If you want to get the best audio quality from your car, a 5 channel car amplifier is all you need. The amp will help you to control the volume and clarity of your music, no matter what kind of music you love to listen to when driving.
In this post we give you an overview of the best 5 channel car amps, which will make sure you have the right car audio system for your needs.
Our Top Picks:
- Alpine X-A90V
- BOSS Audio Systems PV3700
- Alpine PDR-V75
- Rockford Fosgate Punch P1000X5
- Rockville dB55
- JBL CLUB-4505
- JL Audio XD700/5v2
- Polk Audio PA D5000.5
- Hifonics BRX5016.5
- Skar Audio RP-600.5
- Memphis 16-PRX5.550
What are the Best 5 Channel Amps?
1. Alpine X-A90V
This Alpine X-A90V 5-channel X Series amplifier is a monster. This is the most costly vehicle amplifier on this list, but you won’t be disappointed if you can afford it!
This Alpine class D amplifier has excellent power handling. The RMS of the four main channels is 75W at 4 ohms, while the auxiliary channel is 300W. The RMS is an amazing 100 W x 4 for the main channels and 500 W for the subwoofer channel if you run the amp at 2 ohms.
The amplifier is bridgeable, and its great power and dependability will let you to push even 2 x 200 W RMS 4 ohm speakers to their limits, resulting in an incredibly high level soundscape.
Alpine’s X-series amplifiers use a unique patented circuit architecture that delivers class-leading power and durability. Alpine’s innovative dual circuitry intended to rectify any signal distortion ensures that the signal supplied to your car’s speakers is crystal clear. As a consequence, the frequency response not only fulfills the Hi-Rez audio standard of 40kHz, but also reaches a whopping 60kHz.
This 5-channel amplifier’s solid aluminum die-cast heat sink is unlike any other. Excess heat is evacuated from the channels on each side of the amplifier thanks to its smart construction, allowing for continuous ventilation. This function allows the Alpine amplifier to run for longer periods of time, avoiding overheating issues.
The S/N is over 105 dB, with a THD of 0.07 percent. The variable high and low pass filters, subsonic filter, and variable bass boost provide unrivaled bass to treble clarity, even when used to its limits.
To summarize, this Alpine amplifier is pricey, but it is by far the best 5-channel car amplifier available, thanks to its design and high-quality materials.
2. BOSS Audio Systems PV3700 – Best Budget 5 Channel Amplifier
With a 5-channel power rating of 550 watts per channel, this amplifier is capable of handling any load that comes its way. It can deliver up to 2,200 watts into 4 ohms, and it can deliver up to 1,100 watts into 2 ohms.
BOSS Audio Systems PV3700 features a MOSFET power supply, which ensures that it will deliver the full power without sacrificing sound quality.
The variable bass boost feature allows you to adjust the amount of bass that is pumped out to your subwoofers, while the low/high level inputs allow you to run your receivers with ease.
BOSS Audio Systems PV3700 has a gain control, which allows you to fine-tune the volume so that it can easily be adjusted to fit your needs. This amplifier also comes with RCA and XLR inputs, which are perfect for running your audio system.
With a class A/B topology, you get a very clean signal with no distortion, but also no clipping of your audio signals.
You can use it to amplify the bass in your system with its full range, and you can connect it to your other equipment, giving you access to more power. You can even bridge it, which means you can add more channels to it. This lets you connect multiple amplifiers to amplify all of your speakers and subs, which is ideal for bigger systems.
3. Alpine PDR-V75
The PDR-V75 is built with Class-D technology, which allows for cleaner sound and less distortion.
Alpine has incorporated its PDX (Power Delivery Xchange) technology into this amp. This is a proprietary technology that can handle power from 100W up to 600W. It can deliver more than enough power to run multiple speakers, and it has been engineered to handle any type of load, regardless of the number of channels.
One of the best features of this amp is its top-side control panel. This makes it very easy to operate, even when you’re driving. All the controls are very easy to access and operate, which is a big plus. The remote bass knob also works very well, and is compatible with most cars.
