Car audio enthusiasts looking to upgrade their sound systems often debate between Skar and Memphis audio equipment. Both brands produce amplifiers, subwoofers, component speakers, and other audio products targeted at the car audio market.
While Skar aims for budget-friendly options and Memphis focuses on high-performing equipment, each brand has its pros and cons. This comprehensive guide compares Skar and Memphis car audio to help you determine which is better for your needs and budget.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Comparison Points | Skar Audio | Memphis Car Audio |
| Pricing | Budget-friendly, lower cost | Expensive, premium pricing |
| Sound Quality | Emphasis on loudness over refinement | Very accurate and detailed |
| Technology | Basic amplifier features | Advanced amp processing and designs |
| Products | Amps, subwoofers, coaxial speakers | Specialize in amps and subwoofers |
| Build Quality | Lower grade materials, cheaper construction | Aircraft aluminum, carbon fiber, titanium |
| Performance | High power handling optimized for SPL | Competition-level output with SQ focus |
| Beginner Friendliness | Easy pre-configured packages | Requires experienced tuning and install |
| Availability | Sold through more online and local retailers | Limited distribution to specialty shops |
Overview Of Skar Audio
Founded in 2012, Skar Audio prides itself on delivering affordable, high-output car audio gear. Skar’s product catalog includes subwoofer drivers, loaded enclosures, mono block amplifiers, and full component speaker sets.
The company is based in the United States and manufactures its products in Asia to help reduce costs. Skar also sells bundled packages that include subwoofers, amps, and enclosure boxes at discounted rates.
Key strengths of Skar Audio include:
- Affordable pricing: Skar focuses on value, offering powerful systems for lower budgets. A complete Skar package runs several hundred dollars less than competitors.
- High power handling: Skar subwoofers are optimized for loud bass, engineered to handle over 1,000 watts RMS power. Their amps provide ample power to drive subs to extreme listening levels.
- Variety of products: Skar sells individual subwoofer drivers and amps for custom installs plus loaded boxes and component sets for easier upgrades. You can build a whole system with their gear.
Potential downsides of Skar Audio are:
- Lower build quality: To reach affordable price points, Skar uses thinner materials and cheaper parts in their gear compared to premium brands. Durability can suffer over time.
- Less technology: Skar amps lack advanced features like digital signal processing for custom tuning. The focus is on simplicity and power.
- Hit or miss quality control: Some users report receiving products with defects due to inconsistent QC. Customer service is often slow to respond.
Overall, Skar Audio provides loud, budget-friendly systems well-suited for beginners seeking an introduction to high-output car audio. More advanced enthusiasts may desire higher quality components and construction.
Overview Of Memphis Car Audio
Founded in 1998, Memphis Car Audio aims to produce innovative, competition-grade audio components with outstanding sound quality. The Memphis lineup covers everything from subwoofers and amplifiers to speakers and source units.
Their products are designed and tested in the United States before final manufacturing in China.
Key benefits provided by Memphis Car Audio include:
- audiophile-quality sound: Memphis engineering focuses on sound clarity, accuracy and realistic bass reproduction. Their subs and speakers reveals intricate music details.
- innovative technology: Memphis amps feature accuBASS bass distortion correction and subsonic filters. Their subs utilize advanced materials and motor designs.
- high-end materials: Memphis uses aircraft-grade aluminum, carbon fiber, titanium, and other premium materials for rigid, non-resonant enclosures.
- competition heritage: Memphis gear is built to perform and win SPL contests. Even regular models provide extreme output capabilities.
Downsides of Memphis Car Audio can include:
- Expensive pricing: Memphis products cost significantly more than mass market brands due to exotic materials and low production volumes. Be prepared to spend big.
- Overkill for everyday listening: Memphis subs can produce dangerously loud bass. Their capabilities exceed most musical requirements.
- Limited product range: Memphis specializes in subs and amps. You’ll need to source speakers and other gear separately.
- Protection prone: Memphis amps are meticulously tuned and will shut down if driven too hard. New users risk hitting limits and tripping protections.
Memphis provides cutting-edge SQ and SPL for dedicated bassheads but is generally overkill for basic audio upgrades. Their premium prices cater to enthusiasts rather than the general consumer.
