Our take on the Rockford Fosgate Punch 201S

by Erin Blanton

The Rockford Fosgate Punch 201S slams your speakers with a one-two combination, forcing them to give up the high-end musical performance you demand.

Part one: power. The 201S incorporates proprietary technology, clean circuit design, and MOSFET output stages, all designed to bring out extraordinary detail in your music. With 50 watts of Rockford Fosgate power per channel, this amp will drive a pair of coaxial or component speakers with potency and strength you just can't get from an in-dash receiver — or a lesser amp! Or, you can bridge the 201S to mono, and power a subwoofer with 200 watts RMS.

Part two: control. The 201S gives you built-in high- and low-pass crossovers that let you tailor your music any way you like it. You never have to ask your speakers or subs to play notes they're not designed to handle, which means you can get more SPL without worrying about distortion. And, for those times when you really need to pound, kick in the Punch Bass for 6 or 12 dB of boost at 45 Hz.

Details:

50 watts RMS x 2 at 4 ohms
100 watts RMS x 2 at 2 ohms
200 watts RMS x 1 bridged output at 4 ohms
stereo or bridged mono output
4-ohm stable in bridged mode
Tri-way capable (Tri-Way crossover required)
requires 10-gauge power and ground leads — wiring and hardware not included with amplifier
120 Hz high-pass, 80 Hz low-pass crossovers (12 dB/octave)
MOSFET power supply and output devices
MEHSA mounting technology increases the heat transfer from the MOSFET output devices to the heat sink, for higher power output, lower operating temperatures, and greater reliability
TOPAZ — noise-killing differential inputs that eliminate 80% of ground loop noise
Trans•ana circuitry keeps preamp voltages low and signal paths simple for outstanding audio quality
NOMAD — advanced protection circuitry for "intelligent" shutdown protection
selectable Punch Bass (0/6/12 dB boost at 45 Hz)
speaker- and preamp-level inputs
10-1/8"W x 2-7/16"H x 9-7/8"D
1-year warranty

Hands-on research from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)

Features and specs chart | What’s in the box? | In-depth notes

Features and Specs

Performance
RMS Power Output (Watts x Channels) Loading...	50 x 2
Peak Power Output (Watts x Channels) Loading...	N/A
Power at 2 Ohms (Watts x Channels) Loading...	100 x 2
Bridged Power (Watts x Channels) Loading...	200 x 1
Minimum Impedance Bridged Loading...	4
Minimum Impedance Unbridged Loading...	2
Best Frequency Response Loading...	20-200k Hz
THD at Rated RMS Power Loading...	0.05%
Signal to Noise Ratio Loading...	100 dB
Input Voltage Loading...	14.4v
Features
Amplifier Class Loading...	AB
Low-Pass Crossover Frequency Loading...	80 Hz
Low-Pass Slope (dB/octave) Loading...	12 dB
High-Pass Crossover Frequency Loading...	120 Hz
High-Pass Slope (dB/octave) Loading...	12 dB
Bass Boost Loading...	0/6/12 dB
Bass Boost Frequency Loading...	45 Hz
Fan Cooled Loading...	No
Fuse Rating Loading...	20 x 1
Speaker Level Inputs Loading...	Harness
Preamp Outputs Loading...	No
Width (inches) Loading...	10-1/8
Height (inches) Loading...	2-7/16
Depth (inches) Loading...	9-7/8
Parts Warranty Loading...	1 Year
Labor Warranty Loading...	1 Year

Product Research

What's in the box?

Download owner's manual

2-channel amplifier with 2 end caps (already attached) and RF illuminated power logo
One 8.5" speaker-level input harness
In-line fuse holder with two connection/wire covers (accepts up to 8 gauge wire)
20 Amp ATC fuse
Four 7/8" self-tapping screws
One 3/32" Allen wrench
One 7/64" Allen wrench
One 1/8" Allen wrench
7/64" in-set screw
1/8" in-set screws
Remote turn-on terminal connector
Instructions
Amp Verification Certificate
"Team RF" sticker

Our Product Research Team

At Crutchfield, you'll get detailed, accurate information that's hard to find elsewhere. That's because we have our own in-house Product Research team — they open the box, verify contents, check the owner's manual, and record dimensions, features and specs. We stay on top of new products and technologies to help people make informed choices.

