TOP 5: car amplifiers

Pioneer GM-A3602

A low-cost amplifier is always a class A/B 2-channel. Today, car amplifiers can be found mainly in two classes: A/B (also called analog) and class D , which is called digital or pulse. In short, the A/B class is considered more musical (although there is a lot of controversy about this), and the D class has a higher efficiency (and this is an indisputable fact).

Rated output power of the Pioneer GM-A3602 amplifier slightly above the average generally accepted value - 2x60 W when connected to 4-ohm acoustics and 2x90 W when connected to 2-ohm. Of course, Pioneer, like most 2-channels, can work in a bridged connection, but only at a 4-ohm load - 180 W bridged power for low-cost subwoofers is just right.

This amplifier is not rich in settings, but the most necessary ones are present: smooth adjustment of the sensitivity of the RCA stereo input from 6.5 volts to 0.3 volts and a switchable filter for low frequencies (80 Hz with a slope of 12 dB / osm), i.e. for subwoofer. There is also a high-level input for connecting to standard radios or head units that do not have linear outputs.

The connection is made through the screw clamp of the plug terminals. All terminals are signed, including the bridging connection BRIDGET. The status indicator light is located on the side, next to the acoustic terminals.

Similar models that are also worth paying attention to are Mystery MK2.80 and Blaupunkt GTA-270 with bassboost function.

Alpine PMX-F640

This is a class A/B 4-channel amplifier, although it is almost identical in cabinet size to the 2-channel above (it is practically and imperceptible in the photo). A distinctive feature of most amplifiers of the Japanese company Alpine is compactness. This greatly simplifies hidden installation.

In radio tape recorders, it is customary to indicate the maximum output power, which is more than advertising, and for external amplifiers, the rated power is more relevant. In this case, we have 4x50 watts into 4 ohms or 4x75 watts into 2 ohms. Also, a more powerful 2-channel 2x150 W can be made from a 4-channel Alpine by connecting two pairs of terminals with a bridge.

The model is equipped with a full set of switchable low and high pass filters (80 Hz 12 dB/res) for front and rear channels separately. There is also a three-way bass boost (off / +6dB / +12dB) for rear or subwoofer channels.

There are six gold-plated RCA connectors, four of them are stereo front inputs and rear, and two more - through stereo outputs designed for connection with another amplifier, for example, a subwoofer. Such a drafty RCA output helps to do without splitters in cases where the radio has only 4 line outputs for 4 speakers, and the user also wants to connect a subwoofer. The terminals for power and speaker cables of the PMX-F640 are the same as those of the amplifier described above, only they are gold-plated.

Among analogues, one can note more bulky models Pioneer GM-A4604 and Pioneer GM-A6604 .

Pioneer PRS-D800

An interesting and powerful 2-channel digital class D, housed in an elongated and compact rectangle. The Pioneer PRS-D800 amplifier is designed for use in an audio system with a radio that already has built-in filters. PRS-D800 is purely a power amplifier without any settings, but with separate level control of the two channels. Its main task is to amplify the already processed and filtered music signal qualitatively, with minimal losses. The device belongs to the Hi-Fi solution, it boasts a power of 2x125/150 W at a resistance of 4/2 Ohm, respectively.

This switching amplifier should be used to “build up” powerful front midbass or powerful “ovals” in back shelf. Its use alone for high-frequency tweeters is not recommended, as well as for a subwoofer. Although in the latter case, options are possible. Moreover, the PRS-D800 can work in a bridged connection (bridged power is 300 W).

When using the PRS-D800 for a subwoofer, certain conditions must be observed. Firstly, the music signal from the head unit should come with the mids and highs already cut off, because. Not all radios have a built-in LPF filter. Secondly, when connecting two voice coils (or subwoofer heads) in series or in parallel, the total resistance (at the amplifier terminals with a bridged connection) should not be lower than 4 ohms. And thirdly, you can not connect a 2-coil subwoofer in stereo mode to two separately adjustable channels, because. without an oscilloscope, it will not be possible to set the same signal level for each voice coil. Moreover, the stereo signal in the channels is different. It follows that a 2-coil subwoofer can only be connected to the PRS-D800 in bridged mode.

