Listen to this good news – we now have an all-in-one digital audio amp breakout board that works incredibly well with the Raspberry Pi! If you’re looking for an easy and low-cost way to get your digital sound files bumpin’ then the MAX98357 I2S Amp Breakout is for you. It takes standard I2S digital audio input and, not only decodes it into analog but also amplifies it directly into a speaker. Perfect for adding compact amplified sound, it takes 2 breakouts (I2S DAC + Amp) and combines them into one.
I2S (not to be confused with I2C) is a digital sound protocol that is used on circuit boards to pass audio data around. Many high-end chips and processors manage all of the audio in digital I2S format. Then, to input or output data, three or four pins are used (data in, data out, bit clock, and left-right channel select). Usually, for audio devices, there’s a DAC chip that will take I2S in and convert it to analog that can drive a headphone.
This small mono amplifier is surprisingly powerful – able to deliver 3.2 Watts of power into a 4-ohm impedance speaker (5V power @ 10% THD). Inside the miniature chip is a class D controller, able to run from 2.7V-5.5VDC. Since the amp is a class D, it’s incredibly efficient – making it perfect for portable and battery-powered projects. It has built-in thermal and over-current protection but we could barely tell it got hot.
The audio input is I2S standard, you can use 3.3V or 5V logic data. The outputs are “Bridge Tied” – which means they connect directly to the outputs, no connection to the ground. The output is a ~300KHz square wave PWM that is then ‘averaged out’ by the speaker coil – the high frequencies are not heard. All the above means that you can’t connect the output to another amplifier, it should drive the speakers directly.
There’s a Gain pin that can be manipulated to change the gain. By default, the amp will give you 9dB of gain. By connecting a pullup or pull-down resistor, or wiring directly, the Gain pin can be set up to give 3dB, 6dB, 9dB, 12dB, or 15dB.
The ShutDown/Mode pin can be used to put the chip in shutdown or set up which I2S audio channel is piped to the speaker. By default, the amp will output (L+R)/2 stereo mix into mono out. By adding a resistor, you can change it to be just left or just right output
Works great with Raspberry Pi, Arduino Zero, and any other microcontroller or microcomputer with I2S audio outputs
Specification and Features:
- Output Power: 3.2W at 4Ω, 10% THD, 1.8W at 8Ω, 10% THD, with 5V supply
- PSRR: 77 dB typ @ 1KHz
- I2S sample rates from 8kHz to 96kHz
- No MCLK required
- Click + Pop reduction
- Five pin-selectable gains: 3dB, 6dB, 9dB, 12dB, 15dB
- Excellent click-and-pop suppression
- Thermal shutdown protection
- Dimensions (L x W x H) mm: 19.4 x 17.8 x 3.0
- Product Weight: 1.2g
Useful Links:
Package Includes:
1 x Adafruit MAX98357A I2S 3W Class D Amplifier Breakout Board
Adafruit MAX98357A I2S 3W Class D Amplifier Breakout Board Overview
The Adafruit MAX98357A I2S 3W Class D Amplifier Breakout Board is a compact digital audio amplifier designed to take standard I2S input, decode it to analog, and drive a speaker directly. Ideal for Raspberry Pi and microcontroller projects, it delivers up to 3.2 W into a 4 Ω load from a single 5 V supply without requiring an external master clock.
Key Features of Adafruit MAX98357A I2S 3W Class D Amplifier Breakout Board
- 3.2 W output into 4 Ω (10% THD) or 1.8 W into 8 Ω (10% THD) using a 5 V supply
- High PSRR of 77 dB typical at 1 kHz for clean audio playback
- Supports I2S sample rates from 8 kHz up to 96 kHz; no MCLK needed
- All-in-one DAC plus Class D amplifier in a single breakout board
- Compact PCB footprint for tight embedded audio applications
- Genuine Adafruit product with fast shipping from Zbotic
Applications and Use Cases
- Adding amplified audio to Raspberry Pi media players and DIY streamers
- Embedded sound output for Arduino or ESP32-driven IoT devices
- Portable speaker projects and battery-powered audio gadgets
- Interactive installations requiring synchronized digital audio
- Voice prompts or alarms in home automation systems
- Educational electronics kits teaching I2S audio protocols
How to Use Adafruit MAX98357A I2S 3W Class D Amplifier Breakout Board
Connect the board’s VIN to a 5 V supply and GND to ground. Wire the I2S signals (BCLK, LRCLK, DIN) from your microcontroller or Raspberry Pi to the corresponding breakout pins. Attach a 4 Ω or 8 Ω speaker to the output pads. Enable I2S in your device’s audio settings or use an I2S library to stream digital audio data directly to the MAX98357A for amplified playback.
Why Buy from Zbotic?
- Genuine Products: All items sourced from authorized distributors
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Frequently Asked Questions
What output power can I expect from this board?
The MAX98357A delivers up to 3.2 W into a 4 Ω speaker at 10% THD or 1.8 W into an 8 Ω speaker at 10% THD when powered by a 5 V supply.
Do I need a master clock (MCLK) connection?
No, this breakout only requires the three standard I2S lines (bit clock, word select, data) and does not need an external MCLK signal.
Can I drive stereo speakers with one MAX98357A board?
No, the MAX98357A is a mono amplifier. For stereo applications, use two breakout boards—one per channel.
Technical Specifications
| Brand | Adafruit |
|---|---|
| Model | MAX98357A |
| Power Rating | 3W |
| Package Quantity | 98357 pcs |
| SKU | AI1744 |
| Weight | 0.010 kg |
| Availability | Out of Stock |
Applications & Use Cases
The Adafruit MAX98357A I2S 3W Class D Amplifier Breakout Board is a versatile audio amplifier module used across a wide range of applications including electronics projects, DIY builds, prototyping, and educational experiments.
Common use cases:
- Integrating into a custom electronics project
- Learning and experimenting with circuits
- Replacing or upgrading components in existing setups
This product is ideal for electronics enthusiasts, engineers, and students.
Technical Tip: Always verify voltage and current requirements before connecting to your circuit. Check datasheets for detailed specifications and pin configurations.
Shipping & Delivery
- Free shipping on orders above ₹999 across India
- Dispatched within 1-3 business days
- Expected delivery: 3-7 business days depending on location
- Secure packaging to ensure safe transit of electronic components
- Genuine Adafruit product sourced from authorized channels
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