4-Channel Car Amplifiers Compared: JL Audio, Alpine, Kicker, Pioneer, JBL and Hertz
Pick a small power pack like the Alpine KTA-450 or Pioneer GM-A4704 to give door speakers more clean power than the radio has. Pick an amp with speaker-level inputs like the Kicker CX 46CXA360.4, JL Audio JD400/4 or Alpine S2-A36F to add power to a factory radio. Pick an amp with a built-in DSP like the JL Audio VX400/4i or Kicker KEY 53KEY200.4 when you also want tuning, and a high-power amp like the Kicker LX 51LX500.4, JL Audio HD600/4 or Kicker Warhorse for component sets and big builds.
What a 4-channel amp does
A 4-channel amp powers four speakers, usually the front and rear doors, or a front component set plus a sub when you bridge the rear pair. More clean power lets speakers play louder without the distortion a radio's built-in amp runs into.
Every amp here is on our listings. We are an authorized JL Audio, Alpine, Kicker and Pioneer dealer, and Tony installs amps in our own bay at 8696 Atlantic Ave.
Side by side
This table is built only from our own product listings. Where a listing does not state a spec, the cell says so instead of guessing.
Power is RMS per channel as each maker rates it. Speaker-level inputs let the amp take its signal from the factory speaker wires, so you can keep the factory radio.
4-channel car amplifiers compared, from our product listings. "Not in our listing" means our product page does not state that spec, so ask us before you count on it.
| Model | RMS per channel at 4 ohms | RMS per channel at 2 ohms | Bridged | Speaker-level input | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine KTA-450 | 45 W | 45 W | Not in our listing | Not in our listing | Mounts to compatible Alpine receivers with the PowerStack bracket |
| Alpine KTP-445A | 45 W | 45 W | Not in our listing | Not in our listing | Made for select 2005 and newer Alpine head units |
| Pioneer GM-A4704 | 40 W | 65 W | 130 W x 2 | Yes | Class AB |
| Kicker KEY 53KEY200.4 | 50 W | Not in our listing | Not in our listing | Yes, 250 mV to 10 V | Built-in DSP with Auto-EQ microphone |
| Alpine S2-A36F | 60 W | 90 W | 180 W x 2 | Yes | Hi-Res Audio certified |
| Kicker CX 46CXA360.4 | 65 W | 90 W | 180 W x 2 | Yes, up to 40 V | Class A/B, KickEQ |
| Alpine KTA-30FW | 75 W | 75 W | Not in our listing | Yes | IP66 weather resistant |
| JL Audio JD400/4 | 75 W | 100 W | 200 W x 2 | Yes, up to 8 V RMS | NexD Class D |
| JL Audio RD400/4 | 75 W | 100 W | 200 W x 2 | Not in our listing | NexD Class D, buffered preamp outputs |
| JBL Club A754 | 75 W | 100 W | 200 W x 2 | Yes | Low profile |
| JL Audio VX400/4i | 75 W | 100 W | 200 W x 2 | RCA inputs accept up to 16 V | Built-in DSP |
| Hertz SP 4.500 | 90 W | 150 W | 300 W x 2 | Yes | IP55 sealed aluminum chassis |
| Alpine R2-A60F | 100 W | 150 W | 300 W x 2 | Yes | Hi-Res Audio certified |
| Alpine Status HDA-F60 | 100 W | 150 W | 300 W x 2 | Not in our listing | Hi-Res Audio certified, better than 106 dB S/N |
| Kicker PXA 48PXA400.4 | 100 W | 150 W | 300 W x 2 | Not in our listing | IP66 and IP67 rated |
| Kicker LX 51LX500.4 | 125 W | 225 W | 450 W x 2 | Yes, 1 to 40 V | LX Control Center included |
| JL Audio HD600/4 | 150 W | Not in our listing | 300 W x 2 | Not in our listing | R.I.P.S. regulated power supply |
| Kicker Warhorse 49WXA1000.4 | 250 W | 450 W | 900 W x 2 | Not in our listing | 1/0-gauge power inputs, runs down to 6.5 V |
Small power packs
The Alpine KTA-450 is about 7 x 3.5 x 1.25 inches, rated 45 W RMS x 4, and mounts directly to compatible Alpine receivers such as the iLX-407 with its PowerStack bracket. The KTP-445A is made to boost select 2005 and newer Alpine head units, and the KTA-30FW is an IP66-rated pack at 75 W RMS x 4 for vehicles that see weather.
The Pioneer GM-A4704 is a Class AB amp at 40 W RMS x 4 with speaker-level inputs.
