PA Amplifiers: Passionate About Sound

Our PA amplifiers are built for the scene, for the street, for you and your audience!

 

You got passion on stage and movement in front of it. The sound engineer is standing relaxed at the mixer in the fenced-in area, is drinking something caffeinated, while the PA system is supplying the club with guitar riffs and bass massages. This scenario is only possible thanks to the little helpers in the background. The PA amplifier is amplifying an electrical signal almost unnoticed, is negotiating between mixer and passive PA speakers and thus ensures that the speakers provide sufficient sound. And here, you can find our analogue and digital PA amplifiers.

Here, you can find PA amplifiers from IMG STAGELINE:

ProLighting
HUSS Licht und Ton
LTT

Do you prefer analogue or digital? You can find more information on our PA amplifiers here:

 
Analogue PA Amplifiers
Analogue amplifiers for your PA system Analogue PA amplifiers from IMG STAGELINE are designed for a…
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Digital PA Amplifiers
Digital PA amplifiers: quiet, compact and highly efficient Digital amplifiers from IMG STAGELINE are designed…
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If you are a retailer, you can visit our B2B online shop here:

B2B Online Shop

Are you a newcomer to the world of PA? Awesome, hello and welcome. We have got some guidance tips here.

This is how we develop PA amplifiers

PA amplifiers are the centrepiece of a PA system which supply the passive speakers with power and audio signals. In the field of stage technology, they are usually used as the power amplifier at the same time. We will tell you more on this later on. We design PA amplifiers as we design all of our products: to be suitable for a wide range of applications, from club stage to festival, from street party to home setup.

It is important to us that nobody has to miss out on the best possible sound because of unnecessary features.

What is it that interests you most about PA amplifiers? Just jump straight to the relevant topic:

Analogue PA Amplifiers

Our Analogue PA Amplifiers

With up to 5,500 W on 2 channels, our analogue PA amplifiers are quite presentable and ready to operate in stereo as well as in parallel or in bridged mode. And they can do more than just deliver: just as with our mixers and microphones, we place particular emphasis on reliability. We know full well how nice it is when familiar equipment gradually becomes a permanent companion. How nice it is when you eventually know it inside out. For us, this is also part of the price-performance ratio. Depending on the device, we therefore use thermal protective circuits and integrated limiters and build cases which can also withstand the occasional knock.

Analogue PA Amplifiers

Advantages of Analogue PA Amplifiers

  • Accessible: an analogue PA amplifier has an equal number of functions and knobs. Beginners therefore master the amplifier more quickly. 

  • Humble: analogue PA amplifiers tend to easier 'forgive' a setup which is not perfectly planned. They are less susceptible to feedback with different speakers and distortions of the output signal. The amplifier can handle power supplies of less quality and hum loops very well. You rarely find the 50 Hz hum known from a digital amplifier when it is set up badly. 

  • Reliable: analogue amplifiers feature a stronger power supply, thus allowing for a more defined performance. Compared with most attractively priced class D amplifiers with a switch-mode power supply, an analogue amplifier, for example, ensures a permanently reliable reproduction of powerful bass thunders at a high power output. 

  • High fidelity: it is subject to great controversy if analogue PA amplifiers generally reproduce a better and more balanced sound. In simple terms: a lot happens to the incoming audio signal in digital class D amplifiers. The amplifier converts and modulates. Compared with class D amplifiers, analogue amplifiers feature a lower 'Total Harmonic Distortion' (THD) as well as a lower distortion factor. In short, analogue amplifiers provide a fuller sound. This is often not audible straightaway. However, less fatigue can be noticed in case of longer operating times. 

If you just want it to work, analogue PA amplifiers are a top choice.

Our STA-2200DSP with adjustable crossover network via DSP, delay, compressor, limiter, 2,200 W

The STA-2200DSP combines simple efficiency of the previous generation of STA amplifiers with the latest DSP technology. Thus, the amplifier can be operated with or without a laptop. Your amp, your choice.

  • Operating mode: stereo, parallel or bridged

  • DSP can be programmed via USB

  • Temperature-controlled fans

  • 2 level controls

  • Ground lift function

  • Speaker switch-on delay

  • Protective circuit with LED indication

  • LEDs for indicating operating voltage, signal and limiter


  • Operating mode: stereo, parallel or bridged

  • DSP can be programmed via USB

  • Temperature-controlled fans

  • 2 level controls

  • Ground lift function

  • Speaker switch-on delay

  • Protective circuit with LED indication

  • LEDs for indicating operating voltage, signal and limiter

“The STA-2200DSP from IMG STAGELINE is a robust and highly reliable amplifier. In my opinion, the newly integrated option for digital control highly improves the series.”

