*RELATED VIDEOS* 1999 Rockford Fosgate Power 1100a2: kzread.info/dash/bejne/rHV4p85sYKSej9I.html 1999 Rockford Fosgate 800a4: kzread.info/dash/bejne/aXuux8Oal8euadY.html See Playlist of Rockford Fosgate Videos: kzread.info/head/PLu98-M_EowHPDfvb2L7BuwCdogJF0DIRQ *SHOP* Elac Bookshelf Speakers: amzn.to/47Q6zw8 SAVARD HO12 Elite Subwoofer: lddy.no/1jdxd Support on Patreon for Early Video Access: www.patreon.com/OldSchoolStereo 3 Modes of the Amp Dyno Explained: kzread.info/dash/bejne/g2ShmLCscpCueMY.html See the 7 Days of Amp Tests Playlist: kzread.info/head/PLuodE1Zx7Y-6bhrEfCERSfl43EpB3P3lS *SHOP AFFILIATES* SAVARD Speakers: lddy.no/1i9ss (use code WAL7 for 7% off!!) Down4Sound - Shop4Bass.com Amazon - amzn.to/3wNX6Fn Crutchfield - howl.me/cjZI33auToW _DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase from one of the product links, I may receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases_

@detreknash4505

3 ай бұрын

I TOO WAS WORKING AT BEST BUY

That is a 25 year old amp. It is doing great for it's age and unknown history!

Back at n the day,I put 4 of these in a Sanger boat for a customer. That thing was insane. 4 - Punch 12’s and 4 pair of Infinity Kappa 6x9. He ended up adding an alternator and 2 more batteries to the system with a battery isolator. I guess he got tired of getting stranded from listening to his tunes too long.

@CtsV525

3 ай бұрын

Lol😅

A little stroll down memory lane. I love it.

I will never forget these days! I was 18 and Rockford was the cats meow. I worked at Best Buy in 2000 and it was timeless. We raked it in with discounts. I'll never forget the first time I saw/heard a 18" Solobaric (sp?) sub connected to a mono Rockford - holy hell,.....holy hell. That was literally and figuratively earth-shaking stuff. Just a great time for car audio tech. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

@CobraR1993

3 ай бұрын

I remember those days also at Best Buy. Back in 1998 at Best Buy they had a whole area where they sold car audio equipment. They had a test vehicle that was interactive on the show floor with buttons to press to hear the difference in speakers and subwoofers in the test vehicle. You could alternate the music also through a pre programed music playlist. Every time, I would press the buttons to get the best speakers (Cerwin -Vega) and I would play the Fugees The Score and let the bass hit.. man I miss those days...

@haroldcheatham7818

3 ай бұрын

Former Best Buy employees unite!!

@OCDRex11

3 ай бұрын

@@CobraR1993 YES! We had that too. Thinking back, it looked like a Tesla Roadster kind of. I think it was red too. Best Buy always pushed Cerwin, it was their staple. That and Pioneer I should say. Man, Pioneer 4-way 6*9's back then could hit when properly amped!

@OCDRex11

3 ай бұрын

@@haroldcheatham7818 YAS! Will never happen again. Those days are forever gone. We are so lucky to have lived through those car audio days!

@edwardmartinez6730

3 ай бұрын

Same, I was also an install tech. we were best of the best for years. we got hooked up with the deals on this era fosgate. I would kill for a head unit with sd card changer from this era today.

Anybody in car audio in that era knows these were top notch amps. Idc what the dyno says they put out alot of power for that time and nearly bulletproof.

@jessejkleffner7983

3 ай бұрын

It’s blew 4 6x9s @2ohm each channel then blew a mosphet 5no5h 1st day I hooked it up I’m unable to find one tho so I can’t fix it

The golden age of car audio. Stuff was pricey in them days but very well built. I sure did love the un regulated power supplies. Lanzar Rockford Orion.........oh man i miss those days!!

@bensonak47

3 ай бұрын

most of fosgate's amps are still un-regulated except for the constant power series but it's not as tightly regulated as JLs.

@F1owns

3 ай бұрын

Had 2 15" and 2 10" Lanzar Pros. Those subs hit so damned hard listening to Dr. Dre and Snoop. Can't forget Dj Magic Mike...

