Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12 Punch P3 Review

World of automotive audio systems wouldn’t be the same without Rockford Fosgate. To some that might sound like an overstatement, but when you consider just how many great products this brand has contributed to the market, it’s hard not to think that way.

Their most popular stuff usually comes down to various amps. Rockford Fosgate just knows how to deliver great performance at a more than reasonable price. What we are going to review today is one of their subwoofers that closely follows this policy.

Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12 Punch P3 is currently one of the best medium powered subs you can get. It brings a perfect balance of performance, size, and most importantly, price. There is a reason why many consider this very subwoofer to be the cornerstone of automotive bass performance. Today we are going to take a closer look at it and try to figure out what exactly makes it so attractive. If you were on the fence about picking one of these up, stick with us because you might just find your answers.

Features

For a sub that is so praised, you would think that Rockford Fosgate produced something super special that was like nothing that was available prior to its release, right? No, the whole point about this awesome subwoofer is that you get the most average (read most practical) design that was simply built well. It’s a 12-inch standard round sub that packs a heavy punch on a budget.

The power rating for this model is 600 Watts RMS with peak power set at nearly 1200 Watts. It’s a dual voice coil design that operates at 4 Ohms, which makes it compatible with just about any monoblock out there. Now that we got some raw specs out of the way, let’s address the overall build quality of P3D4. Starting from the cone, we see a solid anodized aluminum piece that is light but and pretty agile. The dust cap is also made of the same material. One of the more unique features is the vertically mounted surround, which in theory increases the efficiency of the cone by some 25%.

Basket features what Rockford Fosgate calls a ‘FlexFit’ design. In simple words, this translates to having slots instead of simple holes for mounting the sub. The benefit of this system is that you can adjust the angle of the sub once you mount it. However, seeing how this design introduces a lateral axis, there might be some issues with the screws coming loose and the whole speaker moving a bit.

Tinsel leads are pretty standard in terms of shape, but they are stitched. Rockford Fosgate decided to hard-stitch the lead wires at certain places along their length, thus achieving a decent combination of flexibility, reliability, and weight.

In terms of heat dissipation, the basket takes care of most of the needs due to its semi-vented design which allows the spider to breathe and release heat away from the magnets. Aside from these features that we have mentioned above, you can also count on seeing a number of cosmetic details such as the PVC magnet cover and a diamond cut, cast aluminum trim ring.

With all that said, the speaker not only feels solid, it also looks pretty attractive. You generally don’t expect the get much eye candy in this price range, but Rockford Fosgate made sure that P3 at least looks decent enough for styling oriented builds.

Performance

Once you wire everything up, it’s time to start this bad boy up. The first thing that becomes perfectly clear as soon as you start pushing some low frequencies through the amp, is that Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12 Punch P3 brings serious volume to the table. Even though most of your average users will be more than happy with 600 Watts RMS, there are some who simply need more. This is the type of medium powered sub that will easily appease 3 out of 4 of those demanding users, easily.

P3 meets CEA 2031 standards, so you know it will deliver consistent performance without any issues. With nickel-plated push terminals, there should be no interference from the connectors, thus giving you a pretty clear sound across the range.

Conclusion

All things considered, it’s easy to figure out what made the Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12 Punch P3 so popular. It is a subwoofer that is capable of moving serious amounts of air, with reliability you rarely find these days, all within a price range that fits the most of the entry level to mid level users. If you are planning on doing your first build and you are looking for a good affordable sub, Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12 Punch P3 should be at the top of your list of potential choices. It’s just that good!

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Kicker S15L74 Solo-Baric Subwoofer Review

Ever sine moving large amounts of air using a low-frequency transducer became a thing, manufacturers rushed to produce the most powerful models they could come up with. In that race to reach the new output limit, some of them have completely forgotten that the point of having a subwoofer in your car is to get the best quality of those low tones that you can. Kicker definitely doesn’t belong to this group of brands. On the contrary, their subs are on the leading edge when it comes to innovative technologies and sound clarity.

We have decided to introduce you to one of their more popular models which have been around for a while and has managed to build quite a large following in that time frame. Kicker S15L74 Solo-Baric sub is a true performer that packs a mean punch but also gets you the quality of sound that is in the audiophile territory. If you are looking for a good sub to install in the boot, but you’re not sure which way to go, you should definitely stick around. This Kicker model might just be what you are looking for.