There’s a built-in crossover at 40Hz, 80Hz, and 200Hz, which means that it will take care of any issues with frequency response. It also has an EQ option that lets you adjust the bass, mid, and treble frequencies. This gives you a lot of control over your sound, and is one of the best features of this amplifier.
This is great for OEM upgrades as it will cut out the extra power going to the amplifier, leaving the speaker or sub to make all the noise.
4. Rockford Fosgate Punch P1000X5
The Rockford Fosgate Punch P1000X5 is a great car amplifier that delivers a very high quality sound and great bass response. It has a very low noise level, and the included remote control makes it easy to adjust the volume, EQ, and mute.
It features a 5-channel design with a built-in punch equalizer for a more accurate sound with different types of music. The Rockford Fosgate Punch P1000X5 also offers a short circuit protection, over current protection, and a remote control
The Rockford Fosgate Punch P1000X5 can be connected to any speakers or subwoofers that are capable of handling up to 1000 watts. It’s perfect for home theater setups and even stereo systems.
The P1000X5 features a 12dB/octave Butterworth crossover with a low-pass filter to cut out the bass frequencies, while maintaining the highs. This ensures that your music sounds clean and clear, even if you’re driving at high speeds.
It also comes with a cast aluminum heatsink that will keep the unit cool, which is essential for any car amplifier.
5. Rockville dB55 – Best 5 Channel Amp Under 200
The Rockville dB55 is an amazing 5 channel amplifier that will get you loud without distortion. It’s built with the best materials and features that you can expect from Rockville amplifiers, and it has been built to last.
The amplifier has a built-in subsonic filter that ensures the lowest possible frequency distortion. This is very important for those who listen to music on high volume levels and want to hear their favorite songs without any distortion. It has a fully adjustable bass equalizer that allows you to fine tune the bass response of the system.
The Rockville dB55 comes with a 12dB/Octave crossover that allows you to adjust the mid and high frequencies of the system. You can also adjust the crossover point if you’re not getting the desired sound quality or volume.
The Rockville dB55 has a fully adjustable high pass filter which allows you to boost the highs without distorting the lows. The amplifier has a fully adjustable treble control for the mid and high frequencies. This allows you to adjust the highs to a certain level where you don’t get any distortion.
It also comes with a full-range peak limiter that helps prevent distortion when the volume is turned up to its maximum level. You can use the volume control to mute the amplifier and set a delay time for the amplifier to turn back on.
6. JBL CLUB-4505
The JBL Club-4505 is a 5-channel car amplifier that offers a compact design, high-quality sound, and compatibility with a wide variety of vehicles. With its advanced features and a built-in subwoofer, this is one of the best car amplifiers you can buy today.
The Club-4505 features a 5-channel amplifier and two subwoofers. This means it has the ability to deliver clean, powerful sound to your car’s speakers, while also being able to pump out a solid bass. This is great for people who like to listen to music at loud volumes.
This car amplifier features five channels for a total of 1800W, which is enough to power your speakers, your subwoofers, and any other devices you connect to it. It also comes with a variable crossover and bass boost, which lets you adjust the sound to your liking.
With its compact size and high-quality components, the Club-4505 is great for anyone who wants to enjoy their favorite music in their vehicle without having to worry about the volume being too loud.
7. JL Audio XD700/5v2
The JL Audio XD700 is a 5-channel amplifier that delivers 75 watts per channel into 4 ohms and 100 watts per channel into 2 ohms. It’s a powerful, yet compact amplifier for a variety of applications.
The amplifier’s output stage features a proprietary high current, high efficiency power transformer that can handle more than 150 watts per channel. The transformer also provides a clean, low-noise power supply for the rest of the amplifier.
The amplifier’s input section features an advanced differential balanced design that eliminates common-mode noise from the power line. It also includes a 12dB low-pass filter slope that lets you select between 12dB or 24dB.
The amp also comes with advanced rollback protection and differential balanced input section. This allows you to enjoy a more stable and consistent sound when switching between multiple sources.
8. Polk Audio PA D5000.5 – Best 5-Channel Amp Under 500
The Polk Audio PA D5000.5 is a five-channel amplifier that’s capable of handling a wide range of speakers. The 5-channel system offers power output of up to 400 watts and includes a subwoofer channel with 500 watts of power for some serious bass.
