How does an amplifier work? Does it increase current flow to the speakers, or produce higher voltage? I already know it sends the signal through multiple stages in order to produce a clean output instead of just putting it through one big stage. At least the good ones do anyway.
If this isn't a simple question, then I can dig out my electronics book from school and try to understand it. I had trouble with that section in school though. But it was more dealing with transistors and what happens internally with them being semi-conductors and all. I always made A's on the tests, but I never felt that I fully understood it all.
I just need a simple answer for this one, if it's possible. I'm just asking so that it might possibly help me to better understand my equipment and help me when I put in systems to kind of know what's going on inside and figuring out wire gauges to run to a speaker from an amp. I could just use a chart that says "so many watts, use this size wire" but that's just getting me by. I'd like to know so I can decide for myself without having to be told or read it somewhere to know what to do.
Replies (4)
audeogod on 02/7/2005 18:06:57
I forgot to ask. If it's current that goes up to make higher wattages to the speaker, then what is the voltage that is output to the speakers? Is it the car's voltage? 12 - 15 volts?
cplkittle on 02/7/2005 20:38:32
it is difficult to explain in detail.. simply put... transistors are gates in which electricity flows. electricity in the form of variable AC current enters the amp through the RCAs, this is amplified by transistors that read small current and amplify it with power supplied by the battery/alt.
I will take more time to explain this later....
2nd question real quick.. I have to get ready for work
Speakers recieve alternating current (AC) and they work on the basis of an electromagnet. Current flowing one way charges the coil which reacts with the magnets and pushes the speaker out, and then reverses and pulls the speaker in. This alternation creates sound by pushing and pulling air (creating vibrations) The frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz) or cycles per second. Therefore a 20Hz test tone means the current direction changes 20 times per second, and the speaker moves in and out 20 times per second accordingly. A high watt competition speaker (1500w) can be plugged directly into a 110v outlet in your house and will produce ~a 60Hz tone (60Hz is the frequency in which AC voltage cycles per second for most home based [AC] devices) Although I would recommend searcing for a video of this on the internet rather than trying it yourself.
audeogod on 02/7/2005 22:18:04
Well, CP, I hope you weren't late for work after typing all that. I appreciate it, you taking the time and all. Trouble is, I already knew all of that....except for the part about the 1500 watt sub taking some good wall socket juice straight up. That was interesting, and should be common sense, if I'd ever thought about it.
But as far as a speaker being an electromagnet so to speak, and frequency "times per second" cycles, and wall socket Hz.......well, I learned all that while I was in school also.
I just mainly wanted to know if it boosted current or voltage to a speaker. I'm leaning toward it boosting current since in a car, the voltage is limited to 12 volts, plus the fact that they always recommend using larger gauge wires on large amps and speakers. If it was just voltage, it shouldn't make that much difference, but with amperes, wire gauge is critical. I think I'll do some more research on my own, starting with my electronics book from school. Thanks again though.
swez on 02/8/2005 00:19:12
Car audio amps work with both voltage and current to derive output power. If DC voltage is high (13.5 volts DC) or higher, less current is required to reach target Wrms power. If the voltage does drop, then the amp pulls more current to get max power to the limit of the power supply of the amp. (Controlled by fuses)
Audio amps use a series of cascading preamps and amplifier circuits to develop power. There may be several preamps in the circuit to drive the main amplifier transistors to proper output wattage.
That's about the best I can give you for the moment,
Swez
If this isn't a simple question, then I can dig out my electronics book from school and try to understand it. I had trouble with that section in school though. But it was more dealing with transistors and what happens internally with them being semi-conductors and all. I always made A's on the tests, but I never felt that I fully understood it all.
I just need a simple answer for this one, if it's possible. I'm just asking so that it might possibly help me to better understand my equipment and help me when I put in systems to kind of know what's going on inside and figuring out wire gauges to run to a speaker from an amp. I could just use a chart that says "so many watts, use this size wire" but that's just getting me by. I'd like to know so I can decide for myself without having to be told or read it somewhere to know what to do.
Replies (4)
audeogod on 02/7/2005 18:06:57
I forgot to ask. If it's current that goes up to make higher wattages to the speaker, then what is the voltage that is output to the speakers? Is it the car's voltage? 12 - 15 volts?
cplkittle on 02/7/2005 20:38:32
it is difficult to explain in detail.. simply put... transistors are gates in which electricity flows. electricity in the form of variable AC current enters the amp through the RCAs, this is amplified by transistors that read small current and amplify it with power supplied by the battery/alt.
I will take more time to explain this later....
2nd question real quick.. I have to get ready for work
Speakers recieve alternating current (AC) and they work on the basis of an electromagnet. Current flowing one way charges the coil which reacts with the magnets and pushes the speaker out, and then reverses and pulls the speaker in. This alternation creates sound by pushing and pulling air (creating vibrations) The frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz) or cycles per second. Therefore a 20Hz test tone means the current direction changes 20 times per second, and the speaker moves in and out 20 times per second accordingly. A high watt competition speaker (1500w) can be plugged directly into a 110v outlet in your house and will produce ~a 60Hz tone (60Hz is the frequency in which AC voltage cycles per second for most home based [AC] devices) Although I would recommend searcing for a video of this on the internet rather than trying it yourself.
audeogod on 02/7/2005 22:18:04
Well, CP, I hope you weren't late for work after typing all that. I appreciate it, you taking the time and all. Trouble is, I already knew all of that....except for the part about the 1500 watt sub taking some good wall socket juice straight up. That was interesting, and should be common sense, if I'd ever thought about it.
But as far as a speaker being an electromagnet so to speak, and frequency "times per second" cycles, and wall socket Hz.......well, I learned all that while I was in school also.
I just mainly wanted to know if it boosted current or voltage to a speaker. I'm leaning toward it boosting current since in a car, the voltage is limited to 12 volts, plus the fact that they always recommend using larger gauge wires on large amps and speakers. If it was just voltage, it shouldn't make that much difference, but with amperes, wire gauge is critical. I think I'll do some more research on my own, starting with my electronics book from school. Thanks again though.
swez on 02/8/2005 00:19:12
Car audio amps work with both voltage and current to derive output power. If DC voltage is high (13.5 volts DC) or higher, less current is required to reach target Wrms power. If the voltage does drop, then the amp pulls more current to get max power to the limit of the power supply of the amp. (Controlled by fuses)
Audio amps use a series of cascading preamps and amplifier circuits to develop power. There may be several preamps in the circuit to drive the main amplifier transistors to proper output wattage.
That's about the best I can give you for the moment,
Swez
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