Home Amplifier

An amplifier is necessary for the sound from your Blu-Ray or DVD Player etc to be heard through your speakers. Some systems have in built amplifiers, but getting a separate home audio amplifier will usually offer a superior sound to built in amplifiers which are often pretty basic. If you're serious about your home theater or sound system, an amplifier is something you should consider. If you have a passive subwoofer it's essential. There are tons of different types of amplifiers available (for example a home stero amplifier) so you should be able to find one which meets your needs. Here is a basic guide to help you choose the right one. Look out for our home amplifier reviews soon.

The first thing you will have to consider when selecting your home power amplifier is the wattage. This equates to the power that will travel through to your speakers. It is important here that you choose an amplifier that is suitable for your speakers as getting an amplifier that is too powerful will damage your speakers. Between 20 – 50 watts is average and will suit pretty much all speakers and give enough sound for just about any sized room. If you choose wattage which is too high you will blow your speakers and these will not be able to be repaired. But if your speakers have a low sensitivity, it may be that you need a higher wattage. The key is to match your speaker specs to the amplifier you purchase.

Although looking at the wattage is important, for the best sound reproduction, it isn’t as vital as looking at the THD. THD stands for total harmonic distortion and this will tell you how clear or well you will receive the sound through your speakers. When sound travels, it always becomes distorted to a certain degree, but the THD will limit this. This is really important to anyone who loves their music and the quality of it.

There are many other factors that you will have to consider, but if you get these two factors right the rest will follow.

When it comes to selecting a brand for your amp, you really should go for names that you can trust; having said that, you may be surprised at the price that some amps will set you back. You should set aside at least $200 for something reasonable. This is a ball park figure for a standard amplifier, but some go up into the thousands. Be prepared to spend the time to do the research and read customer feedback. This will help you make an informed choice.