Features

As soon as you open the box this Kicker subwoofer comes in, you will know that it’s not just another run of the mill unit. The first noticeable difference is the square shape of the cone. While its a bit more difficult to manufacture, having a squared cone gives you more active surface area, which translates to more air being displaced at any given moment.

Speaking of the cone, it’s a solid design that is complemented by a heavy duty rubber surround. the two are joined together by a combination of adhesives and stitching. This approach allows the transducer to achieve optimal flexibility of movement without wearing down the surround.

Moving on to the basket, we see a vented design that is made of aluminum. there are several reasons why this is just a better design than your usual solutions. Most obvious one comes down to heat dissipation. Aluminum doesn’t retain heat as long as other materials, while it provides the same structural support to the magnet. On the other hand, it also has a neutral impact on said magnet, so there will be no interference between the two. Moving on to the tinsel leads, they are somewhat unique as well. Instead of taking the usual route, Kicker decided to stitch the tinsel leads sparingly, thus retaining their flexibility but preventing them from wearing out and separating from the spider.

When you look at all of these innovative solutions, you realize that all they did was apply some common sense to the design of this subwoofer. Without trying to marginalize their effort, it is really a wonder that some of these solutions are not more standardized across the industry. Either way, we are definitely happy that Kicker delivered a subwoofer of this nature at a price that is more than fair all things considered.

Speaking of raw specs, this family of subs comes in a variety of sizes. The one we are looking at here is a 15-inch unit that is rated for 1000 Watts RMS at 4 Ohms. Frequency range within which it operates goes from 18Hz to 100Hz, so you know it goes as slow as you can hear clearly.

Performance

All of those smart design choices combined deliver a very consistent and efficient performance. Kicker S15L74 Solo-Baric subwoofer works in both vented and sealed boxes and requires a relatively moderate size of said box in order to achieve best results. Pushing this thing as hard as you can is bound to get you on the edge of distortion, but it feels like crossing that border is impossible.

With that said, we don’t suggest you explore this possibility for the sake of your audio system. Power is definitely there. Even at half gain, this bad boy will be loud to the point where comfort becomes the stuff of fiction. The most impressive aspect of its performance is the quality of sound which doesn’t deteriorate as you increase the output. Combined with a decent monoblock amp, Kicker S15L74 can definitely sort out all of your bass related needs.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a fan of square subs or not, Kicker S15L74 Solo-Baric subs are currently one of the best Kilowatt units you can get. Their build quality, performance, and overall smart design is something that is hard to ignore. Sure, there are cheaper options on the market, but bang for the buck, this sub is going to outperform models which are above and below it on the price ladder. If you’re not sure you need this amount of power, you can always go for a smaller version, but investing in one of these subs is definitely a decision you won’t regret.

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Kicker S15L7 Subwoofer Review

Moving a lot of air in a car is something a lot of people is longing for,  but they usually don’t appreciate just how complicated it is to get this done. Installing just any random subwoofer might give you the thump you want, but the sound quality is one aspect which is definitely going to suffer. For more serious solutions, you need a more serious subwoofer. The kicker is a company that comes to mind when talking about this level of bass quality. They have a very impressive lineup of models, most of which are true works of art in terms of engineering and performance.

The one that caught our eye today is the Kicker S15L7, a 15-inch square sub with enough power to rock just about any setup. From afar, this unit looks just slightly better than your average sub. However, once you come closer, you start to notice signs of top tier design, engineering, and manufacturing. Let’s meet the Kicker S15L7.

Features

Kicker has applied all of their past experience and knowledge into creating one of the most capable heavy hitting subs available on the market at the moment. The performance is guaranteed by its rock-solid construction and a number of smart solutions which are implemented efficiently. Before we move onto some interesting features this beast has to offer, let’s get raw specs out of the way first. When it comes to maximum Wattage RMS, we are talking about a 1000 Watt output that you can get any day of the week.

The peak power output is set at 2000 Watts, although that is a bit questionable to be completely honest. This is a dual voice coil sub that works at 4 Ohms, so expect to see four I/O ports on the basket. S15L7 has all the power necessary, but it also has finesse. Frequency response range for this bad boy goes from 18Hz to 100Hz, with a sensitivity of 89.4 dB. It keeps it real low and dark for the most part. You can put this speaker in a vented or sealed box since it can handle both configurations just fine.