Some multimedia radios have only one RCA subwoofer line output. In this case, the PRS-D800 has a switch on the bottom that parallels the two RCA inputs. All connecting terminals and connectors on the PRS-D800 are gold-plated and hidden under easy-to-remove plastic pads that extend the amplifier case.

Similar class A / B models - Magnat Power Core Two and Rockford Fosgate P500X2 .

Rockford Fosgate P1000X5

An unusual five-channel amplifier that works in two classes at once. For full-range front and rear speakers, it works in class A/B, and the subwoofer channel works in class B/D mode. The latter is a variation of class D - with the same high coefficient of performance (COP), it promises a lower level of distortion. Rockford Fosgate even lists the efficiency for both classes: 66% for A/B and 80% for B/D.

The Rockford Fosgate P1000X5 has the shape of the top heat sink panel (no protruding cooling fins like A /V-klassnikov) is more reminiscent of the smooth shape of a fully digital amplifier.

The output power rating at 4 ohms is 4x75 W + 1x150 W, and at 2 ohms - 4x125 W + 1x300 W. Connection to a 1 ohm resistance is only possible for the subwoofer channel, while the power is 500 W.

Using the CLEANSet-Up function, engineers solved the problem of incorrect setting of the main amplifier control, i.e. input level control. It is with him that the tuning of any amplifier should begin, and it is he who is incorrectly tuned by most inexperienced users, which leads to the failure of the speakers. From the official Rockford Fosgate website, you can download a sound test tone to correctly set up three channel levels: front, rear and subwoofer. Briefly about the CLEANSet-U function: monitors the clipping of the audio signal at the input and output of the amplifier.

As for the filter set. For the subwoofer channel, two filters work simultaneously: LPF to protect the low-frequency head from high frequencies and a filter that protects from infra-low frequencies (here it is called infrasonic, not subsonic, like other amplifiers). For four channels designed to sound front and rear acoustics, in addition to HPF, there is also an LPF filter. Those. this amplifier can also be used to “voice” three subwoofers (for example, two in the rear shelf and one in the trunk), when connecting two pairs of channels with a 2x250 W bridge (only at 4 ohms) + 1x150 W. There is also a bass/high boosted EQ.

A similar amplifier, only fully digital - JL Audio XD700/5 .

Alpine PDX-M12

Rounding out today's selection of the best amps is a pure subwoofer digital monoblock with an excellent combination of compactness and power. This small amplifier in a stylish, modern package (comparable in size to the first model in our review) is capable of delivering 1200 watts of nominal power for a 2 or 4-ohm subwoofer.

On the top, in the middle of the black heat sink is a logo frame that serves as a status LED. If the frame is blue - everything is OK with the amplifier, red - the amplifier is protected, which is very rare for this monoblock, thanks to a smart temperature-controlled processor. The task of the latter is to monitor the input voltage and overheating of the amplifier. So, when the voltage drops or overheats, the PDX-M12 does not go into protection, turning off the sound, like most car amplifiers, but slightly lowers the output power, thereby ensuring uninterrupted music playback.

As for the tuning options. The input signal is adjusted using switches from 0.1 to 1 volt or from 1 to 8 volts. Also, the monoblock subwoofer is equipped with a non-switchable low-pass filter (LPF). The LPF filter is adjustable from 50 to 400 Hz. The subsonic is a fuse filter that protects the moving subwoofer system from dangerous excessive vibrations at infra-low frequencies. For the PDX-M12, it is switched on at 15 or 30 Hz.

The power and acoustic connections are made in the form of removable terminals, which simplifies the installation and dismantling of the amplifier. Optionally, you can connect to the PDX-M12 bass level control panel.

Less powerful similar monoblock - Alpine PDX-1.600 .