AudioWave Active 250 Full-Range Monoblock Amplifier

The Active 250 exists in a very small category. At the $2,499 price point in car audio, you are generally looking at high-output Class D monoblock amplifiers from established US and European brands. The Active 250 is different in approach: it is a low-to-moderate output full-range Class A/B design built by one person, to a single standard, in England, in limited quantities. The SNR of -124dB, the 0.0001% THD+N, the custom-manufactured capacitors, and the 24k gold on-site plated connectors represent a level of component specification and hand assembly that volume production simply cannot replicate. The question is not whether there are more powerful amplifiers at this price — there are. The question is whether any of them are built like this.

Because they are honest. Audio Wave measures output at 0.1% THD — the threshold at which distortion is still essentially inaudible. Most amplifier manufacturers publish power figures at 1% THD, which allows them to claim significantly higher numbers from the same hardware. At 1% THD, the Active 250 would post considerably higher output figures — but that is not how Audio Wave rates their products. What the Active 250 delivers at its rated output is clean, stable, undistorted power. The THD+N at 1 watt measures 0.0001% across all load impedances. The SNR at full power is -124dB. The comparison point is not wattage on paper — it is what the amplifier actually does to the signal.

A standard monoblock amplifier is designed specifically for subwoofer duty — it typically has a fixed low-pass filter and a bandwidth that rolls off well before 20kHz. The Active 250 is a monoblock in configuration (single channel) but operates full-range from 9.5Hz to 120kHz. That means it can be used on a subwoofer, a midrange driver, a tweeter, or a full-range speaker — without the amplifier itself becoming a limiting factor in frequency response or phase behavior. In a multi-amplifier SQ build, you can run one Active 250 per driver or per channel without needing a separate subwoofer amp and a separate full-range amp. The flexibility is intentional.

The Active 250 accepts 4 AWG power and ground wire and uses a 60A fuse. At 2-ohm loads the amplifier draws up to 60 amps, so fusing at 60A is both the specification and the correct protection value. Use quality oxygen-free copper wire and ensure your fuse holder is mounted as close to the battery as practical. For a bridged pair, run a dedicated 4 AWG power and ground to each amplifier independently with a 60A fuse on each run.

The Active 250 accepts input signals from 0.1V to 2V. This is a relatively low sensitivity range by car audio standards — it is designed to be driven by a DSP or processor output, not a high-voltage head unit preamp running 4V or 5V. If you are running a source unit with a high preamp output voltage, you will need to match the gain structure carefully or run the Active 250 through a DSP. For SQ-level builds where a DSP is already in the chain — which is the correct context for an amplifier at this price point — the sensitivity range is well matched to typical processor output voltages.

The Active 250 carries a 3-year warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship. Warranty claims are exceptionally rare in the Active line — a direct reflection of the build quality and component selection involved. In the event that service is needed, the amplifier is returned to Audio Wave Ltd in England for direct service by the team that built it. There are no third-party repair centers involved. Audio Intensity manages the entire warranty coordination process on your behalf — contact us directly and we handle the logistics from there. International return shipping to the UK is part of the process and will be discussed at the time of the claim.

It is there so you can see what you paid for. Audio Wave uses the transparent top as a deliberate statement about their construction standards — the internal component layout, the custom capacitors, the hand-assembled build quality are all visible. It is not a cosmetic gimmick. It is confidence made tangible. From an installation standpoint, the plexiglass top also means the amplifier should not be mounted in a fully enclosed cavity — it needs clear space above for both visual access and ventilation. A minimum of 50mm clearance above the chassis is recommended.

The Active 250 is available exclusively in the United States through Audio Intensity. Audio Wave produces in limited quantities by hand — the Active 250 is not a stocked mass-production product. When in stock, the amplifier ships from Audio Intensity in Tullahoma, Tennessee via UPS Ground. Contact Audio Intensity before purchasing if you have a time-sensitive installation deadline and we will confirm current availability. Call/text 707-999-3071 or email support@audiointensity.com.