Top 5: Bass Amps under $250 for 2020

Top 5 Bass amps under $250 for 2020. Five name brand amplifiers are broken down and reviewed by us as we determine which is the best overall amplifier.
These are the amps in the running. (In no particular order.)
Alpine S-A60M 1:39
Kicker CXA800.1 3:23
JL Audio JD500/1 4:30
Memphis SRX500d.1 5:38
Rockford R2-500x1 6:35
DISCLAIMER.. ALL OF THESE AMPS HAVE INCREASED SINCE THE RELEASE OF THIS VIDEO DUE TO COVID, DOCK ISSUES AND CHIP SHORTAGES.
Buy this amps directly from us:
Alpine S-A60
breakersstereoandperformance....
Kicker CXA800.1
breakersstereoandperformance....
Rockford R2-500x1
breakersstereoandperformance....
Memphis SRX500D.1
breakersstereoandperformance....

[@chapsteronetime2000]

I have the older alpine 500w mono amps Love them been using them for years in multiple vehicles solid rip! Ran it on 2 tens and one solo 12” CT. Nice Amps 20yrs now

[@snnave1]

The JD500 also has a differential input and a clip indicator around the gain knob

[@woodrowhancock]

Wonderfully detailed video! Are there any amps today similar to the Phoenix Gold ZX 500 v.2 performance?

[@3RDERA]

Just subbed! Keep up the great uploads! Clean, organized and well put together!

[@BreakersStereo]

Thanks!! We appreciate it! We put a lot of time and effort behind our videos

[@HaraldBergTechTv]

Good advice for for inexpensive systems and still get a fairly good system

[@ericalbers4867]

I have an SA-55V running everything right now. Damn solid amp. I might go with an SA60 (or two) for my sub (Alpine R 10") but came into possession of a PDX-M6. I've heard there was an issue with them but don't know how common it was. There's no lack of people saying how amazing the PDX series sounds though. I'd love a stack of JL's but when I go JL I'm dropping a divorce worthy amount of cash.

[@StansE250]

A multi-channel Class-D moderate priced Round-Up would be … AWESOME !

[@MemphisMojo15s]

I miss my Street Reference amp. It was a 1200d.1 and it was heavily used for 2.5 years then sold. I wish I had 2 more of them

[@greenman7yyy]

Nice review based on service and real life performance ..)

[@45eno]

I have the 1200 watt version of the kicker. Can I keep a JL W3 10” v3 safely powered with proper under gaining of the amp. Or should I sell it and buy smaller.

[@popeye3940]

Hello, I'm confused between JL JD400/4 or Alpine S2 A36F, both are class D 4 channel amps, will be buying for my Blam relax component and Coax speakers.

[@d77543020]

I was reading the manual on the kicker cxa 1200 and 1800 both of them say they're one ohm stable

[@thomasnew8606]

The Kicker amp is great! I have it on a 12 inch Skar and it pounds

[@patrickhansen6705]

Is there a video for top 5 under 250 4 or 6 channel amp?

[@anthonyaranjo2566]

The alpine S-A60m is it a good match for a morel primo 124 sub in a sealed enclosure ? Please help.

[@johngray2526]

Bout to get kicker 800.1 where I buy my kickers at the 600.1 out of stock & don't know when they'll be getting anymore at all so yep gonna go 800.1 😎 if they come down on price 😂

[@jaydawg116]

Here’s my thoughts- Street reference Memphis is low quality with high output so they run hot. Buy power reference. Cheap for dollar to watts and dyno’d they perform above the rms by a bit. Rockfords prime series amps have quality of life clipping detection but they aren’t profitable at all and you can’t get above 1200 watts. Plus their ratings are almost always exactly on point, and I prefer amp brands that under rate their true RMS JL is very similar to Rockford but pricier. Their higher end amps are the true differential but if I’m paying those prices I’d rather pay for audiocontrol or a Mosconi amplifier. Signal to noise ratio is important if I’m gonna pay upwards of $800 on an amp. Also I’ve played with taramps amplifiers and they are little beasts for cheap but they fry fast under constant use. Dumbass here, just my two cents.

