A plate amplifier is a compact lightweight amp. It comprises of a metal sheet with all the connectors and controls attached to it. It is screwed to the back of a stereo speaker or subwoofer, functioning as the device’s built-in amp. In this article, we are going to talk about some of the best subwoofer plate amplifiers currently available for sale. We analyzed their features and functions, and made a list of the amps with the highest quality and performance.
What is a Plate Amplifier ? – [ Video Explanation ]
Some more detailed explanation can be found at the end of the article.
Best Subwoofer Plate Amplifier – Comparison Table
Let’s get started.
Dayton Audio SPA250 Subwoofer Plate Amplifier
The Dayton Audio SPA250 amplifier generates 250 watts of clean unhindered power and is the first on our list. It is a Class AB mono device ideal for home theatre systems and car subwoofers. The device comes with features like a switchable low-pass filter, bass boost, phase switch & variable grain (0ᵒ to 180ᵒ), and subsonic filter. It has an adjustable low-pass filter @ 24 dB/octave 40 Hz to 180 Hz. Besides that, it has full bandwidth line-level outputs from 10 Hz to 20 kHz, and high pass outputs 6 dB/octave @ 90 Hz at 8 ohms and 180 Hz at 4 ohms.
The device is known for producing 252 watts RMS power into a 4-ohm load @ < 1.0% THD and 156 watts RMS power into an 8-ohm load @ 0.1% total harmonic distortion (THD). Its signal-to-noise ratio is 90 dB A-weighted while Input impedance is 10.4K ohms. It is an ideal blend of durability, convenience and technology. Lastly, for adapting to different kinds of audio devices, this amp has manual, auto and triggered on/off modes.
Dayton Audio SA70 Subwoofer Plate Amplifier
The Dayton Audio SA70 is a 70-Watt clean power speaker plate amp. It is ideally designed for pairing with car subwoofers and other compact subwoofers. It is a Class AB circuitry device with low-level and high-level inputs, bass boost, and low-pass crossover features. High-level inputs allow for connecting the speaker-level output of a full-range amp, whereas low-level inputs allow for accepting signals from a preamp-level source.
Besides that, its auto turn-on functionality conserves power, whereas the amp is well protected from all thermal failure and short circuits. Its frequency response is 40 Hz to 180 Hz; Input impedance is 10.4K ohms while the Signal-to-noise ratio is 90 dB. Users get a rear-mounted output led to connecting the amp with a subwoofer. Lastly, it has 70 watts RMS @ 4 ohms @ 0.2% THD and 45 watts RMS @ 8 ohms @ 0.1% THD.
Yung SD300 Class D Subwoofer Plate Amplifier
The Yung SD300 is a Class D circuitry plate amplifier. It is designed for pairing with car subwoofer and home theatre subwoofers. It comes with high-level, low-level, and LFE inputs that allow it for pairing with different sound units and speakers. Besides the input options, it also has manual and automatic turn on/off functions that help adapt to different systems.
The amp can produce high amounts of power for sustained periods without generating issues like overheating, thermal failure, and short-circuit. What makes it handle them all is its built-in limiter circuitry protection. It generates 300 watts of continuous RMS power into a 4 ohm load @ < 1.0% THD. Its frequency range is 40 Hz to 200 Hz, the Signal-to-noise ratio is > 90 dB, and it has a 6 dB bass boost centred at 30 Hz. The Yung SD300 Class D Subwoofer Plate Amplifier is quite compact and lightweight that adds in as a benefit, especially when pairing it with car subwoofers.
Dayton Audio SPA1000 Subwoofer Plate Amplifier
The Dayton Audio SPA1000 is a high-quality speaker plate amp for your stereo systems. It generates 1000Watts of power output, making it superior and better than various of its counterparts. This Dayton device is a state-of-the-art Monoblock that combines excellent traits from Class combines D and Class AB amps. This combination generates top-notch results without any sound quality or reliability issues.
The Dayton Audio SPA1000 also boosts the efficiency to 86% with a patented tracking down the converter power supply. Besides that, this combination provides distortion-free sound minus the instability problem. Further, this plate amplifier has circuitry that pulls power only when it is required. This feature thus aids in less power wastage and lower chances of thermal failure.
Comparative Study :
The Dayton Audio SPA1000 Subwoofer Plate Amplifier can be your ideal purchase if you are done with the overheating issues. With the Toroidal power supply transformer and Optimized Thermal Circuit, this device ensures protection from all over-heating instances. Further, the Hercules heat-sink feature distributes heat while keeping the internal temperature low.
Yung SD100-6 Class D Subwoofer Plate Amplifier
The Yung SD100-6 is a 100 Watt Class D speaker plate amplifier. It comes with low-level and LFE inputs. Its low-level input sensitivity is 210 mV/ 50 Hz, while it boosts bass up to 6 dB centred at 45 Hz. It generates a peak power output of 100 RMS @ 4 ohms. This amp unit has a very convenient switching power supply that ensures efficiency and power.
Besides that, its hear sink feature keeps the device at a moderate temperature. And even when you use the amp for a longer duration, nothing like overheating and thermal failure will arise. It even prevents auto shutdowns that often occur due to overheating. Its signal-to-noise ratio is > 90 dB, whereas the total harmonic distortion is < 1%. It even has several low-level inputs and outputs that allow for plenty of room for your customs. The external interface has LED indicators, auto-on/off functions, and more.
