Car sound amplifier: selecting acoustics for the car

High-quality car audio has long become an integral part of a modern car. Often the cost of a complete reproduction set exceeds the price of the car itself, and there are more and more connoisseurs of such an upgrade every year. The main component of an audio system is the amplifier. It is he who receives the signal from the playback device and outputs it to the speakers. The better the quality of this module, the higher the sound quality, and vice versa. Finding the right amplifier is difficult, since there is no limit to perfection and no price restrictions. Our rating includes both top models and budget options that are quite capable of providing your car with excellent sound.

When choosing an amplifier, you should start from the goals that are set for it. If you do not plan to equip your car with kilowatt sound, there is no point in buying an expensive, powerful product. Quite budget models in the price category of up to 5 thousand rubles can also provide high quality. You should also pay attention to the size of the equipment. It is directly tied to power, and leading manufacturers are constantly racing in this direction. There are compact models, but the issue of heat removal arises, since the amplifier tends to heat up. Other criteria: rated power, operating resistance level and number of channels.

How to choose

The main criterion by which a sound amplifier is selected for a car is power. Separate maximum and rated power. The numbers indicated by the manufacturer on the box or amplifier case are far from real. This is the total maximum power from all channels, which should not be taken into account.

The packaging or instructions indicate the rated power, which you can trust. This is the power at which the amplifier and speakers can operate for an hour without distorting the music signal.

The power of the amplifier should match (or better exceed by 10-15%) the power of the acoustics. If you connect a weak amplifier, the speakers may burn out due to an incorrect, distorted signal.

You should also pay attention to the resistance indicated in the technical data sheet of the speaker. These numbers should correspond to the amplifier's performance. The power of the amplifier can also be determined by the fuse rating. The higher the rating, the greater the power.

From the range of amplifiers on the market, you should choose products from well-known brands:

• Kenwood
• Power Acoustic
• Alpine
• Focal
• DLS
• Challenger
• Helix
• Auditor

Less famous manufacturers often deceive buyers by inflating the power ratings of their amplifiers.

How to install an amplifier on a car

When installing acoustics in a car yourself, you will need some skill and care, otherwise there is a risk of burning the equipment. This may occur due to the large cross-sectional power cable that powers the amplifier.

The main power wire must be routed from the pedal compartment through the fuse. It is pulled through the technological hole in the pedal assembly in such a way as not to touch the internal systems of the machine.

Then the threshold seals are disconnected and the power and signal wires are laid there. They are powered directly from the battery. It is recommended to connect very powerful equipment via a storage device so that the battery does not run out prematurely. All contacts should be insulated with heat shrink.

Attention! The wires should be pulled in such a way that there are no kinks or kinks.

Before fixing the wires to the connectors, you should first try their different combinations and test the operation of the amplifier. When installing, it is better to leave 15 centimeters of wire as a reserve. It is not recommended to expose wires using teeth rather than special devices.

It is better to place the amplifier housing in the rear of the car near the back of the seat. The device should not be placed in the trunk, under the glove compartment, or on the floor of the car.

Best Class D Car Amplifiers

Such models do not have a large number of working channels and are compact. Their efficiency can reach 90% under high load, so Class D amplifiers operate stably for a long time without overheating or sound distortion.

Pioneer GM-D1004

5

★★★★★

editorial assessment

100%

buyers recommend this product

The model is small in size and has multi-pin connectors recessed into the body. This makes it easier to install the amplifier anywhere in the car and allows you to connect various audio equipment. Automatic volume adjustment makes it easy to control the amplifier while playing a playlist.

The supported frequency range is very wide (11-40000 Hz), harmonic distortion is 0.05%. The ventilated housing promotes rapid heat dissipation to effectively protect against overheating and extend the life of the device.

Advantages:

• light weight - 0.47 kg;
• ease of installation;
• clear sound;
• ease of setup;
• wide frequency range.

Flaws:

• high price.

Pioneer GM-D1004 is ideal for installation in cars that do not have spacious interiors. It has the perfect combination of compactness and high performance.

Hertz HCP 4D

5

★★★★★

editorial assessment

100%

buyers recommend this product

This amplifier has low power consumption and high performance. Thanks to the presence of four working channels and a developed crossover, which has the ability to filter low and high frequencies in the range from 50 to 3.2 kHz, it is possible to connect equipment using a Hi-Fi Bi-amping circuit.

The harmonic distortion coefficient is 0.02%, the signal-to-noise ratio is 80 dB. The ART function automatically turns on the device when a useful audio signal is found, and support for line outputs makes it possible to transfer it to another amplifier. This ensures easy control of the entire audio output system and economical energy consumption.

Advantages:

• low energy consumption;
• crossover mode;
• compactness;
• presence of a cooling radiator;
• comfort when using.

Flaws:

• high price.

The Hertz HCP 4D can be used in a variety of configurations. A large number of connectors and bridge support make it compatible with professional equipment.

Magnum MAM 1.2000BS

4.9

★★★★★

editorial assessment

93%

buyers recommend this product

The narrow lattice design of the housing ensures efficient heat dissipation, which ensures stable operation of the amplifier under high load. The presence of a Subsonic filter allows you to effectively cut off the sound of high frequencies during playback, and a remote bass control makes it possible to adjust the operation of the amplifier from a distance.

RMS power at 4 ohms is 900 W, harmonic distortion is no more than 0.1%. The power supply and amplification channel contains a Mosfet transistor circuit, which increases the speed of channel switching and improves the overall performance of the equipment.