@derekgardin1512

3 ай бұрын

MTX also made some killer gear in the 1990s and early 2000s. Had a couple 12" 9500 subs and those things were nasty with a 1200 watt RMS amp on each of them. Very musical subs too.

One of my favorite lines of RF.😎

This was already way past the heyday of RF. The Punch and Power series amps from the '80s were some of the kings of car audio.

@barnes29510

2 ай бұрын

For sure!! The Punch 75 was a life changer for me..... No more cool down time for my beat up Majestic 500😅.

@pureblood3388

Ай бұрын

Anything past 1997 is "new" to me lol.

I'm still rocking a 400a4 from the same era as my main Amp. It's been awesome, and put in at least 12 different builds through the years. Ran subs for a long time too.

@-Primer-

3 ай бұрын

I have a 500a2 that was seized in a drug bust. Been through 5 builds now, and now driving (4) 8's @ 2 ohm mono. Still rocking !

@gahbah274

3 ай бұрын

​@@-Primer-A drug bust! That's a good story!

I HAD 2 360A2'S ON 4 BOSTON 15'S AND I HIT A 150DB IN 2001 IN A NISSAN HARD BODY WITH A SNUGTOP

@volvo09

3 ай бұрын

I love the hardbody trucks!

For a 20 year old amp, it did really well honestly

I know a lot of people didn't like the side covers but I did, it made it easier to do a clean install

Great video. For the comments being surprised about power output falling short, many of you accurately focused on the capacitors. So, YES capacitors do start to degrade by leaking around 15 years old. Since we don't know the condition of the capacitors in this amplifier, they should be replaced on older amps since they are the primary current storage devices for the power supply and rails. If you have a hole in your bucket, you can only store water up to where the hole is, same with current, right? For questions on why the MOSFETs don't use a clamp bar, it's because they are soldered to an extremely efficient substrate called T-Clad (MEHSA - Maximum Efficiency Heat-Sink Application). This substrate is then secured to the heatsink using those black hex screws. This eliminates the reliant on clamp bars for effective heat transfer.

@4xsanti325

3 ай бұрын

I’ve got the model before this one, it’s the punch 800.2 it’s got some mosfets missing on it as it went into protect, was wondering if those are still available to repair and replace, or at least schematics. I’m a local around the warehouse as well!

@1pcfred

3 ай бұрын

Wow shot Nichicon capacitors and MOSFETs in a Class AB amplifier. You say some crazy things. I think the one with a hole in their bucket here is you.

@littlejln213

Ай бұрын

I think everyone is just use to seeing these old beasts best their numbers so if ever they don't people are gonna be shocked. All us collectors know the truth. Gotta replace those caps!

Had the Power 800a2 on a pair of HX2 12s and a 600a4 on the highs in a Extended cab Ranger. That thing got down

@ernestgary6812

3 ай бұрын

Bro!!!! I literally was about to post that I had a 800.a2 on 2 he2 12" in a sealed box... beating the dog out of the little geo metro u was driving. Those amps were beast and I regret getting rid of it

@jamesgunshefskijr7079

2 ай бұрын

I had that same setup ...car would shake!!! Didn't have same highs setup but sub kicked

@mikelongsta5699

Ай бұрын

I had a 800 a2 on 2 punch hx2 15s in a Explorer Sport it hit pretty hard back in 99/00 I had 3 JL audio W6 10s ran in series with the Punch 800 a2 with all alpine highs on a punch 160.4 and alpine deck those 3 10s in my Black on black 90 5 speed Foxbody was just as good as the 2 15s I loved the 10s but I think I loved the foxbody GT with Chrome Ponies and exhaust cold air intake so much that car turned so many heads back then I'm building another

Yes finally punch amps, loved my 1990 ,1991 punch 150 that thing was a monster

I used to run two Rockford Punch 800@2 with two power DVC Rockford 15s at 2 ohms mono. Did extremely well for the two woofer class at the time. Unfortunately, the Rockford PowerDVC 15s would melt the voice coil to the magnet every couple contest. Even though I was sponsored by my local Rockford rep Rockford warranty for the woofers was not happy with me. Most of the time the wolfers were not repairable. They had to replace the magnet because they could not get the voice coil out of it. But that was the point of DB dragration you pushed it till something broke. Just a win.

