Class A/B vs. Class D power for Subs

Class A/B amplifiers have 240 degree articulation compared to Class D that only has 180 degree. What that means is that a Class D to save power, only controls the speaker cone one way. A class A/B amp has the ablility to move the cone more since it moves both ways. One way at max excursion, then the other way at half of max excursion. This gives it more control of the woofer at a trade for higher current.

 
Class A/B amplifiers have 240 degree articulation compared to Class D that only has 180 degree. What that means is that a Class D to save power, only controls the speaker cone one way. A class A/B amp has the ablility to move the cone more since it moves both ways. One way at max excursion, then the other way at half of max excursion. This gives it more control of the woofer at a trade for higher current.
WTF are you talking about? 240 deg of articulation? Do you have any idea what you are saying? DO you know anything about how a Class A/B amp works? Nevermind, stupid question. The above statement prooves that the answer to that is "no."

You've only got half, literally, of the equation. A Class A/B amp works in a push/pull configuration. Each half of the push/pull pair is on for more than half the wave form. Around the 0V point, both sides of the pair are on giving overlap (and wasting power) A Class A has a single drive device that produces the entire waveform itself. A Class B has a push/pull pair that divides the waveform perfectly in half. The lack of overlap and the fact that each device is off half the time means that it is more efficient than a Class A or A/B, but since the devices have to "hand off" the waveform at the 0V point, the slightest mismatch equates nasty distortion. This is the main reason that Class B amps aren't used in car audio. A Class D amp uses a series of cascaded high speed switching devices in the output stage. Ecah device is only ever fully on or fully off. Because there is never a half power situation with the output devices, there is minimal waste in the output stage. Depending on the degree of overlap on the Class A/B, it can be up to 75% efficient (though finding one this efficient is rare) but it is most efficient at full power. A Class D could theoretically be 100% efficient, in fact the output stage is generally around 95% efficient, but the major source of losses, and heat, is the power supply in a Class D. A really efficient power supply is usually around 85% efficient thus limiting the overall efficiency potential of the amp. Because the output devices are only ever fully on or fully off, a Class D doesn't get less efficient at partial power.

The part that you are fully missing is that every type of linear (or semi linear like a Class D) amp reproduces the entire waveform. If it doesn't then it is broken and would produce a ton of distortion.

 
WTF are you talking about? 240 deg of articulation? Do you have any idea what you are saying? DO you know anything about how a Class A/B amp works? Nevermind, stupid question. The above statement prooves that the answer to that is "no."
You've only got half, literally, of the equation. A Class A/B amp works in a push/pull configuration. Each half of the push/pull pair is on for more than half the wave form. Around the 0V point, both sides of the pair are on giving overlap (and wasting power) A Class A has a single drive device that produces the entire waveform itself. A Class B has a push/pull pair that divides the waveform perfectly in half. The lack of overlap and the fact that each device is off half the time means that it is more efficient than a Class A or A/B, but since the devices have to "hand off" the waveform at the 0V point, the slightest mismatch equates nasty distortion. This is the main reason that Class B amps aren't used in car audio. A Class D amp uses a series of cascaded high speed switching devices in the output stage. Ecah device is only ever fully on or fully off. Because there is never a half power situation with the output devices, there is minimal waste in the output stage. Depending on the degree of overlap on the Class A/B, it can be up to 75% efficient (though finding one this efficient is rare) but it is most efficient at full power. A Class D could theoretically be 100% efficient, in fact the output stage is generally around 95% efficient, but the major source of losses, and heat, is the power supply in a Class D. A really efficient power supply is usually around 85% efficient thus limiting the overall efficiency potential of the amp. Because the output devices are only ever fully on or fully off, a Class D doesn't get less efficient at partial power.

The part that you are fully missing is that every type of linear (or semi linear like a Class D) amp reproduces the entire waveform. If it doesn't then it is broken and would produce a ton of distortion.
You're my hero.....

 
WTF are you talking about? 240 deg of articulation? Do you have any idea what you are saying? DO you know anything about how a Class A/B amp works? Nevermind, stupid question. The above statement prooves that the answer to that is "no."
You've only got half, literally, of the equation. A Class A/B amp works in a push/pull configuration. Each half of the push/pull pair is on for more than half the wave form. Around the 0V point, both sides of the pair are on giving overlap (and wasting power) A Class A has a single drive device that produces the entire waveform itself. A Class B has a push/pull pair that divides the waveform perfectly in half. The lack of overlap and the fact that each device is off half the time means that it is more efficient than a Class A or A/B, but since the devices have to "hand off" the waveform at the 0V point, the slightest mismatch equates nasty distortion. This is the main reason that Class B amps aren't used in car audio. A Class D amp uses a series of cascaded high speed switching devices in the output stage. Ecah device is only ever fully on or fully off. Because there is never a half power situation with the output devices, there is minimal waste in the output stage. Depending on the degree of overlap on the Class A/B, it can be up to 75% efficient (though finding one this efficient is rare) but it is most efficient at full power. A Class D could theoretically be 100% efficient, in fact the output stage is generally around 95% efficient, but the major source of losses, and heat, is the power supply in a Class D. A really efficient power supply is usually around 85% efficient thus limiting the overall efficiency potential of the amp. Because the output devices are only ever fully on or fully off, a Class D doesn't get less efficient at partial power.

