class D vs. class X

[king ranch 5,000+ posts]

i read that class x amps are more efficient than class d is that true if so how much more efficient are they and will i notice a difference

i was looking at getting a hk4000d rated at 3600rms at 2ohms only going to use about 1500rms of the power at 2ohms so will this amp do that power and how much power will it take to keep this amp running and not going into protect

will a 130amp alt and big 3 done in 1/0 and a 1000amp batt upfront and a lil hc800 in the back work also will have another 700rms for my comps on another amp

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[king ranch 5,000+ posts]

this forum moves fast so back up

 

[king ranch 5,000+ posts]

bump

 

[Side Show 10+ year member]

what amps are you talking about?

eg type x???

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

Class D amps can theoretically be 100% efficient, so I don't see how class X can be any more efficient. my guess is that its just another name for class D. there are like 19 names for class d amps.

 

[king ranch 5,000+ posts]

the ma audio hk4000d

it says on the specs class x which are meant to be more effiecient than class d is wat the specs say heres the link

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=350081513876&Category=64570&_trksid=p3907.m29

i am thinking of getting that amp and running it at 2omhs around 1500rms but idk how much power they will eat up

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

the HK4000D is an absolute current hog.

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

oh, and they're rated at 17v

 

[king ranch 5,000+ posts]

well if thats true even at 12volts it should still do around 2500rms thats what i figured if it all plays out same way in real life as on paper

3600/17=211x12=2541

idk if thats right or not as in if that really happens or not haa

 

[dragnix 5,000+ posts]

Class D, class A, class A/B are some of the common ones. Others are usually just the same type of amp with some minor alterations. Some without any alterations and is just a marketing gimmick

 

[audioarsonal 10+ year member]

They refer to it as a"Digital Class X" amplifier.Its still a d class though.And on 12-14v you can expect to see about 2000-2200 watts with a good electrical.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Class X is not a recognized class of amplifier design. Sounds like the creation of the marketing department.

 

[audioarsonal 10+ year member]

Yeah its more of a marketing thing I would say.

 

[thch 10+ year member]

the key seems to be the power supply. Without further knowledge, its uncertain what they mean by "digitally controlled" power supply. no mention is made of what the controller's goal is. Plenty of amps do use regulated power supplies for consistant performance. JL uses one to allow a wide range of speakers to be used equally well. Class G/H amplifiers use one to improve efficiency. Class D itself has a few variations to improve efficiency or accuracy as well.

my best guesses are that the supply is regulated* just like other class D amps. it may adjust itself as a class H amp would. this would bring about an increase in efficiency as switching losses would scale with the output level. but again, thats just a guess.

* keep in mind the "same power at any load" part of JL's RIPS is the I, not the R...

 

[Ed Lester 10+ year member]

Class X was a made up class from MA and a few other manufacturers. It is merely a class D amp and the HK4000D is not an efficient amp at all. They pul huge amounts of current and have problems with durability on standard 12v systems.