7 Best 1200 Watt Car Amps Reviews

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I have written various articles in search of the top amps in different power categories. From 1000 Watt to 5000 Watt, I have covered most of them.

But there is one power level I did not write about. The amplifier in question is a 1200 Watt one. That is why I will be writing upon some of the best 1200 watt amp that money can buy.

I will be crowning one of these products the winner in conclusion. There is even a small FAQ at the end of this article which will help alleviate some of your issues.

So, without any further ado, let’s get straight into it!

7 Top Rated 1200-Watt Amplifiers Comparisons

IMAGEPRODUCTEDITOR'S RATINGPRICE
TOP PICK
Boss Audio Systems R6002 1200 Watt Car Amplifier

Boss Audio Systems R6002 1200 Watt Car Amplifier

9.7
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Hifonics ZXX-1200.1D Zeus Mono Channel Car Amplifier

Hifonics ZXX-1200.1D Zeus Mono Channel Car Amplifier

9.5
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Kicker 46CXA12001 Class D Amplifier

Kicker 46CXA12001 Class D Amplifier

9.1
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Pioneer GM-D8704 Class FD Amplifier

Pioneer GM-D8704 Class FD Amplifier

8.8
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BEST BUDGET
Power Acoustik RZ4-1200D Class D Amplifier

Power Acoustik RZ4-1200D Class D Amplifier

8.6
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Taramp’s MD1200.1 Full Range Amplifier

Taramp’s MD1200.1 Full Range Amplifier

8.2
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Audiopipe 1200W 4-Channel Micro Marine Amplifier

Audiopipe 1200W 4-Channel Micro Marine Amplifier

8
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1. Boss Audio Systems R6002 1200 Watt Car Amplifier

TOP PICK
Boss Audio Systems R6002 1200 Watt Car Amplifier
$87.99
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11/09/2023 10:19 am GMT

Arriving in the first place is a product from Boss Audio Systems, a brand that I have been fortunate enough to check out before.

They make spectacular amplifiers that are loved by buyers who are reviewers, like me, alike.

This R6002 1200 Watt Car Amplifier is no different. With over 4000 positive ratings, it easily takes the lead over the competition.

Let dive right into the product details!

This amplifier is a great one. Although its peak music value is 1200 Watt, the RMS is close enough. You can get up to 900 Watt from this amplifier at an impedance of 4 ohms.

This is simply incredible. That’s not all! This amplifier is a full-range one. What this means is that it will send your speaker all the frequencies it receives.

There will be no quality drop whatsoever. Talking about quality, the amp has a Class A/B topology.

This topology combines the best of A and B to give you a superior sound experience. You are getting the efficiency of Class A and the lower distortion from the B side.

Combine these two, and you are truly getting the best of both worlds. Combine all of this with the brand’s use of a MOSFET power supply, and you are getting excellent sound quality.

The amplifier contains a crossover for both passes. A fixed high pass crossover and a low pass one are designed to stop frequencies from being sent to the subwoofer.

This ensures that the subwoofer only gets the necessary frequencies. There is also a bass boost option. It can be controlled with the wired remote, which is included in the box.

Buyers complained about hum and distortion at all volume levels. Some others also had audio-related issues.

It looks like the amp has messed up circuitry, or the company did not tune it right. The manufacturer must look into this issue and solve it as soon as possible.

PROS
  • Full range amplifier
  • Class A/B topology
  • Low pass and high pass crossover
  • Bass boost option
  • Wired remote for controlling the subwoofer
CONS
  • May have distortion 

This is a problem that I have not seen before in an amp. I have seen faulty products and even burnt ones, but this is truly a different problem.

The most probable cause of this is improper tuning which the company should fix.

2. Hifonics ZXX-1200.1D Zeus Mono Channel Car Amplifier

Hifonics ZXX-1200.1D Zeus Mono Channel Car Amplifier
$139.95
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11/09/2023 12:23 pm GMT

Coming in second place is a product from yet another highly esteemed manufacturer. Hifonics is a brand that earns a spot on almost all of my articles.

That alone tells you about the quality of the company’s products. This ZXX-1200.1D Zeus Mono Channel Car Amplifier is just as good as all those previous ones.

Let’s see what it has to offer!

The brand offers this amplifier in four different power options. You can choose from 1200, 1800, 2400, and 3200 Watt.