Advantages:

• convenient control;
• flexible setup;
• rapid cooling;
• small dimensions;
• high power.

Flaws:

• complexity of installation.

Magnum MAM is suitable for installation in a car with an audio system with a power of up to 3200 W.

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JBL Stage A6004

4.8

★★★★★

editorial assessment

90%

buyers recommend this product

The model has a built-in protective circuit. Its function is to protect the device from voltage surges, critical temperature increases and short circuits. This guarantees stable operation of the amplifier in any conditions.

Input level control and crossover function make it easy to adjust sensitivity and operating frequency depending on the location or conditions of use of the equipment. The bass equalizer optimizes the performance of the subwoofer and speaker system based on the characteristics of the output audio signal.

Advantages:

• flexible setup;
• low percentage of distortion;
• crossover mode;
• range filtering;
• small dimensions.

Flaws:

• the occurrence of noise under high load.

JBL Stage A6004 allows you to independently adjust the front and rear speakers. This amplifier is suitable for working with two audio systems or when connecting a large number of speakers.

Best Class A/B Car Amplifiers

Models of this type are characterized by high sound quality and long service life. They have large dimensions and a large number of working channels for connecting various audio equipment, including speakers of any frequency and subwoofers.

Ural BV 4.70

4.9

★★★★★

editorial assessment

93%

buyers recommend this product

The model is made in a solid metal body and has massive stiffening ribs. This improves passive cooling and prevents the device from overloading during full power operation or extended use.

Harmonic distortion is 0.05%, signal-to-noise ratio is 100 dB. The equipment guarantees clear sound output without interference at any volume level. Thanks to the frequency adjustment range from 10 to 8000 Hz, the user has access to the most precise adjustment of the amplifier's operation.

Advantages:

• efficient cooling;
• bass boost mode;
• no interference;
• wide frequency tuning range;
• low pass and high pass filters.

Flaws:

• difficulty of installation.

Ural BV 4.70 is suitable for use in conjunction with an extensive automotive audio output system. An excellent solution for long-term operation at maximum power without the risk of overload.

Kicx SP 4.80AB

4.8

★★★★★

editorial assessment

89%

buyers recommend this product

The model will delight you with four channels and the possibility of a bridge connection. This allows you to split the subwoofer signal into two channels to obtain the most powerful and clear low-frequency sound, or connect an extensive car audio system to the amplifier.

The rated power of the device is 80 W, the coefficient of harmonic distortion is 0.01%. The user can filter low and high frequencies in the ranges of 120-3000 and 50-250 Hertz, respectively, for flexible sound settings.

Advantages:

• bridge mode;
• overload protection;
• high pass and low pass filters;
• sound adjustment;
• no distortion.

Flaws:

• heating during operation.

Kicx SP 4.80AB is recommended for working with multiple audio output devices. A powerful and durable amplifier for loud music lovers.

Blaupunkt GTA 5350

4.8

★★★★★

editorial assessment

89%

buyers recommend this product

The model is characterized by high input sensitivity and the presence of five working channels. The small dimensions of the device ensure ease of installation, and the presence of fuses guarantees protection against voltage surges and short circuits. Frequency adjustment in the range from 10 to 30,000 Hz provides the most precise sound tuning.

The rated power per channel at 4 ohms is 160 W, the signal-to-noise ratio is 90 dB. The Bass Boost feature adds about 12 dB during bass playback, making it easy to tune for bass-heavy songs.

Advantages:

• wide frequency range;
• level filtering;
• five channels;
• high power;
• bass boost.

Flaws:

• an additional cooler is required.

The Blaupunkt GTA 5350 is worth purchasing to pair with an extensive audio system. It will be an excellent choice for owners of powerful subwoofers or a large number of car speakers.

SWAT M-4.65

4.8

★★★★★

editorial assessment

88%

buyers recommend this product

The model has four working channels and extensive filtering capabilities. The two front channels have a high-pass filter in the range from 50 to 5000 Hz, the rear ones are equipped with low-pass controls. This provides flexible setup, clear and surround sound output.

The power per channel at 4 ohms is 65 W, the signal-to-noise ratio is 95 dB. Small dimensions and a durable metal case with stiffening ribs ensure easy installation and efficient cooling of the amplifier.

Advantages:

• compactness;
• ease of installation;
• passive cooling;
• low price;
• long service life.

Flaws:

• requires lengthy setup.

SWAT M-4.65 is an economical and reliable solution for installation anywhere in the cabin. Supports bridged connections with signal output up to 200 W for high-quality music playback in a variety of styles.

EDGE EDA200.4-E7

4.7

★★★★★

editorial assessment

86%

buyers recommend this product

The main feature of the model is a wide frequency adjustment range - from 20 to 20,000 Hz. The amplifier has several levels of protection: from overload, short circuit, overheating. This ensures stable operation of the device in any conditions and extends its service life.

The power per channel at a load of 4 ohms is 150 W, the maximum fuse current is 70 A. Thanks to the bass boost function and flexible low frequency settings, the user can enjoy high-quality music playback in various genres without distortion or wheezing of the speakers.

Advantages:

• reliability;
• ease of installation;
• bridge mode;
• high power;
• Bass Boost function.

Flaws:

• small number of exits.

EDGE EDA200.4-E7 is recommended for use with a subwoofer or multiple powerful speakers - a reliable solution for long-term use.

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Comparison table of technical characteristics

This rating presents the best car amplifiers.

Below is a detailed description of each model.