In this main page you’ll find articles, arranged by topic category, related to car audio power amplifiers.
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What is a car amplifier?
Car audio amplifiers are audio power amplifiers that magnify a very low voltage signal to drive car speakers with higher power than a standard car stereo can provide. Unlike home audio power amplifiers and AV receivers, they require additional circuitry to avoid picking up and amplifying noise signals which are extremely common in vehicle electrical systems.
High-power car amplifiers use a switched mode power supply (SMPS) which steps up the 12V battery supply voltage and creates both positive and negative supply voltages for the output stages. Additionally many work with lower speaker impedances than home stereo amplifiers as this is necessary to create high power output (higher current, in Amperes) with the limited supply voltage available.
Various models feature different independent sound channel options with some dedicated to driving car subwoofers. Multi-channel car amplifiers are designed to be flexible for a wide variety of vehicle audio installation possibilities.
Article categories
Car amplifier basics
What Does A Car Amplifier Do? The Only Guide You Need
Wondering how a car amplifier works and what they’re used for? Ready to upgrade your car audio system you’d like to upgrade but need to…
Marine Amp Vs Car Amp Differences – Can You Use A Marine Amp In Your Car Or Motorcyle?
Are you wondering what makes a marine (boat) amp different from a car amp? Maybe you’re considering installing a marine amp in your car, truck,…
What Is A Class D Car Amplifier? How They Work And Why They’re Great
There’s a big range of car amplifiers out there and at first glance, they nearly all look the same. However, there are some big differences…
Installation and DIY topics
The DIY Car Amp Rack Guide – How To Build Your Own Car Amp Rack In One Day
Making your own DIY car amp rack may seem like something that’s out of reach. Or maybe you don’t know where to begin and you’re…
How To Hook Up A 4 Channel Amp To Front And Rear Speakers
Adding a 4 channel amp is a great idea. I’ve enjoyed powerful, crystal-clear sound in my vehicles for years using my own 4 channel amps….
How To Wire A 4 Channel Amp To 4 Speakers And A Sub: A Detailed Guide With Diagrams
4 channel amps are great and have a lot of flexibility for the most part. However, they’re intended for use with 4 speakers or 2…
What’s The Best Way To Hook Up An Amp And Subs? (Master Guide + Diagrams)
Most questions I get are along the lines of, “How should I wire [this amp] with [these speakers]“, or “How should I wire my amp…
Using a car amp indoors
How To Connect A Car Amp To A Home Stereo (With Diagrams)
Using a car amp…at home? It’s not such a crazy idea after all! While it’s true that it’s not super easy, it’s really not all that…
How To Connect & Power A Car Amp In Your Home + Diagrams
It might seem puzzling at first, but it’s actually not that hard to connect and power a car amp in your home. In this detailed…
How To Wire A Computer Power Supply To A Car Amp
There’s more than one way to power a car amp in your home. Even so, computer power supplies are easy to find and make a…