The amp says that it outputs 440 watts per channel, the max power handling of the speakers is 600 watts, so I figured if I run the amps in bridge mode I benefit from the extra headroom unless there is a factor that I'm not considering. That said, I am here to be educated if there's something I am missing, please advise.
One thing to keep in mind when it comes to speaker ratings is that there's the numbers on the nameplate, and then there's the reality of what will happen if you press your luck. You said your speakers are rated at 600 watts. That's pretty much the rating where your tweeters will melt in to a pile of goo. If you apply max power, you could not only make your ears bleed but melt your tweeters in to table coasters.
Since you have indicated you put in dedicated 20 amp circuits (high fives, very cool idea if you have the coin) I would assume you still have a few coins left in your pocket to pick up a couple of very useful tools. I would recommend getting a Sound Pressure Meter. Typically, back in the olden days of yore, we got our SPL meters from Radio Shack. I think they're dead now, but ebay and the internet have gobs of pressure meters. Spend a couple of bucks and then fire up the meter and see what db of sound level you start to produce as you crank the system up.
I'm willing to wager that for music, once you cross a certain threshold, far from any power maximums, you will be pushing a sound level that's hazardous to your hearing. Pay attention to that meter. If you push over a safe level, it truly can damage your ears.
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should
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