Alpine has been one of the biggest names in the sound system industry, and this name is only growing bigger.
Alpine subwoofers are unique products that can be used in many places, from the house to the car and anything in between.
Your woofers will work even better if you connect them to a suitable amplifier. An amp will help build up the signal to use two speakers and have twice the fun.
With the right amp, you will be able to achieve the maximum power of your speakers. There are numerous products in the market, and your final choice could be somewhat troublesome.
All of the products do the same thing, and they only differ in specifics, so you need an excellent guide to help narrow down what you need.
You have to understand all the factors that play a role in your final choice of an amp. Let us break down some of the best products in the market to help you figure out the best match for you;
Polk Audio Mono-block Mobile Audio Amplifier | YAMAHA A-S301BL Integrated Stereo Amplifier | Pyle 4-Channel Bluetooth Amplifier | Skar Audio SKV2-200.4D Car Amplifier | |
Preview |  |  |  |  |
Dimension | 6.7” x 3.5” x 5.9” | 17.3 x 15.25 x 6 inches | 16.9 x 14.6 x 5.7 | 11.8 x 9.16 x2.5 inches |
Voltage | 6V | 6 V | 8 | 8.5 |
Brand | Polk Audio | Yamaha | Pyle | Skar Audio |
Wattage | 1200 Watts at 1 Ohm, 800 Watts at 2 Ohms, and 50 Watts at 4 Ohms. | 60W 2 channels at 20KHz | 1000 Watt maximum | 456 watts at 2 Ohms (4 channels, 14.4 v) |
Channels | Single Subwoofer channel | 2 | 4 | 4 |
Best Amp For Alpine Type R 12
There are many products in the market today, and settling on one might be a problem. If you select the wrong amp, you could end up damaging your speakers or the amp. You need to take a keen look at all the products before you settle on any.
Alpine Type R 12 speakers are high-end speakers that can produce high-quality sound if linked with an amp that can keep up with them. Here are some of the most powerful and efficient amps in the market for you to choose from.
1. Polk Audio Mono-block Mobile Audio Amplifier
This is a fantastic option from a well-known manufacturer for someone looking for a compact yet powerful amplifier that will work well for a car or a sizable house.
Specifications
- Dimension: 6.7” x 3.5” x 5.9”
- Voltage: 6V
- Brand: Polk Audio
- Wattage: 1200 Watts at 1 Ohm, 800 Watts at 2 Ohms, and 50 Watts at 4 Ohms.
- Channels: Single Subwoofer channel
Features
It has a class D interface design that will allow audio to get amplified without generating additional heat.
This will make it work well in small spaces without raising the temperature, and the audio coming out will be of the best quality.
This amplifier has a MOSFET switching feature that allows the amp to produce high speed and stable output in 1-ohm loads, convenient for most sized speakers.
This product also has numerous safety features, including thermal, short circuit, DC offset, and reverse polarity safety.
All these come together to protect the user, the amp, and the speakers from electric currents that would otherwise be harmful.
Its RCA terminals and connectors are plated with Nickel. This ensures maximum signal transfer, which will make the output signal as good as the input signal.
The Polk Audio amplifier has a level control that enables you to control the gain of each channel so you can match it to the voltage of your head unit for the best sound.
2. YAMAHA A-S301BL Integrated Stereo Amplifier
This is an option for a user who wants to get a stereo and an amp in one package to enjoy music even if you don’t have additional speakers.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 17.3 x 15.25 x 6 inches
- Voltage: 6 V
- Brand: Yamaha
- Wattage: 60W 2 channels at 20KHz
- Channels: 2
Features
It has digital audio input capabilities, which allow it to work with more modern forms of entertainment platforms such as HDTVs and Blu-Ray players. This increases the amount of media a user can enjoy.
The Yamaha amplifier has a pure direct mode which cleans the incoming signal to produce a better sound output that you can hear clearly from the speakers.
This product also has high-quality internal components and Top-ART, which come together to create an efficient system that performs optimally in numerous environments.
It has a custom-made transformer that is designed to meet the amp’s specific power requirements. This transformer will ensure your speakers get enough power while kept safe from the current going into the amp.
The presence of a variable loudness control makes it better to work with since it offers the user more control over their speaker volume.
