Important Features to Consider When Selecting an Amplifier Leave a comment

A home theatre experience is incomplete without a high-end amplifier. What exactly is an amplifier? It’s an electronic device that increases the current, voltage and power of a signal. Primarily needed for enhancing the sound quality of the home theatre, the amplifier is a must-have home device if you want to experience the thrill of having a professional audio system in your home. With an amplifier, you can turn your house into a disco or a movie theatre, the choice is yours.

When purchasing an amplifier, you should keep a few things in mind. Keep reading to learn which features you should consider to make the best decision and don’t regret your purchase later.

• Sum of Channels

An amplifier is connected with a number of speakers that depend on the number of channels. This should also match the set-up of the home theatre system. Buying speakers along with the amplifiers is always a good idea. This will help you choose the amplifier that will suit a certain space. For instance, a small room doesn’t require a full Dolby 9.1 set-up, a subwoofer with few midrange speakers should be enough.

• Constant Power Rating

The volume of the speakers is directly proportional to the total power output of an amplifier. The power ratings is measured in watts-per-channel or WPC, and depends on the number of channels the amplifier can put out. A continuous power rating is needed for a high-end amplifier to function properly. Always look for WPC rating or total power in ‘RMS’ terms. This will refer to the constant power specification for a seamless home theatre experience.

• Ratio of Signal-to-Noise

A good amplifier is one that ensures no background noise can get in the way. The ratio of signal-to-noise determines the clarity of the instruments and the main voices. This feature is crucial, specially for movies where listening to the dialogues of the characters is important. The ratio varies from 50 to 100 db. Check this feature carefully if you desire to turn your home into a theatre.

• Distortion

Low distortion will ensure high-quality audio, since the high-power output alone can’t do the trick. The total Harmonic Distortion or THD should be below 0.5 percent. If it is above 1 percent, the sound will be distorted at high volume.

• Dynamic Headroom

A dynamic headroom defines the power that an amplifier can put out in brief emissions. This is crucial for movies or music where the volume increases out of the blue. The dynamic headroom also defines the strength of the amplifier when the constant RMS power is inadequate. For instance, a 3 dB dynamic headroom means that the amplifier can double its output for a shorter span of time.

If you consider these features when purchasing an amplifier, you can’t go wrong with your purchase. Don’t neglect any feature and bring a theatre to your own space. What are you waiting for? Start shopping now!