In this post, we’ll go over everything you need to know about determining whether you need an amp in your car to increase your sound quality.
- What Are the Functions of Car Amplifiers?
- Is an Amplifier Really Necessary?
- How to Select the Correct Amplifier
- For better sound, do you really need an amplifier?
When it comes to automobile entertainment systems, what is the first thing that people notice? The car amplifier isn’t generally the culprit. Instead, the head unit or speaker grills are to blame. Nonetheless, one of the most important components for high-quality sound is the automobile amplifier.
While most factory sound systems do not have a separate amplifier, adding one yourself is a straightforward modification. Let’s talk about how to use an amp in your vehicle to improve sound quality, whether you have a factory or aftermarket system.
What are the Functions of Car Amplifiers?
The speakers are powered by a small built-in amplifier in the vehicle’s head unit. Although the amplifier in premium audio systems is more powerful, it still pales in comparison to what you can achieve with aftermarket gear.
The amplifier in any system takes the audio signal and amplifies it. That is how it acquired its name.
You don’t want to boost the factory speakers, obviously. They may have a low impedance voice coil or some other feature that prevents them from working with most aftermarket amplifiers. To get the finest quality out of your car audio, you should first replace the speakers and then add an amplifier.
Is an Amplifier Really Necessary?
There are a lot of additional strong reasons to install an amplifier for your car radio system besides the fact that the factory head unit with a built-in amp isn’t enough.
You want a loud, distortion-free sound.
As previously stated, turning up the volume on your factory configuration can cause distortion. Turn raise the volume on your car stereo and see what happens. You can probably only go so far before the music gets unbearable.
A good amplifier will allow you to increase the volume without the distortions that your OEM system produces.
You’d want to run a subwoofer
You’ll also need an amplifier if you want to install a subwoofer in your vehicle. Yes, you can use the sub without an amplifier. However, the sound quality will suffer. In many cases, the car radio lacks the necessary connections for the subwoofer, leaving you with little choice.
Although both the three and five-channel amplifiers can handle a subwoofer, it’s occasionally more convenient to have one devoted to the sub. For optimum sound, you’ll need two amplifiers: one for the speakers and another for the subwoofer.
You’d like to get the most out of your speakers.
If you want to boost the sound quality, you’ll need an amp. You can upgrade the OEM system with new speakers, but the best method to get the sound you want is to install a new head unit with an amplifier.
On the other hand, if you don’t mind a minor degree of distortion, a new head unit and speakers might suffice. When connected with the correct speaker, several premium head units produce good sound on their own. When you turn it up to its maximum volume, though, you will notice a loss of sound quality.
We recognize that updating the head unit and purchasing an amplifier is more expensive, but it is the only method to completely eliminate distortion.
You Want More Features and Flexibility
Customization is extremely crucial to serious audiophiles. The amplifier can provide access to signal processing and equalizers without the need for separate equipment. The amp can also be used to add or remove channels from the system.
Do you want more bass?
Sure, the speakers influence the amount of bass you hear, but so does the amplifier. You can only get the best performance by adding power, no matter how amazing the speakers are. For example, you may believe that your factory sound system produces 200 watts is plenty. Even so, the difference between 50 watts peak per channel and 50 watts RMS coming from an outboard amplifier is significant.
You receive cleaner power from an aftermarket amp than any car audio can provide. The change in sound quality between night and day is immediately noticeable.
Select the correct amplifier.
Of course, the amplifier you use is important if you want to attain the desired effects. You can’t just slam a cheap amplifier into the car and hope for the best (but it won’t hurt).
We recommend matching the head unit, speakers, and amplifier. Unless you’ve previously upgraded the head unit and speakers, you’ll need to remodel everything if you want the best sound. Then you must choose the greatest amplifier to complement your current setup.
For additional information, see our article on Choosing the Right Amplifier. We can also assist you in selecting the best automobile amplifier and demonstrating how to connect it to your system.
But, for better sound, do you really need an amplifier?
An amplifier is not required at any moment. There’s no reason to acquire an aftermarket amplifier if you don’t care about sound quality and are content with the equipment you have.
If you prefer to hear music the way it was meant to be heard, it’s time to invest in an amp. Clarity, sound quality, and bass level will all demonstrate that you do, in fact, require an amplifier for greater sound. You will notice the difference once you have experienced it for yourself.
Whether you want to listen to the latest piano composition or blast Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream, you can rest assured that you will have the necessary sound equipment.