These B&G’s were a staple for so long.

@wal

3 ай бұрын

I don't see nuttin wrong, wif a little black and grind...

@cityboy1957

3 ай бұрын

The first series B&G's (the .2 & .4) were noticeably stronger than the second series (the @2 & @4). The first series could also take more abuse than the second series

🤘Rockford Fosgate🤘 Love all these Oldschool amps 👍🆙️

I ran a 600a4 and 2 500a2s in my jeep pushing 4 Rockford 12’s I loved the sound of that thing.

I had this model amp on two HX2 12" subs in a sealed box and man was it awesome❤

My buddy just picked up an MTX 250 Thunder amplifier used for a good price. And the manufacturing date was 10/1999. Naturally I took off the back panel and inspected it and no leaky capacitors, everything looked good. So putting it back together is when I saw just the most amazing thing on the amp cover. It said: "Made in America"! Sure enough, when we got it installed it worked just fine. So MTX used to be honestly the "real deal" when it came to car stereo amplifiers. I guess you learn something new every day. lol Because, the video I saw of a recently tested MTX amp on the channel ended up with the "Dick Rickulous" seal of approval. lol

We (Rockford Dealers) asked our reps the exact questions you have with the 800a2 and its perceived underperformance (for a Rockford Product...). The answers we got was that the amp was originally designed to be rated at 150 watts RMS X 2 @ 4 ohms or 600 watts RMS @ 4 ohms mono but it fit in the model lineup better calling it an 800 watt class amp. It was in direct competition with the MTX2300, and it looks better on paper rated higher than its competition, even if it barely makes the ratings. It certainly fits the mold to have been called a Punch 600a2. The Power 1000a2 or 1100a2 (or whichever it was designated for the 1999 model year) was a straight up beast for the day. I owned a shop in '99 and had a 800a2 on a 3-way MB Quart component set and a Power 1100a2 on a pair of HE2 12's in my personal car for shop demo. Both amps performed extremely well in that setup and lasted for years without issue. Anyway, it might've been just an excuse for an underperforming product, but it certainly made sense.

I was an installer on and off for 30 years. My first system was original Punch amps/Polk MM speakers, Punch SPP!24 and Alpine source. I remember all that followed. At one point I possessed a Fosgate "Gavotte". I remember when good amps commanded $3/watt.

I've got several collecting dust. Around 70 plus Fosgate from all vintages. Don't fo car audio anymore but kept buying them. Even have a matched pair of 500 chrome with end caps. Nice amps

@csj9619

3 ай бұрын

HOARDER! just kidding. kinda

I had the power series 400.2 and a punch 360.2 . Also, a 100.2 and a punch 45 ,all transanna models. They were great amps

In 2000-2001 I put two RF Punch 10’s with that amp behind the seat of my 84 Chevy S10 standard cab. Good times.

Rockford Fosgate still punches even today's amps 👍

@BassheadGTP

3 ай бұрын

Rf power at 12.8... Most amps today are 14.4... i wonder why? lol

Punch 800a2 was a fantastic amp. Nobody ran these amps at 4ohms.

@magnumcipher4971

3 ай бұрын

Facts. If you could help it at least. 2.67 ohms mono was the sweet spot.

I still have mine from 1999. I had a lot of different subs run through this thing and it held up perfectly! 2 JL w6 15's, 2 sound stream SPL 15's, and 2 kicker Solo 15's

@NightshiftCustom

3 ай бұрын

still got mine also! always ran rockford amps for anything

In 98 I had bought the last series before they went to these "a2" series. Had two Punch 125s on 4 Punch DVC 12s and two Punch 45s for highs and mids. Did a 151.9 at the DB drag wired to 1 ohm in a 97 ext cab Chevy with a wall. Till this day I regret selling the amps. I ended up keeping 1 of the 12s. Good memories and Thanks Big D!

Best amps I’ve ever owned. I’ve had 800a2, 800a4 and 1100a2c. Boy they got hot as hell but never shut down. I had the link and the 2 800s together went almost all the way across the trunk.

