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Recent Audio Amplifier Articles

Audio Amplifiers

Audioholics Petition to Reopen FTC Final Amplifier Rule of 2024

— October 30, 2024 00:00

Audioholics Petition to Reopen FTC Final Amplifier Rule of 2024

Our petition urges the FTC to reconsider its August 2024 Amplifier Rule, which expands power output regulations to ALL audio products. The broad, retroactive scope and blanket approach risk industry disruption.

Audio Amplifiers

Receiver Power Consumption Rating vs Output Power Is Not Watt You Think!

— November 09, 2020 06:00

Receiver Power Consumption Rating vs Output Power Is Not Watt You Think!

Ever wonder how your favorite manufacturer rates power consumption on their AV receivers and how it relates to maximum available output power to your speakers? The answer may surprise you so read on.

Audio Amplifiers

Audiophile Myths About Amplifier Negative Feedback Debunked

Bruno Putzeys — July 18, 2020 02:00

Audiophile Myths About Amplifier Negative Feedback Debunked

What is feedback and how does it affect audio? Here we present a pseudo-interview to help answer questions about feedback; a fascinating and complex topic that lies at the core of successful design.

Audio Amplifiers

Is Too Much Amplifier Negative Feedback Bad?

Bruno Putzeys — May 05, 2020 10:00

Is Too Much Amplifier Negative Feedback Bad?

Some audiophiles believe too much negative feedback will diminish sound quality in amplifiers while others believe no feedback is even better. Is this true or an audio myth needing to be busted?

Audio Amplifiers

Can Sound United Bring Honest Power Ratings to AV Receivers?

— June 05, 2019 12:00

Can Sound United Bring Honest Power Ratings to AV Receivers?

This is a call to action to Sound United to lead the industry in rating amplifier power in AV receivers more honestly. We are calling it the Truth in Power Movement and we need your help!

Audio Amplifiers

What are the Different Types of Audio Amplifier Classes?

— September 14, 2018 01:00

What are the Different Types of Audio Amplifier Classes?

We discuss the different audio amplifier classes, going over the real meanings behind Class A, B, A/B, G, H, and D and the pros and cons of each design. Which amplifier is best? Read on.

Audio Amplifiers

AC Wall Power Considerations for Your Home Theater System

— August 23, 2018 00:00

AC Wall Power Considerations for Your Home Theater System

We often get asked how much AC wall power is needed to run a home theater system. This article and Youtube video answers that question to ensure you get the best power delivery for your system.

Audio Amplifiers

Is the THX Standard Website Comparing AV Electronics Fairly?

— May 07, 2018 07:00

Is the THX Standard Website Comparing AV Electronics Fairly?

THX Standard Website was recently launched to "objectively" compare products for various categories, including HDTVs, Amplifiers, and Powered Speakers. Is this the real deal or fake news? Read on.

Audio Amplifiers

My Favorite Home Theater Receivers of ALL Time

— April 25, 2018 00:00

My Favorite Home Theater Receivers of ALL Time

Lately I've been reminiscing about my favorite AV receivers reviewed throughout the years including the super receivers from the golden age long gone. See which models left an everlasting impression.

Audio Amplifiers

Has the FTC Failed Consumer Audio Regarding Amplifier Power Claims?

— April 02, 2018 01:00

Has the FTC Failed Consumer Audio Regarding Amplifier Power Claims?

With the latest trend of inflated power ratings in many Atmos AV receivers and Class D amplifiers, has the FTC become too complacent to validate and enforce their ruling on power claims?

Audio Amplifiers

Power Manipulation in Dolby Atmos AV Receivers

— October 12, 2016 16:00

Power Manipulation in Dolby Atmos AV Receivers

We've noticed a trend in the recent crop of Dolby Atmos receivers that are no longer rating full bandwidth power with 2CH driven. Are you really getting more power or just clever specsmanship?

Audio Amplifiers

Trading Amplifier Quality for Features in AV Receivers ‑ A New Trend?

— July 18, 2015 08:00

Trading Amplifier Quality for Features in AV Receivers - A New Trend?

Is there a new trend for trading audio amplifier quality for features in AV receivers. We explore some of the newer AV Receivers and compare their amplifier quality to their predecessors to find out.

Audio Amplifiers

AV Receiver and Amplifier Power Ratings Trends: Manipulating Wattage Ratings

Patrick Hart — July 11, 2015 08:00

AV Receiver and Amplifier Power Ratings Trends: Manipulating Wattage Ratings

Ever wonder how receiver and amplifier power ratings are measured? How "accurate" are they really? This article and YouTube video explores the trends in wattage ratings and how its changed over time.

