If you want to hear your favorite music in your car, a mono amplifier is a must-have. An amplifier boosts the output from your car’s audio system, allowing you to hear every note, word, and effect from your speakers.
We researched and tested the most popular mono amplifiers, evaluating each on sound quality, power output, value, and features like Bluetooth, USB charging, and built-in digital processing. Our top pick, the BOSS Audio Systems R1100M Riot Series Car Audio Subwoofer Amplifier, has the most power and features of any amplifier in this class.
Here are the best stereo amplifiers.
Best Car Mono Amplifiers: Editor Recommended
Our Editor’s Best Car Mono Amplifiers Reviews
- 1500W Maximum Power Monoblock Amplifier
- Optimized 563-watt RMS and a max output power of 1500 watts, you can give your music a huge boost in power that will have you and your passengers partying while on the road
- Compactly built so this amplifier can fit perfectly into any trunk
- Power - 1100 Max x 1 @ 2 Ohms, 550 Max x 1 @ 4 Ohms
- Class A/B Topology - Class ‘A’ amplifiers have enormous amount of current flowing through its output transistors with no audio signal. Class ‘B’ amplifiers have no current flowing through its outputs with no audio signal
- Mosfet Power Supply - A MOSFET is an electrical switch that allows the flow of electrical current. It controls the output voltage & current precisely by removing the output current sensing loss & eliminating all secondary feedback circuitry
- Low & High Level Inputs - A low level (RCA) input is measured in voltages. A high level (+/- wire) input is measured in wattages. Both essentially carry signal from your receiver to your amplifier to your speakers
- Variable Low-Pass Crossover - Subwoofers reproduce sound based on a number of different low-range frequencies. You can set exact sound specifications for the bass frequency reproduction
- Blaupunkt 1500 Watt Monoblock Amplifier
- Max power output: 1500 watts / RMS Output Power Rating: 4 ohms: 120 watts x 1 channel / 2 ohms: 200 watts x 1 channel / Frequency Response: 10Hz - 30kHz
- Signal-To- Noise Ratio: >96 dB / Voltage Supply: 11 - 16V DC / Gain Adjust: 200mV-8V
- Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.05% / RCA Input: 2-channel / Fuse: 30A x 1
- Crossover Frequency: 40Hz - 250Hz / Crossover Slope (dB/oct): 12dB/oct
- Class D MOSFET Monoblock Power Amplifier
- Peak Power at 1 Ohm: 388 Watts | RMS Power at 1 Ohm: 350 Watts
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 250Hz, On-board Bass EQ Switch with +6 or +12dB boost at 45Hz
- Featuring 4-Way Protection Circuitry and 8 AWG Power & Ground Input Terminals for Maximum Current Flow
- Stable at 1 ohm | Remote Subwoofer Level Control Included
- Premium JBL Sound with 600W X 1
- Compact size
- High and low level input
- Variable crossover and bass boost
- Wired Remote Bass Control
- 150 watts RMS x 1 at 4 ohms
- 300 watts RMS x 1 at 2 ohms
- preamp and speaker-level inputs
- Power - 1500 Watts Max x 1 @2-Ohms, 700 Watts Max x 1 @4-Ohms
- Class A/B Topology - Class ‘A’ amplifiers have enormous amount of current flowing through its output transistors with no audio signal. Class ‘B’ amplifiers have no current flowing through its outputs with no audio signal
- Mosfet Power Supply - A MOSFET is an electrical switch that allows the flow of electrical current. It controls the output voltage & current precisely by removing the output current sensing loss & eliminating all secondary feedback circuitry
- Variable Low-Pass Crossover - Subwoofers reproduce sound based on a number of different low-range frequencies. You can set exact sound specifications for the bass frequency reproduction
- Low & High Level Inputs - A low level (RCA) input is measured in voltages. A high level (+/- wire) input is measured in wattages. Both essentially carry signal from your receiver to your amplifier to your speakers
- Features: Rockville RVA-M3 4000w Peak/1000w CEA RMS @ 1 Ohm Mono Car Amplifier, Metal Bass Remote Included, 1 Ohm: 1000 Watts RMS CEA Compliant (<1% THD @ 14.4 Volts) (74.1% efficient), 2 Ohm: 600 Watts RMS CEA Compliant (<1% THD @ 14.4 Volts) (84.5% effic
- Peak: 4000 Watts @ 1 Ohm (Only use this power as reference if matching with amps that do not have an RMS rating), High-Speed MOSFET Power Supply, Class D Technology, Fully Adjustable 12dB / Octave Crossover with Differential Circuitry
- Phase Control Switch, Full IC-Controlled Protection Circuitry, Adjustable 0-18dB Bass Equalizer, Mute and Delay Soft Start System, Status Mode LED Indicator, Minimum THD at Rated Power: <0.1%
- S/N Ratio: >90dB, Under Voltage Protection at 9V, Over Voltage Protection at 16V, Radiation cooling keeps the amp running at high volumes for hours straight, Extruded aluminum heatsink, Frequency Response: 10Hz - 300Hz
- Damping Factor: >150 @ 100Hz, Fuse: 40A*3, Technology: This series uses a reliable Class D circuitry that gives you the most reliability and the most power for your money, Dimensions: (L x W x H) 14" x 8.5" x 2.24", Weight:7.8 lbs
- Features: Rockville dB10 800 Watt/200 Watt Dyno-Certified RMS Mono Class-D 4-Ohm Amplifier.
