Audio Amplifier selection and propeller

TC

Hello all,

I am trying to find a 2W@ 8Ω 4Ω audio amplifier, with volume control (not a requirement) that would work great playing WAV files from the prop. I don't have experience building my own amplifier, and I am getting overwhelmed with the choices. I have checked out Texas, Maxim, & NXP. They all have some great products, but I am afraid I will spend the money on something I like, and it sounds honorable. I cant stand distorted sound.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions, or advice that could help me figure out what my best options are.

Here is the speaker I am going with.

Thanks
TC

*** EDIT ***
Forgot to add requirements.

Input voltage is limited to +5V (no negative), with a maximum current of 3A.
The project will be contained in a 4"x3"x2"(rounded values) plastic project box.

kwinn

Take a look at some of these: http://www.nxp.com/technical-support-portal/#/tid=71076,sid=71458,tab=datasheets

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

Here's a quick, inexpensive, and great-sounding solution:

http://www.parallax.com/product/900-00018

-Phil

JLocke

I've been working on a little project for my grandson and have tried this with some success.

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11044

LoopyByteloose

Not sure if you want a simple module to fulfill the task, or desire to learn more about audio.

Try Elliot Sound Products if the latter is your target. The audio world is divided between the fantastic and the factual users. I prefer the factual.

Not sure if one 4 ohm speaker is adequate. You may want stereo eventually. But I use one of these for the combo of enclosure and power. https://www.google.com/search?q=5+watt+all+weather+speaker&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:unofficial&client=iceweasel-a#q=5+watt+all+weather+speaker&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:unofficial&tbm=shop&spd=17384996917469574723

http://sound.westhost.com/

TC

kwinn wrote: »

Take a look at some of these: http://www.nxp.com/technical-support-portal/#/tid=71076,sid=71458,tab=datasheets

Thank you Kwinn. I seen that list when I was trying to find a solution but I somehow overlooked the TDA7056B. I like the 5W max output (will never come close to it), and the simple package.

The schematic in the datasheet is showing a input filter, do you think the values would be ok since the input audio is not analog? Or do you think I should change the values?

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) wrote: »

Here's a quick, inexpensive, and great-sounding solution:

http://www.parallax.com/product/900-00018

-Phil

I have heard great things about that amp/speaker combo. I might get that for other projects, but this project is going to be contained in a project box. So it would not be the best option for me.

JLocke wrote: »

I've been working on a little project for my grandson and have tried this with some success.

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11044

That is a nice little amplifier. I will be checking it out for other projects. But for this project, I am concerned the output would not keep up.

Loopy Byteloose wrote: »

Not sure if you want a simple module to fulfill the task, or desire to learn more about audio.

It depends on what you consider "learn more about it". I was a MECP (Mobile Electronic Certified Professional) master technician for over 10 years. I have experience with audio, and amplifiers that are designed and tested already. I do not have any experience with designing and implementing my own designed amplifier. Especially one that is going to have a pure digital signal input.

Try Elliot Sound Products if the latter is your target. The audio world is divided between the fantastic and the factual users. I prefer the factual.

Not sure if one 4 ohm speaker is adequate.

I have not been on ESP's site in years. But looking at the list, I am not finding anything that would fit the bill. All the designs call for a +/- supply voltage. I don't have that option (forgot to put that part in first post, is there now).

You may want stereo eventually.

Wish I could, but because of the small enclosure size (4" x 3" x 2") there would not be enough channel separation to matter.

But I use one of these for the combo of enclosure and power. https://www.google.com/search?q=5+watt+all+weather+speaker&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:unofficial&client=iceweasel-a#q=5+watt+all+weather+speaker&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:unofficial&tbm=shop&spd=17384996917469574723

http://sound.westhost.com/

also cant use those, because of the small enclosure.

But would be fun

TC

TC wrote: »

Thank you Kwinn. I seen that list when I was trying to find a solution but I somehow overlooked the TDA7056B. I like the 5W max output (will never come close to it), and the simple package.

Well, never mind. It has been discontinued. Back to looking.

Tracy Allen

There is a lot to like about a fully differential amplifier. The bridge-tied speaker saves the bulk and distortion of large capactors at the output, and the differential input is easy to filter and avoids the pop that accompanies amplifiers that don't run on +/- supplies. Differential input from the Prop takes a pair of prop pins running duty-differential mode.

One I have used with good outcome is the class AB TPA6204, and the TPA6211 is similar but meant to drive a 4Ω load. It's spec says 1.8W into 4Ω at 1kHz, 0.03% THD+N.

TC

Tracy Allen wrote: »

There is a lot to like about a fully differential amplifier. The bridge-tied speaker saves the bulk and distortion of large capactors at the output, and the differential input is easy to filter and avoids the pop that accompanies amplifiers that don't run on +/- supplies. Differential input from the Prop takes a pair of prop pins running duty-differential mode.

One I have used with good outcome is the class AB TPA6204, and the TPA6211 is similar but meant to drive a 4Ω load. It's spec says 1.8W into 4Ω at 1kHz, 0.03% THD+N.

I like that option. Small, easy to use, not a lot of support parts. Thanks.