— tools4music 06/2018
Digital PA Amplifiers

Our Digital PA Amplifiers

The rapid modernisation of PA systems does not bypass PA amplifiers either. We are fascinated by digital PA amplifiers because they allow us to follow the motto which we already bear in mind when it comes to our mixers: they provide a great number of essential features with little material effort. This is another reason why our digital PA amplifiers are real monsters when it comes to price-performance ratio.

What are Class D Amplifiers?

The term 'digital amplifier' is basically misleading. After all, they are not digital amplifiers. They are not a software, they are still devices. Thus, the correct term should be 'class D amplifier'.

Advantages of Digital PA Amplifier

To put it briefly: digital amplifiers are just easy to use. Compared with their analogue counterparts, they have similar advantages as digital mixers have compared with analogue mixers. It is often a question of taste and mental attitude. However, these are basically the advantages over analogue amplifiers:

  • More compact and smaller

  • Lightweight and therefore easier to transport

  • More energy-efficient

  • Low heat generation during operation

  • Almost silent operation

  • Significantly higher efficiency
Digital Amplifiers

Do you need a lot of power for a long period of time? Does the on-site technician have a good basic knowledge? Then digital PA amplifiers are often the more elegant choice.

Our STA-2000D, class D amplifier, 2,400 W

The STA-2000D amplifier is one of the best-known and most popular PA amplifiers in our product range. Due to protective circuits against short circuit, excess temperature, DC voltage at the output and overload, the amplifier is robust and can easily be integrated into any setup, even in busy live operation.

  • Extra wide dynamic range with very low THD

  • Excellent pulse response also in the bass range

  • 2 or 4 channels in bridged mode

  • 100 V line technique possible in bridged operation

  • Silent operation due to temperature-controlled fans

  • Energy-efficient concept due to a high efficiency

  • 4 level controls

  • 6 LED indicators


  • Extra wide dynamic range with very low THD

  • Excellent pulse response also in the bass range

  • 2 or 4 channels in bridged mode

  • 100 V line technique possible in bridged operation

  • Silent operation due to temperature-controlled fans

  • Energy-efficient concept due to a high efficiency

  • 4 level controls

  • 6 LED indicators

“The STA-1000D and STA-2000D provide an unobtrusive sound reproduction of a high quality. No matter whether classical music, rock music or voice reproductions, the power amplifier perfectly meets any requirement.”

— SOUNDCHECK 03/2015

“The power amplifiers STA-200D and STA-1000D from IMG Stage Line impress by an elaborated selection and configuration of the inner components.With these test results, they are also suitable for hi-fi applications."

— tools4music 01/2015

Tips for beginners who want to buy a PA amplifier

Especially in the field of PA systems, beginners can often feel like flying blind when purchasing them if they have not read the most important basics beforehand. To stop you from googling terms now, we will provide you with the most important answers to frequently asked questions and use as little technical gibberish as possible.

Is a PA amplifier the same as a PA power amplifier?

In practice, these terms are often confused. The name almost gives it away: the power amplifier is the last active electrical device before the sound is emitted. The power amplifier thus is often part of a full amplifier which consists of preamplifier (also called 'preamp') and power amplifier. Our PA amplifiers are all full amplifiers and thus feature an integrated power amplifier. By the way, everything that amplifies is simply called 'amp' in English.

How many watts does a PA system need for how many people?

As a general rule, 4-6 W per listener is often applied at concerts. However, technicians and acousticians justifiably tear their hair out when it comes to this 'calculation'. Various factors are important: What kind of sound and frequencies is the PA system going to transmit? What are the acoustic conditions? This calculation has proven to be very useful as a general rule and first orientation. A band which has to deliver a sound with 100 dB to a small club usually does not need more than 1 subwoofer with 800 W RMS and 2 satellites with 250 W RMS each and still got power reserves. A prerequisite is that the sound pressure level of the speaker systems is 90 dB per 1 W per 1 metre distance. This is usually stated in the data sheet of the corresponding PA speakers. A higher sound pressure level reduces the required power. Also important: are there strong percussive components in the sound? If, for example, the bass drum or a Cajon is to be relatively loud, then you need short and fierce power peaks. First of all, an amplifier must have these in reserve.


