whats the difference between say, a class A/B amp and a class D amp?...or what other classes are they and what do they meen?

Class: This refers to the way the amplifier operates. The three types that are most likely to be encountered are A, A/B, and D. Class A amplifiers are the least efficient in terms of power consumption, staying on continually, but also have better sound in general than A/B amplifiers. They are very rare in car audio. Class A/B amplifiers are more efficient than the class A design and are the most common type. Almost all amplifiers in the car audio market are of the A/B design. Class D amplifiers are usually reserved for high power subwoofer amplifiers and can reach efficiencies in the 80%+ range. This design can therefore be smaller, uses less current and produces less heat than the other classes.

This was pulled from CarAudioHelp.com

There is a lot of other information that explains how an amp works. It is a pretty good and easy to read explanation of the terminology used and what each component of the amplifier does.

class D amps are generally more "dirty"....that's why they are used for subs. class A or A/B are generally used for your highs and midrange amplifers.

effeciency is a major difference. also the different classes work differently.

class A, B, and A/B amplifiers operate in "linear" mode.

Class D amplifiers operate in "Switch" mode.


Linear and switch refers to the output transistors.In linear mode they are always "on", even when there is no signal.(these amps run hot..even when there is no audio signal)

In Switch mode they switch from on-off depending on if there is a signal or not. very similar to a switching power supply...and very effecient.


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