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The purpose of a car amplifier is to boost a small audio signal to a higher voltage to increase audio volume. In simple terms, it helps boost the signal from your car radio to larger speakers, resulting in louder audio inside the vehicle. Picking the right kind of amplifier can be a tricky task. Check out our top picks for the best car amplifiers.
Benefits of Car Amplifiers
- Increased volume. Factory car stereos almost always have a weak audio signal. With a car amplifier, you increase the stereo signal and volume to levels the factory stereos and speakers can’t achieve. Car amplifiers also can produce that coveted bass boost.
- Better tuning options. Car audio amplifiers offer more tuning options than what your basic factory stereo would offer. If you’re a music connoisseur or just would like the best sound, amplifiers will help solve that problem. Some high-quality car amplifiers come with a USB port that gives you access to tuning options, and others have a control panel on the unit. With different amplifiers, you can have access to a range of 10 to 175 frequencies to personalize your sound.
- Power for aftermarket speakers and subwoofers. Without an amplifier, your car wouldn’t be able to handle the wattage needed to power any aftermarket speakers or subwoofers. Amplifiers help to control the power usage to safely run a new sound system. You will almost always need a high-quality car amplifier to have aftermarket speakers and subwoofers installed. They act as a battery for those two systems because your car battery alone would not be able to control the power input and output, making your car battery drain fast or blow your whole set of new speakers.
Types of Car Amplifiers
Mono Channel Amplifiers
Monoblock or one-channel amplifiers are very simple to use and typically only support a small set of speakers or one small subwoofer. These aren’t amplifiers that would typically work for all-around car audio systems. Though more affordable, they don’t always offer the power you may need. We recommend looking for a multi-channel amplifier if you’re powering more than just a small set of speakers or a small single subwoofer.
Multi-Channel Amplifiers
Multi-channel amplifiers can range from two to six channels, with four channels being your most common model. Four-channel amplifiers are generally for pairing a set of aftermarket door speakers and/or a small subwoofer. Increasing the number of channels allows you to connect to larger speakers or add a larger subwoofer for a bass boost. If you are planning to add subwoofers, it is best to have a five- or six-channel amplifier.
Class A
Class A amplifiers have the most accurate sound output and are very easy to control. It is, however, the least efficient when it comes to power usage. Class A amplifiers are constantly on at full power output, meaning it can generate a lot of heat and use most of the power from your car battery. These amplifiers are generally larger than other classes of amplifiers.
Class B
Class B amplifiers are smaller in size than Class A amplifiers and produce less heat. It is also more efficient, unlike Class A. Class B amplifiers only use half the output of power at any given time because it is on a push/pull system. Instead of two full-power outputs functioning at the same time, they switch outputs, making power usage most efficient. Unfortunately, a common problem with Class B amplifiers is that they can distort the audio quality.
Class A/B
Class A/B amplifiers combine the best of both Class A and Class B amplifiers. It is more efficient than Class A and there is less distortion in the audio than Class B. Some car amplifier companies have technology that prevents the unit from overheating, but Class A/B amplifiers can build up heat.
Class D
Class D amps, also known as switching amplifiers, work in a continuous, fast-paced output of electronic on and off signals, making them up to 90 percent more efficient. These amplifiers tend to be smaller in size and produce little to no heat. There may be some distortion in higher frequencies, but they produce the best audio quality.
Top Brands
Alpine
Alpine is a subsidiary of Alps Electric that specializes in manufacturing consumer electronics, including car audio and navigation equipment. It traces its history back to 1967, and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Some of its car-related audio equipment includes speakers, amplifiers, subwoofers, stereos, and head units.
Boss Audio Systems
Boss Audio Systems was founded in 1987 by Sam Rabbani, and is headquartered in Oxnard, Calif. It specializes in manufacturing high-quality audio and video equipment for marine, power sports, and automotive applications. Check out the Boss Audio Systems R1100M Monoblock Car Amplifier if you want to experience a noticeable improvement in your subwoofer’s performance.
JVC/Kenwood
JVC/Kenwood, founded in the United States in 1961, was the first company to make home theater amplifiers and anti-theft car cassette decks. Among many of its popular products is the best-selling KS-DR3005D 1000W Peak 5-Channel DR Series Class-D Power Amplifier.
Car Amplifier Pricing
- $100-$250: In this price range, you will commonly find Class A/B amplifiers with a different range of channels. This is the price range to be looking at if you are on a budget. The amplifier will still do its job boosting audio signals, but you may notice more distortion in the audio.
- $250-$550: This is a great price range for a mono or multi-channel amplifier that has little or no audio distortion. In this price range, you can also find added features like more tuning and higher-efficiency options.
