Behringer A800 Professional 800W Reference-Class Power Amplifier, Bundle with 25' Value Series XLR M to F Microphone Cable

2024-10-03T10:28:45

I had to try this amp out at the great price. I've been researching some class D options, and was willing to find out what this type of pro audio amp could do in a home audio application. As I indicated in my review title, I really wanted this amp to sound great. And for the most part, it sounds quite solid, has great balance across all frequencies, and had no problem powering a pair of Q Acoustics tower speakers. In the end, its performance was harsh, perhaps in a subtle way, but harsh none the less. Harsh, over time, really means fatiguing. I've often wondered about when other reviewers talk about class D, when they refer to the sound of the amplifier being "dry". I think I may have discovered first hand what they're referring to here with this amp. It's analytical to the point of sounding as if you're listening to the device the music is being played on, rather than the music itself. It's really kind of a strange experience, to like an amplifier for its resolving capability, and then to hate it for the very same reason. In the end, it wasn't the right fit for my home application. I haven't given up on class D completely, but I have been effectively steered back in the direction of class A/B a little more decisively. I still clicked on the option of recommending this product, but it might take some softening of the signal path by using "warmer" electronics (tube preamps), as some have recommended, to reduce the harshness. Perhaps for pro audio usage, which is obviously for what this amp is truly intended, powering less than resolving monitors, this may be an incredible amplifier.

ROBERT W.

2022-03-26T03:58:15

Good power and punch. Used both with balanced and unbalanced inputs. Very clean each way but I prefer the sound from the balanced connection. Driving some vintage JBL 4210 Control monitors

STAN G.