Subwoofer amplifiers

When it comes to powering your sub, you can choose between a Subwoofer amplifier or a Professional amp
Subwoofer amplifiers come with high and low level inputs and crossovers, whereas Professional amps can provide more power

Most subwoofer amplifiers like to have both channels driven, so a Y-Cable or adapter can help
Most also come with +4dB or +6dB boost at 35hz, which may or may not be a good thing depending on your application
For the US market, the subwoofer amplifiers sold by Parts Express can be modified to adjust the boost characteristics
The amps sold by Jaycar appear the same, but internally are different enough to mean that the US instructions for modification can't be used. Instead, see the links to Joe Rasmussen's instructions for modifying the 240w and 350w amps.

This page details amps available in Australia, so prices are in $AUD and include GST.
If you're a builder in the UK, check out the range of 50w - 500w amps available from BK Electronics.

Subwoofer Amplifiers:

Jaycar | Altronics | Stones Audio | SGR | OAudio

Professional Amps:

Behringer

Jaycar Subwoofer Amplifiers

80 watt Jaycar : AA0503

80W RMS into 4ohms, 60W RMS 8ohms
Crossover 20 to 160 Hz
THD < 0.1%
Bass Boost 4db @ 35Hz

This amp has been discontinued.
Listing retained because this amp was used in projects detailed elsewhere on this site

150 watt Jaycar: AA0507

150W RMS into 4ohms, 100W?? RMS 8ohms
Bass Boost - Nil

150W amp at Jaycar - $179 (29th June 2009)
In 2008, this model replaced the earlier 150w amp that was used in the Sidewinder
You may also wish to check out the 150w Altronics

240 watt Jaycar : AA0501

240W RMS into 4ohms, 150W RMS 8ohms
Crossover 50 to 160 Hz
THD < 0.1%
Bass Boost 6dB @ 35hz

This amp has been discontinued.
Listing retained because this amp was used in projects detailed elsewhere on this site
This amp can have it's boost circuitry modified using these instructions

350 watt Jaycar : AA0508

350W RMS into 4ohms, 240W RMS 8ohms
Crossover 20 to 160 Hz
THD < 0.1%
Bass Boost 6db @ 35Hz
Infra-red remote control
$299 Australian (16th Aug 2008)

This amp is listed in the 2008 printed catalog, but not shown in the current online version. You may need to go to the Stones Audio version shown in the section below.
This amp can have it's boost circuitry modified using these instructions

600 watt Jaycar : AA0509

600W RMS into 4ohms
Switchable EQ - 3dB boost @50hz
Switchable High pass filter, details unknown
Freq response 32 - 250hz

600W amp at Jaycar - $339 (29th June 2009)
There is not a lot of info listed for this new amp.
The frequency response also seems to preclude its use as a serious HT sub amp, although it should be good for music!

Altronics subwoofer amplifiers

150 watt Altronics

120W RMS (THD 0.1%)
180W RMS into 4 ohms (THD 0.5%)
They don't list rating into 8ohms, but probably around 100W
Crossover 20 to 200 Hz
Bass Boost - Nil

150W subwoofer amplifier at Altronics $206 Australian (29th June 2009)

Stones Audio subwoofer amplifiers

The Stones Audio site has descriptions of their upgraded subwoofer amplifiers, but no pricing. Purchasers are directed to WES Components who act as retailer for the products

200 watt : S200W

200W RMS into 4ohms
162W RMS into 8ohms
THD: 0.8% @ onset of clipping full power
S/N ratio @ rated Power 82dB
High current 20,000 uf power supply
Output short circuit protection circuit
24db/octave 17Hz high-pass filter
Soft Clipping circuit

Description of 200w amp at Stones Audio
Price needs to be obtained via WES enquiry as it is not listed on either the Stones site or the WES site
A forum member was quoted $269 in Nov 2007

400 watt : SS400W

Upgraded version of Jaycar 350W amp. Reported to have larger power supply capacitors

400W RMS into 4ohms
212W RMS into 8ohms

Description of 400w amp at Stones Audio
Price needs to be obtained via WES enquiry as it is not listed on either the Stones site or the WES site
A forum member was quoted $359 in Nov 2007

SGR subwoofer amplifiers

SGR subwoofer amplifier

SGR subwoofer amplifiers are now available from AudioMarketPlace
The amps are Class AB design with extremely low distortion
According to norpus at Stereonet Australia, these SGR amps punch well above their weight, with an SGR501 easilly outclassing the Behringer A500

