A car audio amplifier is a popular electronic device used with music systems in automobiles. This
device increases the low level voltage signals, current and amplitude of a source unit to high levels in order to generate a better sound output. The main source unit could be a car stereo or any other audio player that produces audio signals. A car amplifier boosts the output quality while providing you with surround sound.
The main use of a car amplifier is to make the sound produced by the player crisper, sharper and louder with more bass. This is done by increasing the milli-volt range of the stereo output by up to four times higher. Without an amplifier, a stereo player can produce very low signal sound ranging from 5 to 20Hz. The RCA cables/jacks, also referred to as phono connectors or AV plugs, are electrical connectors which are used to connect the amplifier to the stereo unit. This results in high amplitude waves that give out high fidelity sound.
A car amplifier comes with a built-in active crossover, bass equalizers and bass engines, signal processors, RCA and speaker inputs. Also, the THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) percentage determines the quality of output delivered. A low THD percentage means a better sound quality.
There are three basic varieties of car amplifiers – mono amplifiers, two-channel amplifiers and four-channel amplifiers. The more channels present in an amplifier, the better it is in terms of installation flexibility, future add-ons and upgrades. A four-channel amplifier, the most advanced version, delivers the highest quality sound output and is ideal for big cars or jeeps. A mono amplifier and a two-channel amplifier are among the best for small cars.
A well-chosen car amplifier can add life to your car stereo system. You should choose a car amplifier depending on the kind of music you will want to play in your car. Loud music or rock will be best played with a two or four-channel amplifier. A mono amplifier is better suited for playing soft music, instrumentals and lyrical songs in your car. Moreover, the car amplifier unit can be complemented with bass booster speakers, power speakers or tweeters, sub-woofers and side speakers to enjoy the maximum benefits.
A car amplifier should ideally be placed near the battery so underneath the car seat. This way, a lot of energy can be saved and the voltage drop should be minimal. Also, the device should not come in direct contact with sunlight or any other source of heat, since this could easily damage it.
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