Best Monoblock Car Amplifiers Reviews

Some people still think that amps are for seasoned audiophiles who want the whole world to hear their bass. In fact, an amplifier is a key product for anyone who cares about well-balanced sound. An outboard amp will provide enough power juice to your speakers making your music sound full and clear.

External car amps are classified by different class ratings (A, AB, D, etc.) and are categorized by the number of channels they have (mono, 2-, 4-, 5- etc). The class of an amplifier refers to the amplifier’s internal circuitry, while its number of channels refers to the number of speakers/subs that an amp can power simultaneously.

We’ve reviewed a ton of car amplifiers on this site before including 4 channel amps, 5 channel amps, and 6 channel amplifiers. For the purpose of this article, we’ll be reviewing a few of the best monoblock amps in the market.

Unlike multi-channel amplifiers which can power an entire car audio system, mono-channel amplifiers are more powerful than multi-channel amps, which makes them suitable for running power-hungry subwoofers.

Mono block amplifiers are designed with one thing in mind, delivering high output for louder boom. These amps use class D circuitry design for the most part, which makes them very efficient in converting available power into usable wattage without generating the type of heat associated with other circuitry designs.

Best Monoblock Amplifiers Reviews

1. Pioneer GM-D9701

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Pioneer GM-D9701

• Modulated MOSFET power supply
• Wired remote bass level control included
• LED power (green) and protect (red) indicators
• Variable Bass Boost (0 to +12 dB bass boost at 50 Hz)
• Soft start turn-on
• Mono channel operation
• Preamp RCA outputs to daisy chain multiple amps
• 3-way protection circuitry (thermal, overload, and speaker short protection)
• Heavy duty aluminum alloy heat-sink for extreme heat dissipation
• Variable low-pass filter (40-240 Hz, 24 dB/octave)

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When it comes to car stereo systems, Pioneer is probably one of the most legendary. Pioneer offers a wide range of car audio components including speakers, subwoofers, receivers and amplifiers. Their products have consistently performed well through independent lab testing and in real world installations.

We’ve reviewed a ton of Pioneer car audio components on this site before, and the story hasn’t changed. Pioneer makes top-notch products that are engineered to perform.

The GM-D8601 is one of the best monoblock amplifiers that Pioneer has to offer. It uses Pioneer’s extra-efficient Class-D circuitry design which allows for a small footprint, and dramatic improvement in power output capability. That makes this amplifier more versatile in terms of installation as well as performance.

Speaking of performance, this compact car amplifier can deliver up to 500 watts RMS at 4 ohms, and up to 800 watts at 2 Ohms. This is quite impressive for an amplifier this size.

This little powerhouse can also handle a 1-ohm load without breaking a sweat; at 1 ohm load, this amp can deliver up to 1200 watts RMS. This means that you’ll never have to worry about impedance mismatch when you drop subs into the mix down the road.

Pioneer GM-D9701 comes with a variable low-pass filter which makes audio frequency more adjustable according to subwoofer characteristics and personal listening preferences. The GM-D9701 LPF is adjustable from 40 Hz to 240 Hz.

This amp also has speaker-level inputs which lets you pair it up to any car stereo system. Additionally. It comes with a wired remote boost that lets you control the bass level on the go from the driver’s seat. However, expect a few seconds delay between when you turn the knob and when its effect takes place. So, make slow adjustments.

As for cons, it’s really difficult to think of any. If anything, I’d say that this monoblock amp isn’t featured with sub-sonic filter.

All in all, if you’re looking for a powerful punch at a phenomenal price, Pioneer GM-D9701 is a great option to consider. It’s one of the best monoblock amps in this price range.

