The audio power amplifier market represents a portion of the nearly $3.5 billion consumer analog market. This sector is roughly 6 percent of the $58 billion annual consumer semiconductor market and is showing a compound annual growth rate of 11 percent. If these growth trends continue by 2013 the consumer analog IC market will represent $5.7 billion of the $98 billion consumer semiconductor market.

The specific types of audio power amplifiers can be quantified into two categories: Class A/B and Class D. Class A/B amplifiers are still used in a majority of applications and represent roughly three fourths of the total audio power amplifiers produced. The technology behind these devices has matured and penetrated a number of markets. These are the most common amplifiers today found in home stereo and other consumer applications.

The technology behind Class D audio amplifiers has existed for some time, but due to their expense to produce and low quality output they were used far less often. However, Class D amplifiers are being increasingly used in applications and are projected to increase in consumption dramatically due to vast improvements in speed, efficiency, and power capacity in semiconductors. Class D amplifiers currently show an impressive compound annual growth rate of 16 percent which promises to drive sales to $784 million by 2013.