Whether you are upgrading your sound system or looking to get the most out of your existing head unit or speakers, a 5000-watt amp has the juice to power a more authentic and fuller listening experience. If you are no audiophile, making a selection can be challenging since you need to familiarize yourself with some terminologies and specific formulas to help you calculate the power output of the options you have. Our article will help demystify the various aspects associated with such a purchase. Hopefully, our breakdown of the definition, benefits, top picks and vital considerations will put you on the right track.
What's a Good 5000-Watt Amp
Rank | Product Image | Brand Name | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
|  | |
2 |
| | |
3 |
| | |
4 |
| | |
5 |
| |
What Are Amplifiers?
A typical sound system consists of three portions; the music player, amplifier and speaker. The head unit, or audio player, generates a signal converted into sound by the speakers. Unfortunately, the signal strength is often relatively low and requires boosting for improved listening quality. Hence, the amplifier ensures that the signal reaching your speakers is powerful enough to provide high sound quality and clarity.
Why You Need an External Amp
As mentioned above, amplifiers play a pivotal role in ensuring you do not compromise on your listening experience. In addition, these gadgets have plenty of benefits, especially when you want a more powerful 5000-watt amp. For starters, and perhaps the most significant advantage of the audio equipment is their ability to provide a higher power output when compared to a car's built-in system. Consequently, you are likely to notice better sound in your current system by merely upgrading to a more powerful amp.
Secondly, the audio quality you get from going with external car amps will be a noticeable improvement. After all, distortion occurs when the audio signal going to the speakers is much weaker than their maximum allowed rating. Thus, an upgrade will enable each speaker to produce more precise and fuller audio.
On that note, you can also decide which frequency will go to which speaker. This quality is called a crossover, and most external car amps will allow you to adjust the variable to your liking.
Finally, a powerful amplifier is a necessary purchase whether you are buying new speakers or getting a new subwoofer. Also, merely changing your current amp will lead to better sound quality. After all, connecting impressive subwoofers to a subpar setup may mean listening to more distorted audio.
5 Best 5000- Watt Amps
1. Planet Audio TR5000.1D Class D Car Amplifier
- POWER: 5000 Watts Max x 1 @1-Ohm, 2500 Watts Max x 1 @2-Ohms
- CLASS D: Power loss is significantly reduced making the amplifier highly efficient. Excess...
- MOSFET POWER SUPPLY: A MOSFET is an electrical switch that allows the flow of electrical...
- 1 OHM STABLE: Able to continuously power loads of 1 Ohm without encountering difficulties...
- STRAPPING CAPABLE: You are able to strap TWO TR5000.1D amplifiers and double the power...
The planet Audio TR5000.1D Class D Monoblock Car Amplifier can offer the consistency you need to handle a 1 Ohm load without overheating since the MOSFET power supply adds to its efficiency. In addition, you can double the power output by strapping two of these amplifiers together to increase the load handling capabilities. Plus, this device gives you phase control if your speaker and subwoofer setup are out-of-phase.
Moreover, the dimensions of this powerful amplifier may require you to install it in your trunk. Admittedly, the 5000-watt rating is an exaggeration on the manufacturer's part. However, its collection of safety and audio quality control features that come at an affordable price makes the amp an ideal choice.
PROS
CONS
2. Power Acoustik OD1=5000D Overdrive Series Class D Car Audio Monoblock Amplifier
- 1-ohm stable monoblock operation for MAX power
- Bridge 2 monoblocks together for double power
- Military-grade PCB with PWM MOSFET power supply
- Direct short, thermal, and overload circuit protection
- High/speaker level and low level/RCA input
The Power Acoustik OD1-5000D Overdrive Series vehicle audio monoblock amplifier comes with a high-and-low-pass crossover and lets you make numerous adjustments to the sound. For example, you get bass control for boosting it to 12dB. Also, you have access to low-level inputs that offers you a similar audio quality regardless of the device you are using to play.
