Planning to invest in a car audio system? Now is a great time to learn why car amplifiers are such important components of an audio system. We will also discuss the main criteria for choosing an amplifier.
Purpose of auto amplifiers
In short, autoamplifiers amplify the audio input signal to whatever level you want to achieve. Therefore, we recommend purchasing an amplifier that will meet your needs one hundred percent and will be easily compatible with other audio system components.
The most important parameters when choosing a car amplifier
Most of the time, prospective buyers start choosing an amplifier based on one parameter , "Watts" Watts (power), when in reality this number is only a fraction towards quality or powerful sound. You all probably remember when you passed by 2 cassette mags in the market with the words 1000W PMPO on them, which didn't even remotely correspond to reality and only made you smile as Chinese manufacturers lured buyers. So the specialists of the Autogars salon or service will always remind you that the higher the price of the amplifier, the more watts it will have, but the sound will be more dynamic and transparent even with minimal power. And so you will hear the statement that " quality sound " is: not a speaker, not an amplifier, not a multimedia or tape recorder, but only a properly selected, properly installed and properly adjusted sound system will meet this requirement.
First of all, you should pay attention to the number of channels of the amplifier.
1-channel "Monoblokas" - such amplifiers are usually used to strengthen low-frequency speakers (subwoofers). Such a choice is usually the first step of young people to strengthen the already existing factory sound system by supplementing it with a low-frequency column "subwoofer". Quite often, such amplifiers have an external volume control (knob with an extended cable), which allows you to conveniently and separately control the sound level of the subwoofer.
2-channel "Stereo" - such amplifiers are usually chosen by lovers of quality sound, if it is not the cheapest segment, they are usually class AB, with quality parts inside. Not infrequently, when creating such amplifiers, engineers strive to achieve high-quality sound that resembles a luxurious home audio system.
4 channels - this choice is the golden mean in terms of price and quality when improving the car audio system. 2 channels are used to strengthen the front acoustics and the other 2 channels are used in bridge mode for the subwoofer. This is what you need for real quality and powerful sound with minimal expenses.
DSP- amplifiers of this type have the greatest possibilities of regulation and quality signal processing, adapting to the acoustic characteristics of any car interior and speakers. Tuning such an amplifier requires a lot of experience and understanding of how to make real quality sound. But the final result, when the singer sings not from the "left pedal under the car panel", but on the middle of the hood of the car and even the smallest details of the recording that can be heard nearby, leaves no one indifferent. If you don't believe it, stop by the Autogars service shop and we'll ask. :)
For SPL (high sound pressure) lovers. These are super high power amplifiers, in which the power of real 10000W watts is not the limit. Such amplifiers are mostly used in sound pressure SPL competitions. When choosing an amplifier of this level, it should be kept in mind that it will also need energy of about 1000A amps (a standard larger battery can give an average of 500-600A amps for a short time). And power cables to such an amplifier need to be the thickness of a thumb.
Another important parameter is power . The rule applies here - the more, the better . If you choose an amplifier with too little power, you may not use the full potential of the speakers, and at the same time, the risk of burning out the speakers increases, because a cheap and incapable amplifier starts distorting the sound much earlier than the listener expects. Therefore, the power of the auto amplifier should always be higher than the power of the speakers connected to it. By the way, the power reserve will not disappear anywhere. It can always be reduced through regulation. The maximum power should also be distinguished from the rated power. You should rely on the nominal power, which is usually indicated on the package or in the instructions. Rated power is the power in RMS at which the speakers and amplifier can operate for an hour without distorting the music signal being fed.
Often the power figures indicated on the box or case do not correspond to reality. This is the total maximum power of all channels. We do not recommend taking it into account.
It should also be checked that the power of the amplifier corresponds to the power of the acoustics. What can happen if you connect a low power amplifier? Then the speakers may burn out, because it is likely that the input signal has been distorted.
The amplifier class is also important. The class depends on the efficiency of the output signal and the level of distortion. Generally speaking, the first class - A and B - are analog amplifiers that have high amplification quality, but low efficiency and low power. Amplifiers of these classes are distinguished by good sound reproduction.
At the same time, Class D car amplifiers are characterized by high efficiency and huge power with minimal cost. However, it should be mentioned that, according to music lovers, they sound worse than class A, B amplifiers. Although this statement is fading a little in the world of audio, because even in household audio equipment, class D amplifiers are making their way in the elite amplifier list. As e.g. The NAD M10 model was awarded the Eisa award as the best smart amplifier of 2019-2020.
Why is it important to maintain a minimum impedance ? Standard auto amplifiers have a minimum supported resistance of 2 ohms, however, mono amplifiers often support 1 ohm resistance. If the declared resistance of the amplifier is overloaded (switched too low), there is a high risk of burning the amplifier. You need to know that when increasing the load (reducing the resistance), the power of the amplifier increases, but the musicality and dynamism of the sound system decreases.
HP LP and other filters
Also pay attention to the filters built into the amplifier. If the amplifier or its channels are intended to amplify the front speakers, it is recommended to use the HP filter (high pass), then the speakers will later start to distort and hold higher power and high frequencies, the amplifier will only amplify high frequencies. If connecting a subwoofer, we recommend using a low-frequency filter LP Low pass , which filters timbres above the low frequency (optimal setting 80Hz). If you are planning an active component speaker system, you will need a Band pass filter limiting the frequencies on both sides. A subsonic type filter will be useful in the subwoofer system to protect the speaker from burning or firing beyond the declared range of speaker movement (which ends in speaker failure).
Well, and the last few tips for choosing and planning to buy online and install it yourself. The right cables to connect the amplifier are important. We recommend routing the power cables as far as possible from cables and adapters transmitting the audio signal. We also recommend storing the amplifier where it will receive sufficient air for cooling. Otherwise, the autoamplifier may overheat while playing and start disconnecting or even fail, to avoid this in such cases, forced cooling is required. Class D amplifiers heat up the least, because their efficiency is the highest.
If you plan to connect the amplifier to the factory system, you will usually need a High Low adapter. Read more about it in High/Low adapters at Autogarsas.lt