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Class D PAM8610 15V 2x10W amplifier module test

TechEkspert  34 15567 Cool? (+5)
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TL;DR

  • The PAM8610 class D 2x10W amplifier module adds a power connector, speaker terminals, a minijack input, a volume potentiometer, and a small stick-on heat sink.
  • Powered at 15V with 8 ohm loads, the module showed louder idle noise than PAM8403, and the output waveform looked unlike a typical class D amplifier.
  • With no input, current draw was 26mA unloaded, 30mA with 8ohm speakers, 41mA with 8ohm resistors, and 44mA with 4ohm resistors.
  • At 2.8V on 8 ohms, it delivered 2x1W with 0.423A input current; at 8.9V, it reached 2x10W and about 77% efficiency.
  • The module still played music acceptably, but it ran very warm at higher power and used two jumpers for power-on and mute.
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The amplifier module with PAM8610 has a power connector, terminals for connecting speakers, a minijack input and a volume control potentiometer. The kit includes a small heat sink to stick to the PAM8610 chip. Class D declared by the seller suggests energy efficiency, while the possibility of working at 12V may allow for power supply from a gel battery. Module to be found in online stores by searching for the phrase: PAM8610 .

The material is a continuation of the previous one with a similar amplifier module based on PAM8403 : https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/topic3458041.html

When testing the PAM8403, it turned out that the circuit at the output generates "chaff", while the current consumption is increased when we connect the 8om resistor at the output instead of the loudspeaker (with measurable inductance).

After connecting the module with the PAM8610, it turned out that without the presence of an input signal in the speakers it is present noise louder than in PAM8403 . The attempt to listen to the music was successful, the quality is acceptable.

The module was powered with 15V, 8 ohm resistors were connected to the outputs. In the absence of an input signal, the output is quite clear, causing the noise mentioned above:


As with PAM8403, with PAM8610 the current consumption depends on the type of load (inductance).
If there is no input signal with disconnected speakers, the system uses 26mA,
connecting 8ohm speakers is 30mA consumption, connecting 8ohm resistors is 41mA, and with 4ohm resistors 44mA.
The differences in power consumption are much smaller than with the PAM8610.

The test system was powered with 15V, 8 ohm resistors were connected.


After giving the 1kHz signal, the familiar PAM8403 "chaff" appears on the output:


The output voltage of 2.8V at a resistance of 8 ohms corresponded to the output power of 2x1W,
current consumption at 15V was 0.423A, i.e. power consumption ~ 6.345W and efficiency ~ 32%.

2x5W power with an output voltage of 6.3V, required the delivery of 15V * 1.087A = 16.305W which gives the efficiency ~ 61% warm system.

Power 2x10W at a voltage of 8.9V on a resistor 8ohm, power consumption 15V * 1.731A = 25.965W which gives an efficiency of ~ 77%, the system is very warm.

The method of measurement is debatable, which was described in the previous material https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/topic3458041.html
but the amplifier module is also unusual, the output signal is very different from a typical class D amplifier, eg TDA8932.

There are two jumpers on the board, one is closed (power on), the other is open (mute).

What do you think about the cheap PAM8610 amplifier module, where can it be used?

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Comments

398216 Usunięty 02 May 2018 11:46

A module like a module ... An amplifier like an amplifier. Nothing fancy except that it is small and cheap. The quality is not a sin because it is not designed for professional (audiophile) applications.... [Read more]

mkpl 02 May 2018 12:07

With this efficiency it is comparable to the old tda2003 where the sound quality at this voltage is better. These amplifiers have one major drawback. They have to work with the loudspeaker because of... [Read more]

irek2 04 May 2018 13:29

Class D profit does not differ from AB in the maximum efficiency 100% vs 78%! Only from her character, which is little to talk about. The efficiency of the linear amplifier (AB) is proportional to its... [Read more]

Świr 04 May 2018 13:32

Don't mix audiophilism with professionalism. Because it's like mixing religion with medicine. [Read more]

irek2 04 May 2018 13:41

You could also think that when something is designed with an audiophile in mind, it becomes an audiophile product as a rule. :) Anyway, it is like that on the forums :) No matter what system it is important... [Read more]

398216 Usunięty 04 May 2018 13:44

I don't mix anything - I just pointed out that this particular circuit is what it is - very "medium" quality. So you can't expect super quality from him. [Read more]

Świr 04 May 2018 13:51

So backlash :) Audiophiles will take it. The question of a good herb before the review and a correspondingly high price. [Read more]

TechEkspert 04 May 2018 14:04

If someone wants to describe his tests on the electrode and has an idea for a sensible use of the system, the possibility of testing, or want to get acquainted with this type of amplifier, I have 1 piece... [Read more]

kris1966 04 May 2018 16:13

Hello. Today I tried to replace the amplifier in the Polish boombox. Unfortunately, this amplifier generates some strange +15 and -15V single noise pins with and without load. All attempts to filter... [Read more]

TechEkspert 04 May 2018 17:09

Apart from the noise in the absence of the PAM8610 signal, there was no question of a cube explosion, the system worked stably (power consumption), with no signal, overdrive, presence and no load at the... [Read more]

irek2 05 May 2018 08:37

The problem is that no one has reliably tested the module or even measured its basic parameters. And the fact that someone can not apply it, as a consequence of which the scalak exploded, has nothing... [Read more]

kris1966 05 May 2018 08:54

Why should I test? I bought it, I want to connect the power, speakers and it should work. I have no more dreams. [Read more]

irek2 05 May 2018 09:02

Only that it is not a ready device that can be turned on by everyone. This is an electronic module that needs to be applied! All you have to do is loop the ground between the power ground and the signal... [Read more]

irek2 06 May 2018 13:06

https://obrazki.elektroda.pl/6784649900_1525602690_thumb.jpg Please. It was enough to add simple RC filters to the outputs to show the audio waveform. The oscilloscope math function puts two waveforms... [Read more]

