Learn: Home » Comparing car amps — a look "under the hood"
Summing up
It's important to remember that both amps are made by respected audio companies, and both are excellent values for the money. Clearly, however, Amp #2 is better laid-out, uses heavy duty components, and employs more advanced technology to solve basic engineering problems, like heat dissipation.
While we're thinking about heat dissipation, the heat sinks molded into the actual body of the amp are an important part of the design. Audio amplifiers aren't very efficient — depending on the type of amp, up to 50% of the power they use can be turned into heat when the amp is running. Amp #2 uses high quality heat sinks made of heavy, cast metal that are noticeably heftier than Amp #1's thinner metal shell.
The heavy-duty components and superior design features of Amp #2 give it the ability to provide you with cleaner sound. Because it has better power reserves and can dissipate heat more effectively, it has more effective "headroom" — the ability to provide clean signal at the upper range of its power output.
So, does it make much of a difference which amp you choose? In short, yes! If your budget is limited, by all means buy the less expensive amp. If, however, you value the best possible performance and want your amp to last, the extra investment you'll make in a more expensive model is well worth it.
It's important to remember that both amps are made by respected audio companies, and both are excellent values for the money. Clearly, however, Amp #2 is better laid-out, uses heavy duty components, and employs more advanced technology to solve basic engineering problems, like heat dissipation.
While we're thinking about heat dissipation, the heat sinks molded into the actual body of the amp are an important part of the design. Audio amplifiers aren't very efficient — depending on the type of amp, up to 50% of the power they use can be turned into heat when the amp is running. Amp #2 uses high quality heat sinks made of heavy, cast metal that are noticeably heftier than Amp #1's thinner metal shell.
The heavy-duty components and superior design features of Amp #2 give it the ability to provide you with cleaner sound. Because it has better power reserves and can dissipate heat more effectively, it has more effective "headroom" — the ability to provide clean signal at the upper range of its power output.
So, does it make much of a difference which amp you choose? In short, yes! If your budget is limited, by all means buy the less expensive amp. If, however, you value the best possible performance and want your amp to last, the extra investment you'll make in a more expensive model is well worth it.
