Do you need the best amp for Rockford Fosgate P3 subwoofers? Well, you are in the right place to get all the essential information and make the right decision!
Any P3 Series sub of Rockford Fosgate delivers booming bass, provided you hook it up properly with a matching amp. For ensuring your P3 delivers perfectly crisp and clean sound and for keeping your car audio enclosure safe and sound, it’s recommended you connect it to a Rockford Fosgate amp.
Yes, you can use any other good amplifier, but we think amps and subs work the best if the same manufacturer makes them.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at our list of the best amplifiers for Rockford Fosgate P3 subwoofers (15″, 12″, 10″, and even 8″).
Best Amps for Rockford Fosgate P3 (Comparison Table)
| Image | Model | RMS (4-2-1Ω) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Rockford Fosgate P1000X1BD (Top Pick for 15" and 12" P3s) | 300-500-1000 | Check Price |
| Rockford Fosgate R1200-1D (Close Runner-Up, Best for a Pair) | 400-800-1200 | Check Price |
 | Rockford Fosgate R500X1D (Best on a Budget and a P3 10") | 300-500 | Check Price |
1. Rockford Fosgate Punch P1000X1BD (Editor’s Choice for Rockford Fosgate P3 15″ and 12″ Subs)
The Punch P1000X1BD by Rockford Fosgate is an ultra-powerful subwoofer amp capable of generating up to 1000W RMS, thereby making your vehicle’s audio system perform beyond expectations. Since the P1000X1BD can run a 1ῼ load, the amp can effortlessly drive a series of subs. The subsonic filter enables you to hold back and restrain unruly bass, while the low–pass filter helps keep the very high-frequency signals away from the sub.
However, if and when you wish to infuse that boom back into the bass mix, you can rely on the Punch bass boost. Rockford Fosgate has reinforced the Punch P1000X1BD with their proprietary CLEAN (calibrated level eliminates audible noise) platform for guaranteeing an impeccably clean sound. The C.L.E.A.N. setup is Rockford’s patented circuitry incorporated in/out clip LEDs to match a sub with the amp and optimize output.
Thanks to its steadfast lower-frequency response, the Punch P1000X1BD is fully compatible with subs and midrange (bass) speaker drivers. Equipped with the amazingly efficient Class-BD circuit geometrics, the P1000X helps deliver utmost boom much more than conventional amps. In addition, the stealthy top-mount goes a long way in shielding the controls and imparts an elegant look to the amp.
All 15″ and 12″ P3 subs from Rockford Fosgate will sound great with this amplifier. We recommend a 500 Watts amp for 10″ subs (please look at the third review on this list).
The Punch EQ allows you to adjust the bass boost up to +18dB at 45Hz, while the multi-signal RCA inputs can process Hi or Low-level Low-signals. Punch EQ can accept hi- and low signals without any assistance from a signal converter. The bespoke and innovative design of this Rockford Fosgate amp’s heatsink layered with a high aluminum mass facilitates the maximum heat dissipation.
Features
- Full-chassis Class-BD mono amp companionable exclusively with subs
- It kicks out a monstrous 1000w of power via a 1Ohm impedance
- Â CLEAN gain setup
- Class-BD amp design
- 1-year warranty
Pros
- It can handle any single Rockford Fosgate P3 subwoofer
- It is a perfect match for a pair of Rockford Fosgate 15″ or 12″ subwoofers (both feature the same 600 Watts RMS of power handling) at 1Ω
- It can also handle a pair of 10″s, but you’ll need to adjust the gains
- Dedicated low-frequency response for across-the-board compatibility with subs and mids speakers
- MOSFET power and output stages for optimal performance
- Signal-sensitive turn-on with speaker-level inputs does away with the need to use remote
Cons
- The massive power output could blow out your sub or mids/highs speakers.
2. Rockford Fosgate R1200-1D (Close Runner-Up)
The Rockford Fosgate Prime 1,200W Class-D Mono Amp is an exceptionally performance-driven amplifier capable of powering your auto audio without straining the vehicle’s electrical setup. Class-D technology goes a long way in making this amp super-efficient and also causes less stress on your car’s electrical system. This amp also comes equipped with C.L.E.A.N. circuitry, enabling you to fine-tune your gain settings for a pleasant sonic experience.
