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So what do you think of Class D amp for subwoofers

I am curious to hear what folks think of Class D amplifiers for driving subwoofers. An interesting aspect of this is the switching frequency is ~1000x higher for the frequencies in question, as opposed to using a Class D amp for full range.

My home theater is Class D (Dolby 7.1) and my next major upgrade is replacing the amps with Class AB amps, although I will keep the low signal processing part of the amp.

In the high end system, I found a four channel, 450W into 8 Ohms Class D amp from Marantz to drive the four subwoofers. The price was right and I am not living in a fantasy land that it is a JC1 sitting there!

I have formed my opinions but I wonder if others share my opinions as well.

Thanks!
spatialking
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,490 posts
 
Many of the more cosly sub plate amplifiers are class D
mikelavigne
1,274 posts
 
what they said.

the JL Audio line of subs uses class D. i've owned a pair of f113's.

my Evolution Acoustics MM3 speakers have integral powered subwoofers which use the 1000 watt ICE modules.

as mentioned above, ruthless neutrality (or switching noise?) is a detriment to music in the mids and highs, but a real advantage in the bass. Class D amps are small, efficient and don't get hot. they are also relatively cheap to make.

conventional amplifier circutry has problems with linearity in the bass; not so Class D in my experience.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
The idea of a digital subwoofer amp generating noise to screw up higher frequencies is the kind of thing that cries out for a test. It's so simple.

Load the SW amp with a resistor, and have a friend switch it on and off while playing music through the main speakers. See if you can tell when it's on.
sidssp
1,077 posts
 
Eldartford, I think you misread the posts. I don't think anyone has said class D amp will screw up the mid and high of main amp if it is used as a sub amp.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Spatialking ...Check the post by Sidssp.
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