BestCarAudio.com

Showcasing the Best in the Mobile Enhancement Industry

Showcasing the Best in the Mobile Enhancement Industry
  • Articles
    • Bluetooth
    • Car Audio
    • Motorcycle Audio
    • Navigation
    • Remote Starter
    • Satellite Radio
    • Smartphone Integration
    • Vehicle Insights
  • Industry Profiles
    • Installation Profiles
    • Installer Profiles
    • Retailer Profiles
    • Vendor Profiles
  • Products
  • Dealer Locator
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
Arc Audio

Understanding Specifications: Class AB Car Audio Amplifier Crossover Distortion

May 16, 2019 By 1sixty8

Crossover Distortion

We are at our second-to-last article in our car audio amplifier specification series and this time, we are going to talk about Class AB amplifier crossover distortion. This distortion has nothing to do with the high- or low-pass filters built into your amplifier; it’s a problem with the very concept of the Class B amplifier topology. Don’t fret — we’ll explain what causes it and how it’s minimized to a level of near inaudibility.

How Do Class AB Amplifiers Work?

Before we can explain what crossover distortion is, you’ll need a basic understanding of how the output of a Class AB amplifier works. In a Class A amplifier, a single transistor (or bank of transistors) takes care of controlling the voltage going to the speaker. When no signal is being produced, the transistor is set at a 50% output level (and gets VERY hot). As the alternating current (AC) from the signal source passes through the amp, the output voltage goes up and down until it reaches the maximum or minimum possible level associated with the transistor being off or at its maximum output level.

Crossover Distortion
A very basic diagram of how a Class A amplifier works.

In a Class B amplifier, we use one transistor to handle the positive half of the waveform and a second transistor to handle the negative half. The primary advantage is that when there is no signal present, both devices are almost completely turned off and very little power is consumed.

Crossover Distortion
A basic diagram of a Class B output stage without any biasing on the transistors.

The Class B topology is where our crossover distortion problem arises. As the audio signal swings from positive to negative, it needs to switch from one device to the other without any issues. It’s at this point where the signal crosses over from one device to the other that problems can happen — hence the name, crossover distortion.

Amplifier designers who truly care about the sonic qualities of their products know how to handle this transition and can effectively eliminate crossover distortion by biasing the positive and negative output devices into their active regions. While this does create a little more heat, it reduces distortion dramatically. This is where the Class A part of an AB amplifier comes from: The devices are turned on a little bit (like a Class A amp), but for high-level signals, act in a Class B configuration.

 

Crossover Distortion
A basic diagram of a Class AB output stage.

Why Does Crossover Distortion Matter?

At low output levels, even in moderate-quality Class AB amplifiers, crossover distortion is more prevalent than when an amplifier is producing very low amounts of power. More accurately, the effect of crossover distortion decreases as the output level increases.

Let’s look at the distortion characteristics of three different amplifier topologies to gain a better understanding of that statement. Up first is our truly outrageous low-quality four-channel amplifier. This workhorse of mediocrity has served us well through this series in explaining the kind of harmonic distortion versus its output level.

Crossover Distortion
This wretched amplifier produces more than 1% distortion below 1 watt of power into a 4-ohm load. As is common, the distortion is least just before the amp goes into clipping around 55 watts per channel.

For a stark and dramatic contrast, we’ll switch to our high-end amplifier. This amplifier is unique in that it uses a high-bias design intended specifically to reduce crossover distortion in the transition between the positive and negative output devices. The graph below shows the distortion of 0.09% versus the output level.

Crossover Distortion
Our high-quality amp doesn’t reach 1% distortion until the output level drops below 0.000015 watts. This amplifier produced the lowest levels of distortion at just below 10 watts power with a measurement of 0.006%. That’s almost seven times less!

Choosing the Right Amplifier for Your Audio System

If the goals for your audio system are world-class performance, and you intend to use Class AB amplifiers, you can reduce the effects of crossover distortion by matching the power requirements of your speakers with amplifiers that will operate higher in their output range. For example, if you want a 150-watts-per-channel amp for your mid-bass drivers, you may only need a 50-watt amp for your midrange speakers and a 10-watt amp for your tweeters to achieve the same acoustic output level. BestCarAudio.com published an article on speaker power handling that explains why.

While you can’t always choose high-quality amplifiers with extremely low power levels, you can minimize the effect of crossover distortion by not using a monster amp on your tweeters. Your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer would be happy to design and install an amazing car audio system upgrade — drop by and talk to one of their Product Specialists today!

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Email

Related

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Car Audio, Resource Library Tagged With: Amplifiers, Speakers, Understanding Specifications

About 1sixty8

1sixty8 media is a content marketing, website development, and business solutions provider specializing in the mobile enhancement industry. The 1sixty8 media team includes many household names in the industry, from store owners and industry writers to award-winning installers and fabricators. To learn more about 1sixty8 media, visit www.1sixty8.com.

Audison Forza
Helix

Industry Profiles

1964 Chevrolet Impala

Mobile Enhancement Industry Profile: Shaquille O’Neal’s 1964 Chevrolet Impala

August 21, 2020 By Dave MacKinnon 

If you are a fan of the TV show “Overhaulin’,” then you know that their style is to pick a worthy recipient and … [Read More...]

Press Releases

NAV-TV® Announces ZEN-F for the Ferrari Portofino
New Wireless Camera Kits and Multi-Mount Cameras Now Shipping from iBEAM®
TE-DVR1080
New ADAS Products and Cameras Now Shipping from iBEAM®
Zen-25
NAV-TV Announces ZEN-25 for M.O.S.T. 25 Equipped BMW Vehicles
iData Maestro for ARC Audio Pro Series DSP Solutions Now Available

Product Reviews

Sony XM-GS6DSP

Sony XM-GS6DSP Amplifier Product Review

Vehicle Insights

2021 Infiniti Q50

2021 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 AWD. Sporting Se-dammmmm.

2021 Lexus LC 500

2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible. Topless Luxury Abounds.

Find Facility Near You

Subscribe to BestCarAudio via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to BestCarAudio.com and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Popular Categories

  • Car Audio
  • Window Tint
  • Remote Car Starters
  • Vehicle Insights
  • Radar Detectors

Supporting Manufacturers

  • Arc Audio
  • Compustar
  • Hertz
  • Momento
  • MSC America
  • Sony
  • SoundShield

Contact

  • Editorial
  • General
  • Advertise

Forms

  • Profile Request

Sign up for our newsletter today. Opt out at any time with 1 click.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

BestCarAudio.com is a product of 1sixty8 media · Copyright © 2021 1sixty8 media · Privacy Policy · Website by 1sixty8 media · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.