Choosing Car Audio Amplifiers
You’ve already installed your car audio speakers and subwoofers, but you still feel like your stereo system is missing something. Before investing in television screens, DVD players, and video game consoles, the one item you really need to make your music go to eleven is a car audio amplifier. Speakers and subwoofers can only do so much and a car audio amplifier will give your music the true power it needs.
Although not absolutely necessary, there are many advantages to installing an amplifier in your car. First and foremost, an amplifier will give you better sound quality – a must have for true audiophiles. Your in-dash stereo amplifier is limited by space and usually the higher the volume, the more your speakers will strain to amplify the sound. The amplifier will make your music sound clearer and more defined regardless of the volume level. If you’ve invested in high-quality car audio speakers, using the preexisting amplifier will not do it justice. The speakers need more power in order to perform better. Likewise, the subwoofer will also require more power to operate at its best performance.
Now you have to decide what type of amplifiers you need for your system. First, determine what the amplifier will be powering – subwoofers, speakers, or both. A mono amp is a good choice for subwoofers since they’re designed to handle low-frequencies. However, if you have two subwoofers, you can purchase a 2-channel amp. If your speakers demand ultimate power, a 4-channel amp can be bridged to a 2-channel mode. The power of the amp depends on the power of your subwoofer. There should be 150-200 watts per 12 inch subwoofer.
If you only have speakers, then purchase a 2 or 4-channel amp depending on how many speakers you have. A combination of speakers and subwoofers will require either a 4, 5, or 6-channel amplifier. Again the number of channels correlates to the number of components. The power of the amp output should be 70-125% of the power handling of the speakers.
Car audio amplifiers are categorized into classes according to its circuit design. Class A amplifiers will give you the best sound quality, however it comes at a price. They do not run very efficiently and will get very hot because the output transistors always have a current running through them – even if there is no audio signal. Class B amplifiers on the other hand, do run efficiently and save energy by turning off for every half of a signal cycle. However, this does cause some distortion between switching periods. The most common amplifier that offers the best of both worlds is a Class AB amplifier. Although the current is always running through the transistor, it does so at a much lower level. It will run cool without distortion. Finally, a Class D amp will rapidly switch on and off twice during a signal cycle, making them efficient. Distortion does occur, but at such high frequencies it is removed by filters.
A car audio amplifier can be added to just about any car and will complete your stereo system. If you’re just not getting enough power, consider the great advantages of an amplifier.
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Roland Mobile Cube Guitar Mini Stereo Amplifier $169 The Roland Mobile Cube Stereo Amplifier is small and mighty, able to handle all types of electronic instruments and audio devices, and can be used anywhere, anytime. Connect microphones, electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, drum machines, MP3 players, you name it, and jam for up to 15 hours. Roland Mobile Cube Features Battery-powered amplifier for anyone, anywhere, anytime 5W (2.5W + 2.5W) stereo power with two high-performance 10cm (4-inch) speakers Inputs for microphone, stereo-instrument, and stereo AUX; headphone output Center Cancel function for karaoke Built-in stereo reverb/chorus, distortion and more Dedicated strap included for easy carry around Small Size, Big Sound At just 11-1/16 (W) x 4-1/4 (D) x 7 (H) inches, no larger than a briefcase, MOBILE CUBE is a traveler’s dream. Battery-powered, it can be operated anywhere — just plug in, turn on, and jam. Two high-performance speakers provide stereo sound that defies Mobile Cube’s physical size. Built-In Stereo Effects Equipped with Roland’s legendary FX engine, Mobile Cube offers high-quality stereo reverb and chorus effects. Sweeten your vocals, add fire to your guitar tone, or immerse your mixes in a rich stereo sound field. Center Cancel is also provided for minimizing vocals in pre-recorded music — great for karaoke and play-along performance. All Instruments Welcome Thanks to its variety of inputs, Mobile Cube accommodates microphones, keyboards, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, MP3 players, and more; no other instrument amplifier of this size has a stereo input port. Use it as a practice amp at home, while traveling, indoors or out. It’s great for parties, karaoke, and vocal lessons. Connect it to a mic stand for use as a monitor speaker or micro PA. |
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ART SLA2 Stereo Power Amplifier $269.1 The ART SLA2 Stereo Power Amplifier stems from the success of ART’s popular 100 watt SLA1. For all of you power hungry audio enthusiasts, ART presents to you the powerful ART SLA2. The SLA2 is a studio linear power amp that delivers 200 watts of clean, clear power, and will help reproduce your mixes with near pinpoint accuracy inside a single rack space. ART SLA2 Features Toroidal Transformer 200 watts per channel @ 8 Ohms 560 watts bridged mono @ 8 Ohms 10 Hz – 40 kHz within +/- .5 dB XLR, Euroblock & 1/4 inch inputs Includes tamper-proof faceplate SmartFan Silent Cooling System Low Profile 1U Rack Mountable Extemely Low noise, Discrete Linear Design All Steel Chassis One of the top features on the SLA2 is ART’s SmartFan technology. In addition to a standard cooling fan, the oversized convection heat sinks located on each side of the SLA2 silently directs heatflow outside the chassis. What makes the SmartFan smart? It’s temperture-controlled variable speed keeps the amp quiet and cool while performing at lower output. SmartFan kicks in only when the amp’s heatload rises creating an on demand cooling system in warmer environments. With the already stellar level of sound quality, the SLA2’s redesigned circuitry combined with the same straightforward user interface quickly and accurately packs the additional power punch you need. ART has also included a tamper proof faceplate for your fixed installations. Its long list of useful features measure up to an incredible value. The SLA2 is perfect for pro, project and home studios, and is a perfect compliment to the ART SLM1 Studio Linear Monitors. The combination of these two units allow project studios upgrade their existing set-up for monitoring recorded material. ART Power Amplifiers Overview Offering a superb level of sound quality, ART power amplifiers feature clean, powerful circuitry, along with a straightforward user interface. They are an excellent choice when a robust amplifier is necessary to deliver the power you need for professional and project studio monitoring. ART power amplifiers may be used in a wide variety of project and professional studio environments. Self-contained in a steel and aluminum enclosure, these units are designed for many years of reliable performance. |