Furthermore, the military-grade PCB and MOSFET power supply unit ensures these amplifiers can consistently perform at their peak. In addition, this product is simple to install since it has single-sided terminals that you cannot get wrong when setting up. Finally, these amps have overload, thermal and direct short circuit protective qualities.
PROS
CONS
3. Lanzar Amplifier 5000 Watt 8 Channel
- AUDIO EVOLUTION: This car speakers amp features regulated MOSFET Pulse Width Modulated...
- INTELLIGENT DESIGN: The car audio amplifier 8 channel safety features include power and...
- SOUND SPECIALIZATION: This high-powered Power Amplifier is cutting edge technology at its...
- RCA JACKS: The Line-Out jacks allow you to build multiple amplifier systems without having...
If you want to build a sound system with multiple amplifiers at an affordable price without buying splitter cords, the Lanzar Amplifier 5000 Watt 8-Channel device will suit your needs. Merely get a line-out jack and link the next amp to your setup. Additionally, you get screw-down terminals for the RCA and speaker connectors to ensure the sound is crisp.
Moreover, the Lanzar Amplifier has reliable safety perks to help protect the device and others connected. For example, you can use LED indicators to check whether the audio equipment is on. Also, these lights can tell you if there is an overload, thermal or shorting issue. Finally, you can bridge the bass boost circuit at 4 Ohms.
PROS
CONS
4. SoundXtreme Car Amplifiers ST-2500.2 Class AB
- 5000W Max Class AB @ 2 Ohm, Stable at 2 Ohm and 4 Ohm with Bass Knob Included
- S/N Ratio > 70 dB with and Input Sensitivity at 200mV-6V with Input IMP at 22k Ohms
- HPF at 80 Hz ~ 1.2 kHz with LPF at 50 Hz ~ 250 Hz and Frequency Response at 10 Hz ~ 30 kHz
- Chrome Plated RCA, Variable Gain Control with LED Power and Protection Indicators
- Dimension ( L×W×H ): 9.5 x 2.5 x 24.3 inches
The SoundXtreme Car Amplifiers ST-2500.2 Class AB amp does an excellent job at providing a consistent power output that leads to fewer distortions in the audio quality you get. Additionally, this option stands above the rest in its remote sensing capabilities. This feature allows it to detect the voltage from the speaker and turn it on without your input.
The amplifier has chrome-plated RCA inputs for durability and LED indicators that tell you the safety parameter and when the device is on. In addition, you can tweak the bass and boost it to 12dB. When you combine the bass controls and the low-pass crossover capabilities, you will get numerous options for customizing the audio quality.
PROS
CONS
5. SoundStream RN1.5000.D Rubicon Nano 5000W Class D Amplifier
- Rubicon Nano 5000W Class D 1-Channel Amplifier
- RMS Power Range: 1000Wx1@4-ohms / 1500Wx1@2-ohms / Bridged: 2500Wx1@4-ohms
- Maximum Power: 5000 Watts
- MOSFET Power Supply w/ Audiophile Grade IRTM Transistors
- Hybrid Aluminum Alloy Heatsink for Optimum Dissipation
The SoundStream RN1.5000.D is a Class D mono amp that is excellent for building a multiamp system. It offers strapping capabilities via Data Link, RCA preamp outputs, and high-and-low-level inputs. Additionally, the amplifier allows you to adjust various aspects of your listening experience using low-pass and variable subsonic filters, bass knob, and bass remote.
Moreover, the device combines modernity with a rustic design of knobs to create a stylish piece with a slim look. Thus, you can install it beneath your seat, where you can reach the cleverly placed control knobs on its top. Finally, although it is advertised as a 5000-watt amp, the actual power output is a little less than half.
PROS
CONS
Considerations to Make Before Buying a 5000-Watt Amp
a). What Do Amp Power Ratings Mean?
A short introduction to the meaning of the power output ratings, root mean square (RMS) and impedance of various listings will go a long way towards helping you settle on the correct amplifier. In particular, the RMS refers to the actual output possible, and it often differs from the manufacturer quoted wattage rating for peak outputs.
