• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Westminster Speed

Westminster Speed & Sound

(410) 857-5300 | CONTACT US | FINANCING AVAILABLE
  • Audio
    • Porsche Upgrades
    • BMW Upgrades
    • Car Audio
    • Digital Signal Processing
    • Marine Audio
    • Motorcycle Audio
    • Powersports Audio and Accessories
    • Satellite Radio
    • Car Audio Repair
  • Convenience
    • Bluetooth Technology
    • Navigation Systems
    • Radar Detectors
    • Rear Seat Video
    • Heated Seats
    • Remote Car Starters
      • Remote Starter Estimate Request
    • Security Systems
    • Smartphone Integration
  • Accessories
    • Lighting
    • Truck Accessories
    • Truck Bed Covers
    • Truck Steps
  • Driver Safety
    • Backup Sensors
    • Backup Cameras
    • Blind Spot Systems
    • Collision Avoidance
    • Dash Cameras
  • About
    • About WSS
    • Why Choose WSS?
    • Customer Reviews
    • Directions
    • Install Bay
    • Showroom
    • Demo Sound Room
    • Contact Us
  • Our Work
    • Client Vehicles
    • Videos
  • Facebook

Powersports Amplifier Upgrades For Fun and Function

February 21, 2021 By BestCarAudio.com Leave a Comment

Powersports Amplifiers

UTVs and side-by-sides from companies like Polaris, Yamaha, Honda and Can-Am can provide hours of fun on the trails or sand dunes. While some of these vehicles come with basic audio systems, none has the power to drown out wind and exhaust noise entirely when the pedal is to the floor. Adding a powersports-specific amplifier to the audio system is the best way to ensure that your music will sound great. Let’s look at a few amplifier options and explain what to look for when shopping.

What Does a Powersports Amplifier Do?

The job of an amplifier is to take the signal from the radio – be it factory-installed or an aftermarket solution – and increase the signal to a level that can drive the speakers. The amplifier needs a robust power supply so that it can also provide adequate current to those speakers.

Powersports Amplifiers
Extreme Audio near Richmond installed a pair of JL Audio water-resistant amplifiers in this RZR 1000.

What to Look for in a Side-by-Side Amplifier

Many companies produce great amplifiers for powersports applications. The amps fall into three classes. The best choices for those who are the most adventurous with their vehicles (i.e., elbow deep in water) is a water-resistant amplifier. These amplifiers can get wet or muddy without any fear of the internal components becoming damaged. Most of the manufacturers who produce water-resistant amps ask that you don’t submerge them, especially for long periods.

Powersports Amplifiers
This pair of MX-Series amplifiers feature an IPX7-rated water-resistant design that includes sealed wire pigtails and an access panel with a gasket for the configuration controls.

The second and most popular group of amplifiers falls into the marine-grade category. These amplifiers are designed with a corrosion-resistant chassis and hardware, and typically have a coating on the circuit boards to prevent moisture from damaging components. These amps aren’t designed to get wet or really dirty but should be able to shrug off a splash or two.

Powersports Amplifiers
This five-channel Rockford Fosgate TM1000X5ad was mounted high in the dash of this Polaris RZR by the guys at Certified Autosound near Vancouver.

Finally, we have regular car audio amplifiers. For a dusty, dirty and often wet environment like a side-by-side, these aren’t a great long-term solution. Debris can get into the amp and block cooling vents and fans. Without proper airflow, the amps can overheat and will stop working. If you are using your side-by-side in an application more like a heavy-duty golf cart and it’s going to stay dry, you might be able to get away with this for a while. We recommend staying with marine-grade or water-resistant amplifiers for powersports applications.

Powersports Amplifiers
You may have spotted this custom ARC Audio-equipped Yamaha 660 in Rascal Flatts‘ video for “Summer Nights.”

Whether you choose a water-resistant or a marine amplifier, you are going to need to decide how many channels the amp needs to have. The product specialist at the store can help you figure this out. If you didn’t bring the vehicle with you, having a set of pictures on your phone is a good idea. If you’ve already made upgrades, be sure to tell them. If you plan on adding more updates in the future, let them know that information as well.

