Amplifiers and speakers need to be a great match to deliver great audio, whether for your car or the home. Figuring out how to choose an amplifier for speakers involves looking at brands and considering factors like your desired effects, your typical music and audio needs, and space where you will use your amplifier and speaker set. If you are searching for an amplifier for your speakers, then let these pointers guide you.
Tips on How to Choose Amplifier for Speakers
Here are some easy tips to remember on how to choose an amplifier for speakers:
On the Number of Channels
Check how many speakers your car has so that you can consider getting an amplifier that has one channel for each speaker. Multiple channels can guarantee you better sound quality and great clarity. If your car has more than the usual number of speakers, you may consider choosing a six-channel amplifier.
Get an amplifier for your subwoofer and another amplifier for the rest of your car speakers so that each one has its channel.
If your amplifier is only for a subwoofer or a single speaker, you may consider purchasing a mono channel amplifier.
On Wattage
- Check the rated powers of your speakers on its rear, right where the ports are. Take note of this number, and choose an amplifier with a rated power that’s 10% higher than your speakers. Going higher on wattage for your amplifier ensures the greater audio quality.
- You can expect awesome sound for your car if you get an amplifier that puts forth 100 watts per channel.
Direct Connection Is Always Better
- Find out if the amplifier you are considering has a direct connection to receivers. If your unit allows direct connection to receivers, you are assured of great audio since your speaker wires and cables won’t have to pass through any other conduit gadgets. It is always best to go for amplifiers with pre-amp outputs for your music to sound crisp and clean.
- Brands like Kenwood and Rockford Fosgate have direct connection amplifiers, which are notable and worth investing in.
Wide Frequency Range, Richer Audio Range
- Another tip on how to choose an amplifier for speakers is to choose an amplifier with a wide range of frequencies so that it can also be more receptive to a richer and larger range of tones. To give you a hint at what certain frequency ranges do to your music experience, here’s a rundown:
- If you want a bass that you can feel more than you can hear, go for a Sub Bass (20-60 Hz).
- If you prefer better reception of most bass signals to create a fuller sound, go for a Bass (60-250 Hz).
- If you are all for crisp, clear sounds to define bass instruments, go for Low Midrange (250-500 Hz).
- If you want the instruments’ sound to be more dominant than all others, go for Midrange (500-2,000 Hz).
- If you need percussive strength, go for the Upper Midrange (2,000-4,000 Hz).
- If you care for clear, well defined, integrated sound, go for Presence (4,000-6000 Hz).
- If you love how all sound is brought together and look for harmonics, go for Brilliance (6,000-20,000 Hz).
- Not too sure about which range to go for? For starters, you can choose an amplifier with a 60-4,000 Hz range. This range should get you covered in terms of a good audio range.
On the Safety and Convenience of a Remote
- Look for amplifier models that come with remote control. This is the most ideal and practical when you are driving, but you still want to tinker with your car audio experience and control your amplifiers at the back of your car.
Now, if you are looking for an amplifier for your home theatre system, here are some guidelines on how to choose an amplifier for speakers:
Impedance
Check the speakers’ specifications for its impedance, a value in the range of 4 to 8 ohms. Now, refer to your amplifier specifications and find out if it can support your speakers’ impedance. This is most important for the best compatibility of your units. If the impedance values do not match, it may cause a strain on your amplifier and speakers.
Suitable Power Rating
Always choose an amplifier that has a greater power rating than your speakers. What is ideal is when you won’t have to turn your amplifier dial-up to its maximum to turn up your audio volume; otherwise, this could also strain your amplifier and eventually damage it prematurely. Read your speaker’s power rating, then check if it is compatible with the wattage that your amplifier puts forth.
Room Size
If you have a larger room, then you would need a more powerful amplifier. You can check to ensure that your amplifier of choice puts forth more than 200 watts per channel so the sound could fill the entire space.
Conclusion
As you can see, how to choose an amplifier for speakers is not a walk in the park, but it is not so confusing either. All it takes is time and due diligence to examine all factors, features, and possibilities to make the best choices. It’s not a low-think purchase, so you can’t afford to take whatever is available. It is also important to note your amplifiers and speakers’ position – they heat up quite quickly, so to avoid any case of overheating, be sure to position the amplifier and speaker in a way that air can still circulate them. Find out more amplifiers for speakers here!