- Dyno Certified RMS Power Ratings: (Certified Dyno Test / Less than 1 % THD) (Use these ratings when comparing with top brands such as Kicker, Rockford Fosgate, etc). 4 Ohm: 200 Watts x 1 Channel.
- Peak: (Use these ratings when comparing with great brands such as Boss, Power Acoustik, etc). 4 Ohm: 800 Watts x 1 Channel. High-Speed MOSFET Power Supply. Minimum THD at Rated Power: <0.1%. S / N Ratio: >90dB. Under Voltage Protection: 10V. Over Voltage Protection: 16V.
- Frequency Response: 15 Hz - 250 Hz. Damping Factor: >60 @ 100Hz. Optical Coupler Class “D” Technology. Fully Adjustable 12dB / Octave Crossover with Differential Circuitry. Low Pass Filter: 50 Hz - 250 Hz. Subsonic Filter: 15 Hz - 55 Hz. Phase Control. Full IC-Controlled Protection Circuitry.
- Fully Adjustable 12dB Bass Equalizer. Mute and Delay Soft Start System. Status Mode LED Indicator. 25 Amp ATO Fuse. Product Dimensions: (L x W x H) 7.7" x 5.5" x 2.0". Product Weight: 4.4 Lbs.
- 1 OHM STEREO: 1-ohm stable monoblock operation for MAX power
- DOUBLE POWER Bridge 2 monoblocks together for double power
- MOSFET POWER SUPPLY: Military-grade PCB with PWM MOSFET power supply
- OVERLOAD CIRCUIT PROTECTION: Direct short, thermal, and overload circuit protection
- SPECIFICATIONS: High/speaker level and low level/RCA input; 4g power wire and 8g speaker wire outputs; Variable 12dB high and low pass crossovers; 12dB bass boost increases low octave harmonics; Dimensions (L x W x H): 16.25 x 8.75 x 4 inches; Weight: 8.22 pounds
Best Car Mono Amplifiers Buying Guide
Before choosing the best car mono amplifier you should consider the following options:
1. Power Supply: Most amplifiers run on either a switched-mode power supply (SWMS) or a linear power supply.
The advantage of a switched-mode power supply is that the high voltage required for amplifying low-level signals is generated with very little distortion.
The disadvantage is that these power supplies are expensive and prone to failure. A linear power supply uses transistors to generate the high voltage required for amplifying low-level signals with little distortion.
The disadvantage is that they are prone to failure and generate large amounts of heat.
2. Class of Amplifier: There are two main classes of car amplifiers: monoblock and stereo.
Monoblock amplifiers are designed for a single channel, and stereo amplifiers are designed for two channels.
3. Watts: The number of watts an amplifier is capable of handling is not always an accurate representation of how loud an amplifier can get.
For example, a 500-watt amplifier will not necessarily get twice as loud as a 250-watt amplifier.
The ability of an amplifier to get loud is also dependent on the kind of speakers being used and the quality of the signal input the amplifier is receiving.
4. Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR): The signal-to-noise ratio is the difference between the strength of the input signal and the background noise of the amplifier.
It is used to determine the accuracy and quality of the amplifier. A higher SNR means that the amplifier is more accurate.
5. Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): Total harmonic distortion measures the amount of distortion that an amplifier is capable of producing.
This measurement is important because it gives an indication of the quality of the amplifier.
An amplifier with low total harmonic distortion will be much clearer than one with high total harmonic distortion.
While the amplifier may be more capable of producing sound, an amplifier with high total harmonic distortion will be difficult to listen to.
What else you should know about the best car mono amplifiers
1. What are the best car mono amplifiers on the market?
There are many different car mono amplifiers on the market, so it really depends on what you are looking for in an amplifier. Some of the best car mono amplifiers include the JL Audio 500/1, the Alpine MRP-M500, and the Kicker CXA1000.1.
2. What are the features of a good car mono amplifier?
Some features of a good car mono amplifier are low distortion, high power output, and low noise.
3. How do I choose the right car mono amplifier for my car?
A good place to start is by doing some research online and reading reviews of different car mono amplifiers to see which ones are the most popular and well-reviewed. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, you can then decide which amplifier is the best fit for your car and your stereo system.
4. What are the benefits of using a car mono amplifier?
Some benefits of using a car mono amplifier include increased sound quality, more power, and easier installation.
5. How do I install a car mono amplifier in my car?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the installation process for a car mono amplifier can vary depending on the make and model of the vehicle, as well as the specific amplifier model. However, in general, the installation process for a car mono amplifier involves connecting the amplifier to the car’s battery and then running speaker wire from the amplifier to the car’s speakers.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best car mono amplifiers. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best car mono amplifiers will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.