Suitable amplifiers are available in configurations from single-channel, high-power monoblock solutions for subwoofers to four-channel full-range solutions to power your speakers. There are even compact marine amplifiers with as many as eight channels for complex systems. In short, you want an amplifier channel for each speaker on the vehicle and enough power to ensure that any subwoofers will play loudly without the amp distorting.

Amplifier Installation Is Crucial to Longevity

Once you’ve decided on the right amp or amplifiers for your vehicle, the next step is to ensure that they are correctly installed. Powersports amplifiers can draw a lot of current from the electrical system when the volume is cranked. So that they function as designed, they need to be connected to the battery with large-gauge, high-quality wiring. Wiring, connectors and protection devices (fuses and circuit breakers) are not items to skimp on. You wouldn’t buy a Porsche as a track-day vehicle, then outfit it with off-brand all-season tires to save a few bucks, right?

Powersports Amplifiers
Handcrafted Auto Marine and Off-Road in Chandler, Arizona, installed a pair of Wet Sounds STX Micro amps in the roof of a Polaris Ranger.

Amplifiers need to be mounted securely. Stable mounting not only prevents the amp from moving around as you bounce off rocks and logs, but it makes sure that the electrical connections won’t be unduly stressed from vibration and motion. Mounting locations and methods vary from vehicle to vehicle and may include composite panels or metal brackets. You don’t want wood in your powersports vehicle – it’s going to get wet, swell and potentially become moldy.

The last step in installing the amplifier is its proper configuration. Crossover and input sensitivity settings need to be configured correctly so that you get the most performance for your investment. Many shops use oscilloscopes and test equipment to optimize the installations they do. Hearing mention of this equipment is a sign that you’re dealing with a reputable facility.

Powersports Amplifiers
These MX-Series amps are mounted to an expanded PVC plate and steel bracket above this Stinger SPP1300C dry cell battery.

Enjoy Your Day on the Trails

Upgrading your side-by-side, ATV or even a snowmobile or personal watercraft with a high-quality sound system is a great way to make your fun-time even more enjoyable. Visit your local specialty mobile enhancement retailer today and talk with them about the amplifier options for your powersports vehicle.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: ARTICLES, RESOURCE LIBRARY, UTV Audio

About BestCarAudio.com

BestCarAudio.com is a showcase for the very best mobile electronics retailers in the world and a place to educate and inform interested consumers about existing and emerging technologies.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

OTHER RECENT POSTS

Powersports Speaker Upgrades

Powersports Speaker Upgrades Improve Sound Quality and Quantity

Powersports speaker upgrades for UTVs and side-by-sides are all the rage these days. Car audio … [Read More...]

Lexus Radar

Premium Radar Detector Solution for Baltimore Lexus RC350

A client from Baltimore contacted the team at Westminster Speed and Sound to ask about a radar … [Read More...]

Car Alarms Do More than Help Prevent Vehicle Theft

Car Alarms Do More than Help Prevent Vehicle Theft

Whenever the media focus on vehicle theft statistics, it’s a clear reminder that there’s always the … [Read More...]

How to Add Luxury to Your Car or Truck

Sound Deadening Adds Luxury to Your Car, Truck or SUV

One trait that has come to be universally expected among luxury vehicles is the quietness of their … [Read More...]

2020 Ford F-150

Helix and JL Audio Upgrades Make 2020 Ford F-150 Rock

A repeat client stopped by Westminster Speed & Sound, interested in upgrading the audio system … [Read More...]

2020 Harley Stereo

Stereo Upgrade for York 2020 Harley-Davidson Street Glide

A client from up in York, Pennsylvania, recently contacted the Westminster Speed and Sound team to … [Read More...]

Subscribe to Our Website via Email

Enter your email address and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Search our site with any combination of CATEGORIES, TAGS, or KEYWORDS

  • Category

  • Tags

  • Sort Order

  • Keyword

  • » Reset

Contact Us

Address

Westminster Speed and Sound
202 Pennsylvania Ave
Westminster, MD 21157
Phone: (410) 857-5300

SundayClosed
Monday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 5:00 AM
SaturdayClosed

Location


Get Directions to Westminster Speed and Sound

Copyright © 2021 Westminster Speed and Sound · Privacy Policy · Website by 1sixty8 Media · Log in · !