An amplifier increases the power of the signal being fed to it by taking energy from its power supply and matching the signal but increasing its amplitude. Amplifiers use many different methods for converting these electrical signals and have been categorized into classes.
Class A/B: Greater than 50% of the input signal is amplified while the other percentage is “off”. These amplifiers have a small amount of current flowing through the output transistors all the time which almost eliminates crossover distortion. Class A/B has great sound quality but is not as efficient as class D. These amps are most commonly used to drive speakers.
Class D: Also known as switching amplifiers, class D amps have output transistors that are completely turned “on” or “off”. This means that when the transistors are on, there is almost no voltage across them but when they are off there is significant voltage but no current flowing through it which makes these amplifiers very efficient at the cost of sound quality. These amps are most commonly used to drive subwoofers.
Other Classes: You may see classes such as GH, bD, X, FD, etc. by some manufactures. These amplifiers tend to be either class A/B, D or a hybrid of the two but with improvements to their designs that can make them more efficient or offer better sound quality.
Each channel on an amplifier will power one speaker using a positive and negative cable. There are various types of amplifiers, each designed to power a certain number of speakers. Monoblock amplifiers, also known as single channel, are designed to power one or more subwoofers. These amplifiers often have very high power ratings. On the other hand, multi-channel amplifiers power multiple speakers, usually at lower power ratings. 2-Channel and 4-Channel amplifiers can power car speakers or low powered subwoofers. Occasionally you might see a 5 or 6-channel amplifier that can power speakers and subwoofers at the same time. The most common setup is a monoblock amp to run subwoofers and a 4-channel amp to run door speakers. Check out our Knowledge Base for more information.
Total RMS power is measured by multiplying RMS power per channel by the number of channels, and is calculated at the lowest level of operating impedance.
RMS power is the amount of continuous power, measured in watts, that an amplifier produces is called RMS power. The higher the RMS figure, the louder and cleaner your music sounds.
The RMS output figure is much more accurate than the peak rating when comparing products.
The total peak power output is measured as the wattage per channel multiplied by the number of channels, and is calculated at the lowest level of operating impedance.
It is measured during a brief musical burst, such as a sudden drum accent. Some manufacturers display peak power ratings on the face of their products to increase the appeal.
The RMS power rating is more accurate, and we recommend using it for product comparison.
If the amp comes with a bass/gain remote you will be able to control the level of your bass from your dashboard. Typically bass remotes also include a 16-20 ft. wire for installation.
Many amplifiers are equipped with RCA preamp outputs which pass the original music signal from the source to additional amplifiers. This is known as daisy chaining because the source connects to the first amp, and the first amp connects to the second amp, etc. The advantage to daisy chaining is you only need one 2-channel RCA cable to transfer the signal from the head-unit to the amplifier, and then one additional cable for each amp being daisy chained.
A crossover is a type of filtering system that permits only certain frequencies to play. A Low-Pass (LP) crossover allows only frequencies below its setting to get through which is good in the case of some subwoofers. A High-Pass(HP) filter allows frequencies above its setting to pass through, this is normally used on speakers.
When a crossover is set to FULL it means no filtering is added and the full frequency spectrum is allowed through the amplifier. Filtering is important because feeding a speaker frequencies it cannot reproduce effectively creates distortion.
Speaker level inputs are commonly referred to as high-level inputs and vice versa. This input type allows you to get your audio signal directly from the speaker wire in your vehicle, instead of using RCA cables. The advantage of this is factory integration, as most stock radios do not have RCA outputs to run amplifiers.
Amplifiers that have been tested to meet specific standards. When a car amplifier meets these standards, you can be sure that it will be able to produce the amount of power specified by the official CEA-2006 rating. Usually, these rating consist of the following items:
RMS Power
Signal-to-Noise Ratio
This rating applies to both external car amplifiers, as well as the amplifiers inside of in-dash stereos.
This is the largest gauge wire that will fit into the power and ground terminals of this device. The lower the gauge number, the thicker the wire is. For example, a 4 gauge wire is thicker than an 8 gauge wire and thus has higher current carrying capacity. Always do your best to get this size wire to reduce the risk of damage to your components.
