Specials Outlet

Learn about Amplifiers

Car Amplifier Shopping Guide

Ken Nail— 6/19/2008

If you want your music to be loud, amplifiers are definitely part of the picture. But an amp can do much more than just get other people's attention.

Video: Car Amplifier Channels

Zak Billmeier, Ken Nail— 11/17/2009

One of the first steps in choosing an amplifier for your car audio system is to decide how you intend to use the amplifier, and thus how many channels it should have. This short video gives you a quick overview to help answer that question.

Video: Car Amplifier Power

Zak Billmeier, Ken Nail— 9/2/2009

We describe the basics of deciding how much power an amplifier should have when you're trying to match it to your speakers or subwoofers.

Video: Car Amplifier Build Quality

Zak Billmeier, Ken Nail— 9/2/2009

If you can get the same amount of power from two different amplifiers, is there any reason to buy the higher-priced amp? What are you getting for that extra money? We'll discuss the differences in build quality and performance between lower-priced amplifiers and more-expensive options.

Video: Car Amplifier Features

Zak Billmeier, Ken Nail— 9/8/2009

This short video describes some of the common features you should look for when you're shopping for an amplifier for your car audio system. Not every amplifier will have all of these features, so make sure the amp that you get has the ones you need.

Video: Installing A Car Amplifier  Video

Crutchfield Writing Team— 6/23/2008

Watch a brief video to get an overview of what's involved in installing an amp in a vehicle.

Matching Subs & Amps

Ken Nail— 5/25/2008

Confused about wiring your subs, and picking the right amplifier? Ken Nail will get you on the fast track to big bass with this simple guide.

Video: Amplifier Wiring Kits

Robert Ferency-Viars— 10/7/2009

Good amplifier wiring is an essential part in making your amplifier - and your music - sound its best. In this video, we describe what you can expect in a wiring kit and what else you'll need for a basic amplifier installation. We'll also tell you about how Crutchfield helps you budget your system.

General Amplifier Installation Tips

Crutchfield Writing Team— 6/16/2003

Every vehicle is different, so you may encounter problems that differ from the installation that we've just described. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you plan your amp installation.

Amplifier Installation Guide

Crutchfield Writing Team— 7/15/2008

Step-by-step guide to amplifier installation.

Subwoofer Wiring Diagrams

Buck Pomerantz— 2/9/2007

With the wide variety of subwoofers available, it's easy to get confused about the best way to wire up your system. These wiring diagrams will help you find the configuration that'll get the most out of your subs and your amplifier.

Amplifier Wiring Diagram

Crutchfield Writing Team— 6/16/2003

Take a look at a typical amp wiring scheme.

Amplifiers: How to Suppress Noise

Crutchfield Writing Team— 6/16/2003

Electrically speaking, your car is a pretty active place. Every piece of equipment in your car - power windows, windshield wipers, the alternator - generates its own small electrical field. Find out how to isolate your gear and reduce noise.

Car Amplifiers Frequently Asked Questions

Crutchfield Writing Team— 6/16/2003

Where can I mount my amp? What wiring do I need to hook up my amplifier? Does any of it come with the amp? What size power and ground wires do I need for my amplifier? How much air space do I need around my amplifier? What's the biggest amp I can hook up to my car's electrical system? Plus more!

Car Amplifiers Glossary

Crutchfield Writing Team— 8/11/2009

Learn about the features and technical specifications found in today's amplifiers.

Cable Gauge Chart

Todd Cabell— 10/9/2009

Car amplifiers cable guage chart.

Video: Upgrading Your Factory Stereo, part 2

Robert Ferency-Viars, Ken Nail— 7/25/2008

Just because you can't replace your vehicle's factory stereo doesn't mean you have to live with a poor sound system. In this short video, Crutchfield experts take a look at how a fellow employee created a high-performance car audio system.

Video: Installing the Alpine KTP-445 Power Pack

Robert Ferency-Viars— 8/24/2009

This video demonstrates how easy it is to install the Alpine KTP-445 Power Pack amplifier module. The Power Pack gives you the power and improved sound of an external amplifier at a fraction of the cost and with a much easier installation.

Video: How to Choose an Amplifier  Video

Zak Billmeier, Ken Nail— 12/4/2009

This in-depth video walks through the major points to consider when choosing a new amplifier. It answers the questions: How many channels do you need? How much power should you get? What are the important features to look for? And why do some amplifier brands cost more than others?

Recommended Amplifiers ?