2. Rockford Fosgate R2-1200X1

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Rockford Fosgate R2-1200X1

• Balanced Differential Inputs with RCA Pass Through Outputs
• High Level Input Capable
• Preamp outputs
• Auto Turn On Circuit
• C.L.E.A.N. gain setup system includes clip lights
• Variable Input Gain adjustment level
• Variable Subsonic Filter
• Continuously Variable On Board Punch EQ
• Top Mounted Control Panel
• Short Circuit & Over Current Protection
• Rollback Protection
• Fully Adjustable 12 dB/octave High and Low pass Butterworth Crossovers
• Wired remote Punch Level Control included

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Rockford Fosgate is another well-established brand that makes some great car audio components. Rockford Fosgate has been in business for a very long time and have mastered the art of making quality products.

The R2-1200X1 is one of the best monoblock amplifiers in the Rockford Fosgate “Prime” series of amps. This series was developed mainly for car audio fanatics that want a reliable amplifier that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

Rockford Fosgate R2-1200X1 is an ultra-efficient mono channel amp that’s capable of operating at 4Ω, 2Ω or 1Ω. It can put out up to 400 watts RMS to a 4-ohm sub, but will crank out up to 1,200 Watts when it’s running a 1-ohm load without taxing your vehicle’s electrical system.

This mono channel amp was designed to quickly respond to the peak demands that you may throw at your system without giving out. It’s featured with C.L.E.A.N. (Calibrated Level Eliminates Audible Noise) circuitry to help you easily adjust your gain settings and to ensure your bass will sound as clean and powerful as possible.

Furthermore, Rockford Fosgate R2-1200X1 is fitted with an integrated Punch EQ bass boost circuit that’s meant to correct for acoustic deficiencies in the listening environment while delivering up to 3X the bass.

To get the best possible bass from the sub and enclosure in your vehicle, this amp comes with low-pass and infrasonic filters, as well as Rockford Fosgate’s famous Punch bass boost. Additionally, you can hook up an optional wired remote level control to get fingertip control over this amp’s bass impact.

The cherry on top is that this amplifier has speaker-level inputs, so you can hook it up to almost any system, even a factory stereo.

3. Alpine MRV-M500

If you’re looking for a powerful, compact monoblock amplifier that won’t break the bank, then the Alpine MRV-M500 is a great option to consider.

Alpine designed this compact powerhouse amp to make it easier for your to get great bass in you vehicle without sacrificing a lot of space — it’s got less than an 8″ by 8″ footprint and it’s just over 2″ tall — which makes it suitable for compact cars.

Despite its size, this mini car amplifier is quite powerful. It can put out up to 300 watts RMS at 4 ohms, and up to 500 watts at 2 ohms, guaranteeing some punchy, booming bass on your drive. The downside, however, is that this amplifier isn’t stable down to 1 ohm.

The MRV-M500 uses Class D circuitry design which makes it quite efficient. It also uses a technology called ESP (Enhanced Shutdown Performance), which prevents the amp from overheating after it’s been playing at its limits for too long. This technology rolls back the output a bit when the amp is about to overheat. This way the amp keeps playing your music, until it cools enough to return to full power.

This monoblock amp comes with a low-pass filter which lets you keep high frequencies away of your subs, for a well-refined bass. It also has a a bass boost which lets you apply plenty of low-end punch.

Additionally, this amp is featured with preamp- and speaker-level inputs, so you can pair it up to almost any vehicle, even one with a stock receiver.

You can also add a remote bass knob to this amp to conveniently adjust bass levels from your dash on the fly.

4. JL Audio JD1000/1

JL Audio is a brand that doesn’t really need an introduction. It’s been in the car audio industry for a very long time, and out of all the brands in this industry, none have set the standard the way JL Audio has.

JL Audio offers everything from speakers and subwoofers to amplifiers and signal processors. Their products are synonymous with quality and reliability.

JL Audio makes some of the best car amplifiers in the market, albeit usually at a price premium. The JD1000/1 mono block amp is no exception. However, it offers superior power and serious features for your dollar.

