Which is Better Class A/B or Class D

[monte_carlo97 10+ year member]

What is the difference between the two and what typ[e of applications are each one good for. I was always told that D's were better. But they are usually smaller. Take power acoustik for example. There largest D which is supposed to max at 3000 watts and like 17 inches long compared to their A/B which supposively maxes at 1920 watts is like 22 inches long. They are both the same width. If someone could explain this i would greatly appreciate it. Sorry if this is a topic that was already brought up.

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[supa_c 5,000+ posts]

ask helotaxi, he knows.

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

class D = more distortion at higher frequencies, less current draw, usually cheaper per watt

a/b = able to be used full range, more current draw

 

[Phalaxx 10+ year member]

Yes jack is right but simpler lamens terms.. Class D =Subwoofers Class A/B= tweeters to 6 x9's... Pretty clear now eh?

 

[monte_carlo97 10+ year member]

So lets say you got a 1000watt Class D and a 1000watt Class A/B. Which one would be better for a sub. You want the maximum amount of power and make the sub hit it's hardest.

 

[Radar 10+ year member]

Its a question of efficency, (in a nut shell)class D is simply more efficient with producing power than class a/b.

class a/b is generally about 60% efficient

class d i t hink is about 70-80% efficient

As for the question ^^^ 1000w is 1000w . either will give you the same amount of wattage, but the class d will pruduce it more efficiently i.e. less current draw.

 

[monte_carlo97 10+ year member]

So the D is a better choice for subs?

 

[Radar 10+ year member]

Yes, usually.

 

[monte_carlo97 10+ year member]

Yes, usually.

Usually?

When would it not be?

 

[Radar 10+ year member]

99% of the time yes D is the way you go when you want to push some good power. But if youre looking to push say 300w you could go with class a/b if the price was right.There is also some class a/b mosnters the push 3000w. I'm not sure of the advantage of going a/b for that though. maybe mylar/zane/helotaxi could explain that part better.

 

[Phalaxx 10+ year member]

Simply put man... Class d amps come with all the stuff to run a subwoofer.. liek subsonic filters and low pass filters... a/b amps come with fancy spinning gizmos more suited to component speakers... yes you could hook a class d to a set of tweeters.. but God(aka electricty) would not liek this and would destroy the tweeters... Simply put a/b are made to run for component speakers by running the speakers in a series... this keeps the power low but just good enough for them and the amp will run cool all day... now class d is made for subs cause its more distorted at higher frequencies(1000 kz-12khz) even though it boosts the power to extreme levels.. a/b has alot less distortion but wont generate as much power... So use a/b for highs and D for lows...

If there is a a/b that pushes 3000 watts i bet its super expensive... and i doubt its clean power... components only need mayeb max 100 watts... and its a waste to use a a/b on a sub cause your just getting bass outta the sub...

 

[BASS OUTLAW 10+ year member]

class A , gets over heated in a veryshort time ,(SUX)

 

[Radar 10+ year member]

Simply put man... Class d amps come with all the stuff to run a subwoofer.. liek subsonic filters and low pass filters...

Not all class D's come with ssf's for instance the jbl 1200.1 . And a/b's can also come w/ssf's

If there is a a/b that pushes 3000 watts i bet its super expensive... and i doubt its clean power... components only need mayeb max 100 watts... and its a waste to use a a/b on a sub cause your just getting bass outta the sub...

Theres a few of em, the one i remember the THD was 1-3%, but a/b's arent just for components. You can get a cheap a/b(like profile) and bridge it down to what you need, say 2 or 4 ohms mono for a sub(s).

 

[InhumanAcura 5,000+ posts]

If there is a a/b that pushes 3000 watts i bet its super expensive... and i doubt its clean power... components only need mayeb max 100 watts... and its a waste to use a a/b on a sub cause your just getting bass outta the sub...

Best amps in the world http://www.usamps.com

The above company makes a t-class amp for full range, it shares the same tri-path technology as d-class amps so its super effecient while providing a super clean signal. Theres more out there than just A/B and D though.

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

there are...for example, class C based oscillators...which are dirty, unstable, and tough to filter.