[@Barney-hk3es]

Good points !

[@BreakersStereo]

Great comment. Thanks for your 2 cents.. need a job??? We are always looking for good people and you're pretty knowledgeable.

[@vmontalvo5591]

16-PRX1000.1D running daily at 1ohm, 4 years now… Yes it does gets hot, but not dangerous hot… replaced it with a JX1000\1D… haven’t noticed much improvement, probably need better subs.

[@joseledesma916]

I'm looking to buy a amp for my subs. I have 2 pioneer 1200 watts each shallow mount. What amp will give my subs the correct power to make them hit ?

[@giosant5327]

Jl also has built in clip light

[@koolkid7764]

Which one would fit 2 kicker comp r’s

[@Thumper68]

Kicker has Fit technology which is awesome so you don’t need a loc and can have up to 40 volts high level input into rca and it makes the signal perfectly clean. This is great if your using stock head units. Also you can get the kicker cxa 600.1 and save some money and still get great power output. I run the cx 600.1 on a old alpine sws 12 in a ported box I made and I had a guy yesterday ask me what I was running cause he said I was banging way louder then he was and he’s running two 15’s lol! I picked up some instant business going to be making him a box no tuning his system. It was hilarious I showed him my box I made out of an old entertainment center 3/4 mdf and my sub sat outside in rain and weather for 6 months with cone top layer missing so pole/coil exposed. I put a dust cap on it and sprayed a thin rubber roofing spray to make the cone ridged. I literally have about a 100 dollars invested in my system and can float paper. The guy was down right flabbergasted. Guys you can be loud and sound good if you build and tune right. Don’t think you have to spend thousands to be loud.

[@jeremykeith6541]

Jl jd series has the same ability 2 power it by speaker wire also & With built-in clipping

[@Thumper68]

@@jeremykeith6541 your not powering with speaker wire your just getting audio signal

[@r.w.199]

they didn't want to lose the Alpine sponsorship at the store 😂😂 that kicker constantly puts out 780+ at 13.5-13.8 volts.. lmao

[@Thumper68]

@@r.w.199 lol probably

[@bryanCLXT]

love my S a60m pushing 1 10 and 1 12 no issue

[@R32gtr_adam]

I just bought the alpine swr-12d4 speakers(two 12”). I’m planning to do a sealed box. What amp would you recommend for it? Thanks

[@markmaynard8105]

Pdx-M6

[@trappanezeyt2209]

I got a kicker single l7 box and I got the kicker 800 amp is that enough ?

[@Opalacios]

I have a 10" kicker l7 500 rms 1000 watts max, what type of amp should i use?

[@scottkellogg8145]

I have a 12 in subwoofer in a ported box the wire kit I bought is for a 2 channel amp does it matter if I buy a 1 chanel amp

[@josephtreadlightly5686]

My brand new Alpine S-A60M still in the 📦 @ 2 ohms tested @ 795 watts. Soon it will be in my Toyota. 5 years ago I put that same Amp in my Honda. Does anyone know what the equivalent Alpine model was in 2016? Anyway that Amp with the Alpine 12" Dual Voice Coil sub have been flawless. My mids & tweeters r powered by the Alpine 4 channel 55×4 RMS Amp. Not 1 problem plus there is clean, clear sound with no clipping & never an issue with overheating. I live in a 4 season climate with a full 130* temp range & no garage. I'm impressed with the quality & reliability.

[@FletchyDog]

The S-A60M replaced the MRV-M500 in the Alpine lineup.

[@josephtreadlightly5686]

@@FletchyDog Yep, I gifted the car with that Amp to my nephew. Found the box & gave that to him too. Thanks.