A 12dB/octave Butterworth crossover, along with a variable infrasonic filter and remote level control, lets you set your car’s subwoofer bass at the right level. The MOSFET power supply helps generate more power with gradual voltage increase while the built-in Punch EQ addresses acoustic inconsistencies even as it delivers up to 3times the bass. The R1200-1D comes packed with more power in every square inch of its circuitry than nearly all other amps.
For you, that implies your car’s sub delivers more thumping bass in limited space resulting in an unparalleled acoustic experience. The ultra-powerful R1200-1D belts out 400W RMS to a 4ῼ sub but pumps out 1,200W RMS when it powers a 1ῼ sub enclosure. It’s more than enough for any pair of Rockford Fosgate P3 subs at 1ῼ, 15″, and 12″, specifically. In my opinion, it’s too much for 10″ because you can easily save about $200 buying a less expensive amplifer.
This Rockford Prime Mono Class-D amplifier takes advantage of POWER (power output without excessive regulation) functionality guaranteeing an instant response to high-level demands from your vehicle’s audio console.
Infrasonic or subsonic filters and low-pass filters together with the Punch EQ bass boost facilitates tweaking your sub for excellent performance.  The infrasonic filter also comes in perfectly handy for preventing inaudible (ultra-low) bass frequencies from harming the vehicle’s sub-system.
 Features
- 12dB/octave Butterworth crossover with infrasonic filter
- Remote Punch Level Control (PLC)
- Heavy Cast Aluminum heatsink
- Onboard Punch EQ with +18dB boost @ 45Hz
- Frequency response range: 20Hz-250Hz
- RCA pass-through outputs
- Short-circuit protection
- Top mount controls
- Power supply thermal sensing
- Limited 1-year warranty
Pros
- Ultra-powerful Class-D mono amp pumping out 1,200W RMS power
- It’s suitable for all Rockford Fosgate P3 15″, 12″, 10″ subs, especially if you want to use a pair of them
- Top-mounted controls for easy and instant accessibility
- Balanced differential inputs and RCA pass-through outputs
- Rollback protection
- Onboard Punch EQ boost for generating and channeling additional boom where you need it
- Companionable with a 4-channel stereo amp for optimal reproduction of mids/highs
Cons
- Guzzles up gargantuan power (to play it safe, buy a tone generator for RCA output and a multi-meter for testing power consumption)
3. Rockford Fosgate R500X1D (Best on a Budget and for 10″ Subs)
The R500X1D is a high-quality, powerful Mono D car amp from Rockford Fosgate with a 500W x 1channel @ 2ῼ RMS. This amp comes with a cast aluminum heatsink, RCA pass-thru inputs, real-time output, short-circuit and overload protection making it perfectly compatible with the Rockford Fosgate P3 car subwoofer. Additionally, the R500X1D comes with a remote for bass control, phase switch, power supply thermal sensing, MOSFET power supply, high-level inputs, and muted turn on, making the amp incredibly versatile.
The Rockford Fosgate R500X1D amp is a veritable workhorse enabling you to make the most of your car audio. The Prime 1-Channel Class-D R500X1D is ideal for any auto’s audio system compatible with a dual-amp set-up, the first one powering mids/highs speakers and the other driving subs. The remote Punch Level Control lets you mount and install this amp on the center console or underneath the dashboard.
On the other hand, the R500 X1D mono car amp features built-in variable crossovers, pass-thru jack inputs, and adjustable Punch Bass for daisy-chaining another amp. Despite having a small footprint and compact, the R500X1D packs a punch- this mono amp can efficiently run a 500W RMS subwoofer. The phase switch spearheads your subs to fire on all cylinders along with other speakers, while the speaker-level and preamp inputs make this amp compatible with any stereo system.
Rockford Fosgate’s celebrated Punch boost, along with the low-pass filter, enables you to dial in the top-notch bass from your car audio enclosure. The hefty cast aluminum frame of R500X1D effectively dissipates detrimental heat from the internal parts, which eventually guarantees long-term performance. In addition, the integrated sensors constantly monitor power supply temperature and output current, ensuring failsafe protection from electrical overload and short-circuit.
