Power with A Purpose

Today’s A/V receivers are loaded with bells and whistles, but if you want to add muscle to your home theater or whole-house audio system, add a home audio stereo amplifier. In addition to providing power to passive speakers, an amplifier smooths out the electrical current and eliminates irregularities that can cause distortion and unwanted noise. Amplifiers come in different classes, but the most common are Class A/B and Class D. Both have their advantages, but Class D, or digital amps, are becoming more popular due to their high efficiency. Choosing the right amp depends on the type of system you’re designing. Stereo audio amplifiers are ideal for powering two-channel listening rooms or for boosting the sound of smaller sound systems and gaming rooms. For more complex audio setups, such as 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound systems or whole house audio, consider purchasing a multi-channel amplifier that distributes power to multiple speakers/zones and streamlines control. To kick it up a notch, add a separate subwoofer amplifier. Not only do these amps provide the right amount of power for chest-pounding bass, but they also filter low frequencies away from other speakers, so you’ll experience a stunning improvement in the overall sound.