triamped

Triamped refers to a method of audio system design where a single loudspeaker enclosure is driven by three separate power amplifiers. Each amplifier is dedicated to a specific frequency range: one for the low frequencies (woofer), one for the mid-frequencies (midrange driver), and one for the high frequencies (tweeter). This approach is also known as tri-amplification.

In a typical passive crossover system, the audio signal is split into different frequency bands within the speaker enclosure itself, with passive components like capacitors and inductors directing the appropriate frequencies to each driver. Triamping bypasses this passive crossover. Instead, an active crossover, which is placed before the amplifiers, divides the full-range signal into three separate signals. Each of these signals is then sent to its own dedicated amplifier, which in turn powers a specific driver.

The primary advantage of triamping is improved sonic performance. By dedicating an amplifier to each frequency range, the amplifiers can be optimized for their specific task, leading to greater efficiency and reduced intermodulation distortion. Each amplifier operates within a narrower bandwidth, reducing the strain on the amplifier and allowing it to deliver a cleaner, more accurate signal to its respective driver. This can result in a more dynamic, detailed, and controlled sound reproduction. However, triamping requires more equipment, including an active crossover and three separate amplifiers, making it a more complex and costly solution compared to conventional single-amplifier setups.