1100 watts on the Savard H.O... Great spider 🕷 control in free air. Great Video 📹 Big D

Back in the latest of the 90's when people used to "cruise the ave" it basically a car audio demo of different brands nightly, Rockford Fosgate always were more powerful audio set ups.

I had 4 of these 800a2 amps, 2 500a2, a power 250x2, a 250a2 and a couple others and they all were amazing.

I sure miss my 1998 Pontiac Grand AM. TSW Spirit 18x8's. RF 800a4 and 1100a2. Boston Acoustics 3-way components up front, 6.5 in the door, mid and tweet in custom kicks. 4 x JL audio 12w3's in a custom, sealed fiberglass enclosure and completely hidden as a false floor. Trunk was still 100% usable, except I had no spare tire. Amps were mounted horizontally inside the trunk on either side of the trunk lid latch area and were flush mounted with a custom carpeted enclosure around them. Al & Ed's Auto Sound of Rancho Cucamonga, CA did all the work and Brent (I think) did a fantastic job! Later down the road they added a JL Audio 8w something in a custom fiberglass box that was mounted in the center console under dash. Also added a Rockford Fosgate Symmetry. Yellow top battery and power cap. They removed it all in 2002, I sold it all off and bought a 2002 Subaru WRX. If I had it to do over I would've kept the Grand AM as it was! Stuck in LA traffic, but cranking Metallica, ZZ Top, Van Halen, etc sure made things better! :P

@gahbah274

3 ай бұрын

All that bass and you played zz top!

@ryanwalters6184

Ай бұрын

Wow i best that set up rocked. I had a 96 chevy Camaro with a 800a2 powering 3x jl 10w6 with alpine highs. Still my favorite sounding car i had.

One of the best sounding amps I've ever owned. I still have two of the 500@2 amps

I am feeling like its a party 🎉in 99... blows my mind 🤯😉

@df5849

3 ай бұрын

.... The 1100a2 video Big D has .... Yes it's really got that much power @ 1ohm mono.... 😊 , 8 Punch Hx2 12s on a 1100a2 in a 94 ext cab Chevy w/ no back seat....

I loved those 800a2's they were great. The punch series were the best in my book.

I was really surprised it barely did its power! Killed it with dynamic power though! Great video as always Mr. Williston!

@BDauto86

3 ай бұрын

Me too but over 1100 on woofer shows the real truth. Pretty impressive performance for 25yr old electronic.

@RJSDZNS

3 ай бұрын

@@BDauto86 agreed

@JasonWW2000

3 ай бұрын

The electrolytic caps inside might be getting awfully tired/dried out.

@LionWithTheLamb

3 ай бұрын

@@JasonWW2000 Exactly that, 25 years is a LONG time for caps even premium ones.

@1pcfred

3 ай бұрын

@@LionWithTheLamb not really. We've been conditioned to accept capacitor failure. But done right that doesn't always have to be the case. Eventually sure. But this here proves eventually can be a very long time.

Thanks a million, I was dying to see what these beast’s did at 2ohms as we used them for mids here in Philadelphia. We like our music load. Big shout out Big D for these amp dynos.

Back in the day all u need was a Rockford Punch amp,Solo baric subs and an Alpine deck..the Rockford amp still looks beautiful compared to newer amps..the heat sinks are huge..i miss having a system..my last one was stolen and i drive BigBoy cars now,,but one day i will put in some 10 inch solo barics,punch amp with a capacitor..i miss the deep bass drop when listening to music,,then again i think im deaf in one ear due ro all the loud music back then..😂😂😂..my last system was in an integra..alpine deck,fockord amp to run my mids and highs,12 inch solo barics, Rockford 1.5 farad capaciter,and Alpine 1250w i yhink it was a mono amp bit somehow i was able to bridge it..that shit knocked so hard and was so clear i remember folks running up to the car to say it sound perfect.

The RF Punch amps are all I ran back in the early 2000's. I still have a few sitting around :-)

Brought back a memory of riding down to Kansas in a station wagon for illegal fireworks. He had two 12s on one of these and it was loud until it wasn't because these punch amps always seemed to overheat on long drives.