Now let’s get to build quality. The first thing that you will notice is the cone. This one is an injection molded rigid piece that moves just as well as your standard design but is much more resistant to wear and tear. It even reduces distortion with great efficiency compared to a nonsolid type cone. The surrounding is made of high-quality rubber and is actually stitched to the cone in addition to being glued on.

Kicker chose this solution because it adds a much more durable connection between these two components, which is necessary if you plan on using this sub for any longer period of time. The surround features ribbon reinforcements at the corners, allowing the cone to flex naturally without putting any unnecessary tension on it.

Moving on to the bucket, we see a cast aluminum unit that is fairly light. Aside from reducing the overall mass of the sub, using aluminum offers better heat dissipation and zero interference with the magnets in the back. Moving past the bucket, if you look inside the sub you will find an unusual looking set of tinsel leads. Kicker has their own Spiralead design which is much better at dealing with constant vibrations and movement of the cone. Along with spring loaded connectors, it is apparent from the start that Kicker anticipated some heavy duty use and designed the Kicker S15L7 accordingly.

Performance

Seeing how carefully designed this thing is, we could only expect top tier performance. Fortunately for us, that is exactly what we received. The sub is meant to sit in a 6 cubic feet box that can be vented or sealed, depending on what you prefer. In both configurations, the bass is just impressive. You don’t even have to push it to its max RMS in order to feel the air moving around you. Paired with a decent monoblock, this thing offers a killer sound that you will rarely find elsewhere for this type of money.

In terms of heat, there are zero issues even during more demanding use. Completely vented bucket allows a lot of those high temps to escape and not stick around the spider. Add its aluminum build to that equation, and you get a sub that doesn’t heat up, while any heat that does occur gets exchanged quickly with the surrounding air. If you do a good job at the wiring stage, and properly choose your amp, you should only experience the top-tier performance from this sub. After all, there’s a reason why Kicker is considered to be the patron saint of bass enthusiasts around the world.

Conclusion

When it comes to moving air, Kicker has once again proven that they are the authority in the industry. Kicker S15L7 is an old sub by now, but it is still one of the absolute best choices available on the market. The one we reviewed today is the largest model in the family, while there are smaller versions as well. If you are looking for ways to get heavy hitting bass from a stable sub, this squarish monster is probably your best bet at the moment.

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Rockford Fosgate R600-4D Review

Balanced performance in the entry-level segment of the multichannel amp market is not something you see every day. This may sound silly, but it is slowly becoming the new standard. That is why it’s quite a big deal when a brand releases an amp that delivers a great performance combined with a good amount of features at a reasonable price. The model in question? R600-4D by Rockford Fosgate. This is probably the best amp to get in its price range, and that is not even an exaggeration. Watt per dollar ratio is bang on, and the overall design adds even more value to an already sweet deal.

Today we are going to take a closer look at this awesome amp. As you’re about to see, it brings some solutions you would often find in the more expensive units, and it seems to do everything right. If you are looking for a value model that delivers exactly what is claimed by the manufacturer, keep reading.

 

Features of the R600-4D

Before we get into specs and other juicy facts, we have to deal with the aesthetic design of this Rockford Fosgate creation. We’ll preface the following criticism by saying that we absolutely love this thing, just in case. Alright, even though looks are least important when it comes to car amps, R600-4D looks like something that was made ten years ago.

We can appreciate simple and functional design, but it feels like Rockford Fosgate cut some serious corners when it comes to the exterior design of this awesome amp. However, that is our opinion and frankly, looks are not that important. At least not in this segment of the market.

The enclosure, no matter how basic it looks, is actually quite practical. It features a cast aluminum construction, including a very efficient heat sync. If you look at the back of the amp, you will find all of your I/O connectors including three pairs of RCA connectors. This is also where you can see a rather complex control panel. These include a front and rear EQ cluster, each with its own Gain knob and Crossover switch. Additionally, there is another switch that allows you to choose between two or four channel operation.

In terms of power, you are looking at either 4×100 Watts at 4 Ohms, 4×150 Watts at 2 Ohms, and 2×300 Watts at 4 ohms in bridged mode. That crossover feature we have mentioned earlier can add 12dB/Octave and it floats between 50Hz and 500Hz. This applies to both front and rear crossover. The overall frequency response range is set from 20Hz to 20kHz, which is not bad for a unit in this price range.

There are three forms of protection offered by Rockford Fosgate in R600-4D. All of these are combined in one system, and they cover thermal protection, over-current protection, and short circuit protection. It’s not the most advanced safety system on the market, but it works more than well considering the power and quality of this amp.