[@FletchyDog]

@@josephtreadlightly5686 I've got an MRV-500 powering a sealed box with 2 JL Audio tens. Love that amp! I'm sure the A60 is even better. Great channel BTW...I just subbed.

[@josephtreadlightly5686]

@@FletchyDog The Amps from 30 years ago were so inefficient to these Amps we have now. I added an Amp up front for the component speakers in the doors. That little Amp was hidden behind my glove box. 4 channel Amp in 2 channel mode. 100W RMS ×2. Kicker KEY200.4. It's ridiculous what that thing does. Helps me put more into my rear deck speakers with my Alpine MRV-F300. The system is like a theater. I only drive this car 6 months a year so the 2 rear Amps & my new 12" Alpine sub & box r kept inside all winter in the 🥶.

[@rotwiler7674]

For under 250 I say the SoundQubed 1250 or skar 1200 both are around 1200 rms and 1700 ish burst @ 1ohm. Those both are around 175 and have clipping light in knob. For $250 you can get the even better built model with same rms. Or can go 2,000 watts in those brands for $250 or under.

[@deondiggs61]

I think these are amps he sells in his store.

[@markmaynard8105]

Skar is junk, Alpine is King, been around alot longer than any of the other guys... alpine technology!!!!!

[@onca6742]

@@markmaynard8105 is Skar not worth the money ? I was thinking of getting 2 twelves because of how cheap they are compared to others

[@RetroKong77]

Stetsom EX3000 EQ - 1 Ohm Car Audio Digital Mono Bass Amplifier 3000 w $188 or TARAMPS HD 3000 AMPLIFIER 1 OHM 3000W RMS $199 both of those are at @12.6VDC and if you want a amp that looks cool and is strong try Soundstream Tarantula Xtreme TXP1.6000D! Rockville dB55 is a great choice too. If you go with soundqubed amp make sure your electrical is upgraded.

[@alphaomega8373]

@@onca6742 GL

[@josel.corujo9729]

Hi the Kiker is Mono version, you recommended this install a JL 🔊 subwoofer 10 & #2 JL 6.5 ? In the Mono version I can install multiple speakers & sub ? Thanks

[@BreakersStereo]

Hello. No all these amplifiers are mono blocks you can hook up multiple subwoofers to them but we cannot hook up 6 1/2 inch speakers or any mid or Tweeters set up.

[@josel.corujo9729]

@@BreakersStereo thanks 🙏🏼

[@SoPiPz]

Got the Kicker

[@MartinTeerly]

I wanna get JLAudio monoblock and sub speaker 8inch. Speaker I want 250W. Shall I get the same power amp and bigger ?

[@nateclark3245]

Installer installed A 1200 watt mempis with 2 12 mempis m7 12s. It keeps getting hot and shutting off

[@rmblwgn]

look up black diamond amplifier.. offshoot of ds18. 900w for $110!

[@bobnewhart4318]

What's the best amplifier to run three 8" skars that stays cool and won't overheat and go into limp mode

[@andrewb4311]

an amp that can hold the RMS power of all 3 of those subs

[@uselink5-75]

I'm pretty happy with my rockford fosgate R2-500x1 (644 watt) powering two fosgate P1 12" SVC 4 ohm. 2 ohm load.

[@BreakersStereo]

Good set up !

[@harleymichael83]

The Alpine amp will probably outlast at least six different speakers. Class D stuff is nice.

[@lawrencemacdonald9454]

Alpine all the way🎉

[@josevazquez1194]

Hey nice chanel what is the best amp for 2 12 mtx terminator? Thanks

[@BreakersStereo]

What ohms are they?

[@josevazquez1194]

@@BreakersStereo to be honest i don't know

[@josevazquez1194]

They are 2ohm

[@LightningSkate]

Also have the same question

[@GunnyNinja]

Hmm, my Alpine is exactly 851 too.

[@Omardottcom]

They all say 851. It’s a bullshit make you feel good certificate..

