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Amplifier parameters

The ratings that describe amplifier power, load limits, gain, noise, distortion, and protection.

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Why it matters

Amplifier ratings tell an author whether the amp fits the speaker, source, enclosure, cooling, and listening target.

Two amplifiers with the same watt rating can behave differently. One may be stable into low impedance. One may need a higher supply voltage. One may clip cleaner, run cooler, or have less noise on sensitive drivers.

How it works

Important amplifier parameters:

  • Minimum load: the lowest speaker impedance the amplifier is rated to drive.
  • Power output: usually listed at a load, supply voltage, and distortion limit.
  • THD+N: distortion plus noise at a given output level.
  • SNR or noise floor: how quiet the amp is when no signal is playing.
  • Gain: how much the input signal is multiplied.
  • Input sensitivity: input voltage needed for full output.
  • Damping factor: relation between speaker load and amplifier output impedance.
  • Protection: thermal, over-current, DC, short-circuit, or under-voltage behavior.

Common mistakes

Simple example

Amplifier An amplifier takes a small audio signal and delivers a stronger voltage and current signal to a speaker. The speaker load, power supply, gain, and protection limits decide how hard it can work. Wattage Wattage is electrical power. In audio, it helps describe amplifier output and speaker power handling, but it does not directly tell you loudness or sound quality. Impedance Impedance is the electrical load the amplifier sees. It changes with frequency, so a speaker marked 8 ohms is not 8 ohms everywhere. Sensitivity Sensitivity tells you how loud a speaker gets from a known input. It helps estimate output, amplifier needs, and how well drivers will match.

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