This mini mono subwoofer amplifier will send up to 600 watts RMS to a sub at 4 ohm, and up to 1,000 watts at 2 ohms, so you’ll hear and feel the bass roaring like thunder. It’s featured with a variable low-pass filter which gives you the control over the frequencies that pass through. It also comes with a bass boost to let you apply plenty of low-end punch. Furthermore, you can add an optional remote level control to this amp to let you turn the bass up or down on the go from the front seat.

To ensure an excellent heat management, this amp has a high-mass aluminum heatsink which keeps the internal parts of the amps cool enough to eliminate thermal shut-downs.

In order to ensure long lasting performance and durability, this amp uses advanced protection circuitry which automatically turns the amplifier off if thermal limits are exceeded, the input voltage drops below 11 volts, or short circuit is detected in the speaker wiring.

As with all the monoblock amps we listed here, this JL Audio features preamp inputs and outputs, as well as speaker-level inputs with signal-sensing amp turn-on. So it’s ready to work in virtually any system.

5. Skar Audio SKv2-2500.1D

Skar Audio SKv2-2500.1D

• Competition Grade Quality and Performance
• 4 Way Protection Circuitry: Thermal, Voltage, Speaker, DC
• RCA Line Output
• Bass boost
• Low Pass Filter at 24dB Slope (35Hz - 250Hz)
• Subsonic Filter
• LED Power & Protection Indicators
• Remote Bass Knob & Wire Included
• 1/0 Gauge Power and Ground Terminals
• Phase Shift( 0 - 180 Degrees)

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It’s amazing how a newcomer can compete with top of the line brands. Despite being a newcomer to the car audio industry, Skar Audio has been able to make a name for itself as a viable competitor.

Skar Audio offers a wide variety of car amplifiers of different types and sizes, so you can choose the right amp for your needs.

If you’re looking for a car amplifier with tons of power, check out the Skar Audio SKv2-2500.1D. This amplifier delivers a whopping 2,500 Watts RMS of power to give you the deep, thundering bass range you need to create the ultimate bass experience.

This beast could be a great option whether you are into SPL competition, or looking for the absolute best mono channel amplifier to drive your power hungry “daily driver” audio system.

In order to ensure long lasting performance, this amplifier uses an advanced heatsink design to shunt heat away from internal components and allow for maximum cooling. It also comes with 4-way protection circuitry, allowing the amplifier to operate efficiently at peak output levels for an extended period of time.

This 4 way protection circuitry will also give you the peace of mind knowing your amp is protected against damage to its internal components for various reasons – including electrical shortage, overheating, low voltage, and more.

In addition to its high-grade components and impressive performance, this mono channel amplifier is featured with oversized 1/0 gauge power and ground terminals which allows for maximum current flow and therefore higher power output and more efficiency.

Furthermore, you’ll have full reign over your amplifier with the built-in control panel, consisting of variable adjustment tunings for gain level, subsonic filter, bass boost, low-pass filter, and phase control.

To further expand your system down the road, this amplifier has both RCA inputs and outputs so that you can use to hook up multiple amps together.

6. Kicker 46CXA1200.1

Kicker 46CXA1200.1

• Variable Low-Pass Filter (50-200 Hz, 12 Db/octave)
• Fixed Subsonic Filter (25 Hz, 24 Db/octave)
• Variable Bass Boost (0-6 Db at 40 Hz)
• Preamp Inputs and Outputs
• 3-Second Delay for Turn-On and Turn-Off
• Small Footprint for Easier Installation
• Vertical Mounting Hardware Included for Another Unique Look

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If you’ve ever taken any interest in car audio, Kicker is a brand you likely recognize, and for good reason. It’s one of the most recognized brands in the car audio industry. The company has been around since 1973 and has been churning out quality products ever since.

The Kicker mono-channel amp at hand features a cool, modern look and most importantly, 1,200 watts of power, so your sub will really push some air.

Since the quality of bass matters as much as the volume, this amp is also featured with a variable low-pass filter (50-200 Hz) to allow you to get maximum performance from your sub/enclosure setup. Furthermore, this amp has a variable bass boost which allows you to add some extra low-end punch. It also has a fixed non-defeatable 25Hz subsonic filter which removes the extreme low resonances that cause distortion.