Also Read: Choose Between Skar And Pioneer Car Audio.
Direct Comparison Of Brands
Now that we’ve covered background of each company, let’s directly compare Skar Audio and Memphis Car Audio across key factors:
Sound Quality
- Memphis offers superior sound quality with accurate bass and detailed mids/highs. Skar gears more toward loud, booming bass at the expense of refinement.
Technology
- Memphis amps provide advanced sound shaping options while Skar amps stick to basic controls. Memphis subs utilize exotic materials and motor designs compared to Skar’s conventional builds.
Price
- Skar maintains by far lower pricing, with complete systems costing hundreds less than Memphis. Expect to pay two to three times more for Memphis gear.
Product Range
- Skar provides a wider range of products covering subs, amps, speakers, and pre-configured packages. Memphis focuses more narrowly on subs and amps.
Power & Performance
- Both brands offer high output capabilities, with Skar optimized for loudness on a budget and Memphis engineered for SPL competition performance.
Durability & Build Quality
- Memphis uses thicker aluminum, carbon fiber, and titanium for greater structural rigidity. Skar products exhibit cheaper build quality that may not withstand abuse as well.
Beginner Friendliness
- Skar systems are easier for beginners to install and use out of the box. Memphis gear requires more audio knowledge to properly set up and tune.
Availability
- Skar is sold through more online and local retailers, providing better product availability. Memphis distribution is limited to specialty car audio shops.
In summary, Memphis provides superior quality and technology but at a steep premium, while Skar delivers budget-friendly power better suited to beginners. Choose Memphis for SQ and competition-level output. Pick Skar for affordability and simplicity.
Recommendations For Both Brands
The right choice between Skar and Memphis depends on your budget, goals, and experience level. Here are our recommendations for using each brand effectively:
For Skar Audio:
- Stick to their pre-configured loaded box packages if you’re new to car audio. Choose an amp that matches required wattage.
- Focus on their entry-level CX series amps and single subwoofer packages for best value. Move up to ZX amps and dual subs for higher capability.
- Carefully tune gain controls to avoid distortion or blowing subs. Don’t overpower ratings for extended periods.
- Upgrade mounting hardware and electrical connections for better durability. Use thicker power/ground wire.
- Add aftermarket sound damping to improve box and door panel rigidity for cleaner sound.
For Memphis Car Audio:
- Work with a professional installer if you’re unfamiliar with tuning high-end systems. Proper adjustments are required.
- Choose amplifiers first, then select subs to match recommended power levels. Avoid underpowering.
- Use multiple subs in larger enclosures for extreme SPL applications. Go sealed or ported for more everyday use.
- Add a capacitor inline to subs to protect from clipped signals and peaks that may trip amp protection circuits.
- Consider upgrading electrical system with additional batteries/alternator to provide steady high current delivery.
Properly selecting and installing gear from either brand based on your goals and budget will lead to solid performance increases over stock audio systems. Also watch this!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Skar competes with other budget-tier brands like Boss Audio, Pioneer, Power Acoustik, and Orion for affordable high-powered car audio equipment. It sits below premium brands like JL Audio, Rockford Fosgate, and Alpine in terms of pricing and quality.
Yes, Memphis subs deliver extremely accurate, high-output bass performance thanks to their advanced designs and premium materials. They excel in SQ and SPL applications. However, their high cost doesn’t make sense for everyone.
Memphis is one of the top brands for serious car audio enthusiasts focused on sound quality and high volume bass. Their subs and amps are well-engineered for audiophiles and competitors alike. Memphis prices their products as premium offerings.
Skar utilizes more affordable materials like medium MDF instead of thick Baltic birch for enclosures. They manufacture in Asia with cheaper labor. Skar skips premium features to reach low price points. This allows high power handling at low costs, but quality suffers.
Also Read: Choose Between Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO And Audio-Technica Turntables.
The Bottom Line
When comparing Skar and Memphis car audio brands, Memphis provides better quality and technology while Skar offers more affordable pricing and broader product selection. Choose Memphis for SQ purity and extreme bass performance.
Pick Skar for budget friendliness focused on high output. Match your goals and budget to the brand that fits best. With either option, you can build a system that greatly improves on standard factory audio.
