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The monoblock amplifier has one channel, and it transfers a single audio signal to a specific speaker. Monoblock amplifiers are most commonly used to power car subwoofers or supply power to individual channels in advanced car sound systems.
Are Monoblock Amplifiers Better Than Multi-Channel Amplifiers?
The main benefit of using two monoblock amplifiers in your car for two channels, instead of one two-channel amplifier, is signal and energy isolation.
When you use two monoblocks, you use separated transformers and a power supply to each channel, and this separation significantly improves sound quality.
In other words, you dedicate the total energy of the amplifier to the single channel, and the effect is fantastic.
It does not mean that stereo amplifiers are bad. They are great and used in the majority of cars. However, mono amplifiers for vehicles are often used to produce deep, strong bass, and they can do it very well.
The total power produced by monoblock goes towards one single speaker without any signal distortion.
Monoblocks usually work in 4, 2, or 1 Ohm, which strengthens the signal even more. When you have a subwoofer in your car, having a monoblock to power the woofers is the right way to go.
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The disadvantage of using a monoblock is its size and weight. Usually, they are much bigger than stereo amplifiers, so when you want to install one in a small trunk, it may be challenging.
Also, when you need to use monoblocks to power speakers, you need to have at least two of them if you’re thinking just about door speakers. Or, even more, when your project is more ambitious, you will want to have a dedicated amplifier for each speaker in a car.
Another reason why monoblocks are not so popular in typical car stereo systems is their price. Monoblocks are over twice as expensive as two-channel amps, but with price comes unquestionable quality. If your budget allows you and you have room in a car, not many other things in the system will be as powerful as a monoblock amplifier.
What Is the Purpose of a Monoblock Amplifier?
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Monoblock can be used to power either a subwoofer or speakers, but for speakers, it has to be one amplifier per channel or even one amplifier per single speaker.
When you decide to build a system this way, the sound effect will be astonishing. Just imagine each door speaker with a dedicated amplifier. Can anything be better?
However, this solution is quite expensive for most cars and most often considered by audiophiles that pay attention to how things sound and value perfect tones more than anything else.
But, if monoblock amplifiers can power audio at home, why do no install it in a car?
Before 2000, one of my friends had installed three small chrome Genesis MK1 amplifiers in his BMW Z4. Two for door speakers and one for a subwoofer. I do not remember how powerful they were, but looking today at the manuals, it must have been at least 100W RMS per channel.
Listening to music in this car was something I will never forget for the rest of my life, such unbelievable power, acoustic, every sound clear.
You have to try this, and if you are not thinking about installing monoblocks for stereo in the car, try to find an acoustic studio and ask for a demonstration.
First, listen to the same speakers with a stereo amplifier, and then with hi-end separated monoblocks. You will not regret it.