I had a few of these amps back in the day as well.

Had one of those on 2 HX2 12's in a civic that was extreme dynamat lined. One of the best systems I had.

I remember these days :) I was installing at Best Buy during the initial release of Rockford Fosgate products. We sold a lot of the amps and subwoofers. The Rockford CD players were not great, and the coaxial speakers didn't fit many of the vehicles we had coming in. Overall, we loved the amps and subs.

still the best looking RF amps EVER.

I wish i could find a couple of the 800.2’s that had the chrome removable panels. I had 2 of those on 4 ‘07 Cvr 15’s in a sealed box in my 2000 Impala. That thing sounded so good, and all the equipment lasted YEARS. Unfortunately, it all got stolen when I was out of town for work. Came home and it was all gone.

My brother had 2 of these in his 97 Tahoe back then when these released was bumping like crazy.

Thank you been waiting for this

I still rock my 600a4 and my power 1000x1 they have not skipped a beat 😊

35 years old and growing up those punch amps were already old! but i had a 150 and i swore it was overpowered and knocked everything i threw at it

I soooo Miss these days

These where a beast, I bought a 800a2 and 800a4 when they first came out at best buy.

A proud owner of the chrome version of this amp! Gets brutal bass bridged at 4ohm, but you can fry an egg on it. Can't imagine people running it on 2ohm without additional cooling...

@NightshiftCustom

3 ай бұрын

oh hell yes they ran hot as shit but they seem to be happy with it lol ran fans on mine at 2 ohms bridged for well over 10 years

@urosb82

3 ай бұрын

@@NightshiftCustom you are absolutely right sir, they like it hot cause mine never shut down on thermal protection no matter how long and hard I pound on it!

In 1999 I had bought the Fosgate 800a2 with the 400a4 amps powering three 12 Punch DVC HX2S, and four MB Quartz 6.5 component speakers. The 400a4 blew out and was replaced with the Zapco 6.0. I was going to replace the 800a2 with the Zapco 9.0 but decided to keep it. After 20-plus years my system is still bumping good.

In 1999, I was 18 and running 2 RF Punch DVCs on a Kicker ZR240 in a bandpass box. My parents gave me the ok to buy the RF 800a2 off of Crutchfield. I ultimately decided not to get it because I thought it was too much money. It was a great time in car audio.

Wow!!!! I loved those amps! Back in 2000 I had a pair of those (Punch POWER 800 a2's) each running at .5 ohms, on a pair of Shocker 12's in my 1991 Buick Skylark. Did 150.6 db @ a DB Drag comp back in 2000. That was back when Termpro was using those old skool Bob Barker Price is Right skinny mics for metering.

I had this amp when i was in the Marine Corps back in 99-00. Ran it to 3 JL Audio 10w6's and later on two punch 8's of the Era. The 10w6's freaking cranked and it made the punch 8's sound like they were 10's easily, some people said 12's, lol. Great amp, wish I never sold it with the car

Great video ,Thanks for the info brother 👍

I had this amp as one of three on my 3 way front stage and it sounded amazing. These amps sound great with tons of headroom!

I’ve still got one of these. Still kicks ass.

back when these came out I worked at Best Buy and sold these amps. I had a full set but ended up selling them. To be young and dumb. Wish I would have kept them. Great video BigD! Keep them coming

Had these in a system for years, still some the best I have owned IMO. Wish I would have held onto them.

Grew up with Punch amps. They sounded great!

i love old amps. if taken care of they last a long while. I still use a Carver amp i bought in '92. It hits above its rated weight class then and now. I have run it hard for years it sat for a few and it always fires up. I will truly be sad if it ever dies

I worked at bestbuy when this happened. It was great....got a wonderful discount on their stuff. Had to RF 12s, a 4 channel amp and a mono.

Hanging out at Alpha Stereo in Plattsburgh NY these were the go to....Much Love

I had one of those 800w Punch series amps, as well as a couple of the previous design Power series "Power 300" models. Definitely hard hitting amps (all before Class D was available). These were hard-hitting amps.

