Best Class Amplifier for subwoofer (SQ)

[Aditya Mohammad]

hello, i use Crescendo Revolution 710 Subwoofer 10" (300 - 500 watts) (4ohm)

what amplifier is right for my subwoofer?

Class D or Class A/B for Sound Quality ?

i have a choice :

• Amplifier Crescendo Revolution 5A1 (class ab 450 watts 4 ohm)
• Amplifier Crescendo Revolution 3A1 (class D 400 watts 4 ohm)
• Audison SR 1500 (class D 500 watts 4 ohm)
• Audison AF M1D (class D 600 watts 4 ohm)
• Mosconi Gladen Pro 1 10 (class D 525 watts 4 ohm)

Is there a big difference in sound when using class AB and class D amplifiers with same watts ?

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[1aespinoza 10+ year member]

Is there a big difference in sound when using class AB and class D amplifiers with same watts

I have heard many claim that Class D is just as good sonically as Class a/b. From experience I prefer Class a/b; Class D sounds "softer or rounded" as opposed to Class a/b sounding "punchy or sharper". I attribute this to preferring a higher low pass frequency on the sub stage. I like my subs to overlap quite a bit with the front stage.
IMO if your goal is SQ, then it will be easier to achieve with Class a/b.

 

[maylar 10+ year member]

Class D has come a long long way over the last decade. I wouldn't use anything else.

 

[spokey9 5,000+ posts]

Unless you're crossing your sub high, I don't think you'd hear a difference in a blind test between ab and d

 

[Old_Slapper]

I have run them side by side. For fast accurate bass, I liked the A/B amp better. However, I needed to hear them side x side to hear the difference.

 

[Jimi77 5,000+ posts]

I've run A/B in the past. I do think it tends to sound a tad more detailed on bass guitars, etc.

 

[Old_Slapper]

I've run A/B in the past. I do think it tends to sound a tad more detailed on bass guitars, etc.

Agreed!
You can tell the A/B has a slight better bass control.

 

[Jimi77 5,000+ posts]

Agreed!
You can tell the A/B has a slight better bass control.

Agreed. Slightly more detailed/revealing.

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

And yet Richard Clark still has his 10 grand.

$10k golden ears AMP challenge!

To call Richard Clark an audiophile would be a huge understatement, his strong EE background has enabled him to work with some of the finest audio equipments available to man. He is believes the quest for better sound should be through research based on “scientific facts”. It’s this passion that...

www.hometheaterforum.com

 

[1aespinoza 10+ year member]

And yet Richard Clark still has his 10 grand.

$10k golden ears AMP challenge!

To call Richard Clark an audiophile would be a huge understatement, his strong EE background has enabled him to work with some of the finest audio equipments available to man. He is believes the quest for better sound should be through research based on “scientific facts”. It’s this passion that...

www.hometheaterforum.com

So the test parameters literally require that you tune down or tune up whichever topology you are claiming. I am talking about taking my Class a/b or my Class D and tuning them to how I always tune them. No tricks , gimmicks, or hate to either. Just the excitement of getting them to sound to the best that I can. That, is where I can tell the difference in sound.
--From the test parameters--
5. That all amplifiers with signal processors have those circuits bypassed. This includes bass boost circuits, filters, etc. If frequency tailoring circuits cannot be completely bypassed an equalizer will be inserted in the signal path of one (only one and the listener can decide which) of the amps to compensate for the difference. Compensation will also be made for input and output loading that affects frequency response. Since we are only listening for differences in the sonic signature of circuit topology, the addition of an EQ in one signal path only should make the test even easier.

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

So the test parameters literally require that you tune down or tune up whichever topology you are claiming.

Gain match and EQ match if needed. Seems reasonable enough otherwise you just crank the bass boost on one of them and you'd easily tell the difference or compare a 50x2 to a 150x2 where you could obviously hear the difference.

 

[mr roo]

Ive run some big old school class A/B like rockford and JL slash series. After moving to decent quality class D amps, cant really tell the difference. At least to my ear

 

[dragon.breath 10+ year member]

95+% of the differences in sound quality between one amplifier and another is the crossover and low level input of the amplifiers.

 

[1aespinoza 10+ year member]

Gain match and EQ match if needed. Seems reasonable enough otherwise you just crank the bass boost on one of them and you'd easily tell the difference or compare a 50x2 to a 150x2 where you could obviously hear the difference.

If frequency tailoring circuits cannot be completely bypassed an equalizer will be inserted in the signal path of one (only one and the listener can decide which) of the amps to compensate for the difference

If a circuit is undefeatable, that means it has no buttons, switches, or POTs. Does that not mean the output is the natural playback of said topology?
Now, I do not have experience in comparing these for full range. I have used only 1 Class D amplifier for the full range stage. It sounded pretty good and I was surprised when I realized it was Class D; but when it comes to subwoofer use, I can hear a difference.