Rockford Fosgate RFX8230

Price & Contact: Call for pricing;
480-967-3565
www.rockfordfosgate.com
Max output level: 2.5 volts @ .3% THD+N
Max undistorted output: 2.5 volts @ .3% THD+N
Relative loudness: -9.9 dBu
Dynamic range: -93 dB
THD+N @ full output: 0.3%
Output impedance: 36 ohms
L-R channel error:
-.2 dB
Frequency response: +0 dB, -3.4 dB

Max Output: 21 watts x 4 @ 16% THD+N
Max Undistorted Output: 14 watts x 4 @ .5% THD+N
Signal-to-Noise:
-92 dB
Channel Error: .02 dB
Frequency Response: +0 dB, -2.4 dB

		Rockford Fosgate RFX8230 www.rockfordfosgate.com
		Rockford Fosgate's latest head unit offers a user-friendly interface and an impressive preamp section.		Rockford Fosgate RFX8230 Specs Price & Contact: Call for pricing; 480-967-3565 www.rockfordfosgate.com Max output level: 2.5 volts @ .3% THD+N Max undistorted output: 2.5 volts @ .3% THD+N Relative loudness: -9.9 dBu Dynamic range: -93 dB THD+N @ full output: 0.3% Output impedance: 36 ohms L-R channel error: -.2 dB Frequency response: +0 dB, -3.4 dB Internal Amps Max Output: 21 watts x 4 @ 16% THD+N Max Undistorted Output: 14 watts x 4 @ .5% THD+N Signal-to-Noise: -92 dB Channel Error: .02 dB Frequency Response: +0 dB, -2.4 dB
		by Brian Smith

		The RFX8230 is a single-DIN head unit with an AM/FM tuner, CD player, and CD Changer control capabilities. An abbreviated list of features includes a detachable faceplate, IR remote, 30 tuner pre-sets, six RCA outputs (front, rear, and summed), and an internal amp rated at 25 watts x 4. Performance Preamp section: Performance from the preamp output section of the RFX8230 was impressive. 2.5 volts of max output isn't exactly shocking, but this may be the most well-behaved 2.5 volts that we've seen in quite some time. Most head units in this price range have similar output potentials, but are hindered by excessive clipping at max output or what might be called an upper octave deficiency. Ripple in the high-frequency response is a common occurrence and is usually accompanied by a fair amount of waveform distortion above 10 kHz. We've seen output waveforms between 10 and 20 kHz that bear more resemblance to the mouth of a crocodile than to the sinusoidal signal on the test CD. The RFX8230 doesn't exhibit any of these little idiosyncrasies. Overall, this is a very nice, albeit low output, preamp section. Internal amps: The internal amps in the RFX8230 definitely benefit from the good preamp section and are above par in their own right. Surprisingly, the frequency response is actually a bit better from the amp section. However, (allow me to again crawl upon my soapbox) like every other head unit on the market, the 25 watts x 4 rating is rather optimistic. User Evaluation At least once a week someone calls the shop to ask which head unit out there is the best. We always tell them that the two things that matter the most are undistorted output voltage from the preamps and user interface. Which matters most depends on how bad the other is. Lots of output voltage and a bad user interface is as equally frustrating as a great interface with .5 volts of output. In the past, Rockford Fosgate has been guilty of producing a few lackluster user interfaces. This unit, however, is not among them. It has 18 controls on the front panel and the important ones are large enough to hit without a lot of effort and work quite well. The track search function will literally skip tracks as fast as you can push the button. This seemingly simple feat is not one that most head units are capable of. The interface on this unit is a major step in the right direction.