On the other hand, the impedance of the subwoofers and speakers denote the load that the system must overcome to produce high-quality sound. Consequently, it would help if you had an external car amplifier to push out comparable or more juice than required. Also, you may have heard audiophiles claim that it is better to calculate the figures instead of relying on the website information when you shop. Thus, we shall cover the details to consider and expect when comparing the output figures.
Some generic brands that flood the market make no explicit distinctions between the peak power rating and the RMS of their amplifiers. Plus, an established business name in the audio category may offer more accurate details, but it helps to work out the figures yourself. After all, if the manufacturer has lied about the peak power, the RMS may be subject to suspicion.
Power output = Voltage x Efficiency x Fuse Rating
Nevertheless, you may not need to crunch the numbers before you make the considerable investment of upgrading the sound system for your vehicle. Brands that have a CEA certification have met the car amp standard where all the figures advertised are accurate and speak to the actual power output of the device. Alternatively, you can do an amp dyno test or go through some published results when you shop.
b). Types of Amps
Most mono amps are Class D, while those using numerous channels are Class AB. In addition, some brands combine these channels to provide a better listening experience. Since these distinctions differ in the features and advantages they offer, it is a vital consideration when you shop.
The Class D category of devices produce excellent bass, operate at a lower temperature, are more efficient, and are ideal if you want to control a subwoofer. On the other hand, the Class AB category excels at reproducing midrange and treble sounds. Consequently, the audio quality has less distortion, suitable for tweeters and woofers.
c). How Many Channels Do You Want?
What kind of upgrade do you want to make in terms of the number of speakers? Single-channel amps or monoblocks are ideal for adding one or more subwoofers to your setup. First, however, you need to find out the impedance of each subwoofer to determine whether it meets the amp's allowed minimum threshold.
On the other hand, amplifiers with two or more channels, stereo or multichannel amps respectively, are vital when replacing multiple speakers. Nevertheless, you can combine two amplifiers to either achieve a higher power output or to control different kinds and sets of speakers. For example, a mono device can boost your subwoofer, while a connected multichannel one can attend to the speakers. Also, this option may be more affordable since you can get the same output as a 5000-watt amp from two 2500-watt ones at a lower price collectively. Still, it would be best if you did the crossover accurately.
Moreover, the number of speakers you want to replace, upgrade or power will determine the number of channels to consider. You can use multiple amps with a difference in the number of channels or use one with more than the number of speakers available. Of course, these devices must support high-level inputs, bridging and strapping to work well.
d). Device Size and Installation
When looking for a 5000-watt car amplifier, it is critical to consider whether the options will fit. Most options are pretty large, and if you add a new subwoofer, you may lose plenty of storage space in your trunk.
Moreover, if you do not know your way around electrical systems, it is better to search for professional assistance. Still, you can purchase a high-quality wiring kit and do it yourself. Remember to go all out since trying to save money on cheap ones can lead to more problems down the line.
e). Additional Features
Look for an amp with fixed or variable filters for low-pass and high-pass connectivity. Alternatively, you can shop for a high-to-low adapter with the proper channels if you want to use your installed CD player. Plus, crossover filters will help you determine which frequencies go to which speakers.
Moreover, try to find options that offer high-level inputs, or if deep bass is your cup of tea, a variable bass boost feature will come in handy. Also, you can buy a car amplifier that allows you to adjust the level with a bass remote.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on 5000-Watt Amps
1. Can a powerful amplifier damage speakers?
Generally, amplifiers with power ratings exceeding what your speakers can handle will not cause plenty of issues as long as you do not absurdly increase the volume setting. Admittedly, people tend to recommend having more power instead of too little of it. However, if you ask too much of your speakers, they may get damaged, and the sound will be distorted.
2. Can my amp RMS be higher than my speakers' ratings?
Ideally, avoid connecting an amp with a higher RMS to speakers that cannot handle the output. However, if you do not want to blow the speakers, you need to be careful if you still want such a setup. Thus, low-volume settings will be vital to ensure you do not start thinking about warranties.
