Choosing the right car amplifier isn’t simply a matter of buying the model with the most power. A good entry-level amplifier may be an excellent match for a straightforward speaker upgrade, while better amplifiers can provide the additional clean power, control, and performance needed for more demanding speakers and subwoofers. At the high end, a quality mono amplifier may be the right choice for a high-performance subwoofer system. The real question is: How clean and how loud do you want your car audio system to play?

At Sounds Good To Me in Tempe, AZ we match amplifiers to the speakers and subwoofers they’ll actually be powering. Speaker impedance, RMS power handling, size, system configuration, and the performance you’re trying to achieve all help determine which amplifier is appropriate. Higher-performance speakers and subwoofers generally require amplification capable of supporting their power and performance potential. That’s why we don’t recommend an amplifier without first understanding the speakers, subwoofers, and overall car audio system it will be working with. The goal isn’t simply to sell you a bigger amp—it’s to properly match the amplifier to your system.

Amplifier specifications can become confusing quickly, and advertised wattage alone doesn’t tell you whether an amplifier is a good match for your system. RMS or continuous power, impedance, amplifier configuration, and the requirements of the speakers or subwoofers being powered all matter when comparing car amplifiers.

If you’d like to understand these specifications before choosing an amplifier, read our Amps and Reading the Specs guide. It takes a closer look at amplifier power ratings, impedance, mono amplifiers, and some of the specifications that matter when matching an amp to a car audio system.