Speaker amplifier vs power amplifier

[sarumbear]

Why are power amplifiers being called speaker amplifier? And, what is the difference from just amplifier?

Classed as amplifier

Carver Crimson 275 Review (Tube Amp)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Carver Crimson 275 tube stereo power amplifier. It was purchased new by member @paulbottlehead and given to me for testing. It costs US $2750. I really like the way the amplifier looks. The burgundy color is attractive as is the handle. On the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Classed as speaker amplifier

Review and Measurements of Dynaco ST 70

This is a review and detailed measurements of the vintage Dynakit Dynaco Stereo 70. It is on kind loan from a member who bought it used online and repaired it. Previous owner hand upgraded it but could not get it working. Given that it is 60 years old, one can forgive the rust and dust...

www.audiosciencereview.com

What is the difference?

 

[Chrispy]

Never heard the term speaker amplifier particularly. Many folks call an avr an amp, or an integrated amp an amp both of which have always bugged me. Plain old amp I take normally to mean power amp.

 

[antcollinet]

Speaker amp is generally used to distinguish from headphone amp.

So you could have an integreated speaker amp. Or a power speaker amp.

You can have a headphone amp, or a headphone dac/amp.

These seem to be the most common terminology uses to me. But they are pretty informal/not cast in concrete.

 

[DVDdoug]

Same thing... An amplifier to drive a speaker.

"Power amplifier" is the more common terminology. It's not a preamp or a headphone amp.

A amplifier for radio transmitter could also be called a power amplifier but in the audio/hi-fi world we know what we are talking about.

...Sometimes I'll say "speaker amplifier" if the person I'm talking to doesn't know much about audio and may not know the terminology.

 

[sarumbear]

Never heard the term speaker amplifier particularly. Many folks call an avr an amp, or an integrated amp an amp both of which have always bugged me. Plain old amp I take normally to mean power amp.

Visit the review index here on ASR and you see this.

 

[sarumbear]

Speaker amp is generally used to distinguish from headphone amp.

So you could have an integreated speaker amp. Or a power speaker amp.

You can have a headphone amp, or a headphone dac/amp.

These seem to be the most common terminology uses to me. But they are pretty informal/not cast in concrete.

Then what do just amplifier describe?

as there is a separate Headphone amplifiers category...

 

[IAtaman]

Power amplifier can technically be any type of amplifier, RF, Microwave etc. Speaker amplifier, is more precise in that power amplifier is specified to be an audio power amp designed to drive loudspeakers.

 

[sarumbear]

Power amplifier can technically be any type of amplifier, RF, Microwave etc. Speaker amplifier, is more precise term in that is specified the amplifier as audio power amp designed to drive loudspeakers.

Couldn't integrated amplifier, which is one of the categories, be confused similarly? Not to mention that we are using those names on an audio related forum.

 

[Chrispy]

Visit the review index here on ASR and you see this.

View attachment 276471

I don't usually go thru those. Interesting.

 

[Chrispy]

Power amplifier can technically be any type of amplifier, RF, Microwave etc. Speaker amplifier, is more precise term in that is specified the amplifier as audio power amp designed to drive loudspeakers.

In an audio forum I think RF and microwave can safely be counted out

 

[IAtaman]

Couldn't integrated amplifier, which is one of the categories, be confused similarly? Not to mention that we are using those names on an audio related forum.

An integrated amp is called as such as the pre-amp and power amp would be integrated in the same device.

Why some reviews say speaker amp and some just amp in the index, I do not know.

 

[sarumbear]

Looking at Aiyima products as example, seems like indeed integrated amplifiers are listed as Amplifiers and power amps as Speaker Amplifier.

Here is the list of the amplifier categories used to classify reviews. I have only listed the types that drives speakers. I understand the car and DSP qualifier but for the life of me cannot understand the difference between the top two. And, there you are saying that even the integrated amplifier is confusing.

Amplifier	27
Speaker Amplifier	82
Speaker Amplifier (DSP)	8
Car Speaker Amp	10
Integrated Amp	65

 

[IAtaman]

Here is the list of the amplifier categories used to classify reviews. I have only listed the types that drives speakers. I understand the car and DSP qualifier but for the life of me cannot understand the difference between the top two. And, there you are saying that even the integrated amplifier is confusing.

Amplifier	27
Speaker Amplifier	82
Speaker Amplifier (DSP)	8
Car Speaker Amp	10
Integrated Amp	65

Yeah, I looked at a few more products, Aiyima based theory did not hold. I am not sure why there is an amplifier and a separate speaker amplifier category.

 

[antcollinet]

Yeah, I looked at a few more products, Aiyima based theory did not hold. I am not sure why there is an amplifier and a separate speaker amplifier category.

I'm guessing because reviews have been categorised over a period of about 5 years or more, and the categories have shifted during that time.

 

[sarumbear]

I'm guessing because reviews have been categorised over a period of about 5 years or more, and the categories have shifted during that time.

Can that also mean someone decided to change the century old term power amplifier to speaker amplifier and was not challenged?

Does anyone know what member(s) is in change of curating the reviews?

 

[NTK]

What a tough crowd. Someone out of the goodness of their heart volunteered to do some data entry, and here is their reward.

 

[MAB]

Can that also mean someone decided to change the century old term power amplifier to speaker amplifier and was not challenged?

Does anyone know what member(s) is in change of curating the reviews?

Perhaps you now!

 

[sarumbear]

Perhaps you now!

Why would I have asked if I do???

 

[MAB]

Because it clearly matters to you, you are critical of it, and you have a vision.

 

[mcdn]

Why would I have asked if I do???

He means perhaps you have volunteered yourself