Introduction: Meet the TOA P-2240 240W Booster Power Amplifier
The TOA P-2240 is a 2U rack-mount booster power amplifier designed for commercial paging and background-music (BGM) systems. Built as a companion (booster/slave) to the A-2000 series mixer-amplifiers, the P-2240 delivers a rated 240 W output and supports both 220–240 V AC and 24–30 V DC power sources — making it an excellent choice for installations that require battery backup or emergency-ready audio. With balanced line inputs, 100 V line compatibility, tone controls and an emergency master-volume bypass, the P-2240 balances practical installation features with audio performance for a variety of installed-sound environments.
Key Features at a Glance
- 240 W rated output:Single-channel booster power for paging and BGM.
- 100 V line input and balanced line-in:Easy integration with A-2000 series outputs and other line-level sources.
- Dual power operation:220–240 V AC or 24–30 V DC for battery-backed emergency systems.
- Emergency master-volume bypass:Ensures priority announcements are heard during critical moments.
- Tone control and monitoring:Bass and treble ±10 dB, power/signal/peak LEDs and fan-cooled chassis.
- Flexible speaker outputs:Floating outputs for 100 V, 70 V and 4 Ω loads to suit distributed or low-impedance speaker arrays.
Detailed Specifications and What They Mean
- Rated output:240 W — high enough to drive sizeable paging coverage areas or feed distributed speaker lines when used as a booster amplifier.
- Frequency response:50 Hz – 20 kHz (±3 dB) — covers the full range needed for intelligible paging and natural-sounding background music.
- Total harmonic distortion:< 1% (1 kHz, 1/3 rated output) — maintains clarity at typical operating levels for speech and music.
- Signal-to-noise ratio:≥ 60 dB(A) — low enough noise floor for clear voice announcements and background audio without noticeable hiss.
- Balanced line input:0 dBV, 10 kΩ — screw terminal, balanced connection for robust, low-noise wiring over longer runs.
- 100 V line input:40 dBV, 330 kΩ — enables direct connection from A-2000 series outputs and other 100 V systems typical in commercial paging installations.
- Loop output:0 dBV, 10 kΩ — allows daisy-chaining to additional boosters or monitoring devices.
- Speaker outputs:Floating outputs that support high-impedance 100 V/70 V lines and low-impedance 4 Ω loads for maximum installation flexibility.
- Remote power control:Make-contact remote control simplifies centralized power management in racks or remote sites.
- Power source:220–240 V AC (50/60 Hz) or 24–30 V DC — the DC option is valuable for systems that must remain operational during mains failure.
- Power consumption:520 W (at rated output) / 238 W (EN 62368-1) — plan rack ventilation and power provisioning accordingly.
- Tone control:Bass ±10 dB (100 Hz) and Treble ±10 dB (10 kHz) — quick tonal shaping to improve speech intelligibility or balance background music to the venue.
- Indicators and cooling:Power, Signal and Peak LEDs plus a fan-cooled chassis help monitor health and protect the amplifier in continuous operation.
- Dimensions & weight:420 × 100.9 × 351.3 mm, 2U height, 13.2 kg — standard rack size for neat integration into 19" cabinets.
Benefits: Why These Specs Matter in Real Installations
Each specification addresses a real-world installation need. The 240 W output gives integrators the headroom to power extended zones or feed a cluster of speakers when used in distributed systems. The 100 V line input and floating speaker outputs simplify wiring in commercial venues where long speaker runs are common. Dual AC/DC operation makes the P-2240 particularly useful in safety-critical installations — for example, places of worship, schools or transit facilities — where announcements must be sustained during power outages via battery-backed systems.
Tone controls and clear front-panel indicators make site-tuning and routine monitoring straightforward, reducing commissioning time. The emergency master-volume bypass ensures that priority messages or alarms override music or lower-priority audio, which is essential for compliance with many public-address standards.
Use Cases and Ideal Scenarios
- Schools and campuses:A booster amp that can be tied to a central mixer-amplifier for building-wide paging and emergency notification, with DC backup to maintain announcements during outages.
- Retail and shopping centers:Drive distributed ceiling speakers for background music and store announcements while allowing priority override for store security or emergency messages.
- Places of worship and community centers:Provide clean speech reinforcement for sermons and announcements; tone controls help tailor the system to the room acoustics.
- Transport hubs and public buildings:Robust enough for continuous operation and networked power management; DC capability assists in meeting reliability requirements for life-safety messaging.
- Multi-rack AV systems:As a booster/slave amp, the P-2240 is a space-efficient way to expand power capacity in large installations without replacing master mixer-amplifiers.
Comparisons: How the P-2240 Stacks Up
Within the category of booster power amplifiers, the P-2240 stands out for its AC/DC dual-power capability and emergency master-volume bypass. Many booster amps provide high power and 100 V compatibility, but fewer include dedicated DC operation for battery-backed installations — a differentiator for integrators working on mission-critical systems.
Compared to integrated mixer-amplifiers, the P-2240 is optimized purely for amplification rather than signal processing; this makes it a cost-effective way to add channel power where mixing and input processing are already handled by another device (such as an A-2000 series master). For installations that need compact, rack-mount 240 W output without additional mixing features, the P-2240 is a focused, efficient choice.
When evaluating alternatives, consider the following checklist where the P-2240 often wins: dual power modes (AC & DC), emergency bypass for priority announcements, 100 V line compatibility and practical on-board tone controls. If your priority is integrated DSP, multiple input channels or networked audio features, a different class of amplifier might be more suitable — but for robust booster power in traditional paging/BGM systems, the P-2240 is well matched.
Customer Feedback and Installer Impressions
While individual reviews vary by site, integrators commonly highlight three recurring positives about the P-2240: reliability in continuous paging applications, ease of integration with A-2000 series equipment, and the value of DC backup capability in emergency-aware systems. Installers appreciate the screw-terminal balanced inputs and the floating speaker outputs that simplify wiring to 100 V and low-impedance arrays.
Representative installer comments (generalized):
- "Solid, dependable amp for building-wide paging — the DC input is a lifesaver for our emergency setups."
- "Simple to rack and wire. Tone controls helped us tighten speech clarity without extra DSP."
- "Good power density for the size; the loop output made it easy to expand the system later."
Installation, Safety and Warranty
Installation should be performed by a qualified audio/AV or electrical technician. Follow local wiring regulations and consult TOA documentation for detailed connection diagrams and compliance markings (CE/UKCA etc.). Plan for adequate rack ventilation and ensure power supplies are sized for inrush and rated consumption. The P-2240 typically ships with a 1-year warranty (check regional terms and dealer policies).
Conclusion: Why Choose the TOA P-2240?
The TOA P-2240 240W Booster Power Amplifier is a practical, purpose-built solution for commercial paging and background-music systems that require reliable power, flexible wiring options and emergency-ready operation. Its combination of 240 W rated output, 100 V and balanced line inputs, and dual AC/DC power capability make it especially attractive for schools, retail venues, houses of worship and other installations where uninterrupted announcements and easy integration are priorities. With simple tone controls, robust indicators, fan cooling and a compact 2U rack footprint, the P-2240 delivers professional performance without unnecessary complexity — a strong choice for integrators and system designers tasked with building dependable, scalable audio systems.