Audio Amplifiers

Setting the A/V Receiver Impedance Selector Switch

— June 21, 2015 08:00

Setting the A/V Receiver Impedance Selector Switch

This article explores the purpose and function of the impedance switch found on some A/V receivers. Tradeoffs of following manufacturers recommended settings are also discussed. YouTube video inside.

Audio Amplifiers

Can Good Amplifier Design Mitigate Sonic Differences Between Cables?

— June 04, 2015 00:00

Can Good Amplifier Design Mitigate Sonic Differences Between Cables?

Designing an amplifier to be too stable and protected to prevent damage or fire during misuse or short circuiting will result in sound degradation. Is this true or yet another audio myth we uncovered?

Audio Amplifiers

Why Audio Amplifiers Can Sound Different

— March 10, 2015 08:00

Why Audio Amplifiers Can Sound Different

Paul Ceurvels, Senior EE at Atlantic Technology discusses his experiences behind the scenes to explain how amplifiers can sound different from one another. Do you think amplifiers sound different?

Audio Amplifiers

The Most Memorable Audio Receivers of the Last 50 Years

— February 20, 2015 08:00

The Most Memorable Audio Receivers of the Last 50 Years

This article highlights the most memorable audio receivers for the last 50 years ranging from vintage two-channel to the latest in multi-channel surround sound. What are your favorite receivers?

Audio Amplifiers

The Sound of Audio Amplifiers: Can you hear a difference between Amps?

Rod Elliot,Steve Feinstein — February 18, 2015 08:00

The Sound of Audio Amplifiers: Can you hear a difference between Amps?

This article explores the technical reasons why audio amplifiers can sound different. Audio measurements can help explain why things look different but audibility isn't always so cut and dry.

Audio Amplifiers

Audioholics Amplifier Measurement Standard

— June 05, 2014 15:00

Audioholics Amplifier Measurement Standard

This article discusses the Audioholics testing methodology for measuring amplifier performance in receivers and power amps. We discuss the relevancy of the measurements and how they can affect sound.

Audio Amplifiers

Amplifier Voltage Gain Explained – Matching Amp to Preamp

— April 29, 2013 18:30

Amplifier Voltage Gain Explained – Matching Amp to Preamp

Interested in a separate amplifier? Amplifier voltage gain and sensitivity are important specs to know about. This article explains the concept to help identify how to match your amp to a preamp.

Audio Amplifiers

Slew Rate in Audio Amplifiers ‑ What Does it Mean?

— February 08, 2013 12:00

Slew Rate in Audio Amplifiers - What Does it Mean?

This article defines what amplifier slew rate is and its real world implications. We also show how to calculate an audio amplifiers slew rate based on bandwidth and power level.

Audio Amplifiers

The High Instantaneous Current Spec

Dan Banquer — October 18, 2011 14:00

The High Instantaneous Current Spec

We've all seen amplifier companies tout that their amps are "high current". This article explores that topic as well as the history of how the term became popularized by some manufacturers.

Audio Amplifiers

How a Class D "Digital" Amplifier Works

Alan Lofft — May 07, 2009 23:05

How a Class D "Digital" Amplifier Works

Ever wonder how an amplifier works at a very fundamental level? Alan Lofft, Resident Expert of Axiom Audio takes us on a tour of traditional linear amplifiers as well as the newer more sleek Class D

Audio Amplifiers

Attack of the Clone Amplifiers

— April 28, 2009 21:15

Attack of the Clone Amplifiers

It’s been a few years since our controversial release of “Attack of the Clone Processors” and we felt it was time for a sequel to our blockbuster hit editorial. Engineering a product from the

Audio Amplifiers

The Truth About Amplifier Power Ratings

Rod Elliot — April 27, 2009 23:06

The Truth About Amplifier Power Ratings

Ever wonder why the boom box you bought at Best Buy has a higher power rating than your dedicated two-channel power amplifier? Amplifier power ratings are usually honest in Hi-Fi equipment, but

Audio Amplifiers

10 Things about Audio Amplifiers You've Always Wanted to Know

Alan Lofft — September 18, 2008 14:40

10 Things about Audio Amplifiers You've Always Wanted to Know

Alan Lofft, Axiom Audio's Resident Expert, took a series of the most commonly asked questions he received about amplifiers, and transformed his answers into an informative editorial. In this article

Audio Amplifiers

The All Channels Driven (ACD) Amplifier Test

— July 17, 2006 19:00

The All Channels Driven (ACD) Amplifier Test

This article explores the All Channels Driven power test popularized by some print magazines and manufacturers. It discusses its relevancy and real world implications.