Will my Speakers Sound Better with an Amp?

Will my speakers sound better with an amp?

The simple answer is yes.

Using an amp with your speakers, whether on cars or even in your apartment will definitely make your audio sound quality.

But the truth is that in the long run it depends

There are a lot of things you need to take into consideration

Normally an amp is supposed to make your speakers sound better if you get speakers that do not have an in built amplifier

But when you buy speakers that come with their own built in amplifier then you definitely do not need extra amplifier.

They Drastically Improve the Sound Quality

One of the main reasons why people decide to add amplifiers to their car audio system is to improve the quality of sound.

Factory speakers will tend to crackle and distort the music as you turn up the volume, but speakers that are fed via an amplifier will not.

What does an amp do?

Will my speakers sound better with an amp?

As the name implies, an amp is something that amplifies sound that is passed through it

Most music speakers out there, especially car and apartment speakers have very low sound quality, so the best thing to do is to get an external amplifier and then plug your speakers through it.

According to this definition from Wikipedia, an audio amplifier is an electronic devices that amplifies low power electronic audio signals to a level that is high enough for listening

The purpose of an amplifier is to receive a small electric signal and then amplify it.

Although most amplifiers appear to be a mysterious black box, the basic operating principles are very simple and easy to understand

Again, it takes audio signal from a source such as a mobile device, turn table or CD Rom and then creates an enlarged replica of the original smaller signal

Amplifiers have three basic connections: an input from the source, an output to the speakers, and a source of power from the 110-volt wall socket.

How Does an Amplifier Work?

The power from the 110-volts is sent to the section of the amplifier – known as the power supply – where it is converted from an alternating current to a direct current.

Direct current is like the power found in batteries; electrons (or electricity) flows only in one direction. Alternating current flows in both directions. 

From the battery or power supply, the electrical current is sent to a variable resistor – also known as a transistor. 

The transistor is essentially a valve (think water valve) that varies the amount of current flowing through the circuit based on the input signal from the source.

A signal from the input source causes the transistor to reduce or lower its resistance, thereby allowing current to flow. 

The amount of current allowed to flow is based on the size of the signal from the input source. 

A large signal causes more current to flow, resulting in greater amplification of the smaller signal. 

The frequency of the input signal also determines how quickly the transistor operates. 

Example, a 100 Hz tone from the input source causes the transistor to open and close 100 times per second. 

A 1,000 Hz tone from the input source causes the transistor to open and close 1,000 times per second. 

So, the transistor controls level (or amplitude) and frequency of the electrical current sent to the speaker, just like a valve. 

This is how it achieves the amplifying action.

Do you need an amp for door speakers?

The simple answer is yes.

This is because when you have more power (in the form of amplifiers) to run your door speakers will make for better sound quality and overall awesome listening pleasure.

Here is an article showing you the best speakers for apartments

Here are some of the benefits of using an amp for your door speakers

  • You get to play your music louder with any fear of cackle or distortion
  • You experience better sound quality
  • Overall you get to listen and enjoy your sound better

How to choose an amplifier for car speakers

When it comes to picking an amplifier, things can become complicated with the huge amount of choices out there

But there are some things you need to be aware of before you buy any speakers whether for your cars or for your apartments

The first one is the amount of channels it has

A good amplifier that will deliver awesome and consistent results for you needs to have at least 4 channels

This is so that you can connect as many speakers as possible to the amplifier and still get awesome result

Another thing you need to be aware of is the wattage of the amplifier

You want to get an amp that is more powerful than what you already have to get the benefit from it. 

Also, some amps have different filters in place, so they are better to use with certain speakers. 

Picking an amplifier can get into a lot of technicals, so we will save choosing an amp for another time.

Looking for speakers for bedroom? Here is an article to check out

Does an amp improve the sound quality on headphones?

The answer is yes.

Adding an amplifier between the audio source (player) and your headphones can significantly improve the sound in terms of clarity, detail and sound dynamics

So while low-impedance headphones may be loud enough from a portable device, sound quality can be significantly improved by adding a headphone amp

The simple truth is that if you spent more than $500 on your headphones, then you definitely want to get an amp for it

A headphone amp like an entry level Fiio Amp will help you get your money’s worth from your cans and is an affordable gateway to the benefits of headphone amplification. 

If you are a fan of classical music, here is an article showing you the best speakers for classical music.

The size and dimensions of your headphone may provide some basic clues as to whether an amp is warranted. 

Most earbud and in ear headphones are typically very efficient and less likely to really benefit strongly from an amp. 

However, many larger over ear headphones will become clearer and better sounding with an amp. 

A few select audiophile models may even require a headphone amp to reach listenable volume levels and sonic performance, especially if connected to portable devices.

Written by Uche Ibe

Uche Ibe is a passionate Singer, Studio Engineer and Blogger. I enjoy teaching people how to sing and helping them become better singers. When I am not singing, you can catch me at the Tennis court.

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