For maximum convenience, you can hook this amp up to a wired remote control so you can conveniently adjust the bass level on the go from your front seat.

Kicker’s CXA1200.1 is stable down to 1-ohm load. This means, you won’t have to worry too much about matching impedances when you add a second or third sub to your system down the line.

This amplifier can accept either high (speaker-level) or low (line-level) input signals on the RCA inputs, selectable using the input level switch on control panel. Moreover, using either a speaker-level or line-level input feeds the stereo RCA output, you can daisy-chain another amp to this one without having to run RCA cables from the head unit to the second amp.

7. Rockford Fosgate Punch P1000X1BD

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Rockford Fosgate Punch P1000X1BD

• High Level Input Capable with Auto Turn-On Circuit
• Features C.L.E.A.N. Set-Up
• Optional Remote Punch Level Control (Plc2) Ready (W/ Input Clip Indicator)
• 12db/octave Butterworth Crossover
• Rca Pass-Thru Outputs
• On-Board Punch Eq with +18db Boost @ 45hz
• Muted Turn on
• Stealth Top Mounted Control Panel
• Cast Aluminum Heatsink
• Short Circuit Protection
• Over Current Protection
• Infrasonic Filter

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If you’re looking to scale up from the Rockford Fosgate R2-1200X1 (listed above), and don’t mind shelling out some extra more money, Rockford Fosgate has plenty of other choices available. One of the more popular options available is the P1000X1BD. It’s hands down one of the best monoblock amps in the market, all things considered.

Rockford Fosgate “Punch” series was developed mainly for car audio fanatics that want a perfect mix of power and price.

Speaking of power, this Rockford Fosgate P1000X1BD mono amp can deliver up to 1,000 watts RMS, giving you plenty of clean power for your rhythm track. It’s stable down to 1 ohm, so you can power multiple subs without any problem. Its low-pass filter keeps the high notes away from your subwoofer, while a subsonic filter allows the amp run more efficiently by cutting out super low frequencies that cannot be cleanly reproduced. The variable bass boost on the other hand lets you dial in just the the tone you want with the right amount of thump.

The best thing about Rockford Fosgate amplifiers is that they use Rockford Fosgate’s C.L.E.A.N (Calibrated Level Eliminates Audible Noise) technology to ensure your music sounds as clean and powerful as possible. This technology allows you to easily match your car’s source unit’s output to the amp’s gain, therefore optimizing the amp’s gain settings to produce optimum power output.

To prevent thermal overload, this amp uses forced air to dissipate heat evenly across the amp and out through the massive heatsink, efficiently shunting heat away from vital internal parts, allowing the amp to run cooler and work better.

8. AudioPipe APCLE-15001D

AudioPipe APCLE-15001D

• Parametric Bass-Boost Equalizer
• Pulse Width Modulated Mosfet Power Supply
• Wired Remote Bass Level Control Included
• Led Power (Green) and Protect (Red) Indicators
• Preamp Rca Outputs to Daisy Chain Multiple Amps
• 3-Way Protection Circuitry (Thermal, Overload, and Speaker Short Protection)
• Dual Speaker Terminals Simplify the Hookup of Multiple Speakers
• Heavy Duty Aluminum Alloy Heat-Sink for Extreme Heat Dissipation
• Variable Low-Pass Filter (40 - 180 Hz)
• Subsonic Filter (5 - 50 Hz)
• Variable Bass Boost ( 0 to +12 Db Bass Boost at 30 - 80 Hz)

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Audiopipe is a brand we haven’t come across very much at all, but we were quite impressed when we did. Audiopipe is building a solid reputation in the car audio industry. Their products seem to hit the sweet spot for a lot of guys, for good reason.

The APCLE-15001D is one of the top-rated monoblock amplifiers that Audiopipe have to offer. It’s very well-made, and it looks unique.

