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Have you ever been riding down the road in your vehicle, and you notice that your car’s sound system doesn’t sound that great? This may be especially true if your vehicle is older or does not have a premium sound system. Even the best factory systems may be lacking a little bit, especially if you love hard-hitting bass as you’re driving down the road. In order to get the best sound in your vehicle, you have to have a custom sound system.
This includes having a powerful radio with a lot of different functions, a subwoofer (or multiple ones for the loudest sound), and an amplifier that is used to amplify the sound. For the most complex systems and the best sound around, a 4-channel amp should be part of your custom system.
Compare: The Top Rated 4 Channel Amps of 2018
| Picture | Name | Brand | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Rockford Fosgate PBR300X4 | Rockford Fosgate | $$$ | 4.9 |
 | Blaupunkt EMA 455 | Blaupunkt | $$$ | 4.8 |
 | Clarion XC1410 300W XC Series | Clarion | $$ | 4.7 |
 | Pioneer GM-D8604 Class FD | Pioneer | $$$ | 4.7 |
 | Planet Audio AC800.4 ANARCHY | Planet Audio | $$ | 4.6 |
 | Hifonics ZRX1016.4 Zeus ZRX Series | Hifonics | $$$ | 4.6 |
 | Rockford Fosgate R250X4 | Rockford Fosgate | $$$ | 4.6 |
 | Kenwood KAC-M1804 | Kenwood | $$ | 4.6 |
 | BOSS AUDIO R2504 Riot | BOSS Audio | $$ | 4.5 |
 | Desert Eagle DE-S900.4 | DS18 | $$ | 4.5 |
| Picture | Name | Brand | Price | Rating |
What is a 4 Channel Amp?
Contents
An amp is hooked to a radio and a subwoofer and is used to amplify the sound pushed from the radio to the speaker. Without an amp, a subwoofer won’t be as powerful, and it may even sound pretty bad. A complete sound system that has clear sound and booming bass requires an amp.
A 4 channel amp is one that has four channels that can be hooked to your components. You can hook up your factory speakers to an amp for increased sound, or you can hook up your subwoofer for a more powerful sound.
What are the Advantages?
If you love music and you like listening to it loud, an amp is something that you need to add to your vehicle. With four channels, you can easily equalize the sound throughout your vehicle by using two channels for the front left and front rear speakers, while hooking the other two channels to your two rear speakers or a subwoofer. The result is a louder sound system that sounds far superior to your factory setup.
What are the Different Types?
All 4-channel amplifiers have one thing in common: They have four output channels. There aren’t different types, per se, as this is a specific type of amplifier. However, you will find that there are difference in other ways including:
Brands
There are multiple brands on the market. Those that are more well-known for having top power are typically much more expensive than an off-brand amp that produces little difference in the amount of sound in your vehicle.
Size
Most amps are small enough to fit in your trunk, but some are a bit larger. Consider the size of your vehicle before making a purchase.
Output
The amount of watts your amp has determines how loud your sound is. You should consider the wattage of your speakers and subwoofer when deciding what amp is best for your vehicle.
Which Brands are the Best on the Market?
Clarion XC1410 300W XC Series – If you want to bump up the volume and sound quality just a bit and you don’t want to spend a ton of money, this model from Clarion is a piece of equipment that you should consider. You’ll get four different channels, an increase in quality without distortion, and a great low price.
Blaupunkt EMA 455 – Once you decide to change out the factory speakers in your car or throw in a new subwoofer, you’ll need to look for a more high-quality amplifier to add to the mix. This model from Blaupunkt gives off great sound, is easy to connect, and comes in a compact size that fits in any trunk or even under your seat.
Rockford Fosgate PBR300X4 – Rockford Fosgate is a leading brand in the automotive sound industry, and it’s because its products have clear sound and a high-quality design. This amp is no exception. Not only does it look great in your vehicle, but it also produces clear sound and really amplifies the sound of your factory or replacement speakers.
Features to Consider
Instead of driving around with your factory system, why not pump up the volume with a custom sound system in your vehicle? Now that you know a little more about amplifiers and why you need one, you may be tempted to go ahead and make a purchase. However, who wants to end with a product that doesn’t live up to their expectations? Before you make that purchase, keep these four things in mind before you buy.
Price
If you’re buying other audio components for your car, you really need to consider your budget. You don’t want to blow all of your money on an amplifier for speakers that produce terrible sound. You also don’t want to go too cheap, either, as you may be unimpressed by the difference in sound or distortion that is common in very cheap amplifiers. Make sure you balance quality with what you’re able to afford before you make your purchase.
Peak Power
The peak power is the maximum amount of power that can be run to an amp. For example, if your amp has a peak power of 400 watts, hooking 600 watts of components to it can result in damage. Make sure that you buy something that has enough power to fuel all of your components.
Warranty
It’s just a fact that over time, electronic devices will fail. However, this doesn’t mean that they should fail right out of the box or after just a few days of use when used properly. If your product is a lemon and doesn’t work as it should, why should you be held responsible for repairing or replacing it? If the item you purchase has a manufacturer’s warranty, you won’t be responsible for these charges, and you can get a replacement product or the repairs you need to make your amp run as it should.
