If you’ve already got a Boss Amp stand, then you’re probably looking for an actual amplifier to go with it. Your amp stand may have adjustable feet, a quick-release lever, an adjustable tilt-back design, and rock-solid stability to support a heavy duty amp.
While it’s important to consider the technical specs of your amp stand when buying the amplifier, it’s equally important to look at the product description and features of the various amps that you’re considering buying.
Having the right music gear is also about having a consistent high quality sound. It should hit that sweet spot of having great features, good reviews (e.g. 5 star rating), being from a reputable brand, and being priced affordably.
There are a wide range of amplifiers on the market, and there can be a huge difference in quality and price between them. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 amplifiers below.
Top 5 Options: Amps To Go With Your Boss Amp Stand
Below are five of the top amplifier options to go with your Boss amp stand. If you don’t have an amp stand, many of them are actually suitable to use in cars, on a motorbike, or even on a boat to provide enhanced sound projection.
Whether you’re in a band or you just want to practice at home, an amplifier is a useful piece of music gear to have. The amps listed below are more portable amps that can fit in your car.
If you’re looking for a more powerful amp for stage performances, then there are other options that may be better suited to that, which typically have more watts of power.
Our top five choices of amplifiers are all manufactured by Boss Audio Systems, which is a reputable and well known car audio brand that’s based in the USA. Boss Audio Systems have been making audio products for more than 30 years, and have a wide range of products which includes over 500 car, marine and power sports products. Their products are sold globally in over 130 countries.
1. BOSS Audio Systems AR1200.2 2 Channel Car Amplifier
The Mosfet Power Supply controls the voltage, which helps eliminate feedback for superior sound quality. The variable gain control means that you can adjust the amount of signal from the receiver to the amp.
There’s a good warranty with this product of 6 years (platinum online dealer warranty) for purchases that are made through Amazon.com which is quite an incentive to buy though the website.
Pros
- High quality sound
- 600 Watts Max x 2 at 2-Ohms / 300 Watts Max x 2 at 4-Ohms / 1200 Watts Max x 1 Bridged at 4 Ohms
- Fixed High Pass Crossover
- Variable Low Pass Crossover
- Variable input control which enables optimum performance properly adjusted
- Bass boost
- Remote subwoofer control
- Bridgeable
- Mosfet power supply
- Class A/B full range, 2-channel amp
- 6 year warranty (platinum online dealer warranty) for purchases that are made through Amazon.com
- Short circuit protection: automatic shut-off if it gets too hot or if speakers fail
- Easy to install
- Affordable price
Cons
- Sound quality and noise level aren/t well rated in comparison to other products (based on customer reviews on Amazon.com)
- No Bluetooth connection for streaming music and audio files
- Not compact or portable
- Not weatherproof
2. BOSS Audio Systems R4002 Riot Series Car Audio Stereo Amplifier
It comes with a maximum of 800 watts of bridged power (at 4 Ohms) and is a bridgeable class A/B amplifier with 2 channels. It has a Mosfet Power Supply, which means that feedback can be eliminated. You therefore get superior sound quality. It also has low and high level inputs, a variable filter, a variable bass boost and a remote subwoofer.
Fixed High Pass Crossover means that you can customize the sound, and a 6-year platinum online dealer warranty if you purchase it online through Amazon.com.
Pros
- 600 Watts Max x 2 at 2-Ohms / 300 Watts Max x 2 at 4-Ohms / 1200 Watts Max x 1 Bridged at 4 Ohms
- Variable bass boost
- Class A/B full range, 2-channel amp
- Remote subwoofer control
- Mosfet power supply
- 6 year warranty (platinum online dealer warranty) for purchases that are made through Amazon.com
- Fixed High Pass Crossover
- Variable Low Pass Crossover
- Variable input control enables optimum performance properly adjusted
- Comes with a Remote subwoofer control and cable, a High Level Input Plug, an Owner’s Manual and a Warranty Card
- Affordable price
- Short circuit protection: automatic shut-off if it gets too hot or if speakers fail
Cons
- Sound quality and durability are not as well rated when compared with other products by customer reviews on Amazon.com
- No Bluetooth connection for streaming music and audio files
- Not compact and portable
- Not weatherproof
3. BOSS Audio Systems MCBK520B Motorcycle Speaker and Amplifier Sound System
The MCBK520B uses a Bluetooth connection, which means that you can conveniently stream music from your smartphone or MP3 player wirelessly and there’s also a 3.5mm aux input.
It’s also weatherproof so that you can use it outdoors, and it comes with two 3-inch full range speakers that have adjustable brackets.
