Rockford Fosgate P325.1

A mono amplifier from the Punch range. It has all the connections for power, signal and speakers one end and hides all these under a neat brushed anodised black cover. There are indicator lamps on the panel to show normal operation or fault condition. The amplifier will accept a wide range of inputs from a very low 150mV to a relatively high 4.0V of signal and has a set of pass through RCAs as well as inputs. There is a socket for the supplied Punch EQ bass boost remote control and this may be upgraded by an optional Para Bass EQ which allows the user to alter the bass boost centre frequency as well as the amount up to the full +18dB which is six more than most makers. The amplifier is individually serial numbered and is complete with an actual performance verification certificate showing its performance is way higher than specified. It arrives packed in an airtight shrink packaging and the casing has the Rockford branding embossed within its base.
– Class AB
– 1 x 175w RMS @ 4 Ohms rated, test certified @ 249w CEA 2006 compliant
– 1 x 325w RMS @ 2 Ohms rated, test certified @ 404w CEA-2006 compliant (+25%)
– Max power tested @ 1,212w
– Aluminium heatsink with Black anodised and coated finish
– Bigger than 8Ga. Power Terminals with cross headed squeeze bare wire socket connection
– 12dB per Octave Butterworth crossover
– 0 to +18dB Punch EQ Bass Boost @ 45Hz
– Adjustable input sensitivity 150mV to 4.0V
– End caps with Allen headed bolts to secure
– Mono operation
– Frequency response 20Hz to 20kHz
– Signal to Noise Ratio >80dB
– Low/High Pass Filter 40Hz to 400Hz
– Fuse Rating 40A x1
– HxWxD(mm) 53 x 279 x 297mm
Review by Adam Rayner
This is like Christie Brinkly going out with Billy Joel. One upmarket piece of kit yet currently sold by the UK distributors along with an inexpensive but high power handling subwoofer from another brand for a mad rate. The amp is normally £250 less a penny but along with the Condor Powerhouse-1 subwoofer it has been packaged with, itself supposed to be £70, it is £200 all in. Making it worth buying the subwoofer even if you just want to e-Bay it off yourself. The amp is a beautiful thing and comes with a lovely certificate to prove just how much more power than the specifications it actually has. I worked out that ours was around 25% over the rated oomph.
The input sensitivity is wide and can make even a weedy output rock. Likewise the bass EQ knobber on a wire can add up to a whopping +18dB of 45Hz bass which is a ways more than most other makers dare. There is a slice of joy of possession with this product. It is truly a gorgeously-built and beautiful object and its purposeful looks just add to the whole thing.
It took hold of the subwoofer in the box and absolutely spanked it. It was brilliantly clean at keeping the lows out of the bass box far better than the Condor Magic 1000 and its 9dB per Octave crossover slope. P325.1 has excellent terminals that can take huge power wires. Maybe even a slightly trimmed down four gauge, let alone an eight. The nice touch is that unlike cheaper amps that leave a trio of huge connectors for you also to somehow connect a skinny remote wire into, the Rockford power block has a smally for the remote wire. An Allen key is supplied to unfasten the anodised aluminium end panel – it feels really classy.
The sound was huge and effortless. It is clear that with enough DC power, this really is an amp that would like to be run at 2 Ohms. Loads of wellie and never any sonic hint that it was running out of steam, no matter how I pushed it. You get the feeling it needs to be driven like a brute and will purr and love it. A very posh monoblock amplifier, partnered with a subwoofer that is a little beneath it socially but if it means getting a monoblock of this quality and then running it in hard while you save up for a posher Rockford woofer to go with it, you’ll have the best bass all the sooner. A true Best Buy. Lovely, lovely kit.
Overall 9.2
Sound Quality 9
Power Output 10
Features 9
Build Quality 10
Value For Money 8