Amplifiers

Amplifiers are the heart of every sound system and will ultimately be the deciding factor in both volume and overall quality.

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At ElectroMarket, we stock a lot of amplifiers. A lot of amplifiers. With a wide range, it can be tricky to know where to start, however selecting the right amplifier is of extreme importance. Depending on the power rating of your speakers, you'll need to find an amplifier that best suits it to avoid potential overpowering, overheating or even damaging your speakers completely. Despite there being a fair bit to consider, we are here to help you decide on the best amplifier for the situation you're looking to supply for.

Although we do supply speakers that contain built-in amps, known as active speakers, you'll find that in almost all cases that dedicating a larger, separate amplifier to an even amount of decent passive speakers will always give you control of your master sound signal, resulting in a much more professional and balanced sound output. To explore our wide selection of amplifiers, we've broken it down into convenient categories. These include: Home Amplifiers, Power Amplifiers, and Installation Amplifiers (including 100V line and Multi-zone systems). You'll find amplifiers with Bluetooth capabilities, vocal-dedicated amplifiers, amplifiers offering visual monitoring and much, much more.

Home Amplifiers

Home amplifiers are designed to offer high-quality sound reproduction for a variety of uses. Whether you're listening to your favourite vinyl records, streaming music from your digital library, hosting a karaoke party, or enhancing your home theatre system, a reliable home amplifier is essential. These amplifiers are designed to provide clear, powerful sound that can fill any room, bringing your audio experience to life.

In terms of functionality, home amplifiers often include multiple input options, allowing you to connect various devices such as CD players, turntables, and streaming devices. This versatility ensures that you can enjoy your entire music collection with ease. Additionally, many modern home amplifiers come with advanced features like Bluetooth connectivity and WiFi technology, providing convenience and flexibility for the modern user.

When choosing a home amplifier, it's important to consider the power output and the impedance of your speakers. Matching these specifications ensures optimal performance and prevents potential damage to your audio equipment. With the right home amplifier, you can achieve a balanced, immersive sound that enhances every aspect of your listening experience.

Stereo amplifiers are a popular choice for the home, delivering high-quality sound for music and home entertainment. These loudspeaker amplifiers process two channels of audio, providing a rich and immersive listening experience. There are also karaoke amplifiers, which are similar to stereo amplifiers but are designed for vocal performances.

Other popular choices are home cinema amplifiers which are designed to connect to multiple speakers to create a surround sound experience. In addition, multiroom amplifiers are available, which enable you to play high-quality audio in different rooms of the house.

Power Amplifiers

Power amplifiers are a crucial component of many PA and DJ setups, and are designed to drive passive speakers with the necessary power to deliver high-quality sound. These amplifiers take the audio signal from a source device and amplify it to a level that can drive loudspeakers effectively. Power amplifiers are especially important in larger venues where sound needs to be projected over significant distances.

One of the key considerations when selecting a power amplifier is its wattage rating. The wattage determines how much power the amplifier can deliver to the speakers, which in turn affects the volume and clarity of the sound. It's essential to match the amplifier's power output to the requirements of your speakers to ensure both components work harmoniously.

We offer a selection of power amplifiers designed for DJs, providing the necessary power and sound quality to deliver a memorable performance. These audio amplifiers are designed to handle the demands of live mixing and ensure consistent audio output, even at high volumes. When choosing a DJ amplifier, it’s essential to consider the power output, as well as compatibility with other equipment such as DJ mixers and loudspeakers.

A wide range of PA amplifiers are also available, ideal for a variety of applications, from concerts and events to schools and public gatherings. These amplifiers are designed to distribute sound evenly across large areas, ensuring clear and intelligible audio for all listeners.

PA amplifiers come in various power ratings to suit different venue sizes, and many include modern features, such as Bluetooth technology and built-in MP3 players. When selecting a PA amplifier, it’s important to match the amplifier’s power rating with the speakers' requirements to prevent distortion and ensure optimal performance.

Installation Amplifiers

Installation amplifiers are designed for permanent setups in venues such as schools, churches, retail settings, warehouses and conference centres. These amplifiers are built to deliver reliable, high-quality audio performance in fixed installations where durability and consistency are paramount. They can cover large areas with clear, intelligible sound, and often enable the creation of a multi-zone system.

