What is the Best Amplifier for Me? |
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If you want to use passive PA speakers, then you’ll also need an amplifier. But which amplifier will make the perfect match for your speakers? And what else do you need? We’ve made this Gear Guide to make everything a little clearer. If you can’t see your question included below, feel free to contact us. What is it? | What to Look for | Power | Connections | Class | Crossover | DSP | 100 Volts | More 1. What Is an Amplifier?An amplifier is a device that strengthens an electronic signal. Why do you need this? It’s actually normal for the signal from a specific audio source to be weak when sent directly to a set of speakers. A good music-industry based example of this kind of audio source is a microphone, electric guitar, or turntable. An amplifier is used in combination with passive speakers. Active speakers already come with an amplifier built in. The kind of amplifiers that we’ll focus on in this Gear Guide, are usually used with PA speakers (like the speakers you see at a live venue). That’s not to say that they can’t be used for other applications. For more specialised versions like guitar amplifiers, keyboard amplifiers, and amplifiers for electronic drum kits, we have other, more dedicated categories where you can find everything you need. Amplifiers
2. What Should I Look for When Picking an Amplifier?When choosing an amplifier, you should look for a couple of things. First of all, you need to check that the amplifier has enough power to run your passive speakers. The second thing to check is the kind of inputs and outputs (and the amount) that the amplifier has and if the outputs match the inputs of your speakers. Going further, there’s a number of other points to pay attention to, like the amplifier class, and if the amplifier has a crossover or DSP fitted. For more information about these details, simply read on.
3. How Much Power Should the Amplifier Have?The important thing here is that you know the balance between the amplifier and your speakers. In comparison: someone who struggles to lift 60kg will obviously find it easier to lift 30kg than someone who struggles to lift 30kg. Amplifiers and speakers work in much the same way. Instead of looking at kilogrammes, we’re looking at the RMS power capacity in Watts. RMS is the continuous power that the amplifier is able to deliver, and this is different from peak power (see Question 9). The impedance of your speakers and amplifier also needs to be checked to make sure that they match. Rule of Thumb: If you have a 500 Watt passive speaker with an impedance of 8 Ohms, then you need an amplifier that, at 8 Ohms, can provide 750 to 1,000 Watts. If you have two speakers, then the amplifier needs to be able to provide twice as much. In short, an amplifier that can deliver 2 x 750 Watts at 8 Ohms can power two 500 Watt speakers without any problems. Tip: In our dedicated amplifier category, you can use the filters found on the left of the page to specify the power that you’re looking for in Ohms and Watts.
4. What Inputs and Outputs Do Amplifiers Have? And What Cables Do I Need?Outputs: Many amplifiers come fitted with wire terminals, and/or locking speaker sockets (if the sockets and plugs are described as ‘SpeakOns’, then these are made by Neutrik). In the case of wire terminal outputs, you use speaker cables without plugs to connect them up. To do this, clamp the copper wire ends of the speaker cable securely into the terminal. You don’t need any special tools to do this, except maybe a pair of wire strippers. Other outputs that you’re less likely to come across, are 6.3mm jack sockets, XLR sockets, and Eurobock sockets. Please note that the core thickness of the cable (for example: 1.2mm2 or 2.5mm2) needs to be able to handle the power of the amplifier you’re going to connect. You can check this in the specification of the cable product page. Inputs: Here, you connect up your audio source. Sockets like XLR, RCA (red and white phono), and 6.3mm jack sockets. If you have quite a few audio sources that you want to connect, then you would usually place a mixer inbetween the amp and audio sources. Amplifiers with Locking Speaker Sockets
5. Which Amplifier Class Is the Best?The amplifier class indicates the way in which an amplifier functions, and can say something about the weight of the amplifier, the amount of heat it produces, and the energy efficiency. The classes have an ascending order and below are the three best known: Class AB: A medium efficiency (50%) and the most popular audio-amplifier design. It’s a lot heavier than a D-Class, but usually cheaper. Class D: Digital amplifiers produce less heat and have extremely high efficiency (+/- 90%). They are clearly lighter than an AB-Class amplifier, so much easier to move and position. The price, however, is usually much higher. Class H: These are much smaller and lighter than usual and the efficiency sits somewhere between an AB and D. Class-AB Amplifiers
6. What Is a Crossover and When Do I Need It?A crossover is a filter that splits an audio signal into two frequency components. This is to ensure that the lowest frequencies, for example, can be separated and sent to the subwoofer(s), while the other frequencies are sent to normal speakers (also known as tops or satellites). To efficiently use the energy from the amplifier and for a pure sound, a crossover is actually essential to any set up that uses passive subwoofers. Some amplifiers already come equipped with a crossover-filter. In this case, there’s no need to add a separate crossover. Amplifiers with a Fixed Crossover
7. What Is a Dsp and Do I Need One?A DSP, or digital signal processor, converts the analogue signal into digital data so that it can do pretty much anything with it. Equalisaton, limiting, and compression, are only a few examples. Once the signal has been processed, it’s then converted back into an analogue signal and sent to the connected speakers. The advantage of having a DSP is that you have extensive control over the sound without the need for external hardware or processors. The downside is that a DSP usually pushes the price up. Amplifiers with Built-In DSP
8. What About 100 Volt Amplifiers?100 Volt amplifiers are entirely different from the amplifiers used as part of a PA system. Any brief explanation would become technical very quickly and will need a manual of its own. In any case, it’s good to know the following:
For more information, you can always read our dedicated blog. And, if you are looking for a 100 Volt system, then we’d absolutely understand if you’d prefer to just contact us for some made-to-measure advice.
9. What Do Terms Like Program Power, Music Power, Pmpo, Maximum and Peak Mean?These terms are like measuring sticks used by manufacturers to indicate the maximum load of a speaker and/or amplifier in Watts. Unfortunately, there is no fixed standard for this. See Question 3. for more information about finding an amplifer that matches your speakers on the basis of RMS power. Program power/Music power: The load capacity of a speaker when a dynamic signal with peaks and troughs is continuously fed through it. Maximum/Peak: The absolute maximum load capacity of a speaker over a short period of time (usually less than a second) without damaging the speaker. PMPO: (Peak Music / Momentary Power Output) This is mainly seen with HiFi and multi-media systems and indicates the maximum capacity under ideal (usually theoretical) conditions, where a certain optimised tone is played through the speaker for a very short period without damaging the speaker or amplifier.
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