Features
- Rockford Fosgate 1-channel Mono Class-D Amp
- Wattage: 500W
- Frequency Range: 20Hz-250Hz
- Onboard Punch EQ with + 18dB boost at 45Hz
- Â CEA-2006 compliant
- Installation hardware included
- 1-year limited warranty
Pros
- It’s a perfect match for the Rockford Fosgate P3 10″ subwoofers
- It is ok for the P3 8″s, but I would recommend a cheaper and less powerful amp for a single sub, e.g., the Punch P300X1
- Onboard 12dB/octave LP/HP/AP crossover with infrasonic filter for pairing with car audio sub and mids/highs speaker drivers
- Includes a wired remote for adjusting/controlling the volume level
- Class-D amp design which consumes less current from a power supply
- CEA-compliant amp meets all basic safety and environmental specifications
Cons
- An auto turn-on would’ve made this amp more versatile.
- It’s ok for a P3 12″ sub, but you won’t get all these outstanding subwoofers can provide
How to Find the Right Amp for Your Rockford Fosgate P3 Subs?
Choosing a quality subwoofer is undoubtedly the best way to guarantee that your car stereo/audio system performs at its peak.
Follow the steps outlined below if you’ve already bought a sub and are looking for an amp. Always bear in mind that if you’re planning to install several subs in your vehicle, their coil type and impedance should be identical. Guaranteeing that all the subs in your car stereo system have the same type of coil and impedance reassures you that they can be lowered uniformly.
Determine the Sub or Subs’ RMS (Rating) First
If you’re wiring multiple subwoofers, then multiply their RMS specifications to determine the overall or total (RMS) rating. Irrespective of the amp you opt for, the electronic device should harness 75%-150% of the combined RMS rating of the whole subsystem.
Find Out the Total Impedance of the Subs Wired Together
At this stage, you’ll need to find out the total impedance of the subwoofers that you have connected in unison. The figure you arrive at will be based on whether the subs happen to be SVC or single-voice coil (with one pair of terminals) or DVC (dual-voice coil with two terminal pairs). The Rockford Fosgate P3 sub comes with dual-voice coils for both its 2ῼ and 4ῼ versions.
So the total impedance of the 2 ohms model is either 1ohm or 4 ohms, and for the 4 ohms version is 2 ohms or 8 ohms.
Choose an Amplifier with the Same (or Higher) Power Rating
Go for an amp capable of pumping out the total RMS rating of your subsystem and at the cumulative effective resistance (impedance) of the wired subs. Car audio/stereo amplifiers feature a minimum of one channel up to a maximum of six channels. Choosing a mono or single-channel amp is by and oversized perfect for driving subs since the device can pump out plenty of power at low impedance or load.
If you want to buy an amp that features more power than your sub can handle, e.g., 1000 Watts vs. 500 Watts, you should adjust the gains later to avoid overpowering your subwoofer.
RMS of Rockford Fosgate P3 Subwoofers
Ok, let’s talk about Rockford Fosgate P3 subwoofers specifically. What is the RMS on a Rockford Fosgate P3? It depends.
- The Rockford Fosgate P3 15″ (2Ω and 4Ω) features 600 Watts RMS of power handling.
- The Rockford Fosgate P3 12″(2Ω and 4Ω) features 600 Watts RMS of power handling.
- The Rockford Fosgate P3 10″(2Ω and 4Ω) features 500 Watts RMS of power handling.
- The Rockford Fosgate P3 8″ (4Ω version only; 2Ω version is discontinued by manufacturer) features 150 Watts RMS of power handling.
That’s why the Punch P1000X1BD is the best. Most popular Rockford Fosgate P3 subs (15″ and 12″) work with it without trouble. The R500X1D is great for a single P3 10″, but I recommend more powerful options for P3 15″ and 12″ subwoofers.
Matching Subs and Amps from the Same Manufacturer
Do you REALLY need to use Rockford Fosgate amplifiers for the P3 subs?
Well, it’s our belief. Of course, there are some exceptions, but in general, you’ll never make a mistake if you choose an amp designed by the same engineers as the subs you already have.
That’s why we chose Rockford Fosgate amps talking about Rockford Fosgate subs. These amps are usually not the cheapest ones, but the quality is always good. We wrote a lot about this manufacturer and other RF amps in other guides, e.g., “The 5 Best Cheap Car Amps Under $200.”
Conclusion: The Best Amp for Rockford Fosgate P3 (15″, 12″ and 10″) Is…
If you want to beef up your vehicle’s audio system, choose a premium subwoofer such as the Rockford Fosgate P3, and connect it with a matching amp.
Our winner is the P1000X1BD. It’s an excellent amplifier for any single Rockford Fosgate P3 subwoofer. It is a perfect match for P3 15″ or 12″.
We also recommend the R500X1D for any Rockford Fosgate P3 10″ sub.