How to Choose a Car Amplifier?
2 Answers
Select the appropriate car amplifier based on the amplifier's parameters and the car owner's needs. Below is a relevant introduction to car amplifier parameters: 1. Output Power: Rated output power RMS refers to the maximum power the amplifier can output within the total harmonic distortion range of the audio signal. 2. Signal-to-Noise Ratio: The signal-to-noise ratio is a very important parameter, usually expressed as S/N. The higher this parameter value, the better. 3. Harmonic Distortion: Harmonic distortion refers to a distortion of the normal current waveform, generally emitted by nonlinear loads. Unlike the signal-to-noise ratio, for this parameter, the lower the value, the better.
When installing audio systems, I pay special attention to amplifier power matching—it's not true that bigger is always better. First, you need to check the speaker's rated power and peak power, then choose an amplifier slightly above the speaker's rated power, leaving about 20% headroom for safety. The number of channels is also crucial: a 4-channel amp for four door speakers, and a 5-channel if you add a subwoofer. Heat sink size matters—metal casings outperform plastic, and models with thermal protection are ideal. For brands, Alpine and JL Audio's mid-range models offer great value; avoid cheap no-name brands that risk blowing fuses. Wiring is key too—use 4-gauge or thicker pure copper for power cables and shielded audio cables.