Yung SD500 Class D Subwoofer Plate Amplifier
Yung SD500 Class D plate amplifier that produces an RMS power of 500 watts @ 4 ohms. The amp is designed for pairing with high-power sound systems that require continuous power. It comes with an advanced switching power supply system that adds to efficient power delivery. It has high-level (speaker-level), low-level (RCA-level) and LFE inputs. All of these provide for connecting with a range of both after-market and factory devices.
Besides that, this plate amp features limiter circuit protection that provides safety from thermal failure, heat overload and currents. And for added flexibility, it even has manual and automatic turn on/off functions. Its high-level input sensitivity is 3.0V/ 50 Hz, low-level input sensitivity is 210 mV/ 50 Hz, and it has a signal-to-noise ratio of > 90 dB. Lastly, optimizing the subwoofer’s output has phase control, variable gain, and adjustable crossovers.
Dayton Audio SPA250DSP Subwoofer Plate Amplifier
Dayton Audio SPA250DSP is a class D subwoofer plate amp that produces 250 Watts of RMS power @ 4 ohms @ <0.1% THD+N. It is equipped with PC-based GUI software that makes up for better access to the DSP functions. Besides that, it comes with features like subsonic filter, phase control, limiter, PEQ bands, mains delay, low-pass filter, and high-pass filter.
For versatile connection options, it has both balanced and unbalanced low-level inputs and outputs. This plate amp from Dayton has a low-pass filter that ensures a neat bass output by keeping high and midrange frequencies out of the subwoofer. In contrast, its high-pass filter ensures keeping high and midrange frequencies out of the main speaker. Its Signal-to-noise ratio is 97.9 dB A-weighted. Lastly, the device has an auto mode that keeps it on stand-by when it senses no signal for straight 20 minutes.
Sound Town Class-D Plate Amplifier for PA DJ Subwoofer Cabinets
Sound Town Class-D Plate Amplifier generates 350 Watts of RMS power @ 4 ohms. Though even with such high power, it can still handle low frequencies all the way down to 40Hz. Besides that, the device comes equipped with 2 RCA inputs, RCA outputs (through, 100Hz high pass respectively) and 2 XLR-1/4” combo. Besides that, it also comes with Low Pass Filter (LPF) adjustment, a polarity switch and features like master volume control.
This amp device is sturdy and reliable and fits well with most sound system types. Besides that, for instances where users have gone through issues like a thermal failure and overheating, this device from Sound Town supports like a blessing. With features like over current and short circuit protection, it keeps your sound system safe throughout. Even while you are playing it for an extended period, there’s nothing really to worry about.
Seismic Audio – SA-APAS01-500 Watt Plate Amplifier
The Seismic Audio – SA-APAS01 is one of the best subwoofer plate amps available in the market. It though is last in our list but definitely not the least. This class AB type device boasts 500 Watts of RMS power and 1000 Watts of peak output. It has Speakon Power outputs to power 2 Satellite speakers. Besides that, it comes with features like satellite controls, 3 Band Equalizer – Treble, Mid, Bass, and more.
Further for unwanted electric conditions, it is also designed with overload protection, over current protection, and short circuit protection. Users can attain loud, clear, and clean sound by pairing it with the right subwoofer. However, it alone as well does surprisingly phenomenal. Lastly, this amp device has a straightforward interface with several safeguarding features, which makes up for a powerful performance overall.
What is a plate amplifier?
A plate amplifier is a shallow-frame amplifier that is mounted to the rear panel of a speaker or subwoofer. It is a power amplifier built on a flat board or metal sheet for installation behind a speaker. Its works like a regular amplifier i.e. it takes in a line-level signal (weak signal) and boosts it to drive a loudspeaker. The only difference is that it has limited frequency response which makes it ideal for powering subwoofers.
A plate amplifier is designed to be mounted inside the enclosure of a subwoofer, be it vented or sealed. Most ready-made subwoofers come with built-in amps. But if you wish to build a subwoofer from scratch, you might need one of these. The best way to mount a plate amp to a sub is to cut a hole in the rear wall of the sub and screw the amp to it.
A plate amp has a face plate that contains all the inputs, outputs, controls and power connections. The other side of the plate has the exposed elements of these components. When you attach the amp to the back panel of a sub, the control panel faces outward while the exposed side stays inside.
In other words, you have all the inputs and outputs on the outside and all the wiring on the inside, tucked away safely and hidden from view. The only connections on the inner side of the board are a pair of speaker terminals which link the amp’s main output to the subwoofer driver.
A plate amp is mostly square or rectangular in shape with a shallow depth so that it doesn’t take up too much space inside a subwoofer enclosure. The plate is commonly made of steel or aluminum. A plate amp can be used to build powered speakers and subwoofers, although it is more suitable for subwoofers due to its narrow frequency response.
The main difference between a regular amplifier and a plate amplifier is that a regular amp has a chassis covering on all sides, but a plate amp does not. A regular amp has a housing that contains the amplifier circuitry and all the components that make up the amp.
A plate amp, on the other hand, is just a metal sheet with the amp circuit board and other parts secured to it. It lacks a chassis or enclosure around it. It is just a flat piece of metal with all the inputs, outputs and controls built upon it.
A plate amp is cheaper than a regular amp because it does not have the additional cost of an enclosure. It also occupies less space inside a speaker box. Because a plate amp lacks a chassis, the sub box becomes the amp’s chassis once the amp is fully installed. Also, as mentioned already, a typical amplifier has a wider frequency response than a plate amp. Therefore, it is capable of driving a wide range of speakers whereas a plate amp is more restricted to subwoofers. In fact, most store-bought powered subwoofers today use plate amps because of their compact size and mounting flexibility.
Check the actual difference between a receiver and an amplifier. Read our article on how does an amplifier work ?