The Function and Performance Index of Commercial Power Amplifier

The Function of Commercial Power Amplifier

The amplifier is designed to amplify the weak signal from the audio source or the prime amplifier and to promote the speakers to sound. The amplifier plays an important role in a good speaker system.

The amplifier is one of the largest families in all kinds of audio equipment. The main function is to amplify the weaker signal from audio source equipment, then to drive the speaker to playback sound with the produced enough current. Due to considering power, impedance, distortion, dynamic and different serviceable range and control/adjust function, there are different internal signal processing, circuit design and production process for different amplifiers.

Performance Index of Commercial Power Amplifier

As for the amplifier main performance index, they are output power, frequency response, distortion degree, signal-to-noise ratio, output impedance, damping coefficient, etc.

Output power: the unit is W. Because each manufacturer's measurement method is different, there are some different names. For example, rated output power, maximum output power, music output power, peak music output power.

Music power: it refers to the instantaneous maximum output power of the amplifier to music signal when the output distortion not exceeding the specified value.

Rated output power: it refers to average output power when harmonic distortion value is 10%. It is also called maximum useful power. Generally speaking, peak power is greater than music power, music power is greater than the rated power, and peak power is 5 - 8 times of the rated power.