How Does the Rockford R600X4 Peform?

When it comes down to performance, you get to see why R600-4D is one of the, if not the best amp in its class.  For a Class D unit, you get an abundance of power that is flat. That’s right, hooking this thing up to whichever instrument you like to use for testing various aspects of power amps, will give you pretty flat readings. The quality of sound is bordering audiophile level, although that is something worth of a proper discussion.

What matters the most is that you get a loud, clean and rather small amp that gets the job done when used within its limits. Even if you decide to push it harder, you will find out that heat is not an issue. It gets warm, but never really that hot that you have to worry about it too much. Those who want a more stealthy setup will appreciate the compact nature of the R600-4D. We stand by our opinion that this amp won’t win any beauty contents any time soon, but it looks decent enough all things considered. In that respect, we can’t really complain too much. Especially considering the price.

 

Should You Make Room for this Amp?

Rockford Fosgate is no stranger to entry level amps which deliver good performance. With that said, it is our feeling that they’ve outperformed themselves with the R600-4D. You get proper power channeled through robust circuitry that doesn’t fall apart when you start pushing that volume knob clockwise, a good Watt per dollar ratio, and overall great design. No matter how average this sounds, it’s not something you get to see that often.

In complete honesty, R600-4D by Rockford Fosgate is probably a better choice that even some more expensive and more powerful amps out there, despite how counter-intuitive that sounds. At the end of the day, if you choose to go with this unit, you won’t regret it!

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JL Audio 10W3v3 Review

The most common theme among automotive audio enthusiasts is to get the largest, meanest sub cones they can get. While it is quite understandable where this type of reasoning comes from, too many people fail to realize that peak power or RMS power is not going to dictate the sound quality of a given subwoofer.

The phenomenon we described is not that present within groups who aim at the mid or top range stuff, but rather the entry level community which still has a lot to learn. With all that said, some will wonder if getting good audio quality in terms of bass is even possible on a tighter budget. The answer is yes. JL Audio 10W3v3 is a perfect example of a relatively average powered sub that compensates the lack of volume with superior sound quality.

Sure, there are more powerful models out there that cost less, but you have to ask yourself one thing. Is it worth compromising what is generally a pretty decent build with a muddy sub that is going to dilute the sound quality of the entire system? We’re going to use this occasion to get to know the JL Audio 10W3v3, and also figure out whether or not its reputation holds any merit. With that said, let’s dig right in.

Features

For the most part, 10W3v3 looks like your regular subunit, but this is actually a subwoofer driver that belongs to the larger models available on the market. Now, the sub is rated for 600 Watts in terms of peak power, and 300 Watts RMS. Even though you would feel tempted to give it a shot, this is definitely not the type of sub you want to push hard. In terms of design, JL Audio kept things fairly simple in order to level the price at a point where it is most attractive to potential users. We strongly believe they’ve accomplished that quite successfully. This is one of the more competitive sub drivers available at the moment in this price range.

Starting from the cone, we see a mineral-filled polypropylene cone that is snugly mounted within a standard nitrile-butylene rubber surround. Speaking of which, JL Audio designed what they cal FCAM, or Floating Cone Attach Method which simplifies the connection between the cone and the surround to a point where the cone is completely free to move while still preserving good integrity.

Finely machined basket reveals an Elevated Frame Cooling design. This JL Audio patent allows them to build baskets with a higher level of cooling efficiency. EFC baskets manage to expose the voice coil to a larger volume of circulating air, thus reducing heat and increasing performance to a certain degree.

As we go down the list of features, things get better and better. After you’ve done with all the patents and exclusive tech solutions JL Audio implemented in this rather inexpensive sub driver, you realize that this thing is built for performance. Speaking of which.

Performance

One of the main things to look out for when using subwoofer driver hybrids is not to push the transducer too hard. remember, these have a lot more work to do than just hit those sub 100Hz frequencies. As for this particular model, JL Audio states that maximum power RMS is set at 300 Watts, and that is definitely the optimal output you should even consider. The point of 10W3v3-4 is not to give you mind-blowing amounts of thump, but rather bring you a great sound quality and definition within the frequency range it is built to cover. That means that you need to take it easy on the volume knob if you want to put this driver into its sweet spot mode.

