The Product Analyst: What is the Best 3000-Watt Amp? (2021) Solid Upgrades For Your Car Audio

29 Amps Tested

500+ Hours of Research

1.1k+ Reviews Examined

Unbiased Reviews

Willie Greer
September 11, 2021

If you have a big system that craves a lot of power, then a 3000-watt amplifier could be the answer for you. Unfortunately, not all amps are built the same and you could end up with a system that is greatly overrated in terms of power. If you want less chance for this to happen, follow our audio team’s advice in this post.

Premium Pick

Hifonics BXX3000.1D

Editor's Choice

Harmony Audio HA-A1500.1

Budget Option

Rockville Krypton-M2

Reviews of the Top 3000-Watt Amps

Harmony Audio HA-A1500.1

The Harmony Audio HA-A1500.1 3000 W amplifier is 1-ohm stable. As a class D amplifier, it is extremely efficient, and powers your system without overheating. The system includes the remote mount bass control knob as well as speaker wire to RCA.

The way the amplifier was created allows users to daisy chain another amp or other media accessories. The mono amp has a 95dB signal to noise ratio and tons of user adjustable settings such as the adjustable bass boost.

You can also find the variable gain control knob on the front panel, low pass and subsonic filters adjustability, and high level and low level input sensitivity.

Pros

Cons

Hifonics BXX3000.1D

The Hifonics BXX3000.1D is a Brutus class D mono amp that is stable at 1-ohm. Unlike some other models out there, the BXX3000.1D has an impressive power output of 3000 RMS not and max power. There is a phase shift of 0 to 180-degrees and the signal to noise ratio greater than 95dB makes sure that you get crystal clear audio.

The Hifonics class D amplifier has a variable low-pass crossover to make sure it matches well with your sub, and the bass boost and subsonic filter will only work to create even better bass relays.

Pros

Cons

Rockville Krypton-M2

The Rockville Krypton-M2 is a dyno-certified 3000W amp is guaranteed to put out the rated power. The mono, or single channel amp is dedicated to subwoofers to elevate the bass quality.

The compact amp has an LED display, which makes it easy to read the status, power, clip indicator and protection mode. You can fully adjust the bass equalizer and the subsonic filter with the low pass filter will make sure you only get deep rich tones.

For efficiency, the Krypton-M2 has MOSFET power supply technology and the full-IC controlled protection circuitry will make sure the amp will last for a long time.

Pros

Cons

BOSS Audio Systems AR3000D

Boss Audio came out with an efficient and powerful amp that is the AR3000D. The 3000W amp has the potential to reach 6000 watts bridged at 2 ohm! There will be minimal power loss if any at all with the class D topology.

The Boss Audio AR3000D was reduced in size, and with a smaller heat sink and circuitry, the amp stores excess energy instead of converting it into heat.

The 1-ohm stable amp from Boss Audio has a variable subsonic filter and low pass crossover that will work to improve the audio from your subwoofer.

Pros

Cons

Taramps Smart 3

The Taramps Smart 3 looked great on paper, and our expert audiophiles were surprised at how well it performed in reality. The 3000 watts rating is the RMS power and not the max power, which is a huge bonus.

The compact 3000W amplifier has protection circuitry to guard it against short circuits, surges, and heat. There are a ton of variable controls on the amp, including a high pass filter, low pass filter, and bass boost.

The amp has an SNR ratio at around 95dB [1], which is what our team would recommend at the very least. For the best effects, look for ones that are over 100 dB.

Pros

Cons

3000-Watt Amps Buyer’s Guide

What does it take to be the best 3000-watt amp? Our audio engineers looked at several aspects such as the power output, controls, certification and more to determine the best ones.

Power

The power level for the amplifier is the key to its performance. Whether or not it can power the rest of your system will depend greatly on the power output. Our expert team says a lot of consumers are disappointed with the result from their speakers because the RMS and peak power output often get confused.

The RMS power is a continuous power output your amp is capable of without damaging the rest of your system. The max power is the rating at which your amplifier can go in short bursts. As you can imagine, powering your amp and speakers at max power will result in some damage. To not break your system, our team advises checking the RMS power.

We have featured car amplifiers on our list that can hit 3000 watts at peak power and ones that produce 3000 watts RMS. Which one you go for will depend on the power you crave for your system.

Keep in mind that how you hook up your amplifier and how many channels you use will impact the power output. For example, the lower the impedance, the more power you can gain. 1 ohm could get you 3000 watts, but if you go for 2 ohm or 4 ohms, the power will decrease. 4 ohms could probably get you 1300 to 1500 watts.

Vehicle amps rarely exceed 4 ohms, so most of them are quite efficient.

Impedance

The impedance of the amplifier has a lot to do with the efficiency. The impedance rating, measured in the ohms we mentioned above, indicates the resistance your amp has to the electrical current. The lower the impedance rating, the more efficient your amp is.

Aside from being efficient, the impedance also defines whether or not your amplifier is compatible with the speakers in your system. Take a look at the impedance rating for your car amplifier and your speakers to be sure.

Our sound engineers usually recommend a 2-ohm unit at the very least, but there are many options out there that are 1-ohm stable. The stable rating means the amp is able to deliver consistent and stable power at the said impedance.

Channels

The options on our list are mostly mono amps, which means they have one channel. Our sound engineers will dive deeper and explain what channels are in an amp, and how many you need.

It’s quite simple really, the number of channels you have should reflect the number of devices you wish to connect. For example, if you have a full-range setup with 2 speakers and a sub, then you would need a full-range amp, which is one that can accommodate speakers and subwoofers, and it should have at least 3 channels.

