4 Channel Amplifiers For Cars
You just bought a new car and are excited to enjoy your cruising experience. Your pre-installed car stereo’s sound quality is a bit disappointing and you wonder what you can do to make it better.
You know of amplifiers but are unsure how to go about the highly technical terms at the electrical dealer’s shop. Have no fear. In this article, we will discover together which 4-channel amp speakers are the best for your car and provide the desired sound quality.
With a 4-channel amplified car speaker, you would have more options. You could use one channel per speaker and connect all four speakers or bridge (combine) two channels to power up a subwoofer and bridge the other two to power up the 4 speakers. The sound quality will be noticeable, with nice low bass and high tones without interruption.
Settling on the ideal amp speakers could be tasking as the information sometimes is misleading, and the market is filled with options! Thankfully, we have put together a short summary of the best to help you narrow down available options.
1. Alpine MRV F300
Alpine Electronics is a well-known and trusted electronic component manufacturer, specializing in car audio and navigation systems. This automatically makes the Alpine MRV-F300 a best-buy based on its brand. Aside from the name, this speaker is a great fit for those who love to crank up the volume but have limited car space.
This 4-channel speaker features caps that snap on and off, making its placement easy. It is so compact it can fit under a car seat! Its D-class circuitry minimizes power consumption, and you will not likely have any heating issues.
On channels 3 and 4 of this device, full crossovers and bass boosts are possible, and technology has been improved on this model to minimize the background noise. Overall, this is the number one best 4-channel amp speaker. You can bet your money on it.
Key Features
- Class D technology
- Full range crossover
- Bass Equalizer boost
Pros
- Great brand reputation
- Highest crossover range on this list (50-400 Hz)
- Compact size
2. JL Audio JX400/4D
Best known for their subwoofers, the JL Audio company is one of the pioneers of the car audio industry. This speaker powers up to 75 watts on each component speaker and produces a great sound quality from high to mid-range frequencies.
JX400 has a sleek, tamper-free removable cover and a blue LED light, which is a lovely addition to your car’s interior design. This device is super easy to use as it is compatible with any car stereo system, and it also comes with the D-class technology perfect for high-quality sound.
The only drawbacks are that the background noise is slightly more obvious and the price is too much for budget shoppers.
This Amp may be unavailable at the moment (June 2022). If that is so, check out our option below.
Key Features
- D-class technology
- Removable cover
- Bridgeable crossover
Pros
- Consistent power output
- Sleek build quality
- Compatible with multiple systems
3. Rockford Fosgate Punch P400
Rockford Fosgate is an American force to reckon with in matters of great audio experiences brought to you in some cool lifestyle products. With 50 watts, the P400 packs a punch and keeps in company trend with its sturdy structure. Though it sits in the more vintage A/B class of speakers, Rockford has added their own Trans-ANA circuitry to remove noise and enhance the audio experience.
Powered with 400 watts, this speaker is high on market value, and you would need to part with much more money to get your hands on it. Based on the company’s track record, this 4-channel speaker will not disappoint you.
Key Features
- aluminum heat sinks with top mount controls
- class A/B circuit technology
- power supply thermal sensing and real-time output
Pros
- Varied settings
- Less Noise
- High powered amp
4. MTX Audio Thunder 75.4
Manufactured by yet another American-based company, the MTX Audio Thunder comes roaring in with a whopping 75 watts for each of the four speakers connected and 100 watts when two channels are bridged to a subwoofer and the other 2 to the car speakers.
Like Rockford, this amp features in the A/B category of 4-channel speakers. This presents a problem with heating, which greatly limits the options for its placement. Another similarity they share is in the high monetary value placed on it.
Key Features
- Class A/B Topology
- Surface Mount PCB
- Small Foot Print Design
Pros
- Adjustable high and low crossover
- Great bass and surround
- Brand recognition
5. Boss Audio Systems R1100
Ramp up the bass with the Boss Audio Riot R1100M Class A/B Monoblock Amplifier. With an 1100 Watts Max Power and MOSFET power supply, this amplifier takes your vehicle’s audio system to the next level.
Customize the sound with Variable Low Pass Crossover, Bass Boost, and Remote Subwoofer Control. Amplifiers in the Riot Series are perfect for first-time car audio buyers looking to add bass, enhanced sound, and performance to their system at an affordable price.
This small but powerful speaker is listed in the D-class category of amp speakers and promises a crisp and clear sound quality with no distortion.
The affordable pricing, the convenient compact size, the mid-range audio quality, and its versatility make this speaker a must-have!
Key Features
- Class A/B Monoblock, MOSFET Power Supply
- 1100 Watts @2-Ohms Max Power
- 825 Watts RMS @2-Ohms
- High and Low-Level Inputs
- Variable Low Pass Crossover, Bass Boost
- Remote Subwoofer Control
Pros
- Trusted brand name
- Affordable
- Easy installation
Cons
Legal Disclaimer
This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
6. Kenwood KAC-M300
This is a niche product from Kenwood that works in cars and motorcycles as well. This is a compact-sized amplifier with an adjustable crossover. Its SNR at 76dB is quite low and is quite noisy. Frequency ranges that can be achieved with this amp is between 20Hz to 20Khz, which is not too bad for this budget amp speaker.
Features
- Bridged RMS power
- Simple set up of multiple speakers with its dual speaker terminus
- Class D car/ marine amplifier
Pros
- Very affordable
- Small compact size
- Easy to set up
7. Kicker CXA300
This A/B class amp speaker is a bit on the bulky side, which makes its placement difficult. The Kicker CXA300 makes up for this with its 95 dB SNR guaranteeing a smooth listening experience. It is highly sensitive to legacy head units and compatible with most vehicle brands.
