Selecting Amplifiers

Last Edited: 09:08PM Wednesday 2nd of February 2011

Amplifiers are better chosen after the speakers, mostly because they should complement the speakers in both style of sound, and power.

As you will find if you have it correctly demonstrated to you, there is a reasonable amount of difference in sound between brands and models of amplifiers.

If you have found a pair of speakers you like but you find the high sounds are not detailed enough for your taste in music, the right amplifier can improve it.

And never worry about overpowering speakers. Many times we have put 180w rated amplifiers on 150w rated speakers, and all it meant was a much better sound at a much lower volume. It doesn't mean it will be louder.

Finding the correct power requirements for a specific speaker can be difficult as there is a minimum power for each speaker. If you don’t put a certain amount of power to a speaker you will not get 100% out of it. This means your overall setup sound will quickly deteriorate. All the specs for amplifiers can be confusing as different brands use different rating systems and making sense of them can be hard.

Listen for a difference in tonal quality. For example, Do you hear the guitar more clearly with one brand of amplifier or another? If your speakers are having trouble producing some instruments, the right brand of amplifier can make those instruments sound clearer. So, certain brands of amplifier will make different instruments sound clearer even on the same pair of speakers.

This is why we say your amplifier must complement your speakers. You can actually make your speakers closer to perfect, just by selecting the right brand of amplifier. Easy!

The right amount of power for speakers can be a lot harder to pick. The specs can be of use but only with the appropriate understanding. Specs with the wrong understanding can seriously denigrate sound quality, and even cost you your equipment. When you listen for a difference in sound due to power you should be able to hear almost everything clearer. With bigger power, the sound from the speakers should be more 'open'. What this means is, you will hear a singer standing in front of the drummer playing behind.