500W RMS Punch Series Monoblock Class BD Car Power Amplifier + NVX 4 Gauge Wiring Kit
• RMS: 150W x 1 @ 4 ohms, 300W x 1 @ 2 ohms, 500W x 1 @ 1 ohm • Total RMS Power: 500W • CEA-2006 Compliant • Tuned Bass EQ: 0 to +18 dB • Super Efficient Class BD Circuitry • Dimensions: 11"L x 7-3/4"W x 2-3/8"H
• RMS: 150W x 1 @ 4 ohms, 300W x 1 @ 2 ohms, 500W x 1 @ 1 ohm • Total RMS Power: 500W • CEA-2006 Compliant • Tuned Bass EQ: 0 to +18 dB • Super Efficient Class BD Circuitry • Dimensions: 11"L x 7-3/4"W x 2-3/8"H
700W Max Hi-Resolution Audio Compatible 4-Channel Amplifier
• 150 watts x 4 chan. @ 4ohms
• 175 watts x 4 chan. @ 2 Ohms
• CEA-2006 Compliant Amplifier
• Ultra-wide frequency range that extends up to 100 kHz
• Engineered for minimal noise and maximum efficiency
• Includes Amplifier Wiring Kit
• 150 watts x 4 chan. @ 4ohms
• 175 watts x 4 chan. @ 2 Ohms
• CEA-2006 Compliant Amplifier
• Ultra-wide frequency range that extends up to 100 kHz
• Engineered for minimal noise and maximum efficiency
• Includes Amplifier Wiring Kit
800W Peak (600W RMS) CX Series Class-D Monoblock Amplifier with 4 Gauge Amp Kit
• 300 Watts RMS x 1 @ 4 ohms
• 600 Watts RMS x 1 @ 2 ohms
• 800 Watts RMS x 1 @ 1 ohm
• Efficient Class-D Monoblock Amplifier
• KickEQ™ 6dB variable bass boost for those additional low frequencies
• FIT+™ (Fail-safe Integration Technology-PLUS) means it works with nearly every radio
• Amplifier wiring kit included
• 300 Watts RMS x 1 @ 4 ohms
• 600 Watts RMS x 1 @ 2 ohms
• 800 Watts RMS x 1 @ 1 ohm
• Efficient Class-D Monoblock Amplifier
• KickEQ™ 6dB variable bass boost for those additional low frequencies
• FIT+™ (Fail-safe Integration Technology-PLUS) means it works with nearly every radio
• Amplifier wiring kit included
1200W Peak (600W RMS) CX Series Class-D Monoblock Amplifier with 4 Gauge Amp Kit
• 600 Watts RMS x 1 @ 4 ohms
• 1200 Watts RMS x 1 @ 2 ohms
• 1200 Watts RMS x 1 @1 ohm
• Efficient Class-D Monoblock Amplifier
• KickEQ™ 6dB variable bass boost for those additional low frequencies
• FIT+™ (Fail-safe Integration Technology-PLUS) means it works with nearly every radio
• Amplifier wiring kit included
• 600 Watts RMS x 1 @ 4 ohms
• 1200 Watts RMS x 1 @ 2 ohms
• 1200 Watts RMS x 1 @1 ohm
• Efficient Class-D Monoblock Amplifier
• KickEQ™ 6dB variable bass boost for those additional low frequencies
• FIT+™ (Fail-safe Integration Technology-PLUS) means it works with nearly every radio
• Amplifier wiring kit included
750W RMS BD-Series Class D Monoblock 2-Ohm Stable Amplifier
• True RMS Power: 450W x 1 @ 4 ohms, 750W x 1 @ 2 ohms • CEA-2006 Compliant
• Dimensions: 7" W x 9.75" L x 2" H
• Wired remote bass level control included
• Includes Amplifier Wiring Kit
• True RMS Power: 450W x 1 @ 4 ohms, 750W x 1 @ 2 ohms • CEA-2006 Compliant
• Dimensions: 7" W x 9.75" L x 2" H
• Wired remote bass level control included
• Includes Amplifier Wiring Kit
2000W Max (1000W RMS) XR Series 2-ohm Stable Class-D Monoblock Amplifier w/ Bass Knob Included
• 500 Watts RMS x 1 @ 4 ohms • 1000 Watts RMS x 1 @ 2 ohms • Total Peak Power: 2000 Watts • CEA-2006 Compliant • Bass Knob Included • Aluminum Heatsink • Dimensions: 12-5/8" W x 6-5/8" L x 2" H
• 500 Watts RMS x 1 @ 4 ohms • 1000 Watts RMS x 1 @ 2 ohms • Total Peak Power: 2000 Watts • CEA-2006 Compliant • Bass Knob Included • Aluminum Heatsink • Dimensions: 12-5/8" W x 6-5/8" L x 2" H
Driving while listening to a superior audio system is one of life's great joys. No matter what type of car you have, upgrading the factory stereo with aftermarket stereo and speaker equipment will have you rocking in your seat and enjoying the drive, not just surviving.
Most car manufacturers come with stock sound systems that lack power and quality. The most common way people upgrade their car stereos is by installing a new head unit. This is the in-dash component that allows you to control everything from CDs, AM/FM radio, communication and sometimes vehicle climate control.
Amplifiers and subwoofers are necessary to increase the power of the audio system and maintain music fidelity. The amplifier that comes in most head units cannot power upgraded speakers. To get these features while keeping enough energy flowing to the speakers, an amplifier will be needed to ensure each component is getting enough power. Especially if you want to add an aftermarket subwoofer or any specialized speaker.
A set of subs increases the base output. Most people associate these with loud music that rattles the bumper – which subwoofers are more than capable of generating. Even so, subs were created to make low frequency sounds that mid-range and factory speakers can’t. You can crank up the bass for a chest thumping experience, or to bring new depth to any musical genre.
Replacing the main speakers with excellent tweeters provides the same boost in power and quality for high frequencies.
Coordinating all the different components necessary to upgrade your car stereo can be tedious. This category is dedicated to packages Sonic Electronix has created to match your desired amplifier and subwoofer, subwoofer and its enclosure, head units and backup cameras, and so on. There are also premium car audio kits that come with a new stereo, subwoofer and speaker box, front speakers, amp, and all the necessary wiring.
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