Car Amplifiers
auna car amplifiers - demand the best from your speakers
For the ultimate listening experience when you're behind the wheel, there's an endless range of car subwoofers and speakers on the market that can offer an amazing listening experience while you're on the move. Without a good car amplifier, however, it's difficult to achieve an optimal result, and before you buy one, it's essential to plan your in-car entertainment system carefully, starting with a car amplifier whose features match your car stereo and the number and quality of speakers you use.
In the auna online shop you can choose among different car amplifiers designed to meet the most demanding car audio lovers. From 2-channel models, perfect as subwoofer amplifiers and get that extra punch, to 6-channel car amplifiers for more complex systems. Made of durable materials, aesthetically pleasing and above all, able to handle maximum power peaks without any risk of damaging your car speakers: auna car amplifiers are your faithful companion working in the background and always guaranteeing you a warm, powerful and clean sound.
Why buy a car amplifier?
In any car audio system, the amplifier’s task is to increase the audio signal’s power previously generated by the car stereo adding further definition and colour to the sound. All modern car radios already include a built-in amplifier and are connected directly to the speakers that are part of the standard equipment, usually mounted by the manufacturer.
However, car speakers perform much better when powered by a dedicated amplifier, not to mention that a passive subwoofer will necessarily require an amplifier, as the bass sound waves need a lot of power to spread. For all these reasons, if you're going to install a high-quality car sound system in your vehicle, a car amplifier will be essential to achieve a degree of depth, realism and dynamics, comparable to a live music experience.
Technical features of a car amp
The most critical parameter when choosing an amplifier is its power, expressed in RMS watts, which indicates the continuous power the speaker can handle during normal playback. When choosing a car amplifier for use with an existing system, it's a good idea to opt for a model with an RMS power rating of between 75% and 150% of the power of your speakers.
Peak power is a different measure. It must not be confused with RMS power, as it expresses the maximum level of power the speaker can be subjected to for a short time without suffering any damage. However, it is also important to consider other parameters that shape the actual sound quality that a car amplifier can deliver. These include:- signal-to-noise ratio (S/R): the higher the S/R ratio, the better the sound quality
- total harmonic distortion (T.H.D): indicates the degree of 'fidelity' of the sound generated by the amplifier with respect to the input signal
- amplification class: it indicates how the internal transistors work and ranges from A to D. Without going into too many technical aspects, class-A amplifiers have minimum levels of distortion and maximum audio performance, but more dispersion of heat and therefore low energy efficiency, as they remain in operation even when the signal is not processed. On the other hand, class-D amplifiers are more efficient, but at the expense of accurate reproduction of frequencies, especially in the high range. When it comes to car amplifiers, intermediate classes, especially AB, are the most popular option, combining the advantages of the previous stages and providing good versatility in different musical programmes.
- damping factor: the higher the damping factor, the better the amplifier will be able to control the movement of the speaker in low sounds, which is why it is vital in subwoofer amplification.
How many channels for your car amplifier?
The answer to this question depends on your listening preferences, and here we provide you with some necessary information to guide your choice:
| Mono Amplifier (1-channel) | 2-channel car amplifier |
| If you only intend to add a subwoofer to your existing system, you may consider purchasing a mono amplifier with bass equalisation and a low-pass filter to help reproduce low notes loudly and clearly. 1-channel mono amps can cover a wider range of impedances and have tone controls and filters specifically designed to enhance bass reproduction. | Many car models still have just two speakers, so a 2-channel amplifier will be the most efficient way to power them. A 2-channel amplifier can also be used to power a subwoofer when in single-channel bridge mode. Many, however, choose a mono amplifier to control their subwoofers because they offer more power for the playback of low frequencies. |
| 4-channel car amplifier | 5-channel car amplifier |
| If you need more power for your front and rear speakers, a 4-channel amplifier is the recommended choice, even when you need to power the classic two front speakers plus a subwoofer. This is especially convenient when building the sound system in your car piece by piece: a 4-channel amplifier lets you run the front speakers and subwoofer, while the car radio's amplifier continues to power the rear speakers. Later, with the addition of a dedicated subwoofer amplifier, you can use the remaining two channels to power the rear speakers. | Are you planning to power a complete system with four speakers and a subwoofer? As well as conveniently centralising all controls in one device, installing a 5-channel amplifier saves you having to use two separate sets of power cables for speakers and subwoofer. Many 5-channel amplifiers can power and control a fully active 2-way front module and subwoofer system on their own. Two channels drive the tweeters, two the midranges and the fifth channel powers the subwoofer. |