Spec Rec: Choosing the Right Amplifier
Spec’ing the right amp still matters: In the age of wireless audio and all-in-one streaming systems, amplifiers might seem like an afterthought. But for integrators, they’re still the backbone of great sound.
Whether it’s a restaurant needing balanced background audio across zones or a house of worship demanding clarity at every seat, the right amp defines performance, control, and reliability for any system.
Vanco’s PulseAudio and Beale Street Audio amplifier lines each serve distinct needs, from flexible commercial installs to demanding high-performance applications. Here’s how to match the right amp to the job.
What Makes an Amplifier “Spec-Worthy”
When specifying amps today, integrators should look beyond wattage. A truly “spec-worthy” model should check the boxes below:
- Application fit – residential, hospitality, house of worship (HOW), or commercial
- Zone and speaker count – single zone or distributed multi-zone setups
- Signal sources – support for Bluetooth, local, USB, SD, or streaming inputs
- DSP and control – limiting, compression, and browser-based EQ for tuning
- Form factor and install flexibility – rackmount or compact form factors
- Compatibility – 4/8-ohm and 70/100V operation for diverse environments
- Onboard control – RS232, IR, IP, or front-panel management
PulseAudio: Flexible Power for Hospitality and Commercial Installs
Originally built for integrators who value simplicity and ease-of-use, PulseAudio amplifiers balance flexibility with straightforward control. Models like the PAV140 and PAV1100 provide 40W and 100W single-channel output respectively, switchable between 70V and 100V systems.
They include multiple analog and digital inputs, microphone mixing with ducking, and full control via front panel, IR, or RS232. These features make them a perfect fit for hospitality venues, classrooms, and smaller HOW environments, where dependable distributed audio matters more than raw output.
For more complex systems, the PA6X120 and PA6X240 deliver 6-channel, 120W/240W total output for scalable multi-zone applications like restaurants, gyms, or retail spaces.
Each channel can be independently managed. Input options from Bluetooth and FM radio to SD and USB make them turnkey-ready for any project where convenience meets performance.
PulseAudio strengths:
- Multi-zone flexibility and 70/100V compatibility
- Onboard mic and input mixing for paging or background music
- Rack-mountable, convection-cooled reliability
- Ideal for retail, hospitality, education, and light commercial
Use case example:
A local brewery installs the PA6X240 to run six audio zones—bar, patio, kitchen, restrooms, and event space—with separate volume control per zone. One amplifier, one rack space, and no external processor required.
Beale Street Audio: Higher Output, Smarter Control
Beale Street Audio’s commercial amplifiers, including the BAV2500 and BAV4250, are designed for projects that need more power, configurability, and digital signal processing.
The BAV2500 outputs 500W per channel (2-channel), while the BAV4250 delivers 250W per channel (4-channel), both compatible with 4/8-ohm and 70/100V systems. Integrated DSP with a parametric EQ, browser-based GUI, and matrix mode routing make them ideal for complex environments like large hospitality venues and worship spaces, where the ability to fine-tune sound and handle multiple zones is critical.
While they pair beautifully with Beale’s Sonic Vortex speakers, these amps are speaker-agnostic, offering integrators full freedom to tailor systems to any environment or brand.
Beale Street strengths:
- Browser-based control with DSP and parametric EQ
- Matrix routing—any source to any output
- Rack-mountable, IP controllable, and high-efficiency power supply
- Built for scalability in HOW, hospitality, and enterprise installations
Use case example:
A 500-seat church uses the BAV4250 to drive multiple 70V zones, including a main sanctuary and overflow space, with independent DSP tuning for speech, music, and ambient sound. The result: full-range clarity, minimal noise, and centralized IP control.
The Importance of DSP, Limiting, and Compression
In distributed audio, Digital Signal Processing (DSP) ensures consistent sound quality across zones:
- Limiting caps the maximum output to protect speakers from distortion or damage in client-controlled systems to prevent overloads.
- Compression narrows the dynamic range, keeping background music audible even as ambient noise rises in high-noise zones like restaurants or gyms.
PulseAudio and Beale Street models integrate DSP features, simplifying system setup while maintaining safe, balanced output.
Three Questions to Ask Before You Spec
- What’s the environment? (quiet lounge vs. bustling dining room)
- How many zones? (single vs. multi-zone, distributed vs. direct)
- What’s the client experience goal? (background ambience vs. high-impact performance)
Whether you need a multi-zone workhorse or a versatile powerhouse, Vanco’s amplifier portfolio has the right amp for your project, combining simplicity, control, and performance across residential and commercial applications.
→ Contact Vanco for system design assistance or to find a distributor.
→ Explore the full lines: PulseAudio | Beale Street Audio