The 10 Best Car Amplifiers in Canada

Listening to your favourite tunes while driving is one of the greatest joys on the road. However, the factory audio setup in your vehicle might not provide the best sound quality for the ultimate listening experience. That’s why many Canadian drivers look for car amplifier upgrades for that extra oomph.

If you’re on a quest for the perfect sound, our list of the 10 best car amplifiers in Canada will be helpful. Rather than going with the top 10 listings on Amazon.ca, we opted for variety and included the best-reviewed models from 10 different manufacturers. Note that different models by the same manufacturers are also present on the website and may be worth reviewing.

This article will give you a selection of car amps you should consider buying. But first, let’s look at the key features of a quality car amplifier.

How to Choose a Good Car Amplifier

Three factors will determine whether a car amp is good for your setup: its output power, how many channels it supports, and whether it’s compatible with your system.

Concerning power, you should match the amplifier’s output with the root mean square (RMS) of your speakers. This means choosing an output that’s 75% to 150% of the RMS value. It’s also worth mentioning that the amplifier output will put additional strain on your battery, so make sure you’ve got enough amperes to work with.

Next, you’ll need as many channels as you have speakers. If you want to boost an additional subwoofer, you may also combine two channels for that speaker, but the “one channel per speaker” rule will usually be the right choice.

Finally, compatibility shouldn’t be a massive issue. The only thing to bear in mind here is that your head unit doesn’t already have a preamp installed. If there’s no preamp, you’ll be able to feed a raw signal into the car amplifier, which will result in a clearer sound.

Understanding the Classes of a Car Amplifier

Car amplifiers commonly fall into four classes: A, B, A/B, and D. These classes differ by efficiency and come with individual pros and cons, so you’ll need to weigh your options for optimal results:

• A class: Excellent audio output, but larger size and heat generation
• B class: More compact with lower heat output, but may distort sound
• A/B class: Middle ground between A and B
• D class: Very efficient in terms of size and heat, but might distort high-frequency sounds

Finding the Best Car Amplifiers: The Top 10 in Canada

Kicker 46CXA8001

With a single channel and a bass boost of 6dB, the Kicker 46CXA8001 is an excellent option for boosting an additional subwoofer in your system. The 24dB subsonic filter and a 12dB crossover provide plenty of control to customize your listening experience while providing stable output.

You can mount this D class car amplifier horizontally or vertically to show off its aesthetic appeal. When it comes to power, it will run on nine volts and take in up to 400 watts of input. The model costs $459.99.

Alpine MRV-F300

Boasting four channels with up to 75-watt RMS, the Alpine MRV-F300 can be bridged to three or two channels depending on your setup. This powerful car amplifier will work on 14.4 volts and has wireless connectivity options for hooking up external devices without additional plugs.

You’ll have two options when connecting the amp: 75 watts at 2 ohms or 50 watts at 4 ohms. The minimalist, sleek appearance is a plus, making your new amp look as good as it sounds. This D class amp goes for $358.59.

Rockford Fosgate R2-500X4

The Rockford Fosgate R2-500X4 is designed to cover the full range of frequencies with extra clarity and power. It’s a D class amp that delivers 75 or 155 watts per channel at 4 or 2 ohms, respectively, or, in the bridged version, 250 watts per channel at 4 ohms.

This car amplifier has 12 dB crossovers per octave, all but guaranteeing a smooth listening experience across the entire audible range. You can get it online for $469.99.

CT Sounds CT-700.1D

If you’re looking for a powerful bass boost amp, the CT Sounds CT-700.1D will fit the bill. It’s a one-channel, class D amplifier that requires 14.4 volts of power. The amp can handle 700 watts at 1 ohm, 380 watts at 2 ohms, or 200 watts at 4 ohms.

The car amplifier features a remote on/off circuit and bass knob for complete user convenience. The price for this model is $193.99.

Kenwood X802-5 eXcelon

As a veteran audio equipment company, Kenwood creates reliable, quality products, and the X802-5 eXcelon is just that. The five-channel D class amp can dish out 50 watts to four speakers or 150 watts to a pair while providing an impressive 500 watts to the subwoofer.

With optimized filters and bass boost, you can tweak the sound until it’s as close to perfection as possible. You can connect this car amplifier with the built-in speaker system or hook it up to an external receiver. The amp is priced at $498.

Skar Audio SKv2-1500.1D

If you want a massive bass boost for your vehicle’s audio system, the Skar Audio SKv2-1500.1D will provide more than enough power. Running on 14.4 volts and putting out a maximum of 1,760 watts at 1 ohm, the amp is a force to be reckoned with.

The amplifier responds to a broad range of frequencies and has a 95dB sensitivity. Simply put, it will ramp up the bass while leaving it perfectly clear. You can get the SKv2 in six variants, including four-channel A/B and D versions, and 1500, 2500, 3500, and 4500 variants. The model reviewed here (1500) is the most affordable, costing $407.14.

Hifonics BXX1200.1D Brutus

A subwoofer car amplifier with low to no distortion and a superior cooling system, the Hifonics BXX1200.1D Brutus kicks the bass into overdrive with reliable, noise-free action. The amp’s generous frequency response and subsonic filter make the lower-range notes smooth and clear without sacrificing the output power.

Depending on the wire resistance, you can set up this D class amp for 1,200, 400, or 600 watts at 1, 4, or 2 ohms, respectively. The price for this model is $248.25.

AudioPipe APCL1800.1D

Running on a power input of 16 volts, the AudioPipe APCL1800.1D supports a continuous output of a maximum of 1,800 watts for one channel at 1 ohm. The result is a cool bass boost that will become a mainstay of your audio system.

The car amplifier can also put out 1,150 watts at 2 ohms or 750 watts at 4 ohms. The price for the model is $347.31.

Orion XTR800.4

The Orion XTR800.4 comes in five variants, ranging from one-channel bass boosts to the four-channel complete solution which we’re presenting here. With four channels, the amp can output 250 watts at 2 ohms or 165 watts at 4 ohms. You can also set up a bridged connection to two channels, getting 500 watts at 4 ohms.

This amplifier requires 12 volts of power and will create a near-perfect audio image, courtesy of its quality filters and a broad frequency response. The 1,000-watt four-channel model costs $531.22

Stetsom IR 400.4

With a four-channel setup and dedicated bass boost, the Stetsom IR 400.4 dishes out 100 watts per speaker at 2 ohms or 60 watts per speaker at 4 ohms. To gain the full benefits of the amp, you’ll need to supply it with 9-13.8 volts of power.

This lightweight car amplifier provides a decent noise-to-signal ratio and ensures the smallest amount of distortion possible in its price range. Speaking of which, the amp goes for $162.75.

Boost Your Enjoyment With the Best Car Amplifiers in Canada

A quality car amplifier will, in most cases, provide a far superior experience compared to the factory setup. With the variety of products we’ve listed in this article, you’ll likely find just the amplifier that fits your system. Choose wisely and provide your audio setup with the upgrade it needs.