The part that you are fully missing is that every type of linear (or semi linear like a Class D) amp reproduces the entire waveform. If it doesn't then it is broken and would produce a ton of distortion.
so are you saying that class d amps don`t have any more distortion then a class A/B amp ?
 
WTF are you talking about? 240 deg of articulation? Do you have any idea what you are saying? DO you know anything about how a Class A/B amp works? Nevermind, stupid question. The above statement prooves that the answer to that is "no."
You've only got half, literally, of the equation. A Class A/B amp works in a push/pull configuration. Each half of the push/pull pair is on for more than half the wave form. Around the 0V point, both sides of the pair are on giving overlap (and wasting power) A Class A has a single drive device that produces the entire waveform itself. A Class B has a push/pull pair that divides the waveform perfectly in half. The lack of overlap and the fact that each device is off half the time means that it is more efficient than a Class A or A/B, but since the devices have to "hand off" the waveform at the 0V point, the slightest mismatch equates nasty distortion. This is the main reason that Class B amps aren't used in car audio. A Class D amp uses a series of cascaded high speed switching devices in the output stage. Ecah device is only ever fully on or fully off. Because there is never a half power situation with the output devices, there is minimal waste in the output stage. Depending on the degree of overlap on the Class A/B, it can be up to 75% efficient (though finding one this efficient is rare) but it is most efficient at full power. A Class D could theoretically be 100% efficient, in fact the output stage is generally around 95% efficient, but the major source of losses, and heat, is the power supply in a Class D. A really efficient power supply is usually around 85% efficient thus limiting the overall efficiency potential of the amp. Because the output devices are only ever fully on or fully off, a Class D doesn't get less efficient at partial power.

The part that you are fully missing is that every type of linear (or semi linear like a Class D) amp reproduces the entire waveform. If it doesn't then it is broken and would produce a ton of distortion.
I didn't want to go into a full explanation as it is more than I wanted to type. What I said was true and was put into the simplest form as possible. Thanks for adding clarification to what I was trying to say. I was finding it hard to do so.

 
i have a zapco A/B and love it for my subs...how much power are you planning on using? or is this just in general?
I really only need about 600-700 watts rms, but I'd run the D61500.1 if I did class D just so it would match my 4 channel

 
I didn't want to go into a full explanation as it is more than I wanted to type. What I said was true and was put into the simplest form as possible. Thanks for adding clarification to what I was trying to say. I was finding it hard to do so.
What you said was totally false. Both run a full 360 deg drive. There is no more potential for excursion with one over the other. Quit trying to play like you know what you are talking about.

so are you saying that class d amps don`t have any more distortion then a class A/B amp ?
Not at all what I'm saying. What I will say is that the distortion of a Class D amp worth owning will be inaudible, especially on subs.
 
What you said was totally false. Both run a full 360 deg drive. There is no more potential for excursion with one over the other. Quit trying to play like you know what you are talking about.
//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/word.gif.64b12e39f936af3b4fff38a1c0bd0244.gif

atoz350, game over.

...Only controls the speaker cone one way..... //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/hilarious.gif.02a037aad04aa96f19982b298a3d70a8.gif

Sig worthy.

What I will say is that the distortion of a Class D amp worth owning will be inaudible, especially on subs.
//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/iagree.gif.15d6c075ee8d3913ba26866d06993068.gif

The difference in distortion between a quality class D and a quality class A/B won't be audible. They are both capable of operating at a level equal to or less than 1% THD, and both likely have their power output rated at a level of 1% THD (especially if they are CEA-2006 compliant).

 
Activity
No one is currently typing a reply...
Old Thread: Please note, there have been no replies in this thread for over 3 years!
Content in this thread may no longer be relevant.
Perhaps it would be better to start a new thread instead.

About this thread

96GTIVR6

10+ year member
Senior VIP Member
Thread starter
96GTIVR6
Joined
Location
Oregon
Start date
Participants
Who Replied
Replies
47
Views
3,697
Last reply date
Last reply from
thch
IMG_20260516_193114554_HDR.jpg

sherbanater

    May 16, 2026
  • 0
  • 0
IMG_20260516_192955471_HDR.jpg

sherbanater

    May 16, 2026
  • 0
  • 0

New threads

Top