My system has plenty of power. Who needs an amp?

You might think you don't need an amp because you have a 400-watt system in your car, or because your new stereo puts out 50 watts a channel. But those are peak wattage ratings, which may boil down to 15 or 20 watts per channel, using the more realistic RMS rating. An amp sends your speakers the power they need to deliver your music with clarity and impact, whether you're using factory speakers or high-performance components. And low-frequency reproduction requires lots of power, so an amp is an absolute must if you're adding a sub to your system.

Our take on the Kenwood Excelon XR600-1

by Buck Pomerantz

Super-slim profile, big-time power

Kenwood's Excelon XR600-1 mono subwoofer amplifier adds power and punch to your car's subwoofer system, as it powers your sub with up to 600 watts RMS. The XR600-1 can fit in many different places in your car because of its incredibly low profile — it's under 1-1/2" tall. Amazing.

Designed for optimum efficiency

Kenwood packed this amp with space-saving features. Class D technology reduces the size of the power supply, while the internal heatsink is tilted to reduce height without compromising the amp's cooling system. Recessed power and speaker wire terminals help to further reduce the amp's footprint, protect the connections, and give your installation a neat, professional look.

Controls for the best bass

This no-nonsense amplifier features a low-pass filter that sends the correct frequencies to your sub so it'll play efficiently and sound its best. The amp also includes an adjustable bass boost that adds some low-end punch when you want it. And Kenwood protects this sharp-looking amp with its Excelon 2-year warranty.

Highlights:

mono subwoofer amplifier
400 watts RMS x 1 at 4 ohms (600 watts RMS x 1 at 2 ohms)
CEA-2006 compliant
variable low-pass filter (50-200 Hz at 24 dB/octave)
adjustable bass boost (0-18 dB at 40 Hz)
Class-D amplifier design
frequency response: 20-200 Hz
preamp inputs and outputs
fuse rating: 30A x 3
4-gauge power and ground leads recommended — wiring and hardware not included with amplifier
8-11/16"W x 1-7/16"H x 6-11/16"D
warranty: 2 years
Our 60-day money-back guarantee

Preliminary info from the manufacturer

Our Product Research team will verify these specs and supply more detailed information once we receive the product.

Features and Specs

Performance
RMS Power Output (Watts x Channels) Loading...	400 x 1
Peak Power Output (Watts x Channels) Loading...	---
Power at 2 Ohms (Watts x Channels) Loading...	600 x 1
Bridged Power (Watts x Channels) Loading...	---
Minimum Impedance Bridged Loading...	---
Minimum Impedance Unbridged Loading...	2
Best Frequency Response Loading...	20-200 Hz
THD at Rated RMS Power Loading...	---
Signal to Noise Ratio Loading...	---
Input Voltage Loading...	---
Features
Amplifier Class Loading...	D
Low-Pass Crossover Frequency Loading...	50-200 Hz
Low-Pass Slope (dB/octave) Loading...	24 dB/octave
High-Pass Crossover Frequency Loading...	---
High-Pass Slope (dB/octave) Loading...	---
Bass Boost Loading...	0-18 dB
Bass Boost Frequency Loading...	40 Hz
Fan Cooled Loading...	---
Fuse Rating Loading...	90
Speaker Level Inputs Loading...	---
Preamp Outputs Loading...	1 pair
Width (inches) Loading...	8-11/16
Height (inches) Loading...	1-7/16
Depth (inches) Loading...	6-11/16
Parts Warranty Loading...	2 Year
Labor Warranty Loading...	2 Year

Product reviews from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)

Video: Kenwood Excelon Reference Fit Amplifiers

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2/20/2013

The Reference Fit line of amplifiers from Kenwood Excelon packs a ton of power into a small chassis. These amps hit hard and can fit into tight spaces, if needed. And with mono, 4-channel, and...