The PA D5000.5 can handle a lot of power and sounds great with a high-quality system. It has plenty of power for most people, even though the maximum output is 400 watts. You’ll get better sound quality if you use a power amplifier with the same or more power. The system is powered by a Pulse Width Modulated MOSFET power supply so you don’t have to worry about the system shutting off during peak performance.
It has plenty of power for most people, even though the maximum output is 400 watts. You’ll get better sound quality if you use a power amplifier with the same or more power. The system is powered by a Pulse Width Modulated MOSFET power supply, which means you don’t have to worry about the system shutting off during peak performance.
The PA D5000.5 features a 4-way protection circuit that protects the speaker from damage due to overload, reverse polarity, and short circuits. The amp has a differential balanced input section, which means the signal from each speaker is routed to a separate path.
9. Hifonics BRX5016.5
The Hifonics BRX5016.5 also comes with a variable bass boost, which is perfect for those who love to play music at high volumes. This feature allows you to boost the bass levels for your favorite songs without compromising on the overall sound quality. You also get two separate speaker terminals for your multiple speaker setup.
In order to make the hookup of multiple speakers easier, the Hifonics BRX5016.5 features a heavy duty aluminum alloy heat-sink. This makes it very durable and will last for years to come.
And with a heat-sink, it can keep your system cool even when you’re playing at high volumes. The heat-sink also has a illuminated Hifonics logo. This will make it stand out from all the other car amplifiers out there.
It can run up to 4 individual channels at a power level of 475W (total 1200W), or up to 2 at 750W. It’s super easy to set up, and the variable bass boost (0 – +18dB) will let you adjust the bass response to your liking. This lets you get the most out of your subwoofers, and it’s also great for music listening.
If you’re looking for the best 5 channel amplifier that’s also capable of delivering great sound quality, then you should definitely check out the Hifonics Hifonics BRX5016.5
10. Skar Audio RP-600.5
It offers a massive power output, with up to 180 Watts per channel at 4 Ohms, which is a lot more than any other amplifier in this price range. You can get louder, cleaner sound without worrying about blowing your speakers.
Skar Audio RP-600.5 offers a high-quality sound that’s easy on your ears, with a frequency response of 20Hz – 20kHz, a signal to noise ratio of 105dB and a low bass EQ switch. You can use this to adjust the bass level for your personal preference.
Skar Audio RP-600.5 provides 4-way protection circuitry to keep you safe from overloading, overheating and even short circuiting. It’s also got a soft turn on circuit that’ll keep your car speakers running smoothly.
Skar Audio RP-600.5 is a full class AB/D amplifier. This means that it’ll be capable of delivering more power than a typical class D amplifier, and it’ll have better control over the power output. It’s also got a high speed MOSFET power supply with 4 gauge power and ground terminals. It’ll be able to handle the most demanding audio applications.
11. Memphis 16-PRX5.550
The Memphis 16-PRX5.550 boasts a high current MOSFET power supply with an ultra low noise and high efficiency. This allows the amplifier to have a very wide dynamic range of more than 100dB which can handle a variety of different sources.
The Memphis 16-PRX5.550 includes the latest in digital signal processing technology to give you the best sound quality. The amplifier has a high pass and low pass filters for precise control over the frequency response of the audio signal.
It comes with a remote level control for the first time in this series of amplifiers. This allows you to control the volume of each channel separately or all channels together, depending on your preference.
The Memphis 16-PRX5.550 has a variable infrasonic filter for an even wider dynamic range. This is perfect for those who like their music to be as close to perfection as possible.
Related: Best 4-Channel Car Amplifiers for Mids and Highs
Why Should You Buy a 5 Channel Car Amp?
If you’re going to push your sound system to the limit and get the most out of your car stereo, chances are your old amplifier doesn’t have enough power to make your speakers sound right. If you find yourself in this situation, you have several options: add a second amplifier or install a 5-channel amplifier.
5-channel amplifiers are very expensive components, and if you’re on a tight budget, you may well be able to get around this by adding a second amplifier to the one you already have. That said, my advice (budget permitting) is to go with the second option, which is to buy and mount a 5-way amp. Going this way and then deciding to spend a little more, involves significant advantages. It takes up less space because one amplifier is used instead of two, and you can control the whole audio system from just one amplifier instead of two.
