At times, even the best sound systems cannot satisfy your hunt for a great music experience in your car. This is when your system needs a reliable upgrade. The best speakers will only sound amazing when they are coupled with the right amplifier. 5-channel amplifiers are considered the best choice these days, well over the traditional pairings of 4-channel and 1-channel together.
A good 5-channel amplifier can support up to four speakers along with one subwoofer. Well, this doesn’t mean it cannot be efficiently used for smaller music systems. Even a single speaker can be paired with such amplifiers and improved in quality.
The bid to upgrade your audio system can get very challenging. Especially with the need to select the right set of amplifiers and properly situate them in the best location. This usually requires professional assistance. You must understand that an audio system upgrade can be a very daunting task if you let it be. But we have vowed to help you select the best possible 5-channel amplifier for your car so there are less confusion and more music.
The best 5 channel amplifiers for the year 2020
Rockford Fosgate R600X5 Prime 5-Channel Amplifier
You will not find any reason to not love this supremely powerful and extremely capable amplifier from Rockford Fosgate. You are at the right place if you have been looking for an amplifier to adequately and efficiently power your system.
The design for this model is dedicated to excellent performance. Moreover, it is focussed on providing you the best possible experience with your sound system by its all-rounder qualities of working with all your speakers and subwoofers. This 5-channel amplifier has four channels dedicated to the speakers. These have a maximum RMS power capacity of 50 Watts. There is an additional channel specially meant for the subwoofer and the maximum RMS power capacity for this one is about 300 Watts.
This amplifier also has an excellent bridgeability feature that allows it to be bridged with additional components if needed. And don’t worry, this set can very well handle the work of any more additional components. This is because of the high power it is capable of supplying. The performance output for this set gets even better because of the high and low pass filters.
To maximize cooling and to prevent damage from the heat generated because of such a powerful function, this amplifier has a heavy cast aluminium body which quickly dissipates all the excessive heat. Moreover, this amplifier has been aptly designed to drive the excessive heat away from the internal components so there is no damage due to laborious function.
This amplifier does not follow a particular type. The front and the rear channels for this set are class A/B type and the subwoofer channel is class D type for extra efficiency. This admixture of types of channels provides the benefits of both types while mitigating all the drawbacks. So you don’t have to worry about the distortion of sound quality that often occurs with the highly efficient class D channel. Plus, you get the supremely high quality sound owing to the class A/B channels.
This amplifier also has some additional qualities and features for the love of great music. There is an adjustable EQ bass boost for the most punchy bass. The bass punch level can be effectively controlled with a remote. A special MOSFET power supply renders the whole system highly efficient. Moreover, you get the preamp and speaker level inputs while the system is working.
Pros
- This amplifier has a maximum power output of 600 Watts which renders it supremely powerful and efficient in working with the best speaker and subwoofer sets
- There are four channels for the speakers that are class A/B and there is one class D channel for the subwoofer which makes the overall performance of the system very efficient
- The bridgeability of this amplifier set is excellent so that it can be paired with even more powerful components when one needs to
- Also, this amplifier has excellent cooling mechanism owing to its cast aluminium body construction that effectively draws away heat from the more sensitive internal components
- There are excellent feature like the EQ bass boost with a remote control for bass punch level
- There is also a special MOSFET power supply for enhanced power control
Planet Audio AC1800.5 Anarchy 5-Channel Amplifier
This is one of the best affordable amplifiers you would come across. You will not believe the high power capacity and the extremely efficient function Planet Audio has brought you for such a low price. The capabilities of this amplifier are tremendous and you are about to be surprised.
The maximum power capacity for this amplifier is 1800 Watts. At the impedance of 2 ohms, it is able to efficiently power the most boosted up music systems. To be more precise, four channels that supply the speakers are powered with 225 Watts and the one subwoofer channel is supplied with another 450 Watts of power.
You are set to be amazed by the special MOSFET power supply this set works upon. Moreover, this amplifier is easily bridgeable. All channels are class A/B so that a stable portion of power is effectively supplied to the components. In addition, the class A/B channels produce the best quality sound in coordination with the most protection against distortion.
These features are further enhanced by the variable high and low pass crossovers that this amplifier provides. There are other amazing features in this amplifier which are quite unbelievable for its price. For one, the subwoofer channel can be controlled with a remote. Then, even at this price rate, this amplifier has an aluminium alloy body that best dissipates the heat and cools down the system effectively.
Pros
- The maximum power output for this amplifier is 1800 Watts which makes it very powerful and supremely efficient in handling the most demanding speaker and subwoofer sets
- The impedance of 2 ohms also renders it an incomparable efficiency
- The class A/B channels render the best quality to sound
- The special MOSFET power supply and the bridgeability feature further enhance the capabilities of this set
- There are high and low pass crossovers for more enhanced clarity of sound
- The subwoofer has a separate remote control
- The aluminium alloy body allows easy dissipation of heat
- This is one of the most well-performing as well as affordable sets of amplifiers in America
Skar Audio Full-Range 5-Channel Amplifier
This may be one of the best 5-channel amplifiers you may come across. This one is affordable while being supremely powerful. But that isn’t its best feature. The most dependable feature of this amplifier is its efficiency. While delivering unmatchable power to five channels, this amplifier can maintain the best quality of music, and shoot troubles in overheating or damage.