This class A/B amplifier also has an FM tuner, USB and SD card connections, and a remote control. Plus, it has a powerful 3-year platinum online dealer warranty if you buy it through the Amazon.com website.
Pros
- 600 Watts of peak power
- Compact size
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Connects via Bluetooth, USB, SD card and aux
- FM radio
- 2 x 3-inch speakers included
- Weatherproof
- Wireless keychain remote
- Adjustable brackets to fit handlebars
- 3-year platinum online dealer warranty if you buy through the Amazon.com
Cons
- Professional installation is recommended (which could cost extra)
- Not as powerful as other amplifiers
- Not as affordable as comparative products
- Sound quality and volume control are not as well rated compared with other products by customer reviews on Amazon.com
- Warranty is not as long as some comparative products
4. BOSS Audio Systems R2000M Monoblock Car Amplifier
This monoblock car amplifier has a lengthy 6-Year warranty in the form of a Platinum Online Dealer Warranty. You only get the warranty by purchasing online through Amazon.com.
In terms of affordability and value for money, this amplifier is a little more expensive than other comparable models. It also lacks sound quality ratings on Amazon.com when compared to similar products, which is something to consider.
Pros
- Class A/B Monoblock amp
- Mosfet power supply
- 2000 Watts of power
- High and Low Level Inputs
- Variable Low Pass Crossover
- Variable gain control
- Bass boost
- Remote subwoofer control
- 6 year warranty (platinum online dealer warranty) for purchases that are made through Amazon.com
- Short circuit protection: automatic shut-off if it gets too hot or if speakers fail
Cons
- Sound quality is not well rated when compared to other products via customer reviews on Amazon.com
- No Bluetooth connection for streaming music and audio files
- Not compact and portable
- Not weatherproof
- More expensive than comparative products
5. BOSS Audio Systems MR1004 Marine Grade 400 Watt Full Range Amplifier
Pros
- Affordable price
- Sound quality is well rated compared with other products by customer reviews on Amazon.com
- Variable Input Gain Control
- 6 year warranty (platinum online dealer warranty) for purchases that are made through Amazon.com
- Short circuit protection: automatic shut-off if it gets too hot or if speakers fail
- Marine coating has been applied to protect the amp from corrosion at sea
- Accepts pre-amp or speaker level input
- Low level RCA inputs
Cons
- 100 Watt output is much less power than other amplifiers
- Not bridgeable
- Does not have a crossover built in for subwoofers
- Contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm
FAQs:
How do you position an amplifier on an amp stand?
Just as there are different types of amplifiers, there are also many different types of amp stands (e.g. a Boss Amp Stand). Some are simple and just tilt the amp, while others allow you to make a height adjustment so it’s the perfect height for you and your needs.
Other amp stands let you to adjust the angle of tilt; having an adjustable angle means you can position the sound in the correct direction. Some amp stands have rubber feet to prevent slipping, while others may be very simple and affordable.
The benefits of amp stands is that they let you direct the sound where you want it to go, and help you monitor the sound during a performance. For small spaces where you have a lot of sound equipment, an amp stand can help maximize space efficiently and you may be able to tie the cab mic to the stand.
Depending on the type of amp that you have (and if it has additional features like amp legs that are extendable and adjustable), you can position the amplifier more precisely than with the basic models.
How to choose an amplifier for a car?
Amps are usually used in cars to help amplify the sound, enhance the sound quality, and to power subwoofers.
It’s best to choose an amp that’s easy to install, that’s affordable and in your price range, and that’s compatible with your speakers. If you want to only power the two front speakers, then a 2 channel amp will suffice.
If you want to also power rear speakers, then a 4 channel amp is better. If you have more than 4 channels you can also power subwoofers – otherwise it’s a choice between powering extra speakers or a subwoofer.
Power is another key consideration. For a compact car, you can get good sound quality if each speaker has 50-watts RMS per channel. If you have a larger car or you want more power, then you may go for 75 to 100 watts per channel.
If you’re powering a subwoofer, then bear in mind that if you use 100 watts RMS per channel you will need at least 1000 watts RMS for your subwoofer.
Final Thoughts On Choosing A Boss Amplifier
Boss amp stands come with a variety of features: collapsible design, angle adjustment, an adjustable tilt-back stand, adjustable height, wobble-free stability and a telescoping support arm.
If you already have the perfect Boss amp stand and you’re looking for an amplifier with the right weight capacity to match the stand, then the above 5 amps is a great place to start looking.
Consider the pros and cons of each model. Look for the specifications that meet your particular needs, whether you plan to use it for your bedroom setup as a guitar player (i.e. a guitar amp), to play in a band at church, or whether you plan to use it as one of the stage accessories for your rock concerts.