As you most likely already know, any amplifier improves the sound quality and volume your car’s speakers can produce. But not all amplifiers have the same technical specifications!
And if your system needs more power than your existing amplifier can handle, should you get a second amplifier or go with a 5-channel amplifier? As just mentioned, both solutions are valid, but you need to consider how much space you have available for adding a second amplifier. Keep in mind that a 5-channel model covers all audio outputs, as it can easily power four car speakers and a subwoofer or two.
5 Channel Car Amplifiers Buying Guide
A 5-channel car amplifier is a great way to upgrade your vehicle’s sound system. You can power your front and rear speakers with the four-channel section and then have the fifth channel dedicated to running a subwoofer or subwoofers. There are a lot of 5-channel amps on the market and it can be difficult to narrow down the choices.
Here are the most important features to look for in a 5-channel amp:
Power Output
The amount of power output you need depends on the size of your speakers, how loud you want to play them, and whether or not you add a subwoofer(s). A good rule of thumb is to have an amp that delivers at least 50 watts RMS per channel (or 75 watts RMS per channel for a dedicated subwoofer channel) into all channels at 2 ohms.
If your speakers are rated for more power than that, get an amp that delivers as much power as possible without exceeding the speaker rating. That will ensure clean, undistorted music at high volume levels.
Amplifier Class
The type of amplifier class you need depends on your budget. The two most popular types of 5-channel amps are Class D and Class AB. Both types of amps have their advantages and disadvantages.
Class D amps have the advantage of delivering high power with minimal distortion, but they also have a tendency to overheat. Class AB amps are more efficient than Class D amps, but they have a lower power rating.
A good way to determine the type of amp you need is to figure out how much power you need and then see what amp you can afford.
Impedance
Amp impedance is a measurement of how much power a particular amplifier will deliver. If you have a car with four speakers, you want an amp that will deliver the same amount of power to all four speakers, so you need an amp that has the same impedance rating as the speakers.
The most common impedances are 4 ohms, 2 ohms, and 1 ohm. If you’re buying a 5-channel amp, you’ll want a 4-ohm amp.
Bridgeability
Bridgeability is a feature that allows you to use the amplifier’s inputs with two or more speakers at the same time. This is a great feature for adding a subwoofer or subwoofers to your car’s audio system.
When it comes to a subwoofer, the bridgeability feature is important because it allows you to connect the subwoofer to the amplifier’s preamp section, and then connect the preamp section to the speakers. This way, the preamp section can deliver power to the subwoofer, which will then deliver the audio signal to the speakers.
You’ll want an amplifier with a bridgeable feature if you want to connect a subwoofer to the amplifier.
Price
The price of a 5-channel amplifier can vary widely. The more features you want, the more you’ll pay. If you’re on a budget, you may want to choose a amp that has fewer features, but delivers a lot of power.
You can find a lot of great 5-channel amps for under $500, but you’ll need to spend a little more money to get a amp that will deliver a lot of power.
FAQs
How Many Speakers Can I Run on a 5 Channel Amp?
Even an inexpensive 5-channel amplifier can power four speakers and a subwoofer. If you need to, you can also connect two subwoofers and more speakers, as long as you don’t go overboard with the RMS. You can also decide to leave one channel empty if you find yourself not needing the fifth channel.
Generally speaking, a 5-channel amplifier gives you 4 channels dedicated to the speakers and one channel dedicated to the subwoofer. That said, it’s up to you to decide how many speakers to connect and operate! If, for example, you have very powerful speakers that need more power, you may well decide to connect only certain channels and turn your amplifier into a 3-channel amplifier.
Where Should I Install My 5-Channel Amplifier?
The trunk and beneath the seat are the most popular locations. It all depends on how much space you have. If you have a subwoofer in the trunk, it’s best to put the amplifier right next to it. Always pay attention to the wire routing and make sure you have enough!
Conclusion
We hope you found this post helpful. We believe that this buying guide will help you to find the best 5 channel amp for your needs.