This is a great offering. Unlike the previous amplifier, this one features a Class D topology. In terms of efficiency, it easily defeats the A/B topology.

Small microchips work together to reduce the product’s efficiency. The reduced current consumption automatically means reduced heat output.

This means that the brand can shrink the heatsink size as there is less heat to dissipate. The low heat output has many advantages.

The PWM MOSFET power supply works more stably. It will consistently provide power to all the parts of the PCB, making sure there will be no imbalance.

The aluminum heat sink allows the amplifier to dissipate heat as soon as it is released. This makes sure that the amp will provide a constant signal at all times.

The low noise preamp creates a low voltage signal from the source device. This ensures that there will be little to no distortion. The impact-resistant inputs have hex screw terminals.

This is to eliminate the possibility of a poor connection. The terminals are also corrosion-resistant, which is very beneficial in the long run.

So, you won’t have to worry about reduced signal quality.

Buyers reported about some units outputting less than the advertised wattage. Others complained about them receiving units that were non-functional on arrival.

It looks like there is a quality control issue, which must be addressed by Hifonics as soon as possible.

PROS
  • Class A/B topology
  • MOSFET power supply
  • Aluminum heat sink for efficient heat transfer
  • Low distortion
  • Corrosion-resistant hex screw terminals
CONS
  • Quality control issues

Although Hifonics has created an excellent product, the brand should look into these quality control issues to make sure more consumers don’t go through the same frustration again.

3. Kicker 46CXA12001 Class D Amplifier

Kicker 46CXA12001 Class D Amplifier
$315.00
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11/10/2023 08:43 am GMT

Taking up the third spot is a product from a relatively unknown brand. The kicker is a company that I have never heard of before, and most probably, you have not.

To be honest, even the name suggests that the company is more of a soccer company rather than being an audio-related one.

Let’s see what this 46CX12001 Class D Amplifier has to offer!

The amplifier is a part of the company’s CX series. This is one of the premium series offered by the brand. These amplifiers offer increased power, flexibility, and unmatched reliability.

Well, I can guarantee that all three of these specifications are completely true. Unlike the previous product, this amplifier contains a variable crossover.

What this means is that you can set the frequency range to whatever you like. The frequencies out of this range will be omitted before sending to the subwoofer.

There is also a 6dB bass boost option. Although the increase is a bit on the low side, it is still better than nothing. There is even a 24dB subsonic filter in this amplifier.

All of this combined gives you unmatched flexibility. You can listen to your favorite sound to your liking. The amplifier can work stably at even a one Ohm load.

This means that you can even add more subwoofers to your system. That is truly incredible. The brand has included all the hardware you need for installation.

There is vertical and horizontal mounting hardware, which allows you to perform the installation process at home. You don’t need to call a mechanic to do the job.

Buyers complained about the sound value not being up to par.

They stated the bass was too low, and the setting of the 25Hz subsonic filter is too high. Some songs go below 25Hz. The amplifier will omit them.

PROS
  • Class D topology
  • Variable crossover
  • 6 dB bass boost option
  • Included hardware for installation
CONS
  • The sound may not be to your liking
  • Subsonic filter cuts off lower frequency sounds

Although Kicker has created a decent product, the brand must look into these issues and use a subsonic filter with a lower value. Other than that, you won’t have any issue with it.

4. Pioneer GM-D8704 Class FD Amplifier

Pioneer GM-D8704 Class FD Amplifier
$149.99
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11/10/2023 08:03 am GMT

Pioneer is a huge name in the audio market. The brand is known to create high-quality audio products that are used by thousands of people worldwide.

The brand is the most popular one out of all the products in this article. This Pioneer GM-D8704 Amplifier is a class FD one. This is a class I have not checked out yet.

Let me explain what this means!

It outputs a tremendous amount of power, which is much higher than a class A/B amplifier. Not only that, but the amplifier is also 50% smaller than A/B amps.

This makes it better in almost every single way. The variable low pass and high pass filter allow you to customize the frequency according to your subwoofer’s characteristics.

The subwoofer will not be overloaded because all of the frequencies will not be sent to it. The amplifier can also be bridged.

What this means is that you can connect two amplifiers at the same time. The amps should have the same model number.