100 Volt amplifiers are used primarily in commercial and industrial sound systems. These amplifiers are ideal for installations requiring multiple loudspeakers spread over large areas, such as shopping centres, offices, and outdoor venues. 100 Volt systems allow for easy and flexible distribution of audio signals without significant loss of quality over long distances, ensuring consistent and reliable performance in complex audio setups.

Multi-zone amplifiers are popular choices for installations, providing the ability to manage audio across different areas or rooms within a single location. These amplifiers allow users to distribute audio signals to multiple zones, each with individual volume controls and source selections. This makes them ideal for complex audio setups in commercial spaces, or venues where different audio environments are required.

When selecting a multi-zone amplifier, it is important to consider the number of zones supported, power output per zone, and the overall build quality. Ensuring that the amplifier can handle the specific requirements of your loudspeaker setup is crucial for achieving optimal performance.

Slave amplifiers may also be used in large installations. These are used in conjunction with a master amplifier to boost the overall power output of an audio system. These amplifiers do not have their own control features, instead, they receive a signal from the master amplifier and amplify it to drive additional loudspeakers. By using slave amplifiers, users can expand their audio system's capacity without compromising sound quality, ensuring consistent and powerful audio distribution across extensive spaces.

Choosing the Right Amplifier

Selecting the right amplifier is crucial to achieving optimal audio performance, whether for home use, professional settings, or permanent installations. The right choice ensures your audio system delivers clear, powerful sound and operates efficiently. Here are key factors to consider when choosing an amplifier:

Power Output and Speaker Compatibility

One of the primary considerations when selecting an amplifier is its power output, usually measured in watts. The power output should match the requirements of your loudspeakers. If the amplifier provides too little power, the sound may be weak and distorted. Conversely, too much power can damage the speakers. It’s essential to check the recommended power range for your speakers and choose an amplifier that falls within this range.

Impedance Matching

Impedance, measured in ohms, is another critical factor. Most amplifiers and speakers are designed to work within a specific impedance range, typically 4-8 ohms. Ensuring that your amplifier and speakers have compatible impedance levels prevents damage and maximises performance. An impedance mismatch can lead to inefficient power transfer and potential damage to both the amplifier and speakers.

Usage Environment

Consider where and how the amplifier will be used. Home amplifiers need to blend into domestic environments, often requiring a balance of power, useful features and aesthetic appeal. For professional settings, amplifiers must handle higher volumes and more demanding audio requirements.

Connectivity Options

Modern amplifiers come with various connectivity options, from traditional wired connections to wireless features like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Determine the types of devices you’ll connect to the amplifier and ensure it has the appropriate inputs and outputs. For example, home users may need HDMI or optical inputs for home theatre systems, while professional setups might require multiple balanced XLR inputs for microphones and instruments.

Conclusion

In summary, amplifiers are integral to delivering high-quality audio in various settings, from home environments to DJ events to large commercial settings. When selecting an amplifier, it's important to consider the specific requirements of your audio system, including the power output and compatibility with your loudspeakers. By choosing the right type of amplifier, you can enhance your audio experience, ensuring clear, powerful sound that meets your needs.

Explore our extensive range of high-quality amplifiers to find the perfect solution for your audio needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a power amplifier do?

A power amplifier is a device that boosts the audio signal strength to drive passive speakers. It takes a low-level input signal from a source, such as a mixer or audio player, and amplifies it to a higher power level.

This increased signal is necessary to produce the volume and clarity required for live performances and events. Power amplifiers are essential in ensuring that the sound output is powerful and clear. Different types of power amplifiers are available to suit specific audio needs, for example, there are amplifiers designed for DJs.

How do I choose a good amplifier?

Choosing a good amplifier involves considering several key factors. First, determine the power output needed for your speakers and the size of your space. Ensure the amplifier’s power rating matches your speakers’ requirements.

Next, consider the type of amplifier that you need, based on your specific audio needs, for instance, a home amplifier, power amplifier, or commercial installation amplifier.

