MAX98396 Class D/G speaker amplifier
Standby power 12.7mW at 12V PVDD
Ultrasonic technology enables contactless speakers


AI-enabled smart speakers are a key component of smart homes and are experiencing rapid growth in usage. As these speakers become smaller, heat management becomes a growing challenge.

Maxim Integrated Korea announced on the 23rd the launch of the MAX98396 Class D/G speaker amplifier, which delivers the industry's lowest noise, lowest standby power consumption, and highest thermal efficiency. It meets the requirements of battery-powered Bluetooth and always-on smart speakers, enabling speakers to operate at higher volumes for longer periods within their thermal limits.

The MAX98396 is an audio power amplifier with a 20V digital input voltage. Its standby power is 12.7mW at 12V Vdd (PVDD), which is approximately one-fifth that of similar amplifiers. Moreover, its noise level is 15.5uVrms, which is 50% lower than that of the nearest competitor, allowing it to be placed in a quiet environment with minimal ambient noise.

Equipped with a 45kHz bandwidth and a dedicated data path, it also supports ultrasonic functions. Combining AI software with ultrasonic technology enables non-contact motion recognition, object recognition, and proximity detection. The sampling frequency has also been upgraded to a maximum of 192 kHz, and an ultrasonic signal bypass path is provided to prevent ultrasonic signals from being weakened by sound processing.

“The MAX98396 amplifier is compatible with high-resolution audio and has very low noise, making it suitable for bedroom use,” said Kevin Ko, mobile audio business manager at Maxim Integrated. “Its ultrasonic support also enables the implementation of contactless smart speakers.”