Practical Test & Measurement Testing Power Amplifiers

Power amplifiers present a unique set of testing challenges that are usually not encountered with digital or low-level analog circuits, as they must supply significant current as well as voltage to their loads. This comprehensive checklist on what is needed for testing power amplifiers covers the fundamental measurements, with specifics on how to best accomplish the tests using Audio Precision's APx series audio analyzers and APx500 measurement software.

A loudspeaker is a mechanically moving system and like any such system, it cannot stop moving in zero time. For example, if a tone is reproduced, and the amplifier outputs a zero voltage at the end of the tone, the speaker cone will not stop immediately but will tend to keep on moving with lower and lower amplitude and eventually come to a stop. Jan Didden explores Loudspeaker Damping Factor in simple terms.

Hegel has introduced their reference integrated amplifier. The H600 is rated for 303 watts in 8 ohms, with a damping factor of 4000, and 2 ohms drive capability - core specifications that Hegel considers are key for an amplifier to drive any speaker with confidence and ease. In line with the company's obsession of dual everything, the amplifier is a dual mono design. It also boasts a state-of-the-art preamplifier with the same extremely precise volume attenuator found in the Hegel reference P30A amplifier.