Size
You don’t want your amp to take up too much extra space in your car, so you need to consider size, especially if your drive a sports car, compact car, or other smaller vehicle. Look at the overall dimensions, consider any additional components you’ll be adding (such as a subwoofer box), and make a decision based on what best fits your vehicle, along with other features that are most important to you.
Price
Clarion XC1410 300W XC Series
This is extremely affordable and is great for those on a budget.
Blaupunkt EMA 455
This mid-priced amp is available at a very reasonable price.
Rockford Fosgate PBR300X4
This amplifier is one of the more high-end ones you’ll find, and it costs more than the competitors listed above.
Peak Power
Clarion XC1410 300W XC Series
The peak power for this device is 300 watts.
Blaupunkt EMA 455
The peak power for this amplifier is 600 watts.
Rockford Fosgate PBR300X4
This has 300 watts of total power.
Warranty
Clarion XC1410 300W XC Series
You’ll receive a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Blaupunkt EMA 455
This model comes with a 1-year limited warranty.
Rockford Fosgate PBR300X4
A 1-year limited warranty covers your purchase.
Size
Clarion XC1410 300W XC Series
This amp fits in any vehicle, as it measures just 10 x 6 x 4 inches.
Blaupunkt EMA 455
This is a great size, even for smaller vehicles, measuring in at just 7.25 x 2.1 x 11.7 inches.
Rockford Fosgate PBR300X4
This is one of the smallest amps that gives out great sound, and it measures 1.53 x 4.25 x 6.75 inches.
Conclusion: Our Picks for Best 4 Channel AMP
Best Cheap 4 Channel Amp: Clarion XC1410 300W XC Series
If you’re not looking for huge, knocking bass and sound in your vehicle but you want noticeable improvement at a good price, this is a choice you’ll want to consider. With this amplifier, you’ll be a peak 300 watts of power, enough to run your factory speakers or even upgraded speakers for increased sound quality.
This is a budget-friendly choice for those who want to improve the sound of their factory system. It can also be used for a subwoofer. If you’re looking for a nice 4 channel amp at a respectable price, you need to take a look at this one.
Pros:
- This is a very affordable amplifie
- It provides enough boost to improve your sound without being too loud
- It is easy to install
- Small size that fits in any vehicle
Cons:
- It doesn’t produce a great amount of sound, so it is not ideal for those who want loud bass.
Best for the Money: Blaupunkt EMA 455
Once you decide to put in a little more money for your new amplifier, you’ll notice that you get improved sound quality and harder bass than cheaper, budget amps. This one from Blaupunkt produces sound that’s much better than the cheapest amps while still retaining an affordable price of less than $200.
Standout features you’ll find on this product include an adjustable low pass crossover and a fixed high pass crossover. Includes has a bass boost option for heavier sound, and it is great at filtering out distortion and sound from the engine and alternator. It has a small design so it can easily fit in a trunk or underneath a seat. It can be used with RCA line or high level speaker inputs, and it comes backed with a 1-year limited warranty.
Pros:
- It is affordable when compared to other name-brand units
- Produces great sound with no distortion
- It has a small design that makes it a good choice for any car
- It comes backed with a warranty
- Reputable sound system manufacturer
- It is easy to install
Cons:
- Some units have quit working after several months
- It doesn’t deliver as powerful of sound as some other amps in the price range
Best 4 Channel Amp Overall: Rockford Fosgate PBR300X4
Who knew so much power could come from such a small unit? This unit is small enough to put in your trunk, under your seat, or just about anywhere. Its small size isn’t all it has going for it, though. Besides its manufacturer, which is one of the most well known in the audio industry, this small amp pushes out up to 300 watts of power.
The big difference in this and other amps is that you won’t get distortion, and you’ll have amplified sound that’s crystal clear and just the right amount for any sound system. Sure, you won’t get booming bass that you can hear from miles away, but you’ll be amazed at the dramatic improvement, even when hooking up your factory speakers.
Notable features include dynamic thermal management, a discrete surface mount, superior heat transfer, and low tolerance. It also has real power ratings and not numbers that are inflated to improve sales. It also has hi and low variable controls, and it comes backed with a warranty.
Pros:
- True ratings, not inflated ratings that could damage your amp
- Superior heat protection
- Easy to install
- Very small and even has a surface mount
- Crystal-clear sound with no distortion
- Comes with a warranty
- Easy to install
Cons:
- It boosts sound but does not produce loud bass
- It is a bit expensive when compared to other products
All in All
If you love listening to your favorite tunes loudly in your vehicle, your factory system just won’t give you the sound you crave. You’ll need to upgrade your sound system, starting with a 4 channel amplifier. With this piece of equipment, you can run your components to produce sound that is clearer and better than ever. The Rockford Fosgate PBR300X4 is our top choice for best 4 channel amp a number of reasons. Its small design, true specs, and superior sound quality makes this a product you’ll want to put in your vehicle for an improved sound experience.