The amplifier provides the power that drives the speakers in a car's stereo system. Car amplifier types are differentiated by their classification. Amplifiers are classified by their circuit design and the way in which its output stages are powered. Each of the different amplifier classes performs differently and has its advantages and disadvantages.
Class A
Class A amplifiers are notable for their extremely high quality sound. The problem is that this quality comes a price. The class A circuit design allows electrical current to constantly run, even when there is no audio signal. The constant flow of current causes this type of amplifier to run at very hot temperatures, which is not an efficient use of your car's power. It is very hard to find a class A amplifier today due to the fact that most manufacturers have stopped producing them.
Class B
Class B amplifiers aim to correct the inefficiency issues that are synonymous with class A amplifiers. The circuit design of this type of amplifier turns the transistors off for half of every signal. This allows the amplifier to cool down when no audio signal is present. The problem with this type of amplifier is the fact that when the transistor is turned off, the sound is not reproduced correctly. Most class B amplifiers, therefore, make the music sound like it is distorted. Class B amplifiers are economical, but sacrifice quality.
Class AB
Class AB types of amplifiers are the most common type of car amplifier. This circuit design combines quality and efficiency. The circuit design of a class AB amplifier confronts the efficiency issue by running current through the transistor while there is no audio signal, but at almost unnoticeable levels. This low level of constant current allows the amplifier to run at much cooler temperatures than a class A. The quality of sound is ensured by the fact that these amplifiers run constantly, allowing the sound to be reproduced in its exact form.
Class D
Class D amplifiers also are notable for running much more efficiently than both class A and class B types of amplifiers. The circuit design of class D amplifiers allows the transistors to rapidly turn on and off each cycle. This rapid switching of on and off allows the amplifier to run even cooler than a class AB amplifier. Class D amplifiers do produce a small amount of distortion due to the rapid on and off switching. High end class D amplifiers can fix this distortion because they come equipped with a low-pass sound filter.
Tags: circuit design, Class Class, type amplifier, allows amplifier, audio signal