[@dustinmelvin50]

Best for the money right now are CT sounds, 1000, 1500, or the 2k amp are mono block and under 250$, cant beat them

[@Todd_G_FPV]

Just got me two 6.5in tropos in a big box with at500.1 amp, it freaking slams for their size! Sounds like full size subs man it's crazy! Got it running at 1 ohm with a kicker loc in a odyssey van lol that open van helps the sound move!

[@nateyoung1762]

For $250, I would choose the SFB1500 from Sundown. Has Bass Knob with clip light included and makes like 1200w @ 2. Then for even cheaper power you got Taramps. MD3k for right at $250. The full bridge design makes gobs of power at rated vs the traditional board design.

[@vannatouch2172]

I still got my sundown audio sae600d still going strong.

[@drjd2real]

I was thinking the same thing. I don't really like Rockville but I'd pick it over these. You could also get more power with Hifonics. There are really too many to name. This video is kind of misleading.

[@gerardohtx207]

@@drjd2real nahh hifonics is trash… overrated they don’t put out the advertised power not cea certified

[@drjd2real]

@@gerardohtx207 You don't know what you're talking about. Even if the Hifonics is overrated it is more power for the price. I have 2 2400 watt brz Hifonics, and they are heavy. I'd put up against 2 of the 1500 Sundowns all day in a competition. I also have a Sundown sfb5000 and sfb200.4 so you're not talking to a dummy. The Hifonics amps are 7 years old and still work.

[@hoodiejay8311]

@@drjd2real no hate at all but i had hifonics 1000 watt and that shit was horrible, my 500 watt alpine amp did better than it

[@workingmanics]

Why would you cut rca cables to go into the high level input? I would think it would sound better going directly into the rca inputs. I know that you wouldn't have to run a remote turn on with some amps but aren't you sacrificing sound quality. I maybe wrong in my thinking. Someone please let me know if I am

[@stevemaniaci4750]

Dude that option is for hooking up amps to stock stereos without rca jacks

[@vernonbrinkley]

I am in the market looking for a new amp. I fried my Hifonics Zeus 2 channel rated at 2400 Watts (by my own doing). I have a single 12, 2 ohm rated 3,000 watt peak. I've been looking at the Kicker KXA 2400 1. 2400W mono. On paper as far as power goes is impressive. 4 and 2 ohm peak at 2,400 / 2,405. 1 ohm at 3,500 watts between 80/85%. With a price tag of $1,000. My question is. Am I able to reach that amount of power at a lower cost? I am in Midland Texas and that seems to be all I can find with enough power.

[@BreakersStereo]

We’ve got an amp that you’ll be interested in that is less than $500. It’s made by Soundigital and it’s 1 ohm stable 3000.1D Nano. 3000x1 at 1 ohm.

[@stevemaniaci4750]

I seen the dyno on that kicker amp an its over 3,700 wats burts an stable at 1 ohm

[@itsyeboi_pena2724]

for the jl 500/1, if i have 2 12s and bridge them what would the wattage be??

[@Maloney-ho6fb]

Probably over 600-700 idk if it’s 1 ohm stable though

[@michaelsoto6036]

Would that alpine amplifier be suitable for 2 -10' Rockford Fosgate R2 subwoofers? Each subwoofer runs at 200 RMS (400 watt max) and Impedance 2 dual ohm

[@BreakersStereo]

Yeah totally! Run it in series parallel to get the full power out of it. We have that amp on sales right now so check it out on our website.

[@Followjesusthetruth]

@@BreakersStereohey I got two skar 12s and. 1500 watt audiopipe amp what amp for 150 bucks or so would make them even louder bass wise ?

[@jerrysanderson524]

i bought a kicker 400 watt mono amp will it work with my kicker door speakers in my car also with my sony xav ax100 touch screen radio

[@rmblwgn]

no you cant use a class d mono bass amp for full range sound (door speakers)

[@jhirrellbush4395]

I have a jl audio 10tw3-d4. Should I run a jl audio jd500/1 or rockford fosgate rx500x1d??

