Are you in the market for brand-new speakers but need help choosing between the Rockford Fosgate P1 Series and Alpine R-series? In this comparison, we will look at both brands’ key features and help you decide which one is the best fit for your audio setup.
These two-speaker series are both known for their unique and prominent features that set them apart from all other speakers. However, many people need clarification when deciding between these two.
After reviewing both brands’ respective speakers, I’m more drawn toward the Rockford Fosgate P1 series, but some might disagree. Read on and weigh your options to decide for yourself.
Table of Contents
Alpine R-Series vs. Rockford Fosgate P1 Series
So, let’s get started with a comparison of the most prized features of both speakers.
Available Sizes
The first factor I look for before deciding which speaker series I should opt for is its range of available sizes. For optimal performance and better fit in the car, it is important that there is a wide range of available sizes so that you do not have to do modifications to your car to accommodate the speakers or otherwise start over once again to look for other options that come with their own sets of pros and cons.
The following are the sizes available in Alpine R-series speakers:
- 3″: 30MC
- 6-1/2”: R-S65.2 and R-S65C.2
- 6×8″: R-S68
- 6×9”: R-S69.2 and R-S69C.2
On the other hand, the Rockford Fosgate P1 series comes in the following sizes:
- 1″: P1T-S
- 3.50″: P132
- 4.0″: P142
- 4”X6”: P1462
- 5.25″: P152 and P152-S
- 5”X7”: P1572
- 6.0″: P16 and P16-S
- 6.5”: P1650, P165-SE, P165-SI
- 6.75”: P1675 and P1675-S
- 6”x8”: P1683
- 6”x9”: P1692 and P1694
So based on this important factor of available sizes, I lean more towards the Rockford Fosgate P1 series because it offers a size range starting from 1″ to 6”x9”, having a total of eleven different sizes.
Whereas the Alpine R-series only has four sizes available, and most of them are almost the same with little precision. So, if your major concern is sizes, you may probably want to opt for the Rockford Fosgate P1 series.
Build Quality
The Alpine R-series speakers incorporate an exclusive cone technology featuring Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer, commonly known as CFRP. CFRP is a material known for its high strength. This means that these speakers have high durability and resist wear and tear. Overall, the Alpine R-series speakers are designed with top-notch details that include a shallow grill design that makes them fit easily into tight spaces.
Rockford Fosgate P1 series, in contrast, uses cutting-edge technology to make their speakers last longer. The speakers’ cones are strengthened with Kevlar, which significantly increases their strength and output. Moreover, the speakers’ unique ventilation mechanism helps keep the voice coils cool, extending the speakers’ life.
Likewise, aluminum is used in the construction of their voice coils, which significantly reduces heat production. Owing to design choices like these, speakers perform at a high level for much longer than most of the speakers already in the market.
So, in terms of build quality, it turns out that both brands have invested time and effort to ensure that their speakers last long. For this reason, it is very hard to give an edge to any of the two-speaker series.
Sound
Sound is the most important consideration when narrowing the options between any speaker series. A speaker series with higher sound quality means more unmistakable and better sound.
Alpine’s R-series speakers use WaveGuide technology to reduce phase distortion and improve car sound quality. They are calibrated to emphasize high and low frequencies to deliver robust and dynamic sound without additional processing. They work very well with the R-Series amplifiers and subwoofers, complementing their power and performance.
On the other hand, if you want to give your car stereo a rumbling, punchy bass end, the Rockford Fosgate P1 series is a great pick. It is also perfect for blasting some metal or listening to hip-hop. If you want to push your speakers with a power amp, you will not have to worry about overloading the system thanks to the amp’s continuous and peak power management.
Speakers in the Alpine R-series (R-S69.2 and R-S69C) offer a maximum RMS power capacity of 100W and have a sensitivity of 90 dB SPL (1W @ 1m).
On the other hand, the Rockford Fosgate P1 series (P1692 and P1694) has a maximum SPL of 91 dB and can handle 75/150 Watts RMS/MAX, which is slightly better than the maximum that the former can offer.
So, there is not much difference in terms of sound quality since both the brands deliver very well, considering their functionality, but the Rockford Fosgate P1 series is pretty decent.
Price
Price is the deciding factor that finalizes your decision between any two products, and the same is the case here between Alpine R-series and Rockford Fosgate P1 series.
The price range of the Alpine R-series is from $190 to $450, with 30MC being the least expensive and R-S69C.2 being the most expensive.
In opposition, the price bracket of the Rockford Fosgate P1 series is inclusive and has different prices and is much higher than Alpine R-series, which makes Rockford Fosgate P1 costlier.
So, if the price is your primary decision-making factor, you should go with the Alpine R-series.
The Verdict
Weighing all the factors above, I prefer the Rockford Fosgate P1 series simply because of its sound quality. At the end of the day, you are the one who can decide which one better suits your needs. I hope this comparison helps you in making an informed decision.
Is Alpine Better Than Rockford Fosgate in Terms of Speaker Quality?
The Rockford Fosgate line of speakers has a more powerful bass compared to Alpine. If this is what you’re looking for, go with Rockford Fosgate.
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