Speaking of uniqueness, this Audiopipe mono channel amplifier sports a high quality aluminum heat sink with cooling fins running along each side and grills embedded in the top plate to ensure optimal heat dissipation and prevent thermal overload or any unwanted hardware failure due to overheating.

Additionally, this amplifier features electronic protection circuitry to protect against harmful short circuits, low voltage, thermal overloads and overheating.

While most standard car amplifiers in the market use 12V voltage, Audiopipe went ahead and made this monoblock amplifier compatible with 16V vehicle electrical systems, making it able to produce much more power than the standard 12V amplifier.

Speaking of power, this beast can deliver up to 600 watts RMS at 4 Ohm and up to 950 watts RMS at 2 Ohm. It is also stable down to 1 ohm, at which it can pump out up to 1500 watts.

Audiopipe APCLE-15001D is featured with a parametric bass-boost equalizer, variable low-pass filter, and subsonic filter. It also has a variable bass boost and can be hooked up to a remote bass level control. Moreover, this amp is featured with preamp RCA outputs to daisy chain multiple amps

9. Planet Audio TR3000.1D

Planet Audio TR3000.1D

• Monoblock Class D, MOSFET Power Supply
• Low Level Inputs, RCA Pre-amp Outputs
• Variable Low Pass Crossover
• Variable Bass Boost
• Variable Subsonic Filter
• Switchable Phase Control
• Include Remote Subwoofer Control
• Blue Illuminated Planet Audio Logo

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On a budget but still want a decent monoblock amplifier, check out the Planet Audio TR3000.1D. It’s not expensive, but you still get a lot for the money. I mean, a powerful amplifier for less than $150? that’s a major bargain.

This cheap monoblock amp doesn’t lack features or power. It’s capable of operating at 4Ω, 2Ω or 1Ω, and it packs in plenty of punch. It can deliver up to 563 watts RMS at 4 ohm, and more than double that at 1 ohm.

Furthermore, this amplifier comes with all the necessary features you’ll ever need to tune the sound to your likings including variable low pass crossover, bass boost, subsonic filter, switchable phase control and a remote subwoofer control.

To ensure optimal performance, this amp has a thermal and electrical shortage protection circuits. The former is meant to turn the amp off and allow it to cool down before turning it back on, while the latter is meant to automatically cut the output should a speaker fail and cause an electrical short.

With all of that being said, it’s safe to say that the Planet Audio TR3000.1D is one of the best budget mono car amplifiers that you can buy, all things considered.

10. Rockville dB14

Rockville dB14

• High-Speed MOSFET Power Supply
• Optical Coupler Class “D” Technology
• Fully Adjustable 12dB / Octave Crossover with Differential Circuitry
• Low Pass Filter (50Hz - 250Hz)
• Subsonic Filter (15Hz - 55Hz)
• Phase Control Switch
• Full IC-Controlled Protection Circuitry
• Remote Dashboard Subwoofer Control
• Fully Adjustable 12dB Bass Equalizer
• Mute and Delay Soft Start System
• RCA Preamp Line Output
• Status Mode LED Indicator

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Rockville isn’t as well-known as some brands but they know how to build decent components at competitive prices. Its dB14 is a great budget mono car amplifier that comes with a wide array of features and and most importantly, 600 watts of power at 4 Ohm and up to 1000 Watts at 2 ohm. This is quite impressive for a such a cheap monoblock amplifier.

This Rockville amplifier is featured with a fully adjustable 12dB/Octave crossover with differential circuitry, a subsonic filter, a fully adjustable bass equalizer, mute and delay soft start technology, and a phase control switch. This is not to mention a remote dashboard subwoofer control for maximum convenience.

If you’re on tight budget and just love to raise the roof, the dB14 is here to serve and at a price that’s low for this kind of quality, features and power.

Note that the Rockville dB14 is only stable down to 2 ohm. However, it offers clear bass reproduction and packs a pretty hard punch, making it a bang deal for the buck.