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Audio Application Notes

How Loud is the Distortion from Your Power Amplifier?

by John Siau August 08, 2025

AHB2 Distortion Power Amplifier SPL Test & Measurement ~ Stereophile

Would you put a Washing Machine in your Listening Room?

If the answer is no, you may be surprised to discover that the distortion produced by your power amplifier may be louder than the noise produced by a major appliance.

Don't believe me? Take a look at Stereophile's test reports:

We selected 7 power amplifiers from Stereophile's top list of recommended amplifiers.

We took Stereophile's "THD+N vs. Power" plots for each, and replotted the data in a format that shows the loudness of the THD+N at the listening position.

The results are shocking!

Amplifier THD+N is louder than expected!

The distortion from your amplifier may be louder than a washing machine on the spin cycle, or it may be totally silent. How does yours perform? The answer is hidden in Stereophile's THD+N plots.

This application note reveals the hidden truth:

"The Distortion from your Power Amplifier may be Louder than a Washing Machine!"

I know, it sounds crazy, but this is what the measurements show!

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