I run an 800a2 pushing 2 alpine r 12" To this day My van had an 800a4 and 2 800a2's Pushing two 15" alpine r's and fosgage T1's up front. Brutal

Just found your channel👍 Been into this stuff since the 80s. Saw one of your videos on an old MTX, but gotta search for R/F Power series, h/k CA240 and 260, and Orion HCCA series now!!

I've been waiting for this!!! I collect this series of amps and subs. I've got 11 amps both of the a and z variety and 15 subs from the z to hx2, dvc, and power dvc. Amps in black, gold and chrome end caps. Punch links are rare!!

20yrs ago my roommate had a punch 800 4 channel pushing 4 volfenhag 15s rated 1500 watts/750 rms each. It gave those subs hell. His whole truck shook like jello. Ive bought dozens of them since then

I got 8 of these amps all different wattage, some of the best amps ever made, still use a couple of em in my 93 camry

I had 3 of these amps, I loved this model.

I still have this amp. I have it In one of my cars in a set of mbquart 6x9 components

I had this amp as a Best Buy employee in the summer of 2000!!! 2 Infinity 12s in my 86 Olds Cutlass Supreme, you couldn't tell me anything

i have the 50a2 from about that year, still rocking out today!

Thanks.

Also the MEHSA mounting literally solders the mosfets to the heat transfer plate but electrically isolates the drain from the heat sink. Great idea IMO. Easy to work on with an appropriately large soldering iron AND effective cools the mosfets

I had the 1100 running four 10” solobarics, the round ones, switched them out to four 10” JL W3, and ran a 600a on the doors and rear in my S10, that was a loud truck

I had 2 800a2s on 4 12hx2s in a downtime box and man it was loud.i sure do miss that system😢

Had a punch 500 bridged on 2 punch dvc 15s in a freightliner semi. I miss those days.

i have 2 of this sty amps there 500 watts love this amps works great

I still have that amp and is a beast

Loved this amp had the punch 800a2 running a pair of punch dvc 12s in a ported box it freaking slammed in the back of my 91 civic hatchback I had back in the day

Love this amps. I own 3 of it. Power 1000a2, 200a4 and a 100a2.

These remind me of the Kicker ZR series amplifiers. I had 6 of the Kicker ZR600'S back in the day. They were nice, but running them at 3 ohms, they got HOT!

I had a Rockford Fosgate amp similar to that back in 2003-4. It was a 300W RMS (900W max) and I got it from Best Buy. I forget what model it was. It was an amp, 12in sub and box combo. The first system I ever had. That is incredible that it was able to move that sub so much. It did hit almost 1200W for a split second. I currently have a Rockford Fosgate setup in my car.

Nice video, I still have my punch 800A2. When I had my MA AUDIO 15's powered by this amp. My friends always said they heard me B4 they saw my truck. Awesome amp, they dont make them like they used too. Just like MBE said when u tell someone u have a fosgate amp, u will never, ever, ever, ever here someone say something bad about FOSGATE amps period

I still have my Power 500a2 and a Punch 360a2 from the late 90's. Those amps have some power! The birth sheet on the 500a2 showed over 650 watts, and the 360a2 almost 450.

Peace to all the OG audio heads that grew up in the 90s Miami bass era..pyle,mtx,orion,jl audio,phoenix gold,california,boss,alpine, Rockford Fosgate

Looks familiar😂 glad you got around to do a video👍

@wal

3 ай бұрын

The issue I had before was related to the gain pot. I cleaned it and then had no issues with the test 👌

Awesome, I still have a Punch 360a2 going strong!

I remember the dollar a watt days. Now days 800 can get you an awesome Korean made 6k.

My current setup is Rockford Fosgate, they still get the job done

Saved up like a mofo when I was 17-18 for 2 of these and 6 hx2 12s in my geo tracker in a massive sealed box and it was insanely Loud! These were power hungry ! First amp I owned that had double input for power and ground. Man the good old days ! You are the man Big D wizzy

Still have an old 500a2 lying around. These were great amps, mine pushed a pair of JL 12w3v3's real nice.

Have the 500a driving a Savard 12" Hi Q ... Would never guess that it was a low power amp driving that thing.. That sub is 1500 Watt RMS , drives it like a Champ!