[@Maloney-ho6fb]

Always best to match if u can imo

[@rgnuberoni4879]

Jl audio 500/1 all the way

[@markmaynard8105]

You said the kicker amp on paper was the strongest in the group, did you forget about looking at the alpine birth sheet?????? Kicker is not in the same category as a alpine amp..... love your videos though, keep up the good work.

[@bondalero0074]

Kicker & Alpine brands were always in my car since the 80’s along with Rockford Fosgate and they were always great products! I never got on the JL Audio wagon but heard some great systems using them. What did you mean about alpine / kicker category? They were my 2 favorites that always performed for me.@Mark Maynard#Kicker/Alpine#🔊

[@jrockaz548]

Picked up a like new cxa800.1 from pawn shop for 119

[@Wazza722]

the alpine doesn’t have a subsonic filter though.

[@ruchitpatel4256]

Hey I just bought a alpine bass tube with 1000w/300RMS but I don’t know which amp should I use please help me

[@henrywal]

RF

[@robertlee1145]

But for 2 12's? Which one?

[@happys104092243]

But yet you can get brands like skar. That putt down power that them amps can't for was less cash. Then you got the toro mr2 $80 amp the size of a phone an putts down 500w rms

[@bondalero0074]

Skar 800 & 1200 both were awesome and I highly suggest either!#Skar

[@davidlavalle7583]

My cxa800.1 birthsheet said 921

[@snnave1]

I think the Alpines all say 851 watts. Mine read the same and so have several others

[@ericalbers4867]

That would make sense. Alpine is serious about the catastrophic failure protection in their products, specifically their amps. They're all dynamic locked too (or whatever it's called). While they *can* throw out a lot of power during dynamic peaks (easily over twice the cert rating) they limit it to a strict amount the rest of the time. It's why you won't see an Alpine rated at 500W dyno at 1000W on a cert or even uncertified test. However for a very brief period they can dump every bit of their power for a couple power hungry beats. This is my understanding at least. I'm sure it stems from the idea that people are generally stupid. If you give them a 600W amp that can hit 1000W without clipping, they'll torch their car and try to sue the company that made the amp. Then it looks bad on that company.

[@bondalero0074]

I like Alpine and have had many in my day since back in the 80’s and only reason I went with Skar RP 800 it was cheaper and it can handle a lower ohm load (1 ohm) for my dvc 10” Skar DDX! I bought a new Honda Civic EX-T (grey metallic) turbo that gets great gas mileage (FJB) 36 mpg city/ 44 mpg hwy and LOVE my Skarred Honda Civic!#..

[@markmaynard8105]

@@bondalero0074 dude, you had alpine back in the 80s and switch over to skar audio, you get what you pay for in car audio.... alpine was the best way back then and still is the best, nothing better than clean alpine quality music , sure alpine can be beat in a spl contest, that boom boom stuff gets old, clean detail and clarity never gets old....

[@bondalero0074]

Call me old or old fashion I still have Alpine components to this day in wife’s murano but couldn’t pass up deal on their package for my new Civic turbo!#Skar/Civic#Alpine/Murano@@markmaynard8105

[@DaBuGzLiFe]

No taramps?

[@quevicular]

Anybody know much about a BASSWORX BA 1200 1.D ?

[@Amedina187]

I’d go with kicker 1 ohm stable and good price

[@azwhitesnake2092]

Alpine marks almost all of those amps at 851. Sorry to say, but it's a lie. Another channel that test amps on a Dyno rated it at a little over 700, but had the 851 on its sheet lol

[@alexbeltran4805]

witch amp do u recommend for one kicker l5 12 the kicker cx 800 or kenwood class d 1000 ??

