Power Amplifiers

An amplifier is specified by what it has to drive, not by its own headline figure. The loudspeaker's continuous power rating and nominal impedance set the requirement; the amplifier's rating at that impedance has to meet it with headroom. Amplifiers in this range cover two and four channel install and touring duties, including models with onboard processing.

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Specifications below are taken from the product data for each item in this collection. Rows with fewer than two published figures are omitted. Sorted by price.

How to choose a power amplifier

Work from the loudspeaker specification. A common guideline is an amplifier rated about 1.5 to 2 times the loudspeaker's continuous (RMS) power rating, with limiting set to protect the drivers. The headroom is there for transients, not to run the system louder.

Read the rating at your actual impedance. Amplifier power is quoted per channel at a stated load. The figure at 4 ohms is not the figure at 8 ohms. Work out the total load on each channel, including cabinets in parallel, and read the rating at that number.

Understand why underpowering is dangerous. An amplifier driven into clipping sends distorted energy with high harmonic content to the high-frequency drivers. That damages tweeters more reliably than a larger amplifier used sensibly.

Decide whether you want onboard processing. Amplifiers with built-in DSP handle crossover, delay, limiting and equalisation in one box, which reduces rack space and cabling. A separate processor gives more flexibility across a mixed system.

Plan power draw and heat. Amplifier racks draw significant mains current under load and need airflow. Check the published consumption and the rack's ventilation before specifying a dense rack.

Frequently asked questions

How much amplifier power do my speakers need?
A common guideline is 1.5 to 2 times the loudspeaker's continuous (RMS) rating, with limiting in place. The extra capability is headroom for transients, not permission to run louder.

Why does impedance matter?
Amplifier power is rated at a stated load. Two 8-ohm cabinets in parallel present 4 ohms, so you must read the amplifier's rating at 4 ohms rather than its 8-ohm figure.

Can an amplifier be too powerful for a speaker?
Less often than it is too small. A clipping amplifier sends distorted energy to high-frequency drivers and damages them, which is why underpowering causes more failures.

Do I need an amplifier with built-in DSP?
It depends on the system. Onboard DSP saves rack space and cabling in a fixed install; a separate processor gives more flexibility across mixed systems.

How much current does an amplifier rack draw?
Check the published consumption of each unit and add them. Dense racks also need airflow, so plan ventilation alongside the electrical supply.