Also look at the amplifier's features, including the inputs and connectivity options, such as microphone inputs if needed and Bluetooth technology.

Do class D amplifiers sound good?

Class D amplifiers are known for their high efficiency and compact size, making them popular for many applications. Recent advancements have significantly improved their sound quality, and they can now deliver excellent audio performance with low distortion.

While they may not match the warmth and detail of Class A or AB amplifiers, Class D amplifiers are suitable for most listening environments, especially where space and power efficiency are concerns. For many users, the balance of sound quality, efficiency, and practicality makes Class D amplifiers a good choice.

Can an amplifier be too powerful for speakers?

Yes, an amplifier can be too powerful for speakers. If the amplifier's output exceeds the speaker's power handling capacity, it can cause damage to the speaker components.

To avoid this, match the amplifier's power output with the speaker's rated power capacity.

Using a loudspeaker amplifier with excessive power can result in distortion and overheating, potentially leading to permanent speaker damage.

It's important to check the specifications of both the amplifier and speakers to ensure compatibility and safe operation for optimal sound quality and longevity.

How do I know if my speakers need an amp?

To determine if your speakers need an amplifier, check if they are passive or active. Passive speakers do not have built-in amplifiers and require an external amp to function. Look for a connection panel with only speaker wire inputs.

In comparison, active speakers have built-in amplifiers and can connect directly to audio sources. They typically have power plugs and additional inputs like RCA or XLR.

Refer to the speaker’s manual or specifications to confirm whether they are passive or active. Knowing the type of speaker will help you understand if an external amplifier is necessary.

What are amplifiers used for?

Amplifiers are used to increase the strength of audio signals, making them powerful enough to drive speakers and produce sound at higher volumes. They are common place and are popularly used in homes, DJ events, entertainment settings, schools, churches, commercial settings and more.

In homes, audio amplifiers enhance the listening experience by ensuring clear and dynamic sound reproduction. For live performances and events, amplifiers are crucial in delivering loud and clear audio to large audiences. While in professional settings, amplifiers are used to ensure high-quality sound output for recordings, broadcasts, and public address systems.

Overall, amplifiers play a vital role in various audio applications, ensuring that sound is delivered accurately and powerfully.

Which class of power amplifier is best?

The best class of power amplifier depends on your specific needs and preferences.

Class A amplifiers offer excellent sound quality with low distortion, ideal for audiophiles, but they are less efficient and generate more heat. In comparison, Class B amplifiers are more efficient but can introduce some distortion at low levels.

Class AB amplifiers combine the advantages of both A and B classes, providing good sound quality with better efficiency.

There are also Class D amplifiers which are a very popular choice as they are highly efficient and compact, making them suitable for portable and high-power applications.

Choose the class that best matches your requirements for sound quality, efficiency, and application.

How do I know if my speakers are compatible with my amp?

To ensure your speakers are compatible with your amplifier, first, check the power rating. Match the amplifier’s output power (in watts) with the speaker’s power handling capacity to avoid damage.

Next, look at the impedance rating. Ensure the amplifier’s output impedance matches the speaker’s impedance, typically measured in ohms. Finally, consider the connections. Ensure the amplifier and speakers have compatible input and output connections.

By matching these specifications, you can achieve optimal performance and avoid potential issues with your audio system.

Can I use speakers without an amplifier?

Using speakers without an amplifier is possible if they are active speakers, which have built-in amplifiers. However, if you are using passive speakers, they require an external amplifier to power them. Without an amplifier, passive speakers will not produce sound.

Always check whether your speakers are active or passive to determine if you need an external amplifier for your audio setup.

What is a 100V line amplifier?

A 100V line amplifier is designed for public address (PA) and commercial audio systems, allowing audio to be transmitted over long distances with minimal loss. This system uses a high-voltage line, typically 100 volts, to distribute audio signals to multiple speakers.

Each speaker has a transformer to step down the voltage to a usable level. This setup is efficient for large venues, schools, and commercial buildings where numerous speakers are needed. It ensures consistent audio quality across all connected speakers, making it ideal for large-scale sound distribution.