3. Pyle 4-Channel Bluetooth Amplifier
The Pyle amplifier is the best choice for a user looking for a device that will give you freedom of movement as you enjoy your music. Bluetooth connectivity makes this product stand out, and it gives it added compatibility.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 16.9 x 14.6 x 5.7
- Brand: Pyle
- Wattage: 1000 Watt maximum
- Channels: 4
Features
This product is Bluetooth compatible, which will be convenient for you as it allows you to connect any source that is Bluetooth enabled.
This includes speakers, laptops, mobile phones, and many other devices; thus, it increases your media library.
This amplifier has a 3000-watt power output; this high power makes it a good choice for powerful speakers such as home theaters and Karaoke machines, giving you more space to enjoy music.
It is a 4-channel amplifier that will work well with high-powered loudspeakers in a wide range of sound environments.
The Pyle 4 amplifier supports several inputs, including CD players, SD cards, microphone inputs, and USB readers, making it more usable in the modern age of technology.
It has an LCD; it allows you to understand the settings better and change them appropriately and more accurately with ease to get the best audio output.
This product supports subwoofer output, making it easy to connect with most speakers, including Alpine-type R 12 speakers.
4. Skar Audio SKV2-200.4D Car Amplifier
The Skar SKV2-200AD is the adapter for anyone looking for a highly efficient and durable amplifier for a small car, a big van, or even a small house.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 11.8 x 9.16 x2.5 inches
- Voltage: 8.5-14 v
- Brand: Skar Audio
- Wattage: 456 watts at 2 Ohms (4 channels, 14.4 v)
- Channels: 4
Features
It has a class D interface designed to give maximum multi-channel efficiency to ensure you get quality sound from all the speakers connected to your amplifier.
The MOSFET 2 Ohm stable load output can power up most speakers, and it will keep your Alpine type R 12 in peak performance without risking damage.
The 4-way protective circuitry and ground input terminal come together to make the current flow in this amp more efficient and safer both for the user and the equipment.
It has adjustable variable high and low pass filters. These will allow you to change the settings and get those well suited for your speaker, so it gets all the frequencies sent to it, and it doesn’t bottom out.
This amp has a high-performing heatsink and heat dissipation system that work together to cool it off. The low temperatures allow the amplifier to perform better and last longer.
5. Home Audio Amplifier System
This is an amp that will work well for a wide range of uses at home, in the theatre, or at a studio since it is a high-powered appliance that can support high-quality output.
Specifications
- Dimension: 5.39 X 8.27 X2.27
- Brand: Pyle Audio
- Wattage: 240 Watt output
- Channel: 2
Features
This amplifier has two channels, and each can supply 120 watts. This makes it a reasonable option for most heavy-duty speakers; thus, you can use it in public address speakers, home theaters, and other sound systems.
It supports a wide range of inputs such as 3 RCA ports, a tape input, CD, and camcorder, which expands your choices of entertainment media.
You can choose between the mixing mode and pager mode on this amp. When you want to do something fun like karaoke, you can use mixing mode then change to pager mode when you need to turn off the talk over feature.
This amp has highly responsive buttons that will make changing the settings a piece of cake to enhance your experience.
You can use it in a wide range of situations since it has 2 options for power supply. You could use 120v or 240v, depending on the setting that works best for you.
6. Planet Audio PL3000.1D Car Amplifier
The Planet audio amplifier is a product from a reputable manufacturer. It will be a good choice for a user looking for a fantastic subwoofer amplifier, especially for a car.
Specifications
- Dimension: 11.93 x 7 x 2.26 inch
- Brand: Planet Audio
- Wattage: 3000 Watts at 1 Ohm and 1500watts at 2 Ohms
- Channels: 2
Features
The Planet Audio amplifier has a strapping cable that allows you to connect two of them to give you double the power, and you could connect more speakers to the system.
This product can support a load of 1 Ohm without developing transmission issues or overheating. Therefore, you can connect it to powerful speakers and enjoy high-quality sound without damaging any of your equipment.
This amp also has an inbuilt variable subsonic filter to eliminate low frequencies that the subwoofer can’t process. This feature will prevent the speakers from bottoming out and ensure better music flow.
A particular Class D setup is integrated into this amp to increase efficiency while reducing power wastage.
Instead of converting excess power to heat, this amp will store the power and use it later on; thus, it saves electricity.
It has a variable bass boost option to give you complete control over how the tunes coming from your speakers are calibrated.
