Google Top Quality Store · Rated Exceptional
View as

Power Amplifiers

A power amplifier takes a line-level signal from a mixer or processor and drives passive speakers. This collection holds amplifiers such as Citronic and QTX rack amplifiers for PA and DJ rigs, 100V and 70V line amplifiers from makers such as Penton, TOA, Vanco and Bose Professional for background music, paging and voice alarm, LEA Professional networked amplifiers, Adastra induction loop and in-wall amplifiers, and small Vanco wall-plate units.

Choosing Power Amplifiers

Choose a power amplifier by the speaker system it drives: low-impedance PA speakers, or a high-impedance 100V or 70V line.

PA and DJ rack amplifiers

Rack amplifiers drive passive PA speakers directly. The Citronic 172.106UK D-Series gives 2 x 300W RMS in a 1U case, the Citronic 172.216UK PLX gives 2 x 1400W RMS at 2 Ohms and can be bridged to mono, and the QTX 172.052UK Q Series gives 480W with jack or RCA inputs. Match the amplifier's output at your speakers' impedance to their power handling.

Line and installation amplifiers

Background music and paging systems often run many speakers on a high-impedance line. The Penton BPA-1000 is transformer isolated for 100V, 50V or 70V speaker lines, the TOA P-2240 is a 240W booster for A-2000 series mixer-amplifiers with 24–30 V DC battery backup, and the Vanco PAV1100 gives 100W switchable between 70V and 100V.

Networked and zone amplifiers

Networked amplifiers add configuration and monitoring over Ethernet. The Bose Professional 803289-2110 PowerSpace combines four channels and DSP in 1RU, LEA Professional Connect amplifiers such as the CS702 run Lo-Z, 70V or 100V with LEA Cloud control, and the Axis Communications C8210 turns a passive speaker into a network speaker.

ModelTypeOutputSpeaker load
Citronic 172.214UKPLX stereo, 2U2 x 1000W RMS at 2 OhmsDown to 2 Ohms, 4 Ohms bridged
Citronic 172.132UKHybrid Class-H stereo2 x 1600W at 2 OhmsDown to 2 Ohms
Citronic 172.243UKQP quad, 2U4 x 580WDown to 2 Ohms
Penton DPAFOUR125Voice alarm, 4 channel4 x 125W100V, 70V, 50V or 4 Ohm
TOA VM-2240System management, 5 zones240WHigh-impedance zones
Vanco BAV42504 channel4 x 250W4/8 ohm or 70/100V

Brands we stock in Power Amplifiers

Adastra, Axis Communications, Bose Professional, Citronic, Dynacord, Hikvision, JBL Professional, LEA Professional, Penton, QTX, Signet, TOA, Vanco and Zenith.

Brands here include Citronic, Bose Professional, Vanco, LEA Professional, Penton, Dynacord and QTX.

Related categories

Feed them from the amplifiers and mixers range or use mixer amplifiers with built-in inputs, and power PA speakers and systems, subwoofers and ceiling speakers.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Class D power amplifier?

A Class D power amplifier switches its output devices fully on and off at a very high rate, so far less energy is lost as heat. That lets it produce a lot of power from a light, cool-running chassis, which suits portable PA racks and busy installs. The range here includes lightweight Class-D stereo and quad-channel rack amplifiers.

What is an audio power amplifier?

An audio power amplifier boosts a line-level signal, such as the output of a mixer or processor, until it is strong enough to drive passive loudspeakers. It usually has few or no microphone inputs and tone controls, so it is fed by a separate mixer. The range here includes stereo, multi-channel and networked power amplifiers for PA and installed sound.

What power amplifier do I need?

You need an amplifier whose output at your speakers' impedance comfortably covers their continuous rating, with some headroom so it does not clip at high volume. For ceiling speakers on a high-impedance line, add up the tap settings of the speakers and choose an amplifier rated above that total. The range here includes rack amplifiers for PA speakers and line amplifiers for installed systems.

  • Established 1975
  • Birmingham trade counter
  • UK-only supply

Written by the West Midlands Electrics technical team

Updated

You may also like

  • Fast shipping

    On every UK Order

  • Special Trade Discount

    Regular sales and discounts

  • WME Guarantee

    We provide warranty

  • Full Support

    Talk to a real person