Car Stereo Amplifiers

If there’s something that you can add to boost the sound performance of your car audio system, that would be car stereo amplifiers and subwoofers. Car stereo amplifiers improve the sound of the audio system dramatically, and deliver the needed power for a “blasting” sound experience.

This power is presented in watts, and is discerningly distributed to the outputs of the amplifier depending on its connection and the number of channels it has. Every car stereo amplifier must state the “maximum peaking power” and “maximum continuous power peak” (RMS) that the device can handle. The amplifier should no exceed the wattage that the speaker can handle. Every amplifier must have lengthy “heatsinks” –these are the strips or grooves of the outside metal that absorbs a quantity of the heat generated from the amplifiers.

Car stereo amplifiers are categorized according to classes – A, AB, D, and T. The most efficient and most popular class for an entire system is that of class AB. Class D is only a mono or single channel output that is utilized for powering subwoofers. The most powerful class is that of Class T, it puts out two to for times added power than AB amplifiers of the same size.

The amount of “output channels” that an amplifier has is the amount of speakers that can be hooked-up to it using a “series” circuit. Car stereo amplifiers can have one to seven channels. Any type of amplifier that has four channels or more is also considered as “multi-channel” amplifiers, while amplifiers with two channels are considered “stereo”. Every channel has a right and left signal line-out. Additionally, the “standard impedance” of car stereo amplifiers is 4-ohms.

Choosing Car Stereo Amplifiers

Adding car stereo amplifiers to an audio system will considerably enhance the sound quality of the stereo system. Here are some tips on how to choose one that is appropriate for you:

Before Shopping

Collect as much practical information as possible about the existing car stereo unit and speakers. Determine the place where the amplifier is to be placed in the car. Measure its area and jot down its dimensions.

Tips: if the car does not have “low-level output”, the amplifier will need “high-level input”. This will permit connecting the speaker wires directly from the radio to the amplifier. Also, choose a location for the amplifier where it gets a lot of air to avoid overheat.

In The Shop

Ask an installer or salesperson the power rating you should opt to have based on existing speakers, musical taste, and stereo. Choose any two or three types of amplifier for comparison. Compare the power rating of the amplifiers using the similar parameters such as frequency, ohms, rating, and voltage. Request that the amplifiers be plugged into a speaker and radio that is identical to ones you have in your car. Pay attention to different amplifiers’ performance and choose the one that best satisfies you. Check the size of the amplifier if it would fit your intended place for it.

Tips: select an amplifier that is steady down to 2-ohms, this will be advantageous if you plan to install subwoofers to the system in the future. The amplifier must have volume controls for both the rear and front channels. If the radio and the amplifier both allow two pairs of “RCA” cables, then you can use the fader control of the radio. Choose a unit that has “built-in” high-pass and low-pass crossovers.

Car stereo amplifiers are excellent add-ons for an audio system for those who want to take their “sound experience” to the next exploding level. Choosing the right, quality amplifiers is important for better sound enjoyment and longer-lasting use.