7. Power Home Hi-Fi Stereo Amplifier
This amplifier is the go-to for a user looking for a flexible yet efficient amplifier that can work with many digital and analog signals of varying qualities.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 8.5” x 6.75” x 2.25”
- Voltage: 12 Volts
- Brand: Pyle
- Wattage: 90 Watts
- Channels: 2
Features
This amp offers two channels for your PA or entertainment system to boost your speakers. It comes with accurate audio reproduction with low distortion to keep the output audio high quality on two speakers.
It comes with a tone and direct switch, which enable you to determine how much bass and tremble get amplified. This addition will allow you to dictate the quality of sound coming out of your speakers.
This amp supports many devices, including Android devices, iPhones, Mp3 players, iPod, and a microphone jack if you want to do karaoke.
It is capable of an impedance of between 2 and 8 ohms which will ensure it can provide enough power for a wide range of speaker options and produce high-quality output with all of them.
This home stereo amplifier has crisp buttons that make operation easy even for beginners with its simple interface.
The amp comes with a high-quality, updated version that will not break down even when handling loud music and dealing with powerful speakers.
It has inbuilt safety mechanisms to prevent overloading, short circuits, and overheating. These are important to protect the internal components of the amplifier and other equipment, including your speakers.
8. Fosi Audio BL20C Audio Receiver Amplifier
The Fosi amplifier is a simple product designed to meet your basic amplification for a wide range of speakers with a high level of accuracy.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 4.57 x 4.84 x 1.30 inch
- Brand: Fosi Audio
- Wattage: 100 Watts
- Channels: 2
Features
This stereo amplifier is Bluetooth enabled, which means you can use it with mobile devices and Bluetooth-enabled speakers wirelessly. Wireless connections will save you a few bucks that you’d have spent on cables.
It comes with buttons to give you complete control over the tracks, bass, and tremble for you to get the best settings. This is better than having to go back to your source to make changes to the tracks.
This amp supports U-disk; RCA and Bluetooth inputs are convenient since you can use virtually any device as an input source.
It supports a wide range of speakers and audio formats. It can output MP3, FLAC, APE, WMA, and WAV U-Disk audio through a powered subwoofer or passive speakers. This gives you more freedom to choose your entertainment.
A Classic TDA7498E chip is integrated into this amplifier to give clear sound without any noise even when the amp is operating at high capacity.
It has advanced circuitry that makes it compatible with most Apple and Android devices and TVs, Laptops, and DVDs which makes it useful in today’s age of technology.
9. Pyle Wireless Audio Amplifier
This wireless device will work well for someone who wants to have many options for both input and output, with the addition of headsets to produce more personalized audio.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 6.89 x 13.78 x 3.55 inches
- Brand: Pyle
- Wattage: 750 Watts
- Channels: 6
Features
This amplifier has a 750-watt output that supplies the signal to its six channels. This makes it perfect for a PA system or a home theater since it can produce high-quality sound that you can hear well even in a large room.
It is equipped with Bluetooth technology to make it work with the latest mobile devices with simple pairing.
It can work with smartphones, laptops, tablets, TVs, and any digital device with Bluetooth connectivity.
The Pyle Wireless amplifier supports 7 inputs, including micro SD, MP3, AUX, audio port, and others, making it easy to connect and play music.
It has a talk-over button. Once you press this button, the music will pause to allow space for an announcement or paging, convenient for a PA system.
It has two microphone ports which make it even more practical for Karaoke or PA, where there can be multiple users at a time.
The controls and settings on this amplifier are simple and easy to follow. With the turn of a few knobs and buttons, you will be able to dictate all the aspects of audio output from your system without messing with the quality.
How To Choose The Best Amp For Alpine Type R 12
When it comes to powering your speakers and subwoofers, you need to take a step back and carefully consider what amp you will use. You have to choose an amp that is well suited for your speakers.
A good choice will help produce the best sound quality possible, and it will also help protect your equipment.
Choosing an inappropriate amplifier will put you at risk of damaging your speakers or the amplifier itself.
There are some crucial factors you need to consider when choosing an amplifier. Let us look at all these factors in detail to help you make the best choice when you go to the store;
1. Impedance
Impedance refers to the resistance a circuit has to the current flow, measured in Ohms. The first step for you is to find the nominal impedance for your speakers. You can find this on the Alpine website under the technical specifications of your subwoofer.
