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.

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.

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.

Your car can be a great place for music listening. Many commuters suffer for hours each day with inferior sound quality that they'd never tolerate from their systems at home. Here are some tips on how to improve sound quality in your vehicle, whether you're listening on a simple factory system or a multi-channel amplified setup.

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.

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.

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

Step-by-step guide to amplifier installation.

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.

Take a look at a typical amp wiring scheme.

Need to know know which size of wire you need for installing an amplifier? Use our handy cable gauge chart to find out.

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!

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

Learn about some of the features that make Alpine V-Power amplifiers a strong choice for great-sounding car audio.

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?

Having a subwoofer in your car is a good thing, but if the subwoofer isn't properly tuned, it won't sound as good as it should. This article describes how to adjust your amplifier so that your subwoofer will sound just the way you want it to.

Make your music sound lively and vital with a Sound Ordnance amplifier. Watch this Crutchfield video for a quick overview of what these amplifiers have to offer.

Crutchfield Advisor Mac takes a look at Kicker's IX amplifiers — powerful but small amplifiers perfect for tight spots.

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.

In this video, a Crutchfield Web Editor tells how he got his high-caliber sound system sounding just right. Not everyone goes to the extremes that he did, but then, not everyone chooses to fine-tune their sound with the DQXS digital equalizer from AudioControl.