The installation itself is fairly simple. The box requirements come with the sub so you will know exactly how wide and deep you have to go in order to get the best effect. This is a single voice coil design, meaning that you only have two cables to worry about. 10W3v3-4 is a 10-inch unit, but it’s sort of compact. Finding enough room for it fit nicely is definitely not a big issue. One of the best benefits of this particular model is its price. You can easily get a few of these and build a rather capable audio system without spending too much money.

Conclusion

Subwoofer drivers, especially those that are more tamed in terms of power output, are not as popular as their pure blood sub brethren. With that said, models such as this JL Audio are rather inspiring when you consider the type of performance you are getting, and what kind of money you are asked to pay for it. It’s not something power hungry users seeking to push the edge of their system would be interested in. However, anyone looking for decent performance with great quality of sound will love this unit.

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Orion HCCA2000.4 Competition Series Review

Affordable heavy hitters are a very real category in the world of automotive amplifiers. They are also one of the most scrutinized segments of the market and for a perfectly good reason. Delivering loads of RMS at prices which seem to be too good to be true is bound to raise a few eyebrows. With that said, there are models out there which deliver exactly what they claim they can, in a way that is stable and consistent. One such amplifier is the Orion HCCA 2000.4 Competition Series four channel amplifier.

We are going to use this opportunity to introduce you to this pretty awesome amp that is one of the more powerful units you can get in this price range. It’s definitely not the most refined model out there, but being crude around the edges is not always such a bad thing. This is especially true if your requirements are more related to having raw power than perfect tonal clarity. With that said, let’s get you familiarized with this heavy hitter.

Features of the HCCA 2000 4 Channel Amp

The design of this big boy is reminiscent of older models, which is rather practical even though it’s not the most aesthetically pleasing solution in the world. The heat synch is massive, just as you would expect it would for something of this size and power output. Orion HCCA2000.4 Competition Series comes in a very sleek looking  metallic red color that can be an issue if you are going for a specific look or styling. However, those who don’t really care about aesthetics will find this flashy aesthetic refreshing. It really breaks up the black interior of your average trunk well

The nominal power rating for Orion HCCA2000.4 Competition Series is defined as 4000 Watts. However, RMS power is a bit less than that. Here’s how you can use this amp. You can push 4×300 Watts RMS at 4 Ohms, 4×500 Watts RMS at 2 Ohms. Since this amp can be bridged, your options are as follows. 2×1000 Watts RMS at 2 Ohms, or 4×620 Watts RMS at 4 Ohms. While it’s not a 4000 Watt RMS monster make it out to be, Orion HCCA2000.4 Competition Series is still a pretty capable unit to have.

One of the main reasons why this amp is so reliable comes from its rather efficient all MOSFET amp. Even when pushed hard, the amp is capable of wrangling the new requirements fine and keeps up rather well. When it comes to controls of any kind, the only thing that you have to work with is a remote gain knob, as it is usually the case with amps of this format. There’s a pretty decent protection suite built into the Orion HCCA2000.4 Competition Series, but you still need to be careful that you wire everything up correctly.

Ready to Crank it Up? Check Out these this monster from Orion.

 

Does this Orion Comp Series Amp Peform?

For such a powerful and large amplifier, Orion HCCA2000.4 Competition Series surprisingly runs pretty cool unless you really step on it and start riding it hard. In terms of sound quality, things are pretty good. One thing you have to understand is that we are talking about an amplifier whose main job is to have muscles and not necessarily the finesse. That is something that will cost you a bit more. Running a medium setup consisting of four drivers and one subwoofer is a nonissue. There is plenty of power for that.

The frequency response range goes from 10Hz to 35kHz, which basically means that you will hear everything that humans are capable of hearing, and then some. The crossover comes packing a two-stage hi pass filter that works from 40Hz to 12.5 kHz and 400Hz to 12.5kHz. Low pass filter works from 40Hz to 300Hz. As you would expect, there is a soft turn on feature available as well, just in case.

When it comes to installation and cable routing, it’s a pretty standard situation. The only thing you would need to keep in mind is its size. If you are going for a stealthy build, this might not be the best solution for you. On the other hand, if you don’t care if your amp is going to stick out or not, this is going to be a decent heavy hitting choice.

 

Should Orion be in Your Trunk?

When you talk about amps such as the Orion HCCA2000.4 Competition Series, you need to pay attention to nominal power rating and RMS power rating. Often times you will see some pretty incredible figures being dropped here or there, only to have the actual RMS Power output be rather underwhelming.