If you want to power multiple speakers, it will be a bit more complicated to get the total impedance of all the speakers. You will have to calculate the total for all the speakers then get an amp that can match them.
The nominal impedance for most speakers is 4, 8, or 16 ohms. For the alpine type R 12, the impedance is 4 Ohms.
If you get an amp that can’t attain the impedance of your speaker, then your speaker will be underpowered, and the signal getting to it will be weak.
This will ruin your speaker’s tone, and the output will be lower than what your speaker can. The correct impedance will allow the speakers to attain their top volume and work better for you.
If the amp produces more ohms than the speaker is designed for, it could spell disaster for you. It will cause damage to the transformer in your speaker or its output tubes.
These components will cause a complete shutdown, and you might have to take your speaker to the repair shop.
2. The Number Of Channels
One of the most important considerations when getting an amplifier is choosing one with the correct channels.
Generally speaking, the number of channels your amp supports should be equal to the number of speakers.
Each speaker works on its channel, so if you want to have four speakers, you need to connect your speakers to a 4-channel amp.
If the amp doesn’t have enough channels, some speakers will not work even if the amp is getting enough power.
Most subwoofers, including the Alpine Type R 12, use a mono subwoofer amplifier. This is a one-channel amplifier that is designed to power the subwoofer.
You can get an amp that is a hybrid with a mono subwoofer amp and other channels in one unit.
This will make it easier for you to use it on both Alpine subwoofers and any other speakers you could want to use.
If you have multiple channels, you can bridge them to get one speaker that is powered better, and you will enjoy a higher performance.
You also have to consider how much power per channel your speaker will need when talking about channels.
Each channel must supply enough power to your speakers; otherwise, you will have a couple of underpowered speakers.
3. The Power rating
Your speaker’s power rating can also be found in the technical specs, and there are several power ratings.
Peak power refers to the highest voltage the speaker can handle without damage in a short time frame.
If you get an amp that sends out voltage higher than your subwoofer’s peak voltage, then it will cause some damage to it.
The most important thing is how much power a speaker can handle over an extended time frame.
This is important since you will often use the speaker for a long time, say 3 hours or 4. This will be indicated as the continuous power rating of the Alpine subwoofer. It would help if you got an amp that will match your speaker’s power rating.
This will allow you to take full advantage of your subwoofer’s potential and enjoy the music to the fullest.
You have to be careful to ensure you don’t pick an amp that is too powerful since it will exceed the limitations of your speaker.
As a safety precaution, when you start to hear the speaker distortion, turn it down to prevent any damage.
Choosing an amp that can’t supply enough power has more chances of damaging your equipment than an overpowered amp.
If you have an underpowered amp, you will keep turning it up since the volume won’t be as high as you expect.
At some point, turning it up will cause clipping. This means that the speaker won’t get louder, but the waveform will get distorted.
This distortion could cause the speaker to overheat and get damaged beyond repair. Pick an amp that has about twice your speaker’s continuous power rating. A doubling of power is only a 3dB change.
This will allow the amp to comfortably power the speaker without overworking to keep the speakers working optimally. An Alpine speaker will serve you well if you use it correctly, so you don’t overwork it.
4. Amplifier Interfaces
This is an aspect that will be determined by how you want to use the amplifier. Amplifiers accept different interfaces; some amplifiers double as control while others are primarily for audio input.
Most amplifiers are analog boards, and they have relatively simple interfaces. They take in analog signals that can be single or differential.
Single signals are primary inputs with a ground, while differential signals have positives and negatives.
You need to be careful about the supply you use on your amplifier since it determines the type of signal going in.
Some amplifiers accept both differential and single signals, and these are the best to use since they are adaptable to most audio sources.
You also need to know if the amp has a digital interface. A digital interface will give you more input platforms to work with, which will make your work more flexible.
Before you buy an amp, you need to have accounted for what source you will use. If you intend to use the amplifier in your car, you can get one meant for this specific task.
Such amplifiers have interfaces designed to connect with the radio or computer in your vehicle to boost the music in your car system.
You can get an amp with a speaker level input for car radio, allowing you to connect the radio directly to your amp.
Such an amp interface is simple for you since the amp will adjust the signal on its own and amplify it into your speakers.
You could use a particular line output converter to take the factory speaker wire from your radio and change it to a level suitable for your amp.
Some of these converters will help clean the sound from your radio to give you a better experience altogether.
