Honda and Acura Car Forums banner

can someone explain what class means?

635 Views 13 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  VTECnicalAccord
what does class mean in amps and subs?
also a class a/b in an amp, how does relate to a sub that is in a different class?
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
sub don't have classes. amps do it is differnt ways they amplify. class d is more effient than an a/b. meaning if you have 60A 12v going into 2 diff amps a class d and class a/b the d will pput out more power. but class d has more distortion, but you can't hear it in low freq's that is why no class d amp plays full range just lows.
Classes:

A/B- better for High/Midrange frequencies. Least effecient amps, but with cleaner power.

D- best for Low frequencies (sub amp). In some cases, not as clear as A/B but not noticeable in low freqencies IE. sub amp.\

X/T- class coming up in the market supposedly more effecient than the D amps. favor low freqency range like D's
litspliff420 said:

X/T- class coming up in the market supposedly more effecient than the D amps. favor low freqency range like D's
yea..tried the blaupunkt class T amps already. they are good for the money. put out more power than they are rated at.
acuradriva said:
sub don't have classes. amps do it is differnt ways they amplify. class d is more effient than an a/b. meaning if you have 60A 12v going into 2 diff amps a class d and class a/b the d will pput out more power. but class d has more distortion, but you can't hear it in low freq's that is why no class d amp plays full range just lows.
so would a class d amp be used only for subs?
would a class a/b amp sound ok with subs?
what type of class is best for idq subs?
also where can i find out what class these amps are
speedlife said:
so would a class d amp be used only for subs?
would a class a/b amp sound ok with subs?
what type of class is best for idq subs?
I'm, using 1050W of class a/b for my IDMAX....I always go with class a/b amps. I'm just partial to them.

People will argue up and down the differences in sound between a class a/b and class d amp on subs. There are many "reliable" people who strongly argue both sides of the coin.

Some examples....Matt Borgart from Image Dynamics is a huge proponent of only class a/b amps for all drivers. He hates Class D/T amps. Fred Lynch, the owner of the ID demo Passat, just switched from 4 D4 IDMAX's and 4 Arc Audio 1500s to 4 IDMAX D2's and 4 Arc 2500. Many people said that the difference was obvious. Jason Winslow, an IASCA compeitor, was using a JL Audio 500/1 on his sub (class D). He then swapped it out for a lower power class a/b amp, and had increased SQ.

Those three arguments are pretty powerful, as they are all industry people who have good experience.

If you look at the flip side, the JL audio demo vehicle (their GTI) had two 13W7's powered by 2 JL 1000/1's. Everyone raved about the subbass...some saying it was the best they had ever heard...with no EQ either.

I think it depends on your wallet.

A class a/b is much more versatile, and will put a bigger hit on your alternator. It's good for full bandwidth, so if you decide to expand your system, you can use it on something other then subs.

A class d is going to relegated to sub only detail, but it may have a subsonic filter (important depending if you are going to port and the music you play). They are a bit easier on your alternator and definitely cheaper.

One thing about those IDQ's - please, please, please port them!!!! Tune them to around 30Hz and you will thank me later.
See less See more
wow awesome info...
what do you think about diamond audio mac daddy subs?
rcurley55 said:
I'm, using 1050W of class a/b for my IDMAX....I always go with class a/b amps. I'm just partial to them.

People will argue up and down the differences in sound between a class a/b and class d amp on subs. There are many "reliable" people who strongly argue both sides of the coin.

Some examples....Matt Borgart from Image Dynamics is a huge proponent of only class a/b amps for all drivers. He hates Class D/T amps. Fred Lynch, the owner of the ID demo Passat, just switched from 4 D4 IDMAX's and 4 Arc Audio 1500s to 4 IDMAX D2's and 4 Arc 2500. Many people said that the difference was obvious. Jason Winslow, an IASCA compeitor, was using a JL Audio 500/1 on his sub (class D). He then swapped it out for a lower power class a/b amp, and had increased SQ.

Those three arguments are pretty powerful, as they are all industry people who have good experience.

If you look at the flip side, the JL audio demo vehicle (their GTI) had two 13W7's powered by 2 JL 1000/1's. Everyone raved about the subbass...some saying it was the best they had ever heard...with no EQ either.

I think it depends on your wallet.

A class a/b is much more versatile, and will put a bigger hit on your alternator. It's good for full bandwidth, so if you decide to expand your system, you can use it on something other then subs.

A class d is going to relegated to sub only detail, but it may have a subsonic filter (important depending if you are going to port and the music you play). They are a bit easier on your alternator and definitely cheaper.

One thing about those IDQ's - please, please, please port them!!!! Tune them to around 30Hz and you will thank me later.
speedlife said:
wow awesome info...
what do you think about diamond audio mac daddy subs?
Never heard them, so I can't give an opinion on them....
litspliff420 said:
Classes:

A/B- better for High/Midrange frequencies. Least effecient amps, but with cleaner power.

D- best for Low frequencies (sub amp). In some cases, not as clear as A/B but not noticeable in low freqencies IE. sub amp.\

X/T- class coming up in the market supposedly more effecient than the D amps. favor low freqency range like D's
Class A are even more inefficent since the transistors are always switched on rather than on/off like class A/B. Class A amplifiers are the most accurate and "musical" of the bunch.
anyone know what class esoteric amps are?
speedlife said:
anyone know what class esoteric amps are?
Go check out Diamond Audio's site...they are essentially the same amp...at least that is the word around the campfire. They should be a class a/b design.
i have heard the Macdaddy's and they are pretty nice subs. A little overpriced, but good. One of my good friends has two of them in his truck ported and tuned to 40 Hz. for SPL and is currently pullin 153's from the dash. Not too bad.

As for SQ, his is alright, but it could be better. His is mainly set up for SPL purposes, so im not sure on SQ.
rcurley55 said:
Fred Lynch, the owner of the ID demo Passat, just switched from 4 D4 IDMAX's and 4 Arc Audio 1500s to 4 IDMAX D2's and 4 Arc 2500.
I've talked with him a good bit online. He originally ran 3 MAX 12's with a 2500 on each, then said he was going to try out the new 1500s when he went with 4 MAX's. Must have favored something about the 2500s to switch back so soon after the new install was finished.
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top