AudioControl A1100.5 Altitude 5-Channel 1100W Car Amplifier

tru2folks

Mar 8, 2026 8:55 PM

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tru2folksMar 8, 2026 8:55 PM

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I need more deals like these. Keep them coming.

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nub1

Mar 8, 2026 9:16 PM

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nub1Mar 8, 2026 9:16 PM

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More car audio deals please.

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ratardorocky

Mar 9, 2026 12:00 AM

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ratardorockyMar 9, 2026 12:00 AM

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Is Audio Control still legit, or are they owned by the Chinese now?

WoodSlayR

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Mar 9, 2026 2:15 AM

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WoodSlayR

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Mar 9, 2026 2:15 AM

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Quote from ratardorocky

:

Is Audio Control still legit, or are they owned by the Chinese now?

They are legit. Audio Control is still American-owned & operated but most of their stuff is assembled in China. But there's a difference between cheapo chinese owned & made garbage and the good American owned stuff but assembled in China. Some of these higher end American companies like Audiocontrol are american owned with headquarters still in the US, still designed in the US & use quality components but have them assembled overseas simply because American Labor is too high. Some of this stuff would cost 10 times the ammount built with the same exact components, just because it was built with expensive American Labor. Audio Control has always maintained a solid reputation in the industry. Some of their stuff is still made here, most isn't. But even their overseas-built stuff is better than your typical Chinamade junk. It still has to pass certain quality standards set by Audiocontrol.

Last edited by WoodSlayR March 8, 2026 at 07:37 PM.

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firebirdude

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Mar 9, 2026 11:55 AM

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firebirdude

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First time I've ever seen an amplifier with valet mode.... and I think it's a phenomenal idea.

4

CrescentCity1970

Mar 9, 2026 1:56 PM

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CrescentCity1970Mar 9, 2026 1:56 PM

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Way too much for a 5-Channel

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lookalikehuuh

Mar 9, 2026 3:08 PM

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lookalikehuuhMar 9, 2026 3:08 PM

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Quote from CrescentCity1970

:

Way too much for a 5-Channel

I disagree, Audiocontrol is actually quite a good company for car audio electronics. When you look at companies with historically good track records for car electronics like Alpine, JL Audio (now Garmin i guess...), Rockford Fosgate, Kicker, etc... this price is right in line with the comparable 5 channel amplifier from those companies. Can you buy lower priced 5 channel amps, sure, will they be the same quality and have an actual warranty that can be honored if something happens... that's where the paying a more premium price for a quality brand definitely comes into play. Longterm longevity also comes into play here as higher quality components are used like Nichcon caps (or comparable) instead of absolute garbage low temp caps. Audio quality can also be quite different between amplifier brands. In a perfect world the amp would not color your music at all, but in reality amps can and do color the music tone and quality.

Anecdotally speaking, I have a JL Audio 1000/1 that still runs my subwoofers in my car. That amp is 20+ years old and has never missed a beat. I paid big money for that amp back in the early 2000s, I'm talking like $1000 back then which is nearly $1900 in todays money.

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CrescentCity1970

Mar 9, 2026 3:25 PM

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Joined Dec 2025

CrescentCity1970Mar 9, 2026 3:25 PM

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Quote from lookalikehuuh

:

I disagree, Audiocontrol is actually quite a good company for car audio electronics. When you look at companies with historically good track records for car electronics like Alpine, JL Audio (now Garmin i guess...), Rockford Fosgate, Kicker, etc... this price is right in line with the comparable 5 channel amplifier from those companies. Can you buy lower priced 5 channel amps, sure, will they be the same quality and have an actual warranty that can be honored if something happens... that's where the paying a more premium price for a quality brand definitely comes into play. Longterm longevity also comes into play here as higher quality components are used like Nichcon caps (or comparable) instead of absolute garbage low temp caps. Audio quality can also be quite different between amplifier brands. In a perfect world the amp would not color your music at all, but in reality amps can and do color the music tone and quality.

Anecdotally speaking, I have a JL Audio 1000/1 that still runs my subwoofers in my car. That amp is 20+ years old and has never missed a beat. I paid big money for that amp back in the early 2000s, I'm talking like $1000 back then which is nearly $1900 in todays money.

Fair assessment, i had an old PPI Art Series amp from the 90's and it was still going strong until the darn flimsy wire plug started acting up.

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WittyHaddock1568

Mar 9, 2026 3:55 PM

235 Comments

Joined Nov 2021

WittyHaddock1568Mar 9, 2026 3:55 PM

235 Comments

Audio control still exists? Wow. Their amps, EQs and bass controllers were beasts. Had my whole set up back in the day pushing a pair of 15 inch strokers. If this is the same company and not just the licensing of the name, this is a good amp spec wise.

