10 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
Nice amplifier for under $300. Awesome BASS!!
Date of Review: Mar 13, 2007
The Bottom Line: Want sound that will impress at a price that will also impress? This amplifier fits the bill, and it's built extremely solidly. I expect it to last a long time.
Introduction
When I purchased the Alpine Type R DVC subwoofer for my trunk, this was my first choice for an amplifier - and I haven't been disappointed! As the specifications are not yet listed (3-13-07) I will provide them:
Kenwood 9103D Class D Mono Amplifier
Class D Amplifier Circuit
1800W Max power
500Wx1 RMS @ 4 ohms
900Wx1 RMS @ 2 ohms (!!!)
1-ohm stable
Cast Aluminum Heat Sink & built in fan (fairly quiet fan)
Built in Infrasonic Filter (tighter bass response)
Optional Remote Control
Built-in variable low-pass filter: 50Hz-200Hz
Standard Warranty: 1 year parts & labor
Design/Controls
It's hard to deny the good looks of this amplifier. It has an attractive cast aluminum heat sink, solid construction with heavy duty metals, and nice looking blue LEDs. The terminals and controls really are user-friendly, just as Kenwood advertises. This is a very nice amp when it comes to adjustment. I have purchased amplifiers before that included the bass boost remote, and Kenwood sells the remote for this one separately instead of including it with the amp. This is not a con for me, because my deck has built in subwoofer volume controls, but it may be an inconvenience for others, like someone who is using the speaker level inputs or has a deck w/o subwoofer controls built in.
Sound Quality
This is where the 9103 really shines. My Alpine Type R 12" subwoofer is in a Q-Logic slot vent box measuring 1.25 cu. ft. Alpine makes their own amplifier for this sub, and it is a great amplifier, but for less money, this Kenwood will impress you greatly with the power and clarity it puts out. In minutes of cranking the volume up, I have to tone it down because I start to get a headache.
When I have the sub turned up and my music nice and loud, the mirrors shake, and I can fee my internal organs rattle. The sub is in the trunk, and I have not yet put dynamat in there to trap the sound, yet it still provides incredibly powerful and even bass. I have had the same sub, in the same box hooked up to a Fosgate Punch P600.1BD
Mono amplifier, and this Kenwood puts out as much - if not more - sound, and it's every bit as clean and accurate as a sound. I tested them side by side in the same conditions, too. The beauty is that the Kenwood is $200 less than the Fosgate.
Build Quality
With solid metal parts and a heavy duty design, this amp is built to perform and built to last. This 9103 is the upgraded model to the 9102, and I've seen so many of the 9102's punch hard for years that the new 9103 was an easy sale for me. I'm also glad to report that the 9103 did improve over it's predecessor. It puts out even more sound than the 9102 did, and it has improved cooling, a testament that Kenwood is taking this line of amplifiers seriously. I expect mine to last for at least 3 or 4 years, perhaps more.
Conclusion/Recommendations
For a $300 and under amplifier you will be amazed with the amount and quality of sound that the Kenwood 9103D puts out. I have yet to be disappointed with one of these amplifiers, and I've seen a lot of them in a lot of cars with a variety of different subs. I have, however, seen subs blown by this amp. Make sure you're not overpowering your subwoofers. Kenwood also offers an 8103D as a lower-powered alternative. I know one thing, it provides steady, constant, and powerful sound to my Apline Type R, and it hasn't shut off or gotten very hot on my once yet. It's definitely one of my favorite products for car audio, it meets my standards for bang/buck ratio, and I recommend it for you if you're trying to put together an above average system for a reasonable price.
Please feel free to post comments and/or questions if there's more you'd like to know about this sub
