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 | Hypex

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 (25th November 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 (25th November 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 (25th November 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

Audiomarketplace amplifiers

The DS4.0 and DS8.0 are state of the art Class D plate amplifier modules for active subwoofer use manufactured by Hypex in The Netherlands.

Hypex DS4.0 Plate Amplifier

400W RMS / 4 ohm (600W Peak)
210W RMS / 8 ohm (400W Peak)
Active 4th order Subsonic filter protection12Hz/-3dB, 24dB/Octave.
Bass boost 20Hz-50Hz 0dB-+6dB

Hypex DS4.0 at AudioMarketPlace $439 incl. GST (8th January 2010)

Hypex DS8.0 Plate Amplifier

800W RMS / 4 ohm (1000W Peak)
530W RMS / 8 ohm (600W Peak)
Active 4th order Subsonic filter protection12Hz/-3dB, 24dB/Octave.
Bass boost 20Hz-50Hz 0dB-+6dB

Hypex DS8.0 at AudioMarketPlace $749 incl. GST (8th January 2010)

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 12dB. 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 - $335 incl.postage (25th November 2009)
A500 at StoreDJ - $399 incl. postage (25th November 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 StoreDJ - Sale price $509 incl. postage (25th November 2009)

Behringer Europower 2000

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

EP2000 at Behringer
EP2000 at DJ Warehouse - $490 incl. postage (25th November 2009)
EP2000 at StoreDJ - $509 incl. postage (25th November 2009)

This is the rumoured replacement for the EP1500.

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 StoreDJ - $729 incl. postage (25th November 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 - $595 incl. shipping (25th November 2009)
EP4000 at StoreDJ - $729 incl. postage (25th November 2009)

This is the rumoured replacement for the EP2500. Same weight, same 34dB gain, and according to this thread at AVSForum, both good for about 2000w bridged into 4ohms.

Notice that StoreDJ is selling both models for the same price. DJ Warehouse no longer lists the EP2500, only the EP4000, and at the best price! Its the same situation with the EP1500 vs the EP2000