You will get double the output when both of them are connected. The improved circuit design contains a protection system.

The amplifier has an internal temperature sensor that is active all the time. If the temperature increases, then the amplifier reduces its input level.

This is a unique way of saving the amplifier. Other amps just shut themselves down when a limit is reached.

The design also allows the amplifier to be connected to more than one subwoofer.

Buyers had various issues with this amplifier. Some complained about the amplifier entering protect mode again and again.

Others stated that their products stopped working completely. It looks like the company has a quality control issue that must be resolved as soon as possible.

PROS
  • FD Class amplifier
  • Variable low pass and high pass filter
  • Protection system that varies the power input level
  • Bridgeable design
CONS
  • Quality control issues

Although Pioneer is a good brand, it is definitely not perfect. The company should resolve these issues to make sure more buyers won’t go through the same frustration.

5. Power Acoustik RZ4-1200D Class D Amplifier

Power Acoustik RZ4-1200D Class D Amplifier
$84.08


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11/10/2023 12:23 pm GMT

Coming in a very close fifth spot is this RZ4-1200D Class D Amplifier. The brand name is Power Acoustik, and it is one that I have checked out before.

The fact that it has made it onto my radar more than once means that it is an extremely good one.

Let’s see what this amplifier can actually do!

The brand states that smaller products are the new norm. Everyone desires for their products to be smaller, for more space, while retaining the performance benefit.

Well, brands like Power Acoustik do that in the sound category. This amplifier has a class D topology.

Thanks to the microprocessors that reduce the power consumption considerably, the heat output is also reduced.

This means that you won’t have to worry about the amplifier overheating after a few minutes of usage.

This also means that a smaller-sized heatsink can be used, hence the smaller footprint of the entire product. There is a high-level input with an Auto Turn On feature.

This means that the amplifier will turn on automatically when there is a signal detected. This makes the product convenient to use.

There are built-in crossovers for both passes. Both have a range of up to 12dB. You can omit the frequencies you want, so the subwoofer has to work only on specific sounds.

Moreover, the brand has included a protection system that protects the amplifier from three main dangers.

There is direct short protection, overload protection, and even thermal protection. There is a close to zero chance that the thermal protection system will be triggered.

But, still, the manufacturer still chose to add it.

The product earned a respectable four stars. But that also means that there were unsatisfied buyers.

Those buyers did leave a one-star but did not leave feedback. The product itself has very few ratings.

PROS
  • Class D topology
  • Overall smaller footprint
  • Auto Turn On feature
  • Tri-stage protection system
CONS
  • Fewer ratings

If only those buyers had left feedback, we would have known what is exactly wrong with the amplifier.

Still, Power Acoustik is a highly trusted brand, and you will be more than content with what you receive.

6. Taramp’s MD1200.1 Full Range Amplifier

Taramp’s MD1200.1 Full Range Amplifier
$148.20


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11/10/2023 02:23 pm GMT

We are approaching the end of this list, and still, there are products that are highly competitive.

Even this amplifier, which has earned the sixth spot on this article, is an extremely good one.

With over 100 positive ratings, the MD1200.1 Full Range Amplifier is clearly popular among buyers.

This is a class D amplifier, meaning that it is one of the most efficient amplifiers on the planet.

Thanks to the reduced power consumption, the heat production of the amplifier is significantly reduced.

This allows the manufacturer to decrease the footprint of the product because a large heatsink is not needed. This is a full-range amplifier.

The amplifier will not omit any frequencies while transferring them to the speakers. So, you can enjoy the songs you like at the quality you intend to listen to.

No more suppressed sound and reduced bass. Talking about bass, if there is a need for increasing the bass, the manufacturer has included a bass boost option.

You can boost the bass by up to 10 dB, allowing you to have the depth you need.

The output impedance of 1 ohm means that the electricity can pass through easily. There will be little resistance. Hence the distortion will be reduced considerably.

The built-in protection system will turn on if there is a short circuit in the system, if the power supply fluctuates too much, and even when the temperature gets too hot.

The chances of the last two happening are very less, but the manufacturer had to give buyers complete peace of mind.

There was one buyer that complained that his 500 Watt speaker could not be powered using this amplifier.

The likely scenario is that he received a faulty unit. There could be false advertising, but I have never seen brands advertise more than double the real value.