Features
Controls
Inputs and Outputs
Specifications

Features

MEHSA (Maximum Efficiency Heat Sink Application): MEHSA is a Rockford Fosgate proprietary process that increases the heat transfer from the MOSFET devices to the heatsink. The multi-layer insulated metal MEHSA substrate operates with minimal thermal resistance, spreading heat both downward and outward to quickly dissipate heat from each device across the heatsink. This allows greater power output, enhanced thermal stability, and maximum reliability.

TOPAZ (Tracking Operation Pre-Amplifier Zone): TOPAZ is a circuit that simply eliminates noise. The TOPAZ circuit allows the amplifier ground to move with the source unit ground, creating a "noise elimination" zone just before the preamp section. If there is any noise in the ground coming down the RCA line to the amplifier, TOPAZ amazingly tracks it down and eliminates it. The result is a 30-40dB improvement of the isolation between input ground and chassis ground.

DSM (Discrete Surface Mount): In the manufacturing process high speed robotics are used to place 0% tolerance resistors and large board traces providing greater reliability and efficiency.

NOMAD (NOn-Multiplying Advanced Decision): NOMAD is an intelligent protection circuit that uses an analog computer to make real time decisions regarding temperature, voltage, current and impedance. The unit is protected without limiting sound output unless needed.

INDIGO (INDexed Ideal Gain Operation): INDIGO is a circuit that maximizes the output power of the amplifier by making better use of the power supplied by the car. As the battery voltage drops, INDIGO tightens up so the amplifier delivers the rated power, resulting in more consistent power coming from the amp.

Internal Crossover: The internal crossover is a 12dB/octave Butterworth filter. You can choose to use the amplifier in the high pass cross-over mode (fixed at 120Hz), all-pass (full range), or low pass (fixed at 80Hz).

Controls

Left Side Of Amplifier:

Crossover Switch: allows you to select HP (high-pass), AP (all-pass), or LP (low-pass) crossover operation
Punch Bass Switch: allows you to select 0dB, 6dB, or 12dB of bass boost centered at 45Hz
Gain: this variable gain control allows you to adjust the output level of the amplifier

Inputs and Outputs

Left Side Of Amplifier:

Input: platinum-plated RCA jacks for left and right channels
High Level Input: Molex plug input for included harness
Speaker Outputs: platinum-plated screw terminals (width: 0.375") for left and right channels
B+ (power): platinum-plated screw terminal (width: 0.375")
GND (ground): platinum-plated screw terminal (width: 0.375")
REM (remote turn-on): 0.250" quick-slide for remote turn-on lead. Note: A female quick-slide is supplied.

Specifications

Dynamic Power Rating (measured at 14.4V):

Bridged Into A 4-Ohm Load: 200 watts x 1
Per Channel Into A 2-Ohm Load: 100 watts x 2
Per Channel Into A 4-Ohm Load: 50 watts x 2

Dimensions:

Without Endcaps: Height=2.380", Depth=9.824", Width=7.671"
With Endcaps: Height=2.380", Depth=9.824", Width=10.117"

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1-10 of 11 items >> Sort Results By: Date Reviewed | Rating | Helpfulness

3 out of 5

Strong amp, little TOO strong for it's own good

Written By CrutchfieldMan, Richland, WA on Sunday, November 13, 2005

I have this amp powering two Infinity 6012si in my '94 civic. The power they put into these infinities rocks my sox, BUT make sure you don't run the signal cables anywhere to power and ground cables. I've installed several amps into cars and it's never been TOO bad of a problem until this amp. If you turned up the gain anything over half way you can hear the feedback on the highway.

Another thing I found to be strange with this amp was the fuse. It is an internal fuse, so if it blows you have to take apart the amp to replace it. Hopefully the amp wiring kit fuse blows first, I guess.

All things considered, it's a descent amp when you get it tuned correctly.