What is amplifier damping factor, and how much do you need?
When you’re looking to upgrade your amplifier, you will see that different amplifiers have different damping factors, but what does it really mean? The damping factor is a number that basically explains how well the amp is able to control the movement of a speaker cone. A higher number is preferred, as it means the amp will have better control over the speaker, mitigating unwanted vibrations and bringing the speaker cones to a halt, quickly. This will lead to a more precise sound. An amp with a low damping factor will not have the same control over the drivers, as it won’t have the same ability to stop the drivers in an instant. We recommend getting an amp with a damping factor of around 100, but basically the more the better (to a certain point of diminishing returns). Tube amps operate a little differently, so this doesn’t really apply to them.
So in short:
As long as you get an amp with a damping factor of around 100, you will be absolutely fine (Tube amps are different).