[@rmblwgn]

There is an amp on sale right now for 114 that does 900 watts rms.. look up black diamond amplifier class d. its the small black one

[@stevemaniaci4750]

Those black dimomds get the job done for that price

[@yashawngraham3035]

@@stevemaniaci4750did u get the black diamond ??

[@Martinchvr]

Do a $399 version

[@BreakersStereo]

For sure. Thanks for the comment and suggestion!

[@RAW_Reality]

I feel like there almost should've been a (2b) @ 1:17... Dampening Factor. If your choices are 3 amps that'll push the same wattage for the same price, forget trends or brand loyalty... The best sounding of the 3 will almost certainly be the one that has the highest dampening factor. Ironically, it's also one of the least publicized specs on company and retailers' websites, for most brands. Damn shame.

[@BreakersStereo]

Nice point! damping factor: the ability for the amp to control the speaker. I’ll make sure to include that in future videos.

[@panchorcas4296]

Jl jd500/1 is a beast

[@javierortega4782]

Kicker 1200.1

[@pavlosstavropoulos2471]

You forget jbl clubs!

[@alexcidjavillonar7973]

I choose Kicker

[@henrywal]

Is it true kicker drain the alternator more than others.

[@marcovaldovinos5009]

Kicker all the way

[@Amedina187]

@@henrywalnever ever heard that before

[@michaelmckay8719]

I choose Boulder

[@stunner211]

I went with Taramps

[@codprocamp4690]

ALPINE PDX M12

[@NFSgamingEvo]

Right now alipne a60m is 149 amazon

[@alexdel-toro323]

Beat amp Skar rp series

[@markmaynard8105]

Skar JUNK

[@henrywal]

@@markmaynard8105 how I heard there clones of.......

[@cosasdepuromacho1247]

🔥💯👍💪👌

[@patrickomondi1849]

Someone send me one at least so that I can do it practically basically 1000watts will do good for me

[@tylerjamesoder91]

Again: I believe this to be margin driven. No way you can put the Rockford middle of the ground in this price range. Build quality is by far the best, CLEAN Tech, slightly less power than the alpine but much less profitable. Please be honest man..

[@tylerjamesoder91]

Is Chris your Alpine Rep what’s your area?

[@tylerjamesoder91]

You should also describe why you chose the hierarchy you did because in the beginning you give a layout about how things are graded.

[@tylerjamesoder91]

But I can’t seem to make sense of the rankings when taking these variables and characteristics into account. Why alpine over Rockford? Had to be margin because the only benefit to alpine is slightly more power. The benefits of Rockford: build quality, sound quality, layout, technology are much more abundant.

[@henrywal]

@@tylerjamesoder91 I agree RockF is a great audio company.

[@chriswein1531]

I was gonna do...is where u lost me

[@Barney-hk3es]

My picks 1. RF 2. kicker 3. Jl 4. alpine 5. Memphis

[@Omardottcom]

You forgot to mention why.

[@henrywal]

RFosgate had me rethinking car audio

[@jeremykeith6541]

Alpine is a Japanese company. I never liked toyota when I 1st stared driving i thought foreign cars was junk. In 08 I bought a my 1st 03 toyota camry an I still have it today along with 3 other toyotas. Never have fixed anything on my camry still besides tires, batterys an timing belt. So Japanese product are built 2 last. I would by anything that Japan makes b4 anything else. Wish jl was a Japanese company. Can't beat the jd series amps. Has clip indecater doesn't strain ur voltage and can hook up from factory speaker wires no need for a line out converter . Great fucking price for tge jd series.

[@markmaynard8105]

Toyota is the best vehicle ever hit the road, 80s toyota are tanks, but not the most attractive but the quality is so much better than the new ones.... Alpine use to be manufactured in Japan but now made in China buts it still Japan technology

[@perlaflores1750]

I have 2 12’ kicker comp r subwoofers what’s a good amp for those subwoofers?

[@BreakersStereo]

If your staying kicker do the CXA1200.1