What is the difference between home theater power amplifier and HIFI stereo power amplifier, which one is better

What is the difference between power amplifier and stereo power amplifier, which one is better

What is an AV amplifier

The A (audio) of the AV power amplifier means audio and sound, and the V (video) means audio and images. Therefore, the AV power amplifier is an audio-visual amplifier that combines audio and video signal processing. It emphasizes the atmosphere of the sound field and is specially used for home theaters.

What is a HIFI power amplifier

The Hi-Fi of the HIFI power amplifier is the abbreviation of English Hight-Fidelity, literally translated as high fidelity, which requires the audio equipment to amplify and process the various indicators of the sound signal without distortion during the playback process, so as to restore the original appearance of the sound source, emphasizing the original flavor, and is specially used for enjoying music, such as classical music.

The difference between AV power amplifier and HIFI power amplifier

In the above, we have a brief understanding of "what is an AV power amplifier and what is a HIFI power amplifier", and realized the difference in use between AV power amplifier and HIFI power amplifier: the former is mainly used in the field of home theater and requires audio + video equipment, while the latter only needs to provide audio equipment and focus on enjoying music. So besides that, what is the difference between AV power amplifier and HIFI power amplifier? Let's continue to look down.

1. The number of channels is different

There are 4-9 channels of AV power amplifier to drive multiple speakers to form a surround sound field. For example, Dolby AC-3 needs 5.1 channels. The Hi-Fi power amplifier generally has two channels when playing sound, that is, amplifies the signals of the left and right channels, and drives the left and right two sets of speakers, thus forming a stereo sound field.

2. Different parameters and indicators

The parameters of AV power amplifiers mainly include output power, harmonic distortion, signal-to-noise ratio, frequency range, rated impedance and damping coefficient, etc., with particular emphasis on channel isolation, delay time range, various sound field modes and other indicators, and there are more indicators related to the video part. Although the Hi-Fi power amplifier also has these parameters, it emphasizes harmonic distortion and signal-to-noise ratio.

3. The sound atmosphere is different

The main design purpose of the AV amplifier sound reproduction method is to create a sound field, emphasizing the sense of direction of the sound, and simulating the atmosphere of the listening environment, while the Hi-Fi amplifier sound reproduction method is mostly designed for high-fidelity, focusing on authentically amplifying the signal from the signal source. It is mainly used to appreciate music, human voice, etc., and pursue the real effect of sound.

Can the AV power amplifier be used as a HIFI power amplifier? The AV power amplifier is a combination of audio and video signal processing amplifiers, while the HIFI power amplifier is only an audio amplifier.

So can we use AV power amplifiers instead of HIFI power amplifiers? The answer is no, for the following three reasons:

1. The power of the AV amplifier is insufficient when playing music with a large dynamic range

The output power of the AV amplifier in the two-channel state is greater than that in the four-channel state. At this time, if you choose music with a large dynamic range for trial listening, you will obviously feel powerless. The Hi-Fi power amplifier appears to be unhurried.

2. Many AV power amplifier cables affect the sound quality

The AV amplifier is equipped with a variety of video and audio ports, and is connected to multiple groups of audio and video signal sources, resulting in many and complicated signal wiring, which easily causes mutual interference of signals. The original rich high-frequency components of high-quality signal sources are attenuated or interfered, so that the listener cannot appreciate the high-fidelity effect.

3. The fluorescent screen of the AV power amplifier will interfere with the sound quality

There is a large fluorescent display on the panel of the AV power amplifier, and the characters are displayed under the drive of the pulse signal, which will radiate a lot of electromagnetic interference to the surroundings and obviously affect the sound quality.

It is said that AV power amplifiers cannot replace HIFI power amplifiers, but it does not have to be so serious. If your requirements for sound quality are not too high, AV power amplifiers can also be used as HIFI power amplifiers. Of course, the final effect is not so ideal compared to professional HIFI power amplifiers.