The amplifier may be a mysterious and complex component for those who are new to car audio systems. It serves as the core of a car audio system-an audio amplifier that plays an important role in improving sound quality and enhancing sound effects. Whether you want to make your music more powerful or improve your sound quality, choosing the right amplifier is a crucial step. This blog will introduce the various functions of amplifiers to help you fully understand and choose the right amplifier for you.
Amplifiers Introduction
Amplifier is an electronic device that amplifies a weak incoming audio signal and outputs it to speakers. In an audio system, since the amplitude of the audio signal is usually small and not enough to drive the speakers, we need an amplifier to amplify it to a sufficient level so that it can drive the speakers or other load devices in the sound system.
Basic Functions Of Amplifiers
1. Output Power
The he output power of an amplifier is categorized into Root Mean Square(RMS) power and peak power, expressed in watts. Usually, we only need to focus on the RMS power as it represents the continuous output power of the amplifier during normal operation. The amplifiers watts is slightly higher than the watts of your speakers, it is usually 1.1-1.5 times the power rating of the speakers you want to connect. If the power of the amplifier is lower than the power of the speakers, then there may be no sound from the speakers, and if the power of the amplifier is too high, then the speakers may be overloaded with sound distortion and other phenomena.
2. Channel
The number of channels in an amplifier determines the number of speakers it can drive. Commonly, there are mono, binaural, quad and penta-channel. Mono amplifiers are usually used to drive car subwoofers, while multi-channel amplifiers are suitable for multi-speaker systems to achieve a stereo surround sound effect.
Advanced Features Of The Amplifier
1. Gain Control
The input gain control of an amplifier is equivalent to a regulator that adjusts the size of the audio signal coming into the amplifier, usually designed as a knob adjustment from minimum to maximum. If you use different audio source devices (such as car radio, CD player etc.) connected to the amplifier, they may output different strengths of audio signals to the amplifier, you will find that sometimes the sound of the speakers will be smaller (unclear), sometimes the sound of the speakers will be too loud (distortion), at this time, the gain control can help you to adjust the different strengths of the audio source signals to the level of the amplifier to optimally deal with to ensure that the sound quality is clear and distortion-free. The sound quality is clear and distortion-free. The gain control is not a volume adjuster, although sometimes you may notice a change in the volume of the music being played when you adjust the gain control knob, its purpose is to ensure that the signals from the amplifier and the source equipment are perfectly matched.
2. Crossover Control
The role of the crossover in an amplifier is to divide the full-range audio signal into different frequency bands (e.g. bass, midrange and treble) to ensure that the speakers only receive and process the frequency bands that match their frequency response. By manually adjusting the cut-off frequency and filtering type of the crossover, you can effectively protect the speakers and enhance the overall performance of the audio system. Common crossover types are listed below:
- High-Pass Filter (HPF)
The high-pass filter allows only high-frequency signals above your setting to pass through, blocking low-frequency signals. If your amplifier is connected to tweeters or midrange speakers, you can adjust the high-pass filter to protect the speakers. Some amplifiers also have an subsonic filter. It is also a high-pass filter and can be used to filter low-frequency signals below 20 Hz. Signals below 20 Hz are not audible to the human ear, but they consume power from the amplifier and cause unwanted vibration and damage to the subwoofer.
- Low-Pass Filter (LPF)
The low-pass filter allows only low-frequency signals below your setting to pass through, blocking high-frequency signals. This function is mainly used for subwoofers to enable the subwoofer to provide a deeper bass effect.
- Band-Pass Filter (BPF)
A bandpass filter functions as both a high-pass and a low-pass filter, allowing only signals from a specific frequency band to pass through. It is mainly used for mid-woofer or full-range speakers to ensure that the range of frequency bands it handles is between high-pass and low-pass, providing an even sound effect.
- Full-Range Pass-Through
A full-range pass-through does not perform any band filtering and allows signals of all frequencies to pass through. It is mainly used for full-range speakers or devices that need to receive a full audio signal.
3. Bass Boost
Adjusting the Bass Boost function makes the bass more pronounced, usually expressed in decibels, and the larger the number you select, the more pronounced the bass boost will be. This feature is very useful for users who like heavy bass and can significantly enhance the impact of their music.
4. Digital Signal Processor (DSP)
Some amplifiers will be built-in digital signal processor, which acts as an intelligent audio processor role, responsible for audio signal processing and optimization of fine. Its functions are broken down as follows:
- Equalizer (EQ)
In a car audio system, an equalizer adjusts the volume of different frequency bands to enhance the overall sound quality.
- Delay Adjustment
This function can adjust the delay time between different speakers on the stage of a large-scale performance, avoiding the echo effect caused by the different arrival times of the sound and providing the audience with a better surround sound experience.
- Phase Adjustment
Phase describes a measure of change in the waveform of a signal, usually in degrees (angles). The purpose of phase adjustment is to ensure that the low-frequency signal is synchronized and enhanced, and to avoid the weakening of the bass effect caused by phase cancellation. You can focus on the low-frequency sound when making adjustments, when the adjustment is made until the low-frequency sound is at its strongest and clearest, with no noticeable volume fluctuations.
- Reverb
Add reverb effects to vocals or instruments to simulate spatial reflections and improve the spatiality of audio.
- Mixing
The mixing function allows you to merge multiple audio signals and adjust the ratio of each signal to provide a good listening experience.
- Feedback Suppression
This feature automatically detects and eliminates audio feedback (whistling) between the microphone and the speaker, ensuring that the listener is not disturbed by harsh whistling.
5. Remote Control
Once you have set up and installed your car amplifier, you certainly don't want to bend down and fumble again to press the buttons on the amplifier to adjust the volume of the device, the remote control function allows you to adjust the volume and other settings through the remote control (partly through the cell phone app) to enhance the safety of driving.
6. Protective Function
Protect function is used to protect the amplifier and speakers in abnormal situations, common protection functions include overheat protection, overload protection and short circuit protection. When the protect light of the car amplifier equipment is on, it usually indicates that the amplifier has some problems, and you need to check and deal with it in time.
By understanding the basic and advanced features of amplifiers above, it can help you find the right amplifier at the beginning of your car audio system, so that every time you drive will be accompanied by beautiful music! If you want to know more about car audio, you can check out the HYANKA blog page or learn more about car audio products through HYANKA.