Why do amplifiers sound different?


Coming from a electrical engineering background,  amplifiers theoretically should all sound alike as when measured into an 8 ohm load,  their frequency response is extremely flat. 

Usually + or - less than 0.2 dB. Your ears can't detect that. 

What makes them sound different is the fact that speaker impedance various with frequency. All solid state amplifiers that do not have output transformers vary their output slightly depending on the impedance they see at each frequency. 

That's why matching amplifiers to speaker matters. 

All tube amplifiers have output transformers so they aren't affected by impedance fluctuations. 

That's one reason they sound better to most people. 

Odd vs even order harmonics is another but that's another discussion. 
vanson1

Showing 1 response by vanson1

Oh one more thing, Just look at what a typical solid state amplifier says in their power rating. 

150 watts into 8 0hms and 250 watts into 4 ohms. 

They are telling you that thier output will vary depending on the impedance. 

That's why amplifiers sound different!