Choosing the Right Waterproof Amplifier

Choosing the best waterproof amplifier can be a challenge, but doing so is extremely important to building an effective and enjoyable outdoor sound system. The reason for this is that audio amplifiers amp up a stereo’s input signal to produce a stronger version of that sound. In outdoor settings— including on the road, on the water, or elsewhere—background noise can interfere with your listening experience without proper amplification. This is what makes amplifiers particularly useful in high noise environments, including those that are home to motorcycles, powersports, and even boats. 

There are a lot of amplifiers out there, and most of them aren’t cheap; it’s important to understand your specific audio needs to choose the right one. 

The first thing you need to determine is what kind of environment you plan to install the amplifier in. Motorcycles, ATVs, marine environments, and golf carts may offer a significantly more limited mounting or installation area; if this is the case, you might want to consider a compact amplifier. If this amplifier is going to be used out of doors, you also want to make sure all your audio equipment is waterproof and dustproof, not to mention resistant to the damaging effects of the salt, fog, and UV rays that can damage audio devices over time. 

All of Aquatic AV’s amplifiers are designed with durability in mind and come in a variety of sizes for both compact and large-space environments, plus a variety of channel options. 

As of March 2022, Aquatic AV offers three different amplifiers for outdoor environments. The size of your installation/mounting area will probably be your first consideration, as each of these amplifiers differs in size. However, your next consideration will probably be channels. Every amplifier has a certain number of channels, each of which can typically be connected to one speaker or subwoofer. So, for example, a two-channel amp can typically be used with two speakers, or one speaker and one subwoofer. The amplifiers have gain controls to help match your stereo to the amplifier, plus crossover controls for full range and sub frequencies. The Aquatic AV amplifiers are digital and extremely energy efficient while being discrete. While some brands rate their amplifiers at a higher power with a lower cost, they rarely deliver on those promises. Aquatic AV prides itself on transparency with our customers so they always know what to expect from our devices. 

It’s important to consider the RMS Power of an amplifier to make sure it will suit your existing audio setup. 

The RMS Power of an amplifier refers to the number of watts it can consistently maintain without damaging the device. This is always the wattage that should be considered when shopping for an amplifier. The Peak Power of an amplifier refers to its maximum output capacity but operating an amplifier at peak power can damage the amplifier itself and other connected audio equipment, which is why audio experts recommend basing your choice of amplifier off the device’s RMS Power and channel capacity. 

It’s also important to keep in mind that the RMS Power of an amplifier must be distributed evenly between channels. 

For example, a two-channel amplifier with an RMS Power rating of 300-watts can power up to two speakers or a combination of speakers/subwoofers at a time; in this scenario, each speaker or subwoofer would receive 150 watts of power. However, a 400-watt four-channel amplifier could provide 200 watts of power each to the same two speakers or subwoofers, or 100 watts of power to four speakers or subwoofers. 

With so many options out there, choosing the right amplifier for your needs can be intimidating, but knowing what to look for and why can save you a lot of heartache and money in the long run—plus you get to enjoy the best listening experience no matter where your adventures take you!