Features
- Total output power of 600 watts
- Cooling heat sinks
- Frequency response of 10-20,000 KHz
Pros
- The least expensive amp on this list
- Fair SNR ratio of 95dB
- Efficient heat sinks for cooling
Now that you have various product knowledge, it is important to consider these 5 things before cashing out on that desired amp speaker.
Compatibility
A crucial perspective to consider is the compatibility of your amp to the expected application and to your head unit (car stereo system). Are you going for a 2-channel or a 4-channel application? What make and model is the car and its sound-related features? Be sure to know the answers to these questions. Confirm that your audio quality is up to par before you pay for the amp.
Amplifier Fuse
The most important component of a powerful amp is the fuse. You must check and confirm the amperage provided for the device. This is because the fuse greatly determines the accuracy of the promised watts production. A little math is involved, but it’s nothing too huge for your calculator.
This calculation is done by multiplying the watts of the amp speaker by two and dividing the result by your car’s battery voltage. The final figure represents amperage; the voltage should not fall below this margin.
Size of the Amplifier
Before heading out to the dealer shop, take rough measurements to be more accurate in picking a perfect fit. Most authorized dealerships are well-versed with car installations and might only need your car make and model to list your options. Either way, having hard facts and being well-informed is always best.
Powering the Amp
Electronic configuration is not an easy chapter; most of us might not know how to proceed. This is why previous extensive research and shopping should be carried out to ensure that the amp features are to your satisfaction and that they deliver quality.
Design and Material of The Amplifier
Consider how durable the material is that was used in its manufacture. Remember that some of these amplifiers are class A/B, which presents a heating issue. The material will guide you in knowing where to place it and how to maintain the speaker for longevity.
As we are all here to gather more understanding on the 4-channel speakers, adding a little section for the Frequently Asked Questions wouldn’t hurt. They might broaden your options.
FAQs
Which Is Better a 2-channel Amp and a 4-channel Amp?
They all work the same way, but their application is different. 2-channel amplifiers are great for powering subwoofers because they push the bass. A 4-channel application gives greater versatility in how connections can be made. Either wired as a two-channel or four-channel. You could also bridge it to use two or three channels for greater performance.
A two-channel amp is a safe bet if you are on your own often and are not into loud, amplified music. But, if you like to be out of the car and have the volume turned up so you can hear the bass and want the speakers to be loud, a four-set amp + speaker configuration will be a better option.
What Installation Options Are Available?
Installing an amp should only be considered if you know how to sort out the wiring. In today’s modern cars, this type of work is best left to a car electrician who knows where the wires are nearest to where the amp will be fitted.
For more complex and bigger-sized amps, you might need to contract an installer who would do all the welding that might be required. Unfortunately, this is also quite expensive, but at least it saves you the time and the headache of doing it yourself.
Why Should I Buy a Class D Amp?
Class D amplifiers provide the same quality as class A and AB amps but at a lower price.
These are new-generation amplifiers made with new technology to reduce background noise and manage heating issues. They also tend to be more compact than the A/B amplifiers so they would be ideal for tight fits.
A Class D amplifier is the most efficient type because it converts energy to voltage the fastest. For instance, a Class D amplifier can convert AC current into a DC voltage faster. This makes it the most effective amplifier for audio applications.
What Are Watts per Channel?
Also known as RMS (root mean square) refers to the power in watts that can be pushed through each channel at a constant rate. Another term mostly used by marketers is Peak wattage which simply means the maximum wattage that can be pushed through a channel at once.
What Are Impedance (ohms)?
This aspect of an amp dictates how many watts per channel (RMS) can be pushed through at any given time. In effect, a lower impedance (ohms) produces higher RMS wattage per channel It is crucial to match the speaker impedance with the amp impedance otherwise the amp will not work.
If you would rather not think about impedance, there are a select few amps that can push through the same RMS regardless of impedance.
Ohm is a measurement of electrical resistance. The higher the resistance, the less electricity flows through the circuit. So, when you’re buying a new amp, you need to know the wattage to ensure it will provide the proper amount of power to the components.
What Affects My Car Sound Quality?
Car audio sound quality is affected by a number of factors including vehicle design, vehicle components, and vehicle maintenance. The main factor will be the quality of the components that you fit and the quality of the wiring that you install.
The position of your speakers and tweeters in relation to where you sit, the number of speakers you install, and the number of amps you fit to control the system will all play into how good, or bad your system sounds.
1. Filters
Most amps are fitted with two filters: the high pass and the low pass. High-pass filters pick up high-frequency signals and send them out to the speakers equipped to play them. The same occurs with the low pass filters sending out the low-frequency signals to their player, the subwoofer.
2. THD- Total Harmonic Distortion
Distortion occurs during decoding when the signal reaches the amp before it is pushed through the speakers. Aim for an amp with the lowest THD, anything below 3 percent to limit this. Anything higher distorts the actual sounds, producing a distinct difference in the overall quality.
3. Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR)
SNR value is measured in decibels and determines how much interference a signal takes through the amp. Go for an amp with a high SNR value for a seamless experience.
4. Frequency Range
An amp that has high-frequency ranges has a broad soundscape, and this will be felt in the high and low-frequency signals.
Given that this is a business like any other, it is highly profitable and most marketers will tend to confuse you with the high-watt features of various cheaper amplifiers.
We highly recommend you get the Alpine MRV-F300 or the JL Audio JX400/4D as they are both D-class 4-channel car amps, they are both compact and they produce superior sound quality.
After all, it is important to apply yourself, carry out good research on your preferred amp, and take your time! Remember poor configuration of these systems could fry your car’s entire electronic circuit. It is always best to save up for quality than to rush for sweet-looking deals.