Orion HCCA2000.4 Competition Series actually offers a pretty balanced performance, which makes it one of the better choices at the moment. On the other hand, it’s hard to complain considering the price you are asked to pay, and all of the stuff you get for it.

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Audio Introduction: What are Class D Amplifiers?

Modern automotive audio systems are becoming more and more complex. What has begun with simple analog systems, has turned into a fully developed industry with so many options to choose from. With that said, every modern audio system is going to have one thing in common, and that is a power amp. Power amps become a necessity as soon as you step into the custom side of car audio.

Your deck will be sufficient to a point, which is very easy to reach. There are numerous types of amps available, but one kind is currently the go-to options. Of course, we are talking about Class D amplifiers. Today we are going talk about what makes these amps the preferred choice of many audio enthusiasts, and what different types of Class D amps are available today.

 

What Are Class D Amplifiers?

As you probably know, amplifiers are divided into different classes. Everything  began with a simple Class-A amplifier, which was analog in nature and capable of providing excellent sound fidelity to its users. However, there was just a slight issue – it was inefficient. In the world of amplifiers, efficiency dictates how much power is being used, and how much of it is being converted into heat. Class A amps are rather notorious for wasting a large amount of power by converting it into heat. Not only are you being robbed of potential performance, but you also have to find a way to deal with high temperatures which can cause issues with the electronics.

It’s a similar story with all the classes until we reach Class D. What makes Class D amps so different is the fact that they are very efficient. Depending on which one you have, you might see zero power being wasted. They achieve this by utilizing a completely different principle of operation. Class A and similar amplifiers push their transistors to constantly be under load.

Sometimes they are working at maximum capacity, but sometimes they are working at half of that. When not fully utilized, transistors waste energy, thus converting it to heat. Class D amplifiers solved that issue by using a different type of transistor that is constantly being switched on and off. While in on position, the transistor is fully conducting, and thus not wasting any energy. Naturally, when it is in off position there is also no waste of energy.

By switching the current on and off at a fast frequency, Class D amp is able to achieve maximum efficiency and zero wasted power. However, this type amplification has its own problems as well. For starters, having a pulsed output (which is the byproduct of switching the transistors on and off constantly) produces signal distortion in the higher end of the frequency range.

There are some features that can fix this issue, but it is still the biggest problem with Class D amps. On top of that, there are more problems, but they are not as important from a user’s point of view, so we will skip them for now. With that said, the tradeoff is completely worth it. With Class D amps, not only is the efficiency maximized, but you can also create much smaller and lighter amps.

This leads us to another question, what kind of Class D amps are there? For the most part, we can recognize to specific types of Class D amps. There are your monoblocks and multi-channel amplifiers available. With that said, let’s look at each one of these and talk about their benefits.

 

Monoblock Class D Amplifiers

A monoblock amplifier is just a different way of naming an amp that has only one channel. In the case of Class D amps, monoblocks are very popular due to their high efficiency. The main application for a single channel amp is to drive a powerful subwoofer. By having high wattage being pushed through a single channel, you can drive a pretty powerful sub with high levels of efficiency.

On top of that, Class D amps generally work better in the lower frequency range, making them a natural choice for this type of use. Aside from their high efficiency, there are several more reasons why Class D amps are preferred in their monoblock configuration.

Size is often a big factor when you are designing an audio system in your car. Being able to push your subs with a set of dedicated amps is great, especially if those amps are compact. This way you get all the power you need while retaining a low profile. Aside from being used for driving subwoofers, Class D monoblocks are great for powering full range speakers as well.

 

Multi-Channel Class D Amplifiers

Unlike monoblocks, multi-channel Class-D amplifiers come with several channels available. Some have two, others have four channels, and some have six. It all depends on which model you go for and how many channels you actually need. The usual configuration of a multi-channel Class-D amp will allow for one subwoofer channel that will have more power dedicated to it and several driver channels for your standard transducers.

Most Class D multi-channel amps will allow you to bridge two or more channels. Bridging channels simply means that you are combining selected channels to drive a single speaker. A good majority of bridgeable amps will support lower impedance in order to compensate for channel bridging.

 

What To Look For In a Class D Amplifier?

Now that we understand what a Class D amplifier is and what different types of these amps might run into, let’s see what are some of the most important things to look for in a Class D amplifier.

 

Which Type Best Fits Your Requirements?