TechEkspert 06 May 2018 23:23

A simple module test developed into an interesting discussion and experimentation, I like that. What element values did you use in output filters? [Read more]

irek2 07 May 2018 18:31

On each output 4k7 and 10nF to ground. Output to the oscilloscope with capacitors. Such values give the limit frequency of about 4khz, so they filter the carrier well, which is about 300khz, but you can... [Read more]

TechEkspert 07 May 2018 20:32

In the tested module, a potentiometer regulates the amplitude of the audio input signal. [Read more]

irek2 08 May 2018 17:14

So this module with a single pot must regulate the voltage on the cutter volume and thus the volume but through the internal circuits of the IC. It is possible that this way the amplifier has less noise... [Read more]

Anonymous 12 May 2018 15:46

Some calculations of these 100%, please. [Read more]

FAQ

TL;DR: A PAM8610 board delivered 2 × 10 W at 77 % efficiency, yet “noise louder than PAM8403” [Elektroda, TechEkspert, post #17198703] Good for battery speakers when fed with a stout 12 V source and short leads. Why it matters: you can build loud, long-lasting portables without bulky heat-sinks.

Quick Facts

• Operating voltage: 7–15 V DC (abs. max = 16.5 V) [Elektroda, irek2, post #17206215] • Peak power: 2 × 15 W into 4 Ω at 12 V, 1 kHz, ≤10 % THD [PAM8610 Datasheet] • Idle current: 26–44 mA depending on load [Elektroda, TechEkspert, post #17198703] • Board gain: 32–36 dB (≈40×–63×) [Elektroda, irek2, #17206215; #17258034] • Typical AliExpress price: US $1.50–$3 (2024) [AliExpress Search]

1. What continuous power and efficiency can I really expect?

With 15 V supply and an 8 Ω load, testers measured 2 × 10 W RMS and 77 % efficiency before the IC became “very warm” [Elektroda, TechEkspert, post #17198703] Lower levels—2 × 5 W—came in at ~61 % efficiency.

3. Why do I hear hiss or "chaff" with no signal?

Without input, the modulator still switches, and the missing LC filter lets carrier residue reach the cone, creating audible hiss [Elektroda, mkpl, post #17198820] Differential inputs left unused can also pick up RF dirt.

4. How can I cut switching noise and FM interference?

  1. Keep speaker leads under 20 cm.
  2. Add an LC π-filter (e.g., 10 µH + 220 nF) per channel.
  3. Shield the board in a metal enclosure tied to ground. Users report VHF noise vanishes with these steps [Elektroda, mkpl, #17198820; kris1966, #17217953].

5. The board shuts off at high volume—what fixes it?

Voltage dips trigger over-current protection. Use a supply rated ≥12 V 5 A or 3-cell Li-ion pack, add a low-ESR 1000 µF capacitor at the pins, and keep leads short. One test showed >5 A current spikes during music [Elektroda, irek2, post #17206215]

6. Do I need a pre-amp for phones?

Probably yes. Board gain is 32–36 dB, yet many modern phones cap headphone output at ~100 mVp. Users noted some phones could not reach full loudness without an op-amp stage [Elektroda, Łukaszoo, post #17254743]

7. What cooling is required?

At 2 × 10 W the PAM8610 gets hot but survives with a 20 × 20 mm stick-on sink and airflow. Tests showed shutdowns were supply-related, not thermal—even with no sink [Elektroda, Łukaszoo, post #17559815]

8. How do I probe outputs safely?

The outputs are bridge-tied. Float your scope or use 4 k7 Ω + 10 nF RC filters to ground on each lead, then sum channels with math mode. This reveals a clean sine without shorting the bridge [Elektroda, irek2, post #17206215]

9. Can I drive 4 Ω speakers?

Yes, but expect more heat and early clipping. A 12 V rail yields up to 2 × 15 W into 4 Ω, yet several builders saw the chip mute under heavy bass unless supply and caps were upgraded [Elektroda, Łukaszoo, post #17421598]

10. Quick 3-step LC filter build (How-To)

  1. Solder a 10 µH inductor in series with each speaker lead.
  2. Add a 220 nF film capacitor from lead to ground.
  3. Place parts within 2 cm of the PAM8610 pins. Result: carrier attenuation >30 dB and reduced idle hiss [Elektroda, mkpl, post #17198820]

12. Can the board’s gain be changed?

Some versions expose G0–G2 pins; desoldering jumpers lets you select gains from 20 dB to 32 dB per datasheet. Black no-pot boards are fixed at ~36 dB [Elektroda, irek2, post #17258034]

13. What edge-case failures should I know?

Wrong grounding or long input leads can cause oscillation, smoke, and IC destruction, as one user found after random shutdowns and a flash fire [Elektroda, kris1966, post #17202929]

14. Is it suitable for car audio?

Yes, if you add robust filtering. The chip tracks battery voltage and rejects alternator ripple, but switching noise can enter FM tuners unless the module is screened and output leads filtered [Elektroda, Tremolo, post #17558733]
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