Alpine MRX-M100 | RMS Subwoofer Amplifier Review

Ever since car audio became a thing, Alpine has been there to offer some of the highest quality products you could get. From stereos to amps, most of the products in their lineup are quality. Alpine is one of the several authorities in the industry.

They are the brand you turn to when you want proven performance with no compromise. By most requirements, having a good bass element in your system is considered a fundamental part of building a high-performance audio setup in your car. That’s why most enthusiasts don’t spare expenses on getting good subwoofer amps.

Alpine offers several models that are catered to the mid-range user who wants a decent ratio of price and performance. The Alpine MRX-M100 is currently one of the best options on the market within its price range.

The type of performance, features and power output you get for the money makes it worth the investment. Today we are going to take a closer look at this amp and talk about what exactly you can expect from one if you decided to make it a part of your audio system.

Alpine MRX-M100 Review

The essence of strong bass sound is a reliable amp that can take the abuse for a prolonged period of time. That ability is at the core of every decent subwoofer amplifier that is worth its weight. The sheer amount of features Alpine packed into Alpine MRX-M100 not only enables this kind of performance, but it elevates the level versatility to a very comfortable level.

Alpine used a lot of the technologies they developed for their PDX series in this line of amps. On top of that, you get a very user-friendly package that can be installed in most OEM audio systems without much effort or need for customization.

Features:

For an amp capable of delivering 1000 Watts RMS at 2 Ohms, Alpine MRX-M100 is extremely compact. The reason for this is Alpine’s latest thermal protection system that allows for a much smaller heat sync design and overall better heating handling.

The final result is a subwoofer amp that sports low profile dimensions and a very sleek enclosure. It comes in black, so it is going to blend in well with most car boots.

Alpine MRX-M100 is a monoblock amp that delivers 1000 Watts RMS at 2 Ohms, 600 Watts RMS at 4 Ohms, and 500 Watts RMS at 1 Ohm. Frequency response range goes from 10Hz to 300Hz with a damping factor of over 1000 at 4 Ohms, 10 Watts, 100Hz.

As you would expect, it comes with a built-in crossover that features a variable low-pass filter with the range of 50Hz to 400Hz and variable subsonic from 5Hz to 30Hz.

There is also a variable bass equalizer that can add another 12 dB to the signal. Since it’s a Class D amp, Alpine MRX-M100 brings relatively high-efficiency power output.

Combined with S.T.A.R circuitry, the whole system is pretty much capable of withstanding even the most aggressive use.  Among other features that are worth mentioning is the remote bass controller, but it brings some issues which we will touch upon later.

In terms of ports, you are looking at your standard RCA and hi-level input ports.

Performance:

In terms of performance, you are looking one loud amp that is capable of providing reliable power on demand. Alpine MRX-M100 doesn’t heat up much at all, even when you are pushing a more powerful subwoofer at full power. Packing a single 500 Watt woofer will keep your bass knob below 12 o’clock position at all times.

Their PDX technology that comes in form of X-Amps, along with the advanced Thermal Protection circuitry allows the Alpine MRX-M100 to run at max potential without overheating or heating much at all. It also allowed Alpine to pack the whole thing into a very compact and sleek enclosure.

One thing that warrants respect about this particular amp is the fact that you get what you pay for. A good half of the times the marketed RMS will not match measured RMS, but that is not the case with Alpine MRX-M100. With this amp, you get exactly 1000 Watt RMS at 2 Ohms, every time. With that said, expect your woofers to get real loud, real quick.

The sound quality you get with Alpine MRX-M100 is pretty impressive considering it is a Class D unit. The only real issue with this amp is the remote bass controller. For some reason, once you plug it in and start using it, the power output drops a bit. It’s not too much, but it’s enough to be noticed. Why this happens is not clear, but it is generally recommended to avoid using this feature.

Our Verdict on the Alpine MRX-M100 Amp:

At the end of the day, Alpine MRX-M100 brings a very decent combination of price and performance. It might cost a bit more than its competition within the same segment, but you are not just buying a 1000 Watt RMS amp when you purchase the Alpine MRX-M100.

You are also buying the reliability and quality of Alpine products, which is something they have become known for a long time ago. The type of power this amp offers combined with a very sleek design makes it one of the optimal choices for those who need a stealthy amp that packs a decent punch.

Is it the best monoblock amp on the market? Not really, but the purpose it was designed for is something Alpine MRX-M100 does very well. This amp also comes in multi-channel version, which is more than capable of driving two 500 Watt subwoofers.

Some may consider the lack of this ability to be the flaw with Alpine MRX-M100, but it is simply made for a different type of application. Is this something budget users would be interested in? Maybe, but there are definitely cheaper options for sale on the market which offer a similar type of performance at a lower price point. It all comes down to how much money you’re willing to spend.