A device that accepts a small signal and outputs a larger signal that generally matches the waveform characteristics of the input. Amplifiers are available to boost electrical and optical signals. See amplifier classes, Class D amplifier and PWM.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2008 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- M-Audio Studiophile AV20
- We recently auditioned the M-Audio's Studiophile AV 40 stereo speakers, and found a lot to like. Those big, beefy monitors were great for audio from a PC or any other stereo audio source. However, with 4-inch woofers and speakers weighing 14 pounds each, the AV 40s required a design and...
- Product reviews 2008-08-22
- Arc Wireless Freedom Blade
- As cell phones become the "everything gadget" for more people, companies have begun to cash in on the need for great reception at all times. Wilson Electronics and Wi-Ex have introduced some of our favorite products, and even Sprint Nextel offers an option of its own. A less successful product,...
- Product reviews 2008-08-21
- Kicker ZK500
- When it comes to MP3 player accessories, Zune owners have few choices compared to their iPod-wielding peers. Fortunately, the Kicker ZK500 speaker dock ($300) and its built-in 40-watt amplifier provide Zune-sters an equal opportunity aggravate their neighbors and rock-out at deafening levels.DesignThe Kicker ZK500 uses a menacing all-black pyramid design...
- Product reviews 2008-08-06
- Sonos ZonePlayer ZP120
- The Sonos ZonePlayer ZP120 is the amplified base station portion of the Sonos Digital Music System. One ZP120 is included with the Sonos Bundle 150 (BU150), but additional units, for expanding the wireless music network into more rooms, can be purchased for $500 each. Because it has a built-in amplifier...
- Product reviews 2008-08-05
- Sonos Digital Music System BU150
- Sonos has been around since 2005, when the small company introduced its first multiroom digital music system to glowing reviews (including a CNET.com Editors' Choice Award). The product was comprised of two base stations and a unique for the time remote with a full-color screen that allowed you to wirelessly...
- Product reviews 2008-08-05
- Amplifier-Loudspeaker Matching Formula (xls)
- In terms of power, we compare the power of amplifier watts by the power handling capacity watts of the loudspeaker. Power capacity of the loudspeaker is measured by watts but actually the power of a speaker is measured by sound production capacity, which is measured by decibel dB. dB does...
- Software downloads 2008-08-04
- Mitsubishi WD-65735
- Today the landscape in the big-screen rear-projection HDTV category is pretty stark. Sony, Panasonic, Hitachi, and others have all exited this product segment, which leaves only Mitsubishi and Samsung to slug it out for the dollars of buyers who want a huge screen on a budget. Mitsubishi's WD-65735 is one...
- Product reviews 2008-07-31
- Ion Desk Rocker USB speakers
- The Ion Desk Rocker USB speaker system makes short work of getting impressive sound both in and out of your computer. It's not the most attractive or best-sounding system we've tested, but at an affordable $99, the Desk Rocker delivers big sound with a extensive set of features.The Ion Desk...
- Product reviews 2008-07-30
- Soundcast OutCast
- Soundcast Systems focuses its efforts on a very limited line of wireless audio products and it shows: the company consistently earns praise for its top-notch wireless sound quality. Competitive pricing, however, is not Soundcast's strong suit, and the OutCast is no exception. This $700 weatherproof, wireless speaker setup is definitely...
- Product reviews 2008-07-25
- 2008 Audi A8 L W12
- Photo gallery:2008 Audi A8 L W12The 2008 Audi A8 L W12 rests in a premier echelon of cars that combine extreme luxury with exceptional driving performance, cars that make it difficult to decide whether you'd rather be reclining in the back seat while a chauffeur drives or up there where...
- Product reviews 2008-07-24
- Polk PSW111 Compact Powered Subwoofer - Black
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- Product reviews 2008-07-23
- 2008 Honda Odyssey Touring
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- Product reviews 2008-07-16
- Parrot DS1120 Wireless Hi-Fi Speaker System
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- Product reviews 2008-07-15
- Samsung HT-X810T
- If the primary appeal of soundbar speakers is based on their significant reduction of wires and clutter--as compared with 5.1-channel home theater-in-a-box systems--then Samsung's new HT-X810T soundbar should be a winner. While it's not the first single-speaker system with a built-in DVD player or a wireless subwoofer--that'd be the Philips...
- Product reviews 2008-06-23
- JVC TH-F3
- When we looked at last year's TH-L1 from JVC, we were really impressed at the number of connectivity options the compact 5.1-channel home-theater-in-a-box HTIB packed in its tiny chassis. While the device didn't come with a built-in DVD player, it still was able to switch between two 1080p-capable HDMI ports....
- Product reviews 2008-06-16
- Leaked: iPhone firmware confirms GPS
- Don't you just love the weekend before a Stevenote? It's the time when the finger comes out of the dyke and leaks become a flood, then a monsoon. This time Engadget has the skinny. They got a peek inside the iPhone 3G firmware and it shares a...
- Blog posts 2008-06-07
- 2008 Lexus GS 460
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- Product reviews 2008-05-27
- Yamaha YSP-900
- The YSP-900 may be the entry-level model in Yamaha's YSP single-speaker surround lineup for 2008, but it sounds largely the same as its immediate step-up model, the YSP-3000, with which it shares the same basic design. Yamaha's single speaker surround systems all use advanced technology to project sound into the...
- Product reviews 2008-05-21
- Sennheiser HD 600
- When Steve Guttenberg reviewed the Sennheiser HD 650 headphones, he rightfully called them "fit for a king"--while noting that they retail for a correspondingly princely sum of $500. Thankfully, the HD 650s aren't the only model in Sennheiser's high-end audiophile line. The Sennheiser HD 600s can be bought at a...
- Product reviews 2008-05-13
- Sony CDX GT620IP - radio / CD / MP3 player
- Standing on the shoulders of the entry-level Sony CDX-GT420IP, the CDX-GT620IP delivers as-standard iPod connectivity with some stylish and useful faceplate controls, including a dedicated browser interface for digital media libraries. With the ability to play a range of digital-audio discs, an aux-input jack, and some advanced audio tweaking capabilities,...
- Product reviews 2008-05-02
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