Before you go shopping for a Class D amp, you need to figure out what type of amp you need in the first place. Are going to power a full set of speakers with it? Or do you need it for your subs only? Some people are fine with having their deck driving their tweeters and full range speakers, but need an efficient amp to support that subwoofer in the back. Either way, determine what kind of application you have in mind for the amp before you go shopping for one.

 

What Kind of Power Do You Need?

When it comes to power, you can’t really go wrong with having more of it, but you can definitely go wrong by not having enough. There are two types of power ratings you will usually see being marketed by amp manufacturers – Peak power and RMS power. Peak power represents that amps highest possible output that isn’t sustainable for any practical length of time. RMS power is the only relevant power rating you should be looking at when you go shopping for an amp.

With that said, when you are calculating your power needs, always leave some headroom in there just in case. It’s good to have at least 100 Watts of cushion output between your speaker system’s combined requirement and your amp’s RMS output. Naturally, more is better. Aside from reducing the risk of you pushing the amp to beyond its limits, having more power than you need at the moment leaves room for later expansion should you need it.

 

Good Class D Amplifier Brands

Just like it is the case with most other products you have bought, or are planning on buying, there are certain brands that are trusted more than others. We are going to give you a list of brands we have no problem recommending. Each of these companies will give you the type of amplifier that will bring great performance to your audio setup.

 

Alpine

Alpine is a brand that has been present in the audio business for quite a while now. Over time, they have established a very good reputation with users who demand absolute reliability and quality. Alpine offers a great line of amplifiers which brings some of the more advanced technologies and features you don’t get to see that often. With that said, Alpine amps are going to cost you a pretty penny, but their quality comes at a price.

 

Hifonics

For the most part, Hifonics offers some of the best bang for the buck amps you can get at the moment. Most of their models are pretty affordable, and come with a great core performance. You won’t generally see lots of bells and whistles on a Hifonics amp, but you can bet it will push the necessary power where it is needed the most. If you are on a tight budget, this brand is a pretty good choice.

 

JL Audio

In some ways, JL Audio brings a great balance of power, quality, and price. Calling their amps entry-level or affordable would be a stretch, even though they have some models that can be described that way. In reality, JL Audio amps are a good middle of the road solution for users who need a more refined experience, but can’t afford to spend large sums of money on an amp.

 

Kenwood

Kenwood is another old school brand that has been with the audio enthusiasts around the world through the thick and thin. Their amps are pretty high-quality products that will deliver reliable power where you need it. The  prices are relatively reasonable, but you will struggle to find a Kenwood amplifier that is in the super affordable range.

 

Kicker

Kicker amps are definitely among the most popular, yet most underrated models on the market at the moment. Your average Kicker unit will be built like a tank, and deliver a great, constant performance. A lot of car audio engineers are projecting that Kicker will soon join the elite level along with the rest of exclusive brands, while some say they are already there. At the end of the day, Kicker is always going to be a good choice.

 

Rockford Fosgate

Quality in all price ranges. That is probably one way to describe Rockford Fosgate. This brand offers the best affordable amps that offer the type of sound quality and performance you would expect to find in a more expensive segment of the market. Your average Rockford Fosgate amp will bring the optimal combination of performance and features. They are definitely one brand we can recommend.

 

NVX Audio

NVX Audio is a young brand, at least compared to most other we have mentioned so far. Their amps are still establishing a reputation, but so far the things are looking pretty good. In almost all of the cases, the specs match the actual performance of their amps. On top of that, they seem to be pretty reliable. In terms of price, you won’t have to spend a fortune even for a bit more powerful unit.

 

Orion

Orion’s older amps are considered to be legendary. With that said, Orion’s new line of products is looking stellar as well. We are talking about their HCCA line of amplifiers. Lots of power, somewhat old school design, but definitely reliable performance is what you can expect these days from Orion. Incidentally, they are one of the best choices if you are looking for a bang for the buck monoblock amp.

Now You Know!

Class D amplifiers have completely revolutionized the world of automotive audio. No longer will you be limited by clunky Class A or A/B units that would overheat if pushed hard. Now, you can build a very competitive system that pushes tons of power without melting your trunk. Naturally, you need to take into account some potential issues as well, but the overall performance of your average Class D unit is just better than anything else that is available.

We hope our short intro to Class D amplification has helped you to better understand this type of amps and introduced you to some of the brands you might want to check out. On that note, we encourage you to do further research into this subject, especially if you are new to car amp systems. Just don’t be surprised if you get hooked on automotive audio for good.