Rockford Fosgate Punch 501x car audio amp dyno oldschool 4 channel amplifier power & sound test

[@2011joser]

Rockford Fosgate amps almost never disappoint with their power and sq when compared to their actual stated ratings. However, in the late 80’s early 90’s when I did the most number of builds, I stayed away from them because of their misleading marketing. At the time, all other manufacturers quoted the 4 ohm power rating while RF consistently quoted 2 ohm. It became an issue because RF sold only through dealers and the dealers in my area would always quote that 2ohm rating when inquiring about power output or when comparing to other amplifiers whose ratings were for 4 ohm output. Often salesmen were evasive or would outright lie if they were asked if they were equal in output to another amplifier with a numerically similar 4ohm rating. In that era of generally lower power outputs, matching speaker and amplifier power ratings was much more important for proper sound output. I spent my money on other amplifier brands in the same price range that were more upfront with the information. RF was more reasonable with their speakers and I used their components and subs throughout the years. I actually have a pair of vintage RF Series 1 8” subs in my inventory.

[@audiokeller1975]

I still remember the sales guy who tried to convince me to buy a 40 Watts RF amp. It was 1994 or 1995 when the punch 40ix came out. As a excuse at this time I never heard about the RF brand and asked myself why i should spend way more money on a „ low power „ amp 😂 I kept it 👍

[@davidstevens7809]

Impressed with your troubleshooting ability

[@audiokeller1975]

These smd caps fail often, I have read that they were a bad batch in the early 90s. That’s why I suspect them first 😊 And by the way it’s because of great people like you sharing their experience and knowledge 👍👍😊😊

[@charlesbolano7148]

Hello, nice video! Do you know if the Punch X500.2 amplifier is as powerful as the Punch 500.2, or 500a2 amp? Thanks.😮

[@audiokeller1975]

I had a punch 500.2 which is very similar to 500a2 or 225.2 , but there is also a stronger 500.2 black & grind model around which I didn’t had so far. I never had a Punch X500.2 , from which model range is it? (Year)

[@charlesbolano7148]

@@audiokeller1975 I think it's from the Punch 2001 series. The online manual looks like the one for a Punch 500.2, though!

[@audiokeller1975]

I found one on eBay, never saw one of these but I guess you are correct and I believe they put the well known mainboard into another style heatsink and gave it a different name

[@charlesbolano7148]

@@audiokeller1975 yeah, that's where I saw it! They're selling one for $150 US. Thanks for the help.

[@charlesbolano7148]

I was looking again at the power 550s amp, and the punch 501s amp videos, and they both look alike inside (same number of caps, and same number of mosfets in both amplifiers)! However, the power 550s amp has more power, than the punch 501s amp (584w v. 532w). How can that be?? Both amplifiers have the same electronic parts inside! Do you know? Thanks.😊

[@saschacubexyz]

Thumb is up😉👍

[@joshholden8561]

Rockford put 1500 watts on this amp ? Guess it's not ,,,500 RMS like I thought.

[@audiokeller1975]

It’s RMS but you can only reach this value if tested for only 1ms at low impedance. I don’t understand why they did that print but I think because lots of customers only see the wattage number and buy crap instead of a real amp …