Amplifier Zapco ST-204D SQ III
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Amplifier Zapco ST-204D SQ III
Zapco's portfolio does not only include high-end SQ Competition amplifiers. Recently, great-sounding amplifiers in the affordable price range of the Studio series have also been introduced. Another novelty is the Studio-D amplifiers, which are digital amplifiers with excellent sound, crystal clear performance, all in a compact chassis. This new model from 2022 has higher performance than its predecessor and brings a number of other innovations. The chassis of the amplifier is also completely new, with brushed aluminum replacing the black color. Thanks to the new technology, it was possible to use the NXP Class-D solution to obtain amazing performance in an incredibly compact chassis with an efficiency of over 90%. At the same time, this little beast has all the functions of larger amplifiers. The Zapco ST-D SQ series amplifiers are created for customers who appreciate the finer elements of music and are willing to invest a little more in a "livelier" sound. Inside this amplifier focused on sound quality, you will find several improved components that contribute to significantly better performance of your favorite music. The SQ amplifiers also use improved Tiffany-style RCA connectors for a solid and stable signal transfer.
The main features of the Zapco ST-204D SQ III amplifier
- 4-channel class D amplifier with high power
- SQ series for even higher sound quality
- Compact dimensions
- Stable up to 2 Ω, in the bridge up to 4 Ω
- Power MOSFET
- RCA and OEM high-level inputs
- Continuous input power control
- FULL / HP / LP electronic crossover
- Socket input terminals
- Bass Boost
Important features of Zapco ST-D amplifiers
What makes Studio-D Mini amplifiers truly amazing is their extremely small size. The Zapco ST-34D Mini measures just 10.3cm in length and the ST-64D is only 2cm longer. Before these little amps went into production, they first had to earn the Zapco name. They have all the advanced features you'd expect and, thanks to brand new technologies, they also have high performance. If slightly larger dimensions similar to the classic Studio-X series are not a problem for you, there are other digital amplifiers available with high power of up to 1100 W RMS and still a very compact chassis. And on top of that, music streaming via Bluetooth. So you can choose between three extremely compact amplifiers of the Mini series and four other high-performance amplifiers, two of which, despite their digital affiliation, are included in the SQ category, i.e. sound quality.About Zapco Amplifiers
Zapco is the oldest high-end car audio brand in the world, specializing in high-end car amplifiers and DSP processors. The company was founded in the USA back in 1974 and has been collecting one award after another since then. And this both from prestigious organizations that evaluate the quality of products and innovations, as well as at global competitions focused mainly on sound quality. Zapco amplifiers represent audiophile quality without compromise, defining the standard of quality and setting the criteria by which other products in the industry are judged. At Zapco, for over 45 years, they have been constantly looking for innovative ways to bring better sound to the automotive environment, and this relentless pursuit of absolute sound quality has always resulted in new technologies and high-end products. Are you asking why? Because nothing else can capture the soul and bring tears to the eyes like music. Music can make you dance for joy..... of all the arts, music has the most powerful and immediate effect on your body and mind. Reproducing music in all its beauty and delicacy deserves nothing less than the best efforts of all Zapco employees. And also because music matters!
Catalog number | ST-204D SQ III |
Brand | Zapco |
Links | Official web presentation (English) |
Number of amplifier channelsAmplifiers are divided into: - Monoblocks - 2-channel - 3-channel - 4-channel - 5-channel - 6-channel - multi-channel Each channel is used to power one speaker for the coaxial type, or one side if they are component speakers. Monoblock type amplifiers are mainly used for subwoofers. 2-channel are suitable for both subwoofers and, for example, the front pair of speakers in a car. 3-channel is used for front or rear speakers + subwoofer. 4-channel are used for front + rear speakers or 1 pair of speakers + subwoofer. 6 or 5-channel are used for 2 pairs of speakers + subwoofer, most often. Bridging means connecting the amplifier to a bridge, using the + pole from one channel and the - pole from the other channel. In most cases this is shown as "BRIDGED" on the amplifier. | 4 |
Energy class of the amplifierAmplifiers are divided into two basic classes: analog and digital . Analog amplifiers (A/B) have higher consumption requirements, but usually have a more natural sound. Digital amplifiers (D) have significantly lower consumption and higher efficiency, but the sound may not be as faithful as with classic analog amplifiers. | D |
RMS power into 4 ΩRMS power when loading speakers or subwoofer at 4 Ω. RMS power is the constant power of the amplifier and is one of the most important parameters when choosing an amplifier. | 4 x 200 / 2 x 580 W |
RMS power into 2 ΩRMS power when loading speakers or subwoofer at 2 Ω. RMS power is the constant power of the amplifier and is one of the most important parameters when choosing an amplifier. | 4 x 290W |
Low-pass filter (LPF)LPF / LP or "low pass filter" offers the possibility to adjust the amplifier using a potentiometer so that the lower band plays only the frequencies in a certain band that you need. This filter is used to adjust the frequency range for the subwoofer, so that it does not overload or distort the sound. Example: Amplifiers most often have an LPF from 20 to 300 Hz. We recommend setting this potentiometer in the range of 45-80 Hz. | Yes |