- $550 and up: High-end car amplifiers can end up costing up to $1,500. When considering higher-end quality amplifiers, check out any added features they have. Some amplifiers can have many features you don’t necessarily need if you want a simple sound system.
Key Features
Bridgeable
The best car amplifiers will be bridgeable, meaning that you can add more amplifiers to increase power supply. By bridging more amplifiers, you can add larger speakers, more speakers, or larger subwoofers for a better bass boost.
Low-Pass Filter
Almost all of the best car amplifiers have a low-pass filter that will help prevent higher frequencies from reaching the speakers or subwoofers. Essentially, it will filter signals higher than the selected frequency and prevent the high frequencies from reaching the speakers or subwoofers.
High-Pass Filter
This filter works in conjunction with the low-pass filter, working in the opposite way by preventing lower frequencies from reaching the speakers or subwoofers. It passes signals lower than the selected frequency and eliminates higher frequency signals.
Band-Pass Filter
Band-pass filters work with both high-pass and low-pass filters to create a continuous frequency range. It keeps the signals constant between high-pass and low-pass filters to maintain the best audio quality.
Other Considerations
- Wattage: Every amplifier has a wattage rating. It is important to note, never run your amp to its maximum wattage. For example, if you have a 1000-watt amp and four speakers that require 350 watts per speaker, the amplifier would not be able to provide the power needed, and your speakers might short out.
- Size: You’ll want to make sure that you have room in your car for an amplifier, new speakers, and/or a subwoofer. Some amps are very compact, while others can get pretty large.
- Wiring: Always make sure you have quality copper condensed wiring to power your amp. The quality of wire will decide whether your amp will run smoothly or not. The standard consumer wire is a 4-gauge wire with copper condensed wire, not aluminum. Bad wiring can cause electrical shortages, overloaded wires, and electrical fires.
- RMS: RMS is the consistent wattage your amplifier requires to stay powered on. Every amp and subwoofer will have an RMS rating somewhere on the device; always check this rating.
Peak Power: Peak power is the most power an amp can put out before shorting out or failing. You can usually only run an amp at peak power for a couple seconds before it is damaged.
Best Car Amplifier Reviews & Recommendations 2021
Best Overall
Alpine MRV-F300 4-Channel Car Amplifier
Best Value
Planet Audio TR1500.1m Monoblock Amplifier
Honorable Mention
Alpine PDX-V9, 5-Channel Extreme Power Density Digital Amplifier
Honorable Mention
Boss Audio Systems R1100M Monoblock Car Amplifier
Honorable Mention
Power Acoustik Razor RZ1-2500D Car Amplifier
Honorable Mention
Rockford Fosgate R500X1D
Honorable Mention
Rockville DB15 Car Amplifier
Honorable Mention
MTX Audio Thunder500.1 Car Amplifier
Honorable Mention
JVC KS-DR3004 Car Amplifier
Tips
- Get professional opinions when picking out wires and speakers to make sure your car amplifier has the right wire gauges and enough wattage to support your speakers.
- Look for amplifiers with a DSP (digital signal processor). DSP helps increase the quality of your audio system to near-perfect sound.
- Tune your audio system after installation so you don’t cause any fuses to short.
FAQs
Q: Will an amp affect my car battery?
A: If wired correctly, you won’t need to worry about killing your battery. Car amplifiers will always pull power from your battery, but with newer more efficient technology, it requires less energy. Getting your system professionally installed is your best option to make sure all wiring is done right.
Q: How much air space do I need for my amplifier?
A: Most car amplifiers are very compact. If you are looking to install your car amplifier under your seats, watch out for how much heat it will produce. Class D amplifiers are your best option for little to no heat.
Q: Do I need to use an extra fuse on my battery?
A: Yes, adding an extra fuse is recommended. A fuse is designed to take the punch if anything fails, so nothing else in your vehicle gets damaged. Most car amplifiers will come with a fuse already installed in the unit; this will only protect the amplifier itself. Adding an extra fuse to the wiring for the rest of the car will protect your battery and other wiring throughout the vehicle.
Q: How much power supply is required from my vehicle to power an amplifier?
A: Depending on what you are trying to power, there could be more than one answer. If you have a 12-volt battery hooked up to a 1000-watt amp requiring no more than 200 watts per speaker, you should have no problem. It really depends on what your goal is when installing a system.
Final Thoughts
The Alpine MRV-F300 4-Channel Car Amplifier earns our top spot for its compact and lightweight profile that allows installation flexibility, and its reliable power output that can be used to power up to four speakers. If you are looking for an even more affordable option that can also fit in small spaces, consider the Planet Audio TR1500.1m Monoblock Amplifier.