If you’ve been following us recently, you’ll know we’ve upgraded our lab with new power supplies. As such, many of the products that have been on the BestCarAudio.com test bench have been re-tested for revised power measurements. In this spotlight, we will bring the Rockford Fosgate M5-800X4 and M5-1000X1 test numbers up to date with the ANSI/CTA-2006-D standard. Let’s see what these compact, weather-resistant amplifiers can deliver!
Rockford Fosgate M5-Series Element ReadyTM Amplifier Features
Rockford Fosgate launched the M5-Series of Element Ready amplifiers back in 2021. The series includes the M5-800X4 four-channel, the M5-1000X1 monoblock and the M5-1500X5 five-channel system amplifier. All three amplifiers are based on a heavy extruded aluminum heatsink with cast aluminum end caps. A removable panel on the top panel of each amp provides access to the signal processing settings, including gain, crossovers, Punch EQ and signal routing. All the amps include a preset enable switch that sets up a predetermined configuration that works with many of Rockford Fosgate’s side-by-side Stage 3, 4 and 5 audio system upgrade kits.
Also found under the removable watertight cover are the C.L.E.A.N. indicators. These LEDs illuminate when the amp is being overdriven on the inputs or is getting close to its power limits on the speaker outputs. This feature can save your installer a lot of time when setting the level controls on your audio system. We pay close attention to the LEDs when making power tests. These are right on the money.
The Element ReadyTM designation refers to Rockford Fosgate’s impressive features that make these amplifiers ready for anything Mother Nature can throw their way. They have an IPX6 water intrusion rating, so splashes aren’t going to be an issue. Likewise, you can get them dusty, dirty or even muddy without any worries about them suffering damage. Hose them off at the end of your adventure, and you are good to go.
Rockford Fosgate M5-800X4 Test Update
The first amp we’ll bring back to the bench is the four-channel M5-800X4. This amp is rated to produce 100 watts of power from each of its four channels when connected to two or four-ohm loads. Each pair of channels can be bridged to provide 200 watts of power into a four-ohm load. That’s enough for subwoofers on a motorcycle or side-by-side.
The original power numbers for the 800X4 showed 118.8 watts per channel when driving four four-ohm loads. The output increased to 144.5 watts per channel when driving two-ohm loads on all channels.
Our new supplies have no problem providing all the current this amp will need, and we can set the supply voltage to precisely 14.40 volts right at the power terminals. With this ANSI/CTA-2006-D compliant configuration, the M5-800X4 produced 130.4 watts per channel into four four-ohm loads at 1% THD+N. With the load impedance reduced to 2-Ohms per channel, the output increased to a healthy 150.5 watts. That’s almost exactly 50% more power than the amp is rated for. Finally, the power output was 279.2 watts per load when bridged to a pair of four-ohm loads. That number bests its rating by just shy of 40%.
Distortion and Noise Versus Output
As mentioned in our re-test of the Rockford Fosgate T500-1bdCP, we have combined the distortion and noise versus power measurements into a single graph. It takes a while to generate these, but it’s the best way to see the benefits and drawbacks of loading and bridging an amplifier.
These measurements reveal nothing abnormal. The noise is kept in control even down to 100 milliwatts. Not all amplifiers can make this claim.
Rockford Fosgate M5-1000X1 Testing
We brought the beefy M5-1000X1 to the bench next. This monoblock amp is rated to produce 500 watts into a four-ohm load and 750 watts into either a two or one-ohm load. Our original testing showed it making 483.2 watts into four ohms, 795 watts into two ohms and 975 watts into two ohms.
Our second test didn’t show significant changes to the first or last numbers. Into a four-ohm load, we saw 486.2 watts, which is basically the same. Into a one-ohm load, the amp made 973.4 watts, which is also basically the same. When driving a two-ohm load with exactly 14.40 volts at the power connections, we saw 43.2 volts at the speaker terminals. This equates to an impressive 933.12 watts of power. That’s 130% more than the rated power or an extra 1.13 dB of clean output.
M5-1000X1 Distortion and Noise Versus Power
The chart below shows the Total Harmonic Distortion and Noise output of the Rockford Fosgate M5-1000X1 versus power output into four, two and one-ohm loads. As always, more current draw results in more noise and distortion. This phenomenon isn’t exclusive to this amp or to Rockford Fosgate amplifiers. It happens with all makes and models from every brand. Actually, many amps don’t behave this well when pushed harder.
Conclusions on the M5-1000X1 and M5-800X4 Test Update
It should be no surprise that Rockford Fosgate over-delivers in spades regarding power production. Combine that with unique features like C.L.E.A.N. and class-leading thermal management, and you definitely have a winner! If you are shopping for a high-quality, reliable amplifier for your car, truck, side-by-side, boat or motorcycle, drop by a local authorized Rockford Fosgate retailer and ask about the M5-Series ElementTM Ready amplifiers. We know you’ll be impressed!
