Tips for Choosing the Right Car Amplifier

A car amplifier can come in many different forms. The market is flooded with different brands and models that all claim to offer the best sound. Adding an aftermarket amplifier can be an easy way to add more dynamic sound to your factory car stereo. A majority of vehicles out there come with built-in amplifiers, but they aren’t as powerful as you would hope.

If you are doing a sound system overhaul choosing the right amp can make or break your setup. It’s not always fair to blame your speakers. If you crank up the volume, and are met with flat-sounding music you need an amp not better speakers. A quality car amplifier can breathe new life into your system. And like most things research is key. Paired with working with a professional car audio retailer and an experienced member of their team. There are some technical things to look out for.

A simple way to identify a low quality amp is by the specs that it highlights. A bargain car amplifier will boast high peak power. This is misleading. Speakers need constant output levels in order to sound right. If you are looking to power a sub, peak power will push at higher levels, but that bump will taper off and your subs will fall flat.

Here are some of the most important factors to consider when choosing a car amplifier for your application.

1. The number of channels:

What is the right number of channels for my system? Well that depends on how many speakers you have. The more speakers you have, the more channels you’ll need. Generally, you’ll need a channel for each speaker. If you’re adding a sub, a mono-block amplifier or single channel will work for you.

However, multi-channel amps are more versatile. For example, a two-channel amp can power 2 subs and 2 speakers. Or, you could bridge the amp to power a single subwoofer.

As we mentioned, a multi-channel car amplifier can power multiple speakers. For example, you can power all 4 of your speakers off of the same 4-channel amp and use a new mono-block amp to power your sub. However, this setup can get complicated. It’s best to consult your car audio experts to get the right sound without blowing your system.

2. Power output:

Do you know how much power your speakers can handle?
The main cause of boring, flat sound from your system is underpowered speakers. The rule of thumb when putting together your car audio system is to choose your speakers first. Then find the perfect amplifier to power them.
Focus on constant power, and don’t skimp! You want to match or exceed the output wattage of the speakers your amplifier is connected to. Check the RMS power rating of your speakers. Then, look for an amplifier that can put out at least 75-150% of that power rating.

3. How it ties into your overall setup:

Your professional car audio retailer and installer will have the skinny on what works well together. Your in-dash head unit is a factor in your hot new setup as well. There are a lot of brands that market themselves as being the best at different things. Working with a professional who is experienced can remove much of the confusion associated with choosing what to go with in big ways. You could do the research yourself, but we’ve done, seen and installed it all. We can help you choose what works best with your overall setup.

If you have any more questions on choosing the right car amplifier, give us a call. Or come on into our showroom and we’ll take a look at your vehicle and current setup.