You can also go for an amplifier with more channels, such as a 4-channel configuration if it’s bridgeable. What’s a bridgeable amplifier? It is one that can combine two channels into one.

If you have a 4-channel amplifier and bridge two of the channels into one, then you will end up with a 3-channel amp. The purpose for bridging channels is to power subwoofers or speakers that need a great deal of power.

Mono, or single channel amps are usually just to power your sub. You will need more than one channel to connect to speakers.

Amp Class

Car and home theater amplifiers are the most common types that everyday consumers look for. Within these amplifiers, there are two different classes – Class AB and Class D. There are also class A and B amps, but those are far less common and aren’t used in average systems.

Let’s focus on the class AB and D. The greatest differences between the two types are the sound quality along with the efficiency. Class AB amps are the ones that have more fidelity and result in cleaner and more accurate sound. However, the class Ds are the most efficient type and have become the go-to choice for many.

Class D amps are smaller and more compact than the ABs, which is also why they are commonly seen in car amps. Since they are more efficient, class Ds are also the ones that run cooler and don’t require a large heat sink for high temperature dissipation.

The smaller profile of class D amps will also provide more flexibility when you’re trying to find it a home in your vehicle.

You will still be able to find AB amps for your car if the more accurate sound is what you prefer. Our team says the type you choose is up to you, both types can have excellent amps with top quality builds.

Outputs and Inputs

RCA and speaker wires are the most common inputs and outputs on an amp. High level, or speaker level inputs, are the speaker wires that run from the back of the radio, unlike the RCA inputs. Our experts would recommend using the speaker level inputs if your vehicle does not have RCA inputs.

Line level inputs or low level inputs, also known as RCA options, are the connections on amps that link the amp directly to the source. RCA inputs and outputs are a little easier to use, and more widely available. Our team would recommend using them as the first choice.

Wiring and Controls

The controls on an amplifier are the keys to customized sound. Look for variable controls when you’re looking for the best 3000-watt amp. What features does the amp come with? A phase control, bass boost, gain control, EQ and even an included bass remote will give you the freedom to find your preferred sound.

The frequency response is also very important. We would recommend 10Hz to start, but a frequency response 15Hz to 20Hz is also a good place to begin. The frequency response dictates the range of notes your amp can support for your speakers. A wider frequency response is generally better.

The bass remote is mostly seen on subwoofer monoblock amps, so don’t be discouraged if your particular amp doesn’t come with one. Your amp may come with all the features above and the proper wiring kit. Even if it doesn’t, you can easily find ones available online. One tip our sound team has for our readers is to opt for oxygen free copper wires.

An amp that features LED lights to indicate the status will improve user experience. You want to clearly see whether your amp has gone into protection mode, if it’s on, or if automatic shutoff has kicked in.

Size and Installation

The type of amplifier you choose will impact the size. As we said, class D amps are usually smaller than class ABs. The features present on and within your amplifier will also affect the size. Let’s start with class Ds. Since they are smaller, the installation and placement is much more flexible.

Many consumers like to place their amps behind or under their car seats. If you have a larger amp, this may not be possible. The same is true for amps that run hotter, because they need extra space to dissipate the heat.

How much space do you have in your cabin? If you don’t have a lot of space, then you will have to make sure to go for a slim and compact unit.

The installation also ties into the inputs and outputs. RCA inputs and outputs are easier to hook up while speaker level ones may take more time. You definitely do not want to spend more time than required when installing the unit, so if the map comes with its own wiring kit and mounting screws, it will definitely be a big help.

Price and Warranty

All of the features we mentioned above will impact the price of the amplifier. A few other features such as a MOSFET power supply, which will further improve the efficiency of an amp could also cost more.

To make sure your 3000 W amp meets your expectations, look for ones with some sort of certification. A CEA compliant or Dyno-certified amp will guarantee the power output it advertises. Other convenient features such as a remote control, the quality of the build as well as the brand can also push the price up.

You always want a high-quality amplifier made from durable materials, because it will likely last longer and not require you to invoke the warranty somewhere down the line. Speaking of the warranty, our sound engineers say a top quality product will usually come with a warranty of at least a year.

You can find options on our list that have a warranty coverage period for as long as 6 years!

Advantages of a Car Amp

Do I need a car amp? You may be asking yourself if you even need to spend extra on an amplifier. The key role of the amplifier in the car is to boost the power and the sound quality of your system. It can sometimes be tough for your speakers to drown out ambient sounds on the road, and an amp can really help that problem.

Think about an amp with 3000 watts and how much added power it affords to your entire system. Not to mention the cleaner and richer sounds and it also aids the performance of a subwoofer and speakers paired together.

FAQ

Is a monoblock amplifier a good option?

Yes, a monoblock amplifier is a good option. If you’re looking to power your subwoofer, there is really no better option. A monoblock amp is one that has a single channel that doesn’t share power with other devices. The mono amp is very highly regarded for superior power amplification.

Our Top Pick For a 3000-Watt Amp:
Harmony Audio HA-A1500.1

Our sound experts have chosen the Harmony Audio HA-A1500.1 amp as the top choice out of all the best 3000-watt amps. It operates at a stable 1-ohm load and the 3000 W amp has a high RMS rating of 1200 watts or 1500 watts depending on the impedance. The bass boost will immerse listeners and fill the entire car cabin with rich tones.

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The Product Analyst

Saturday, September 11, 2021

What is the Best 3000-Watt Amp? (2021) Solid Upgrades For Your Car Audio