PROS
  • Class D amplifier
  • Full range sound
  • 1-ohm impedance
  • Protection system
CONS
  • Faulty units sent
  • Fewer ratings

Unless there are more people that test out this product, you cannot know what to expect from it.

Trump’s is a great brand. But buying a product with fewer ratings is always classified as a risk.

7. Audiopipe 1200W 4-Channel Micro Marine Amplifier

Audiopipe 1200W 4-Channel Micro Marine Amplifier
$269.99
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11/10/2023 04:48 am GMT

Finally, arriving in the seventh and final place is this 1200W 4-Channel Micro Marine Amplifier from Audiopipe.

Although the previous unknown brands caught my eye, this time, I tried to find a product that is off the grid. There was no company better than Audiopipe in that regard.

So, let’s see if it is any good!

The first question you may be asking is:

What is meant by a marine amplifier?

Normally, marine is used with products that provide high wattage. You see the word thrown around a lot in the battery segment. Honestly, it does not belong here.

The brand is trying to say that the product can withstand harsh conditions quite easily.

The amplifier is a class-D one. It is highly efficient, has reduced heat output, and works perfectly for long periods of time.

The chips used in this topology are IR (International Rectifier) chips. These chips reduce the current input, hence automatically reducing the heat output.

The PCB board on this amplifier has been coated to give it IPX67 water resistance. This makes the amplifier splashproof.

To be honest, I don’t see any use for it, as amps are normally away from all sorts of water sources.

The adjustable 12dB crossovers allow the amp to cut off voltages that are not set in the desired range.

This is especially useful when used with a subwoofer. You won’t have to worry about overworking the subwoofer. You can also expect a clean bass output without any distortion.

The product has very few ratings. There were unsatisfied buyers, but they did not leave feedback. So, you don’t know what the problem with the product is.
PROS
  • Can withstand harsh conditions
  • IPX67 water resistant
  • Adjustable 12 dB crossovers
CONS
  • Fewer ratings

The fact that the brand is an unknown one has fewer ratings and unsatisfied buyers; I would suggest that you buy from other manufacturers from this article.

This definitely does not mean the product is bad. It is just not worth the risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is 1200 Watt Enough For Car Speakers?

Now, this is a question that directly affects your amplifier buying decision.

For most users, 1200 Watt will be more than plenty to power up your speakers. You will get a crisp, loud, and distortion-free sound, which will be perfect for daily use.

But the answer changes when you step out of this article and talk about other products on the market. There are brands that falsely advertise their products.

So, I cannot guarantee if those amps will be good enough for you.

Q2. Which Amp Wiring Kit Should I Buy?

Unless an amplifier crosses the $200-300 range, it is very rare to see products that come with included wiring kits.

You usually have to buy new ones. There are two types of wiring kits that you can buy.

Their names are OFC and CCA. People commonly use CCA kits because they are cheaper and offer decent performance.

If you really care about the audio quality, then you should definitely opt for an OFC wire kit. It costs a bit more, but the quality gain is definitely worth it.

Q3. You Mentioned D Class, A/B Class, And FD Class Amplifiers In Your Article. Which One Should I Buy?

First of all, FD Class amplifiers are exclusive to Pioneer only. In real life, they are D class amps, which have been modified a bit.

Let’s get to the main course!

D Class amps aim to provide excellent efficiency by managing the current they take in.

A/B amps, on the other hand, aim to provide high-quality sound which is crisp, clear, and distortion-free.

You should get a D-Class amp only if you aim to use it for hours on end. For shorter durations, all amps are perfect for usage, regardless of the topology.

Conclusion

Checking the buying guide to pick the reliable 1200 watt amplifiers for your vehicle

Choosing the right amplifier for your vehicle can be a daunting task.

One wrong product and you risk burning your subwoofer or speakers.

You really don’t want that. That is why it is always recommended to go for someone trusted.

At TaxiHack, my aim is to provide useful and accurate information, which you can trust.

You might be wondering which one is the best 1200 watt amp to buy. Well, the clear winner out of all seven is the R6002 1200 Watt Car Amplifier by Boss Audio Systems.

With the greatest number of happy buyers, I can recommend it to you, without any doubt.

Regardless of my recommendation, any product you choose, as long as it is from this list, is an excellent one, and it will surely keep you content for a long time.