up to 50 watts per channel.
If a speaker has a power range of 25 to 50 watts, it can produce high-quality sound with up to 50 watts.
How do I know if my amplifier is powerful?
A good amplifier uses the power of the signal with maximum efficiency and thus achieves a high signal-to-noise ratio. That is, the level of the audio signal is significantly higher than the accompanying signal noise. According to experts, 100dB capacity offers excellent sound quality with high clarity and minimal distortion.
For medium-sized rooms, an amplifier output power of approx. 50 W at 8 ohms is sufficient to drive medium-sized bookshelves or floor-standing loudspeakers.
Will an amplifier make speakers sound better?
Although an amplifier alone cannot improve sound quality, it can have a positive impact on other components in the sound system. A compatible system with high-quality components runs more efficiently and improves overall sound quality.
Top-rated amplifiers give better linearity, So you get the original signal with higher capacity.
Final Thought
Choosing the right amplifier for your car is extremely important when looking to upgrade your car’s audio system. Speakers that are too weak will only ruin your entire listening experience as they produce poor sound quality.
Any of the amps discussed in this article could be great for you. It’s all about finding out which amplifier suits your speakers and your taste.
