Car amplifiers (amps) are a hugely important part of the audio system, indeed many people would say they are the key to a good sound, and if you make the right choice it could well last the entire lifetime of the car.
However, with so many car amps on the market choosing the best one possible isn’t a straightforward task, so to make it a little easier we’ve outlined a guide to choosing an amplifier for your car and picked out the top four amps popular right now.
1. Rockford Fosgate R500X1D
On sale for around $120 this is a very affordable car amplifier, and one of the leading brands on the market. It has variable bass controls, and can deal with subs to a max of 500 watts RMS. There are extra features such as a low-pass filter and the Fosgate Punch boost which provides excellent bass from both the sub and enclosure. It is capable of powering pretty much any subwoofer or speaker, and you get a one year warranty for short circuit problems. The only slight thing to watch for is that the mounting hardware isn’t a good fit for all cars –so check before buying.
Great for: people on a budget who love quality products; a long term investment as this is built to last, buyers wanting an energy efficient amp (this is CEA-2006 compliant), and small spaces, it’s only 2 inches tall, 6.8 inches wide and 8.5 inches long
2. Kenwood KAC-M1804
This is an ever popular 4-channel amp with some great technical aspects like 45 watts RMS per channel – a lot more than most offer. It’s handily compact and has a useful waterproof cover, making this a great choice for people likely to get it wet. This costs around $90 so is well priced too.
3. Boss AR1500M
With just 2 ohms impedance there’s plenty of juice to power speakers and subwoofers, all with a very clear sound. Great for those who like a remote subwoofer control, and the bass boost can be switched if you like – a handy option.
4. Pyle PLMRMP3B
The best choice for those seriously into car systems or strict about needing top quality sound for their in-car music; plus it’s an amazing bargain at under $50. Look at what you get for this bargain price – line input and adjustable level real-time output, an RCA adaptor, a 10A fuse, 4 max ohms for great signal amplification. You also get clear sound, no awful thumping beat and a protected power network.
5. Pioneer GM-D8601
If you like power delivered in a simple package then this is the amp for you, with its 1600 watts capacity and variable bass control which puts you in charge of the sound you get. This pioneer model is small enough to fit into any vehicle, and is easy to install. It’s not the cheapest amp around but it’s an investment which will earn its keep.