5. The Intended Use for Your Amp
You can use Alpine-type R 12 speakers in a lot of places. You could use them in the living room, your bedroom, your car, and anywhere else you need to. If you want to use it outdoors, you will have more freedom with its size.
While you need to consider how you will carry it around, you can have a bigger amp since you will have space.
Outdoor use also means you can use higher volumes; thus, you can use a more powerful amp that will use all of the Alpine speaker’s potential.
It would help if you got an amp for a house that won’t take too much space in the room. The size of the house and the needs of the occupants will determine this aspect.
A bigger house means more volume and a bigger amp with more features. If you use the speakers in your car, you will have to go for an amp with a more compact design.
This will allow you to squeeze it in small crevices like the glove compartment, under the seat, inside the dashboard, or anywhere else that won’t cause the users discomfort.
6. Amplifier Classes
You will see some letters when checking the specs of an amplifier. Some are class A, Class D, and other different letters or combinations of letters. This refers to the topology or the type of circuit that is used in the amplifier.
The type of circuit will influence how efficient your amp will be. The input-output compared to the output power will determine the efficiency of your amp.
An efficient amp will have an output power that is close to the input power. Thus it will limit power wastage.
Generally, class A amplifiers are the most efficient since they are dedicated to only one channel, and they do the best job.
Such an amp will not be a good choice for you if you deal with multiple speakers since you’d have to buy multiple amps.
The sound quality will also be affected by the speaker class you have in your amp. Generally speaking, as you go from class A to Class D, the efficiency of your amplifiers drops, making class D the least efficient amp class.
As efficiency reduces, you can also expect more heat emission from the amp and additional loss of audio quality.
In the end, you have to choose an amp that will maintain the quality of your Alpine speakers without producing too much heat.
The difference will probably be unnoticeable for basic needs like playing music, especially if the speakers are in good condition.
The most common class of amps is class D since they allow for multiple channels for speakers, which makes them serve more people.
Tips On Setting Up Your Speakers And Amplifier
Suppose you just bought 3 new Alpine Type R 12 speakers from Amazon and got a $300 Yamaha amplifier along with it.
You need to connect these two correctly to get the performance you expect from these high-end products.
There are simple tips you can follow to make the setup easy. If you get this part wrong, you could damage your equipment, or it might not work the way you need it to. Let’s get into it and give you the best configuration tips;
- One crucial factor is always to buy the speakers before you go shopping for an amplifier. Once you have the speakers, you will know everything your amplifier requires, including channels, power, and other specs.
- Don’t use the gain knob on your amplifier as a volume button. This is a system that works, but you shouldn’t use it. The job of the gain is to match the maximum level of the amp with that of the audio source.
In other words, when you turn up the volume on your audio source, the amplifier will get calibrated using this control, so it is at the same volume as your source. If you turn the gain up, your amp will start clipping which is bad for the sound quality and equipment.
- Be wise when choosing subwoofers for your intended locations. Don’t get excited and buy a large subwoofer that will take too much space and mess with the airspace in your room or, more importantly, your car.
Get a speaker of appropriate size that will work well with the airspace in your car. A small speaker might give a better sound than a large speaker if connected the right way in a small car.
- Use high-quality source music to get high-quality music in your woofers. The music file or recording has to be high quality since an amplifier will only boost the signal it receives. If it gets a messed-up signal, it will amplify that and probably make it worse.
One keen part of this is keeping away from compressed music files. Such files have been squeezed to take less space, and this causes the loss of some musical elements in the file. Why spend so much money on a system then feed it low-quality audio?
- Ensure all the peripherals are of high quality. You might have amazing systems with powerful speakers and amplifiers, but they will perform sub-optimally if the rest of your equipment is of poor quality.
There might be some noise in the signal, and this will get amplified into your speakers. The best thing to do is buy products that are above average or the best in the market, depending on what your budget allows.
Conclusion
Many amplifiers in the market will work well for your Alpine-type R 12 speakers if you deal with the setup correctly.
If you are looking for high-end performance, you should try the Polk Audio Mono-Block Mobile audio amplifier.
This is a compact, efficient and powerful amplifier that can be used in various environments from your car to the house. It doesn’t take too much power so that it can work for a car system perfectly.
Make sure you get the speakers before you buy an amp. The amp has to match the wattage and number of the speakers, so it will be easier to start from the speakers since they will tell you the exact amp you need.
