Showcasing the Best in the Mobile Enhancement Industry
For car audio enthusiasts, especially those interested in competing in SPL competitions, amplifier efficiency should be one of their primary concerns. In this first of three articles on efficiency, we take a close look at the Rockford Fosgate M5-1000X1 Class-D subwoofer amp and analyze how well it makes use of power at different output levels. What Is Car Audio Subwoofer Amp Read more
When it comes to choosing the right car audio amplifier for your subwoofers, one thing most consumers overlook is an examination of the efficiency specifications. Efficiency describes how much of the power drawn from the vehicle’s electrical system is converted into power to drive a speaker. Low-efficiency amplifiers waste this power as heat. It doesn’t matter whether you’re Read more
The topic of measuring amplifier power is perhaps the most often discussed specification in the car audio industry. There’s a clamor among enthusiasts over YouTube videos of amplifiers cranking out amazing amounts of current while connected to a bank of load resistors or an amp dyno. If your favorite brand of subwoofer amp makes even five more watts than a competitor’s, these Read more
When it comes to car audio product reviews, and specifically, BestCarAudio.com Test Drive Reviews, how I measure amplifier power is a topic that needs some consideration and contemplation. Who would have thought that measuring how much power an amplifier produces could be a controversial subject? The reality is, many factors come in to play as we quantify the capabilities of an Read more
Have you ever purchased something, then regretted your decision a few days later? We recently ran into a situation regarding car audio subwoofer amplifiers where the answer to “Which is better?” became a complicated discussion.We’re going to look at two amplifiers – one is a consumer-grade product that’s extremely popular, the other seems to offer too much bang for your Read more
In the past, we’ve looked at Class AB and Class D amplifier classes, the two most popular configurations in the mobile electronics industry. With that said, a few other classes deserve some explanation, as they can deliver improvements in amplifier efficiency without altering the sound quality. This article will review Class AB and Class D and then talk about G and H designs. Read more
When it comes to car audio amplifiers, people often mistake quality with high power ratings. This misperception has led to manufacturers coming up with every angle or trick possible to measure as much power as possible from their designs. Many manufacturers publish both continuous low-distortion specs as well as maximum power ratings. Are the high numbers useful or relevant? Read more
If you’ve read some of the more technical articles here at BestCarAudio.com, then you’ll know that I hold the analysis and understanding of product specifications in high regard. Whether it’s something simple like a subwoofer mounting depth, the preamp voltage of a source unit or the power measurements of an amplifier, having access to accurate information is important. More Read more
If you’re on social media, then you’ve likely seen numerous discussions or links to videos about amplifier power ratings. If your goal is an audio system that only plays loudly, then the wattage measurements matter. It seems that many consumers are confused about the correlation between power ratings and quality. Let’s look at why car audio amplifier power ratings and their Read more
