Bridged Power Output
Bridged Power Output is the power available when two amplifier channels work together to drive one mono speaker output.
The rating belongs to the stated speaker load, in ohms. It is separate from ordinary stereo ratings. A monoblock has one channel per chassis; its ordinary power rating is not automatically a bridged-mode rating.
Bridged Power Output — Power Amp
Compare continuous ratings at the same load, frequency range and distortion limit. Peak or dynamic figures describe brief output, not sustained continuous power. Use the published bridge rating; do not multiply stereo watts by four. More watts alone do not prove better sound.
In conventional bridging, each channel effectively sees half the speaker load. A 4-ohm stereo rating therefore does not authorize 4-ohm bridged operation. Check that the amplifier supports bridging, then follow its manual’s permitted speaker load, mode settings and speaker connections. These vary by model.
Sources
- AHB2: stereo and bridged output specifications — Benchmark Media Systems
- C 268 owner’s manual: bridge mode and power ratings — NAD Electronics