D or A/B and is there THAT much difference

[newone 10+ year member]

Of course the D-class (or Hifonics' "super D-class) is more efficient, therefore better if you don't want to upgrade the big 3 for your system. But with A/B I always hear how it offers better sound quality, doe it and if so how?

In relation to this I enjoy good SQ (not huge so if its not noticeable to the well trained ear not much care), should I get a 2 channel A/B or just a class D mono for my subs?

Click to read more...

 

[UMWDawg92 10+ year member]

I know that if you push a class D into clipping they start to sound horrible fast, that's fullrange class d... where if you push an A/B to clip the distortion isn't as bad as quickly

 

[cleansoundzz 10+ year member]

Please do a search, this topic has been discussed many times.

 

[Cabin_Pressure 10+ year member]

^this

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

You will notice no difference in sound quality for subwoofers

I know that if you push a class D into clipping they start to sound horrible fast, that's fullrange class d... where if you push an A/B to clip the distortion isn't as bad as quickly

wat

 

[FurbiesAndBeans 10+ year member]

In before "audiophiles" start a flame war

 

[csu87 10+ year member]

class d for your subs.

/thread

 

[dragnix 5,000+ posts]

just use class D for your subs and stop asking stupid questions

 

[cleansoundzz 10+ year member]

Don't run a class D at 1 ohm. Try 2 ohms or 4 ohms for better sound quality.

 

[UMWDawg92 10+ year member]

I know that if you push a class D into clipping they start to sound horrible fast, that's fullrange class d... where if you push an A/B to clip the distortion isn't as bad as quickly

I dunno what I was trying to say but I was talking about the THD on class D vs class A/B amps... but with subs that doesn't matter unless you're competing in SQ. you'd never hear the difference

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

Hifonics' "super D-class

Lulz

Maxxsonics uses poor quality parts and very primative class D technology... There are certainly GOOD class D designs that are as musical as A/B, and there are A/B amps that sound like rubbish too.

That being said, all things being equal you may have an audible difference, but most of us find it's a fair tradeoff for the efficiency, space, and cost savings of going D. If anything running at higher impedence across the board will make a bigger difference in your SQ than topology of the amplifier circuit.

 

[Cruzer 10+ year member]

lol guess if u run some image dynamic subs in a sealed box off a class d amp it will sound bad. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[cleansoundzz 10+ year member]

For me I will notice a difference in class D if I run the amp at 1 ohm vs. 4 ohms bridged on a class AB. At 2 or 4 ohms on a class D, the efficiency is increased and the S/N ratio increases as well as the damping factor, no matter how slight it does make a difference. In the end though class AB amps on subs use up for power and heat for wattage thus reducing efficiency quite a bit whereas class D amps are much more efficient and at 2 or 4 ohms the differences in sound will be slight if any.

 

[newone 10+ year member]

Sounds great guys thanks for the answers.

Sorry cleansoundz didn't even think to search it

 

[Papermaker85 5,000+ posts]

Id say if you want something more efficient that sounds as good as any excellent a/b design look into the arc and sounds stream class G amps..

head room doesn't mean better SQ..

infact your slew rate need be increased as power output is increased so quite the oppsite actually..

as for class D full range you can get a great sounding amp but the efficiency will be limited to get the flatter much wider bandwith while remaining linear and having the proper slew rate and DF.. there are alot more to amp design than simply classes but if you want the best sound a solid class ab or G will do justice..