WoodSlayR

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Mar 9, 2026 11:35 PM

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WoodSlayR

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Mar 9, 2026 11:35 PM

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Quote from thebigblue92

:

AC should offer loyal customers the choice between American owned and American made. I'd happily pay double or triple for something with a big MADE IN USA label on it. We're not all poors cashing in food stamps for car audio gear.

OK, but why are you telling me this? I'm not saying its the right or wrong way to do things. It's just how they do it, and it's worked for them. You might want to re-direct your opinions towards AC. So can you tell me what you do for a living that makes you qualified to know how to run a company thats one of the longest lived and most succesful high end audio companies thats literally been around since 1977 better than they are already doing? I think its safe to say they got things under control Mr. money bags.

Last edited by WoodSlayR March 9, 2026 at 06:28 PM.

WoodSlayR

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Mar 9, 2026 11:41 PM

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WoodSlayR

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Mar 9, 2026 11:41 PM

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deleted

Last edited by WoodSlayR March 9, 2026 at 06:40 PM.

WoodSlayR

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Mar 9, 2026 11:49 PM

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WoodSlayR

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Mar 9, 2026 11:49 PM

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Quote from WittyHaddock1568

:

Audio control still exists? Wow. Their amps, EQs and bass controllers were beasts. Had my whole set up back in the day pushing a pair of 15 inch strokers. If this is the same company and not just the licensing of the name, this is a good amp spec wise.

It's the same company. The Audiocontrol epicenter was, and will always be, a legendary piece of equipment.

Last edited by WoodSlayR March 9, 2026 at 04:53 PM.

joshuaNH

Mar 9, 2026 11:55 PM

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Joined Oct 2010

joshuaNHMar 9, 2026 11:55 PM

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The question... what are you going to pair with it? Class D is basically for subwoofers.

I have an aftermarket system in each of my cars. One I replaced the Deck and the other I did not... it is dependent on the age of the car... in almost all new cars you can not replace the deck.

I am just looking LOUD and BASSY and GOOD QUALITY. So the first thing I do is look for speakers... second hand on facebook marketplace (picked up a pair of Boston Acoustic 6.5 Pro for 175) then I will ALWAYS look for a JL 300.4 Amp.

I power the front speakers with 2 chanels and the other 2 channels I bridge and power it through my Sub, I also buy sub control knob. I also look to buy a USED JL W3 sealed 12" (one). p.s. forgot to add that the deck powers the rear speakers. And that is the justs of my system.

If you live in the Boston Area... the manager "Mike" at BestBuy in Marlborough does an amazing job with the installs.

Last edited by joshuaNH March 9, 2026 at 07:27 PM.

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WoodSlayR

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Mar 10, 2026 12:32 AM

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WoodSlayR

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Mar 10, 2026 12:32 AM

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Quote from joshuaNH

:

The question... what are you going to pair with it? Class D is basically for subwoofers.

I have an aftermarket system in each of my cars. One I replaced the Deck and the other I did not... it is dependent on the age of the car... in almost all new cars you can not replace the deck.

I am just looking LOUD and BASSY and GOOD QUALITY. So the first thing I do is look for speakers... second hand on facebook marketplace (picked up a pair of Boston Acoustic 6.5 Pro for 175) then I will ALWAYS look for a JL 300.4 Amp.

I power the front speakers with 2 chanels and the other 2 channels I bridge and power it through my Sub, I also buy sub control knob. I also look to buy a USED JL W3 sealed 12" (one). And that is the justs of my system.

If you live in the Boston Area... the manager "Mike" at BestBuy in Marlborough does an amazing job with the installs.

Class D has come a long ways. Not too long ago, they weren't as clean as they are today and when you heard anyone say "class d amp" It meant subwoofer amp. Fast forward to today, and they've gotten a lot cleaner, much closer to class A/B cleanliness. All the rage today is with the small class D home amplifiers intended to play full range like those super popular tiny Fosi & AIYIMA amps. Almost all the major car audio brands make and sell a full range class D amp now. I understand you, though. It's hard to adjust because at one time not long ago, class D and full range was not something that went together. It was automatic when you heard class D amp, to assume it was a subwoofer only amp.
For what its worth, this is what GPT-4o mini said when asked.

Are Class D Amps Good for Full Range?

Yes, Class D amplifiers are indeed suitable for full-range audio applications. They've evolved significantly over recent years, making them a popular choice for both professional and home audio systems.

Last edited by WoodSlayR March 9, 2026 at 09:45 PM.

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AudioControl A1100.5 Altitude 5-Channel 1100W Car Amplifier

$499

$579

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