Factory radio friendly
The Kicker CX 46CXA360.4 has FIT+ inputs that accept speaker-level signals up to 40 volts, and its listing notes a separate line output converter is usually not needed with a factory radio. The JL Audio JD400/4 takes line-level or speaker-level signals up to 8 V RMS, and the Alpine S2-A36F and JBL Club A754 both list speaker-level inputs.
The Kicker KEY 53KEY200.4 adds a microphone that measures the cabin and applies automatic EQ, and the JL Audio VX400/4i has a built-in DSP for crossovers, EQ and time alignment with RCA inputs that accept up to 16 volts so it can take a factory signal.
More power
The Alpine R2-A60F and Status HDA-F60 both make 100 W RMS x 4 and are Hi-Res Audio certified; the HDA-F60 lists better than 106 dB signal-to-noise. The Hertz SP 4.500 and Kicker PXA 48PXA400.4 are sealed for open vehicles, IP55 and IP66/IP67 respectively.
The Kicker LX 51LX500.4 makes 125 W RMS x 4 with selectable Butterworth or Linkwitz-Riley crossovers, and the JL Audio HD600/4 makes 150 W RMS x 4 with JL's regulated power supply. The Kicker Warhorse 49WXA1000.4 is the biggest at 250 W RMS x 4, with 1/0-gauge power inputs and operation down to 6.5 volts for start-stop vehicles.
How to choose, and how to get one
Match the amp's power to what your speakers handle, decide whether you are keeping the factory radio, and leave room for an install kit and a clean mounting spot. Our 6.5-inch speaker comparison lists the power each pair handles.
Everything is bought and installed or picked up at the shop at 8696 Atlantic Ave in South Gate, and you can ask about our Payment Plan. Gear bought here and installed here carries Stock moves, so call (323) 944-7844 or text (213) 674-9042 to confirm the amp is on the shelf before you drive over.
In the shop
Gear from this post
Buy Now, Pay Later
Alpine KTP-445A Head Unit Power Pack Amplifier
- 45W RMS x 4
- 2 or 4 ohm stable
- For select Alpine head units
$329.95
Kicker KEY 53KEY200.4 Smart 4-Channel Amplifier
- 50 W x 4 at 4 ohms
- Auto-EQ with mic
- Compact chassis
$299.99
Buy Now, Pay Later
Alpine KTA-30FW Weather-Resistant 4-Channel Power Pack Amplifier
- 75W RMS x 4
- 150W DPP x 4
- IP66 weather resistant
$499.95
Buy Now, Pay Later
Buy Now, Pay Later
Buy Now, Pay Later
JL Audio VX400/4i 4-Channel Amplifier with DSP
- 75 W x 4 @ 4 ohm
- 100 W x 4 @ 2 ohm
- Built-in DSP
$1,249.99
Buy Now, Pay Later
Buy Now, Pay Later
Buy Now, Pay Later
Buy Now, Pay Later
Kicker PXA 48PXA400.4 Waterproof 4-Channel Amplifier
- 100 W x 4 at 4 ohms
- 150 W x 4 at 2 ohms
- IP66 and IP67 rated
$499.99
Buy Now, Pay Later
Kicker LX 51LX500.4 4-Channel Amplifier
- 125 W x 4 at 4 ohms
- 225 W x 4 at 2 ohms
- LX Control Center
$599.99
Buy Now, Pay Later
Buy Now, Pay Later
Kicker Warhorse 49WXA1000.4 4-Channel Amplifier
- 250 W x 4 at 4 ohms
- 450 W x 4 at 2 ohms
- 1/0 power inputs
$799.99
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Read itQuestions on 4-Channel Car Amplifiers Compared: JL Audio, Alpine, Kicker, Pioneer, JBL and Hertz
Do I need a 4-channel amp for new speakers?
Not always, but more clean power lets speakers play louder without distortion. Small packs like the Alpine KTA-450 or Pioneer GM-A4704 are an easy first step.
Can I add a 4-channel amp to a factory radio?
Yes, with speaker-level inputs. The Kicker CX 46CXA360.4 accepts up to 40 volts, the JL Audio JD400/4 up to 8 V RMS, and several others in our table list speaker-level inputs too.
Which 4-channel amps have a built-in DSP?
The JL Audio VX400/4i handles crossovers, EQ and time alignment, and the Kicker KEY 53KEY200.4 uses a microphone for automatic EQ.
Can a 4-channel amp run a subwoofer too?
Many can bridge a channel pair. For example, the Alpine R2-A60F bridges to 300 W x 2 and the JL Audio JD400/4 to 200 W x 2. Tony matches the sub's impedance and power.
Can you install it the same day?
Often, yes. Call or text first so Tony can set aside time in the bay and confirm the amp and install kit are on the shelf.