It is not easy to come across such power packed deals for such less prices. This is the best amplifier for you if you are looking for superb performance within a budget. This has been possible because of the hybrid class A/B and class D channels employed in this set. Such a system promotes the maximum delivery of power while maintaining efficiency. The maximum RMS power capacity for this amplifier is 60 Watts and each channel for the subwoofers can render up to 250 Watts of power.
Moreover, there is a renowned system of accessible controls in this set to effectively boost your whole sound system. Now you can set the amplifier to work according to your preference while not shifting focus from the road.
Pros
- This very affordable 5-channel amplifier is supremely efficient and very affordable
- This powerful amplifier can supply up to 250 Watts to each subwoofer while operating on a maximum RMS power capacity of 60 Watts
- The accessible controls for this amplifier make it easy to set the music quality in accordance with your choice
- This is the best amplifier for those on a budget in a bid to get high quality performance
Know how to select the best 5-channel amplifier for your car
While the performance of an amplifier vastly depends upon your ability to install it correctly. It also depends upon the first hand quality. The amplifier needs to be efficient enough so that it enhances the overall performance of the system without compromising the power capacities of the adjoining components in any way. The amplifier’s quality will also influence the ultimate clarity and loudness of the music produced.
While installing your amplifier, make sure that you set the gain in a correct manner. There is no space for distortion of sound when you are moving for an upgrade, so you must learn to set the amplifier’s gain accordingly. And remember to check the total capacity of your system before installing a subwoofer. To make the right purchase, you must choose amidst the class A/B and the class D amplifiers that are available.
You must also note the power considerations to match your audio system’s requirements. The bridgeability of the amplifier is another appealing feature. Your amplifier’s impedance rating must be sufficient to operate the system for long durations. One must also consider factors like lightweightedness and compactness.
Know whether you want a class A/B or a class D amplifier
You’ll find out that the class A/B amplifiers are relatively easy to come across and are more commonly employed in America. Comparatively inexpensive amplifier models are either class A or class B and more expensive sets are a combination of A/B. The quality of sound and the efficiency of these models is supremely reliable.
Class D types of amplifiers are relatively new but much more efficient and powerful than the traditional class A/B models. These are also more compact, lighter in weight, and have better cooling mechanisms without the requirement of traditional aluminium heatsinks. However, the sound quality of class A/B amplifiers is unmatchable.
Note the power requirements of your 5-channel amplifier
This ought to be the first thing you pay attention to while purchasing an amplifier. See whether it suits the power requirements of your existing sound system. The maximum RMS power capacity and the maximum power capacity of your speakers must allow the amplifier to work efficiently in accordance.
This is essential for the fulfilment of your goal in this upgrade. Insufficiently powered speakers will easily get damaged and so is the case with overpowered ones. This is why you must look for the most suitable amplifier system for your vehicle in which the maximum RMS power capacity is higher than that provided by your subwoofers and speakers.
Consider the bridgeability of your amplifier
You must consider whether your amplifier is bridgeable or not. The best 5-channel amplifier would be bridgeable so that it can be paired successfully with any type of sound system. This makes your sound system more flexible and allows the installation of a variety of speakers and subwoofers.
Know that you will not be able to upgrade your car’s music system effectively if the system is not adequately bridgeable. Most 5-channel amplifiers will have this feature.
See that the impedance rating of your amplifier is sufficient
It is very important to check the impedance rating of your car’s amplifier to assure that it works efficiently in generating sufficient power for the audio system. A lower impedance rating will make it more easy for the amplifier to function in coordination with the power capacities of the adjoining components.
A higher impedance rating will make it more difficult for the amplifier to work properly along with the power capacities and demands of the system. Impedance ratings are expressed in ohms and this unit describes the amount of work an amplifier needs to put in for the generation of adequate power.
5-channel amplifiers typically have 4 ohm or 2 ohm rating. It is essential that you select an amplifier with the most suitable impedance rating for your system.
See if your amplifier is sufficiently lightweight and compact
You need to make sure that your amplifier adequately fits in your car’s interiors. It will be better if your amplifier is light and compact enough to fit under one of the seats. The installation could be easy or difficult, which depends on the type of amplifier you choose.
It is better to go for amplifiers which can be controlled via remote control so you can easily operate from the driver’s seat. Also, give preference to adjustable equalizers and highly powered amplifiers to suit all your needs in a car’s music system.
Rockford Fosgate R600X5 Prime, Skar Audio. and Planet Audio AC1800.5 are the best 5-channel amplifier systems for cars in America. They’ll allow you to connect every powerful stereo and subwoofer system without ensuing any worries about loss of power after working for long durations.
While maintaining sufficient and rather additional power in your audio system, these amplifiers will elevate your sound quality to a whole new level. You know it is impossible to attain the best sound quality with just good speakers alone. One needs a powerful amplifier to boost the sound for the best audio experience.
Rockford Fosgate will get you all premium features with more efficiency owing to the separate class D channel for subwoofers. While Planet Audio will bring you the best and essential amplifier function for a very good price. Skar will work more efficiently than you can imagine. Now with the best 5-channel amplifier in your deck, we hope you are all set to party on the road every other day.