Best car amplifiers

Start with the CT Sounds CT-1500.1D — a 1500W RMS monoblock with a bass knob, the sweet spot for powering a single sub without overkill. It's the one most people should buy.

Who the others suit:

• CT-2000.1D — if you're running a big sub and want headroom to spare.
• CT-1000.1D / CT-700.1D — modest sub setups, or a first build where you don't need huge power.
• CT-150.4D — four channels for door speakers, or bridged for a sub.
• CT-800.5D — one amp for a whole system: four speakers plus a sub.
• Alpine PXE-C80-88 — a premium 8-channel DSP amp for tuning a full active system.

Match the amp's RMS rating to your sub's, and check your alternator can feed it.