TOA mixer amplifiers and power amplifiers for commercial paging, background music and distributed audio — from compact 30 W units to multi-channel 120 W and modular 9000 series frames, with 70 V and 100 V outputs.

Sizing the amplifier

Total the wattage tapped across every loudspeaker on the circuit, then add headroom — commonly 20 percent. An amplifier run at its limit distorts under a page, which is exactly when intelligibility matters most.

Input count follows sources, not zones: a microphone, a music player, a telephone page input, a fire alarm interface. Paging priority muting is the feature that makes a page override music automatically, and it is standard on most of this range.

Modular versus fixed

Fixed mixer amplifiers are cheaper and simpler where the input mix will not change. Modular 9000 series frames take input and output cards, which suits installations that will grow or where an unusual input is needed later.

Fire alarm interface

Where an amplifier is part of a system that carries emergency messages, the interface to the fire alarm panel is a code matter rather than a preference. Confirm the requirement with the AHJ before specifying — a retrofit to add it is far more expensive than getting it right initially.

Creation Networks calculates loads, specifies amplification and commissions distributed audio systems. Call 888-230-3661 or email sales@creationnetworks.net.