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Purchasing amplifiers and power amplifiers for bands, fixed installations or mobile use
Amplifiers and power amplifiers are present at virtually every music event and widely used in sound reinforcement, as well as in permanent public address installations, playing a key role in ensuring that music or speech reaches the audience with sufficient volume and clarity. However, there are many differences in parameters and design, making it essential to choose the most suitable device for each specific application.
At Thomann, we offer a wide selection of amplifiers and power amplifiers, including portable rack-mounted power amplifiers, intelligently combined system power amplifiers, and functional power mixers. This also includes installation power amplifiers and mixing amplifiers, which can be used to set up an electro-acoustic system (ELA). This buyer's guide provides everything about the different amplifiers and power amplifiers, and their intended uses. Our online guides to PA power amplifiers and ELA systems provide detailed information on the subject, and our Audio Professional team will be happy to personally assist you by phone on +49 9546-9223-4800, by e-mail to pa@thomann.de or via chat. Our 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee and 3-year Thomann warranty ensure worry-free enjoyment of your amplifier or power amplifier.
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Which amplifier or power amplifier should I buy?
Amplifiers and power amplifiers are widely used by bands and solo performers as well as hire companies and in permanently installed (ELA) sound systems, offering a versatile solution across many setups. Rack-mounted power amplifiers can be used in the rehearsal room, while also being perfectly suited to mobile applications and as an integral part of a PA system. In addition, Thomann offers fully configured system power amplifiers, consisting of a rack with castors, power amplifiers, and a DSP, which are pre-programmed for indoor and outdoor installations as well as mobile applications. A powered mixer is a great option for running a small setup with instruments and microphones, as it eliminates the need for a separate power amplifier, saving both transport space and valuable setup time, which makes it especially convenient for mobile use.
If you want to permanently install a public address system in a café, supermarket, sports ground, or sports hall, installation power amplifiers or mixing amplifiers with microphone and line inputs are the right choice for you. These devices are used in combination with special installation speakers, which are available from Thomann in various indoor and outdoor versions.
How do amplifiers and power amplifiers work?
Amplifiers and power amplifiers are used at different stages of a sound system to amplify audio signals, with the first stage involving so-called preamplifiers (preamps), which are responsible for processing very weak signals such as those from turntables or microphones. These signals are then typically routed through the equalisation controls (EQs, DSP) of a mixing desk before being sent to the power amplifier (PowerAmp), which, as the final stage before the speakers, drives their diaphragms into vibration. In the past, the various amplifier stages were always available as separate units, whereas today integrated amplifiers and powered mixers often combine several or all of these components, although separate power amplifiers are still widely used in large sound systems, as these setups require very high power output.
From a technical perspective, amplification is achieved using transistors and capacitors; numerous amplifiers (power amplifiers) on the market operate on the Class AB or Class D principle, which differ in terms of efficiency, size, and signal processing. Class D amplifiers are more efficient than their Class AB counterparts, process signals digitally, and can be designed to be very compact, as they generate less heat that needs to be dissipated. In addition, the PA section also features Class H and G amplifiers, both of which are modified Class AB circuit designs.
How are power amplifiers structured?
Housing
Power amplifiers usually feature a metal housing with ventilation openings, which are often designed as 19" rack-mount units with a height of 2U, allowing for installation in a mobile or stationary rack. It is important to note that power amplifiers should be installed in such a way that adequate ventilation is ensured, e.g. by using blank panels with ventilation slots, and for very long or heavy units, additional rear rack rails should be used to provide proper support.
Fans
Many power amplifiers are equipped with fans, and temperature-controlled models automatically adjust their output to match demand, so it is important to regularly check that the fans are functioning properly to prevent overheating. If your power amplifier is designed for passive cooling, no fan is used.
Protective circuits (limiters)
Various protective circuits, such as thermal protection, safeguard against excessive temperatures in your power amplifier or power supply unit, should the cooling prove insufficient. A short-circuit protection circuit safeguards against damage caused by faulty cables or speakers, while limiters, which are often built into power amplifiers, help regulate the output level to protect the equipment.
LEDs
LEDs, whether installed in series or individually, are used for visual level monitoring and to indicate operating modes, while some power amplifiers also feature displays that provide convenient access to set parameters and allow any changes to be monitored easily.
DSP
High-quality power amplifiers are equipped with DSPs (digital signal processors), which include frequency processing (EQ) and limiter circuits, as well as the configuration of signal delay times, signal routing, etc. To make things easier, presets are available for quick adjustments across different applications, and custom parameter sets can also be saved for added convenience.
Connections
Power amplifiers are equipped with XLR, jack, or RCA sockets for connecting mixing desks and playback devices, while the amplified signals are output through professional speaker twist connections, XLR sockets, or binding posts. High-end devices offer network-based Dante and digital AES/EBU interfaces, whereas installation power amplifiers with 100-volt technology are equipped with Euroblock, Phoenix terminals, or binding posts.
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What power output should my power amplifier have?
Choose a power amplifier with a higher power output than the speakers, as this allows the amplifier to operate without being pushed to full volume to achieve the desired level, helping to prevent clipping and protect the speakers from damage. The power amplifier should have approximately 30% more power than the speakers, with the respective RMS specifications being crucial, while also ensuring that the impedance of the speaker cabinets matches that of the power amplifier. Most speakers have an impedance of 4 or 8 ohms, and while 8-ohm speakers can be connected to a 4-ohm amplifier, the reverse should be avoided, as it may lead to overloading.
What do the stereo, parallel and bridged operating modes mean?
Alongside the power specifications, details about operating modes such as stereo, parallel, and bridged are often provided, with stereo mode allowing the left and right audio signals to be passed on unchanged to the connected speakers. In parallel mode, the same signal is sent to all speakers, making it suitable for mono signals, while in bridged mode, the full output of the power amplifier is delivered to a single speaker, providing greater power, though this requires a separate power amp for each speaker.
Which amplifier/power amplifier brands are available?
Thomann's range includes a wide selection of power amplifiers from Behringer, the US company Crown (part of Harman Professional), and LAB Gruppen, a division of TC, and a broad portfolio of equipment from QSC, Seeburg Acoustic Line and Yamaha is also available. Power amplifiers offering excellent value for money can be found bearing Thomann's in-house brand the t.amp, while powered mixers are available from German companies such as Behringer and Dynacord, with additional affordable solutions offered by Omnitronic and *Fun Generation**.
If you're looking for installation or mixing amplifiers for a public address system, you’ll find brands such as LAB Gruppen and the PA specialists Maintronic, Biamp Systems, and Axxent. Manufacturers Bosch and Monacor, as well as the renowned US brand Bose, offer a further wide selection, and Thomann's in-house brand Swissonic is once again considered a top value-for-money choice.
What accessories are available for amplifiers/power amplifiers?
Amplifiers and power amplifiers can be mounted in racks for storage, transport, and operation, and at Thomann, a wide range of rack options is available, including models fitted with castors or handles for added convenience. To successfully connect all your components, Thomann offers microphone, instrument, and speaker cables in various lengths and diameters, as well as plugs and adapters. To combine and process the sound from your playback devices and microphones, you can use a mixing desk; Thomann offers a wide range of analogue, digital, and rack-mounted mixers. To complete your PA system, our comprehensive range of speakers offers a wide selection, and for permanent public address installations, the Thomann catalogue includes specialised speakers and installation speakers designed for ceiling mounting or continuous outdoor use.