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Glossary of Terms for Car Amplifiers

Amplifier Class
Bass Boost
Bridgeable
Bridged Power (Watts x Channels)
Built-in Crossover
Fuse Rating
Gold Plated Connectors
High-Pass Crossover Max Frequency
High-Pass Crossover Min Frequency
High-Pass Slope (dB/octave)
Line In
Low-Pass Crossover Max Frequency
Low-Pass Crossover Min Frequency
Low-Pass Slope (dB/octave)
Max Frequency Response
Maximum Current Draw
Min Frequency Response
Minimum Impedance Bridged
Minimum Impedance Unbridged
Model
Phase Control
Power at 2 Ohms (Watts x Channels)
Power supply topology
Preamp Outputs
Protection Circuitry
Remote control
RMS Power Output (Watts x Channels)
Signal to Noise Ratio
Subsonic Filter
Tri-Mode Capable
Tri-Way Capable
Variable Gain Control

Amplifier Class

This is a means of classifying amplifiers according to the configuration of the output stage.
Class A: Usually produce very high fidelity.
Class B: Deliver greater output from the given car battery current.
Class AB: Designed to limit distortion to a minimum at low levels.

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Bass Boost

Dramatically increases the bass levels to a preset value.

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Bridgeable

Feature that combines the left and right channels of a stereo amplifier to make a single, more powerful amplifier channel.
The input signal is split, and then the phase of one of the signals is reversed. The signal is sent to the left channel and thephase reverse signal is sent the right channel. The load is connected between the two outputs so it receives twice the voltage.

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Bridged Power (Watts x Channels)

The maximum power that can be produced while two channels or outputs are bridged.

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Built-in Crossover

A built-in filter arrangement, which splits the music signal into two or more frequency bands and feeds these bands into separate loudspeaker drivers.

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Fuse Rating

The suggested power rating of the fuse that the amplifier is able to handle.

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Gold Plated Connectors

Connectors that are dipped in gold for increased conductivity.

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High-Pass Crossover Max Frequency

The maximum high-frequency signal that can pass through a high-pass filter.

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High-Pass Crossover Min Frequency

The minimum high-frequency signal that can pass through a high-pass filter.

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High-Pass Slope (dB/octave)

The steepness of a high pass crossover slope.

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Line In

Measured in dB, is the ratio of system noise to the max level of the audio signal.

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Low-Pass Crossover Max Frequency

The maximum low-frequency signal that can pass through a low-pass filter.

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Low-Pass Crossover Min Frequency

The minimum low-frequency signal that can pass through a low-pass filter.

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Low-Pass Slope (dB/octave)

The steepness of a low pass crossover slope.

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Max Frequency Response

The highest points on the frequency spectrum that can be reproduced by an audio device.

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Maximum Current Draw

The amplifier output power at its loudest setting in relation to a particular distortion level.

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Min Frequency Response

The lowest points on the frequency spectrum that can be reproduced by an audio device.

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Minimum Impedance Bridged

This is the minimum resistance to the flow of electric current while two channels or outputs are bridged.

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Minimum Impedance Unbridged

This is the minimum resistance to the flow of electric current while two channels or outputs are not bridged.

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Model

04kx4001.1

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Phase Control

Allowing you to control the connection to an amplifier in such as way that their cones move equi-directionally, or in phase.

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Power at 2 Ohms (Watts x Channels)

An OHM is a unit of electrical impedance. So this signifies the maximum power the amplifier is able to exert at 2 OHMS.

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Power supply topology

MOSFET: This stands for Metal Oxide semiconductor Field Effect Transistor. It is a type of transistor that produces a high peak current.
Bipolar: This type of transistor uses positive and negative charge carriers. It also produces a high peak current.

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Preamp Outputs

A preamp is a component which takes a line-level studio signal and amplifies it sufficiently to be fed through a power amplifier. It generally provides the volume, balance, fader and tone controls.

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Protection Circuitry

These features protect the possibility of short circuits and blowouts.

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Remote control

Remote Control A device that can control same brand or Multi-Brand devices from a remote location. Advanced controllers operates same-brand audio gear, A/V, & gives users access to advanced systems operation. Basic controllers operates same-brand audio gear, A/V. Universial controllers operates gear from many brands, or Learning, which learns codes from other remotes.

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RMS Power Output (Watts x Channels)

This is just another measurement of the maximum output of the amplifier expressed in watts.

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Signal to Noise Ratio

Is the ratio of signal intensity to noise intensity.

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Subsonic Filter

Cuts unwanted ultra low frequencies which enables the amp to increase its output power.

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Tri-Mode Capable

An advanced way of connecting two amplifiers to one sound system.

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Tri-Way Capable

Allows an amplifier to be run in two channel and bridged mode simultaneously.

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Variable Gain Control

Enables the user to adjust the gain as necessary to compensate for the insertion loss of the integrated modules.

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