High pass filter (HPF)HPF / HP or The "hi pass filter" offers the option of setting the amplifier using a potentiometer so that medium, possibly mid-bass and treble frequencies play upwards from a certain frequency. Example: Amplifiers most often have an HPF from 40 to 300 Hz. If we set the potentiometer to a value of approx. 150 Hz, the sound will be clipped so that it plays frequencies from 150 Hz up to the maximum upper limit of the entire frequency range of the amplifier, perhaps up to 20,000 Hz. We recommend setting this potentiometer in the range of 80-160 Hz. Thanks to this setting option, the speakers can handle a higher performance, as you will not overload them with bass in the lower frequency range. | Yes |
Frequency rangeThe ability of the amplifier to reproduce the signal from the lowest frequency to the highest = faithfully reproduce the sound in a specific frequency band. Professionally: In the frequency range from 40 to 16,000 Hz, the vast majority of fundamental and overtones (harmonics) of all musical instruments are found. We are interested in the course of the radiated sound pressure in this range of frequencies when the loudspeaker system is supplied with constant power. We call this course the frequency characteristic, which tells us the level of radiated sound pressure in decibels (dB) depending on the frequency. The frequency characteristic of a speaker or speaker system can be expressed most succinctly with a graph. Mostly, however, the frequency characteristic is indicated by indicating the maximum tolerance of the sound pressure in the given frequency range, e.g. 50 to 15,000 Hz -+ 6 dB. Since the frequency characteristics of loudspeakers and systems in general are quite uneven, some manufacturers do not even specify this maximum tolerance of sound pressure in decibels in their catalogs for reasons of prestige. Data impoverished in this way is unfortunately worthless. What is valid is that the manufacturer offers a speaker system with a frequency range of 30 to 20,000 Hz, if he is worried about stating the maximum unevenness of the sound pressure in this range, because he can have a tolerance of, for example, +- 20 dB. The unevenness or undulation of the frequency curve in good speaker systems for high-quality music performance should not exceed +-3 dB in the 80 to 12,000 Hz band and +-6 dB in the 40 to 16,000 Hz band. Greater unevenness already depletes or emphasizes certain tonal areas, which can cause audible or even disturbing distortion. The proportion between fundamental tones and higher harmonics also changes, thereby changing the color of the sound, and individual musical instruments as well as the entire musical image sound unnatural. | 10 - 22000 Hz |
Harmonic Distortion (THD)Total harmonic distortion indicates how much the input signal is distorted in the amplifier. Distortions appear as overtones contained in the output signal. The proportion of originally absent parts of the signal is given as a percentage, typical values are between 0.001% and 0.5%. Distortion is measured in their power band. If it exceeds the limit of 0.7% from a certain power, it is the value of the output power of the given amplifier, from which it no longer plays without distortion and from which the distortion usually increases steeply, so that no further increase in power can be counted on. The lower the value, the better. | < 0.5% |
Signal-to-noise ratioThe signal-to-noise ratio means that the output signal always contains noise. The signal-to-noise ratio expresses how much of this noise is compared to the useful signal. The so-called A value is given, which does not take deep and very high frequencies into account. This corresponds to the characteristic of human hearing, which is not so sensitive to deep frequencies, especially below 1 kHz. The higher the value, the better the amplifier is. | > 85 dB |
Input sensitivityIn order for the amplifier to perform its function correctly, it requires an input signal of a certain level, which is different for car radios. It is measured in "Volts" (e.g. 2 V, 4 V, etc.) The higher the value at the output of the pre-amplifier, or car radio, the less demands are placed on the power of the amplifier. However, the amplifier must allow this input sensitivity, and for that reason this value is also given for the amplifier. | 0.25 - 5V |
Bass boostBass boost or bass enhancement. With this function, the bass itself can be emphasized, at a high level of bass boost, the speakers and the subwoofer can distort a lot and the sound will be worse than better. We therefore recommend using the "bass boost" function wisely. With maximum use of bass boost, there is a risk of damage to the speakers and thus to the subwoofer. | 0 - 12 dB |
High level inputsThe high-level input on the amplifier allows connection directly to the existing speakers in the car without additional purchase of an external high/low adapter. Important equipment in the case of installing an amplifier on an original car radio. | Yes |
Automatic on and offThis function allows you to automatically switch on the amplifier. | Yes |
Socket input terminalsFerrule terminals allow better wiring contact to the amplifier. It is also a more secure form of terminals. If you are tightening the sleeve terminals, we recommend retightening them after 1 day, as the connected cable gradually compresses. | Yes |
Remote control included in the packageSome models of amplifiers also come with wired remote controls in the package, which on one side plug into the amplifier and on the other side you have a potentiometer that you can place anywhere in the cabin. A common place to place the remote control is under the steering wheel. The advantage is the regulation of power, and therefore volume, depending on driving conditions and the mood of the crew in the car. | No (possible to purchase) |
Input for wired remote controlIf the amplifier has a remote control input. | Yes |
The value of the fuses on the amplifierFrom the value of the fuses on the amplifier, you can get a true picture of the real performance of the amplifier. | 3 x 30A |
Dimensions of the amplifier | 160 x 58 x 300 mm |