As a general rule, 4-6 W per listener is often applied at concerts. However, technicians and acousticians justifiably tear their hair out when it comes to this 'calculation'. Various factors are important: What kind of sound and frequencies is the PA system going to transmit? What are the acoustic conditions? This calculation has proven to be very useful as a general rule and first orientation. A band which has to deliver a sound with 100 dB to a small club usually does not need more than 1 subwoofer with 800 W RMS and 2 satellites with 250 W RMS each and still got power reserves. A prerequisite is that the sound pressure level of the speaker systems is 90 dB per 1 W per 1 metre distance. This is usually stated in the data sheet of the corresponding PA speakers. A higher sound pressure level reduces the required power. Also important: are there strong percussive components in the sound? If, for example, the bass drum or a Cajon is to be relatively loud, then you need short and fierce power peaks. First of all, an amplifier must have these in reserve.

More know-how on stage issues and everything that goes with it in our magazine:

This is how it works: a great live sound
All about communication between musician and mixer
Can the club culture be saved 'from above'?
The UNESCO City of Music as a remedy for dying clubs?

PA Amplifiers and the Question of Speaker Performance

Trick question: how much power does a passive 300 W speaker provide? Answer: None, because it is passive. Or to put it in other words: as much as the amplifier puts in. Often PA beginners think that the maximum power capability stated in watts is the required amplifier power. However, this is incorrect: the data stated in watts is the power which the speaker can be supplied with and thus can pass on. Hence, how much the speaker is passing on depends solely on the power supplied by the amplifier. This raises the question: what is the power cabability of a speaker?

The ratio between wattage, amplifier and speaker often leads to misunderstandings.

More know-how on stage issues and everything that goes with it in our magazine:

There are only few general rules, but this is the important one: always include a buffer for the amplifier output power when planning a PA system!

No matter whether an external PA speaker in a sound setup or an integrated PA amplifier in an active speaker system, a PA speaker requires a different level of power from the amplifier, depending on the volume and audible frequencies. Thus, many PA amplifiers also have built-in protective circuits to protect against overload.

In case of the amplifier, the amount of power flowing between speaker and amplifier again depends on the speaker's resistance and the efficiency of the amplifier itself. A common misunderstanding: the power of an amplifier is in no way related to its quality. A powerful amplifier is not necessarily a high-quality amplifier.

More from the scene, for the scene in our magazine:

Microphones and Polar Patterns
The most important thing you need to know as a musician
Sound Studios vs. Home Recording
Recording demo songs: does home recording replace recording studios?

To cut a long story short: RMS, Root Mean Square in full, is the only indication you should pay attention to. The RMS value is internationally recognised and is determined using a standardised measuring method. A PA system with 300 W RMS can provide this power permanently. Nevertheless, many dealers and manufacturers advertise the PMPO value (Peak Music Power Output). This value is always significantly higher than the RMS value and "1,000 W PMPO" simply sounds better than "300 Watt RMS". However, the PMPO is a purely calculated value and has nothing to do with real power. The PMPO is the maximum possible output of the amplifier, no matter how distorted the sound is and no matter how long the amplifier can stand it without damage. In other words: a completely unnecessary specification.

How much of the amplifier's output signal, stated as percentage, was not there with the input signal? In simple terms, THD indicates how the signal has been changed by the amplifier. The 'strange sounds' which are unintentionally added in the amplifier are called overtones. If amplifiers feature a high THD, the sound will be unpleasantly 'harsh'.

Without going into technical depth: the ground lift can help with hum loops. If your setup is humming, just try it out. The ground lift is designed to separate signal ground and protective earth and thus prevent interfering noise.

How much power the PA amplifier can deliver to the speakers depends on the impedance of the connected speakers (also: resistance which is measured in ohms). The amplifier delivers more power to speakers with lower impedance because it meets less resistance. Especially bass speakers often have low impedances and thus demand a lot from the PA amplifier and particularly heat up the device. This is one of the reasons why sound engineers leave a generous buffer when it comes to maximum performance of their PA amplifiers. A subwoofer with an impedance of just 2 Ω consumes a lot of power with high volumes. This is why manufacturers often specify the power cabability of an amplifier for several impedances, as you can see with our amplifier STA-3000:

Power rating of3000 W
Power rating at 2 Ω2 x 1250 W
Power rating at 4 Ω2 x 1500 W
Power rating at 8 Ω2 x 1000 W
Power rating with 4 Ω bridged operation1 x 2500 W 
Power rating with 8 Ω bridged operation1 x 3000 W

Not enough know-how yet? Come and have a look at our magazine: from the scene, for the scene

Have you got any questions regarding our PA amplifiers? We have got the answers. Just write to us.

Bildquelle: © Pituk