300w : SGR-301

300W RMS / 4 ohm (600W Peak)
200W RMS / 8 ohm (400W Peak)

SGR-301 at AudioMarketPlace $1,220 incl. GST (29th June 2009)

500w : SGR-501

500W RMS / 4 ohm (1000W Peak)
300W RMS / 8 ohm (600W Peak)

SGR-501 at AudioMarketPlace $1,440 incl. GST (29th June 2009)

OAudio subwoofer amplifiers

As well as the SGR amps, Audiomarketplace are also selling the somwhat more affordable OAudio 500w amp.

500 watt : OAudio

500W RMS into 4ohms @ 0.3% THD
420W RMS into 4ohms @ 0.05% THD
325W RMS into 8ohms @ 0.01% THD
S/N (A-weighted): 105dB
Lowpass Crossover: 40Hz to 120Hz, 4th order
Parametric EQ: 20Hz to 80Hz, 0 to -12dB, variable Q
Continuous Phase Adjustment

OAudio 500w amp at Audiomarketplace $495 AUD incl GST (29th June 2009)
The Manual and User Guide (links courtesy of pochoboy at AVS Forum)

Behringer Professional Amps

Behringer Europower

amps provide an affordable source of high power
In Australia, the Behringer equipment can be purchased online from StoreDJ or DJ Warehouse with significant savings

Signal level

The signal level used in professional gear is higher than that used in consumer equipment by around 14dB. If your source is an AV amp, you can overcome this discrepancy by using a Cleanbox. As a bonus, it will convert the unbalanced RCA type connection to balanced XLR as used in the pro gear.

Noise issues

A downside to the EP1500 and EP2500 models is that they're fan cooled, which is noisy.
If you're unable to mount them away from the listening area, you might consider fitting a quieter Panaflow fan as discussed here
I couldn't find the Panaflow fans in Australia, but did find a Papst 8414 NGL which runs at the required 24V
At $49.20 + GST it's expensive, but may be worth it to some. It's available from RSAustralia.com who have have Trade Counters in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth. Use the search box on their site to find RS Stock Number 299-1403
I'm not sure if the Pabst is any quieter than the standard fan but this FAN Noise shootout gave the thumbs-up to the 8412 NGL which is the 12V version

Another approach is to fit a resistor to slow the fan as discussed here - use 100ohm 10watt. May need to reduce to 50 ohm if there is any problem with the fan starting

Behringer Reference Amplifier A500

2 * 230W RMS into 4ohms
500w bridged into 8ohms (rumour has it that this is a little optimistic)
No fans

A500 at Behringer
A500 at DJ Warehouse - $315 incl.postage (29th June 2009)
A500 at StoreDJ - $399 incl. postage (29th June 2009)
Review at The Audio Critic

Behringer Europower 1500

2 * 700W RMS into 2ohms
2 * 450W RMS into 4ohms
2 * 280W RMS into 8ohms
1400w bridged into 4ohms
900w bridged into 8ohms

EP1500 at Behringer
EP1500 at new-media - $545 plus postage (29th June 2009)
EP1500 at StoreDJ - $589 incl. postage (29th June 2009)

Behringer Europower 2000

2 * 1000W RMS into 2ohms
2 * 750W RMS into 4ohms
2000w bridged into 4ohms

EP2000 at Behringer
EP1500 at DJ Warehouse - $485 incl. postage (29th June 2009)
EP2000 at StoreDJ - $589 incl. postage (29th June 2009)

Behringer Europower 2500

2 * 1200W RMS into 2ohms
2 * 750w into 4ohms
2 * 500 into 8ohms ... some reports say 450W
2400w bridged into 4ohms
1500w bridged into 8ohms ... some reports say 1300W

EP2500 at Behringer
EP2500 at New-Media - $615 plus postage (29th June 2009)
EP2500 at StoreDJ - $729 incl. postage (29th June 2009)

Here are some EP2500 tips at AVSForum on setting up an EP2500

Behringer Europower 4000

2 * 2000W RMS into 2ohms
2 * 1400W RMS into 4ohms
4000w bridged into 4ohms

EP4000 at Behringer
EP4000 at DJ Warehouse - $590 incl. shipping (29th June 2009)
EP4000 at StoreDJ - $729 incl. postage (29th June 2009)