Selection of a Car Amplifier

When a car owner plans to purchase a car amp, then that car owner must give thought to the amplifier?s desired efficiency. The efficiency of an amplifier represents the ratio of power output to power input. Two primary factors determine an amplifier’s efficiency: the power dissipation within the car amp and the distortion of the audio signal that comes from that same amplifier.

Amplifiers have been classed according to their efficiencies. Class D car amps use transistors to control power distribution within the amplifier. When the voltage in the amplifier rises to a certain level, then the transistors in a Class D car amp will automatically turn off. This ability of the transistors to turn on and off allows the Class D car amp to draw less current than the Class A or AB amplifier. Because it draws less current, the Class D car amp also produces less heat. In other words it is more efficient.

Unfortunately, the increased efficiency found in the Class D car amp comes at a price. The switching of the transistors leads to distortion of the audio signals at high frequencies. If the owner of a car audio system wants to abolish the distortion in the sound from a Class D car amp, then that individual must use a low-pass filter.

A visit to a store that sells parts for a car audio system will show that the car amp can be classified by more than just efficiency. The car amp is also classified according to the number of channels which send signals into the amplifier, where those signals then have their power increased. In a mono amplifier the amplifier adds power to the signal from a single channel.

Mono amplifiers can frequently offer one big advantage to the car owner with a pair of subwoofers. If each subwoofer has a 4 ohm resistance to the current flow, then those two subwoofers would fit safely in a parallel circuit with the mono amplifier. Such a wiring arrangement is commonly used by the car owner with a car amp.