Behringer A500 for non-studio application?

[jamster]

I've seen all the great post/comments on the Behringer A500 Ref pwr amp and wanted to know if it appropriate to use this amp to drive my 6 outdoor speakers. This may be obvious for many on this forum, but unfortunately not for me. I have 6 Boston speakers that have a max rating of 150W each. Some more specs on the speakers: 8 ohms, freq response 65hz-20khz, Sensitivity (1 watt (2.83v) at 1m) 89dB.

Any suggestions if this is a low cost value choice and how would I connect it. I intend to connect the amp to the pre-out of my home theater rcvr.

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[mike c]

without the use of an impedance matching volume control
It's ok to connect 4 speakers to it (2 pairs)
connecting 6 speakers (3 pairs) is not recommended in the manual

(but personally, as long as it's background music and NOT party music, I say go for it)

 

[Seth=L]

You will need to get a speaker selecter that will balance the resistance and reduce demands on the amplifier. Sima is an example of a company that makes a quality speaker selector that will maintain resistance.

 

[yamaha102]

Hi, I'm going to buy a new amp for my proson stratego 215rr (225rms 4Ohm)

I have an important question to do:
Between the Behringer A500 and the EP2500 or 1500 is there any quality difference?
A part the fan does the A500 sound better?
I have no problem for the money, the difference is of 160€ and in terms of power is quite bigger...

Sorry for english but I'm italian

 

[WmAx]

The EP1500 and EP2500 are more desirable IMO. Some A500s have been known to have a defect that creates an audible subtle static distortion sound on quiet transitions to and from transients on certain music signals; piano solos being one of the easiest things to detect the flaw with. No such flaw has ever occurred with an EP1500 or EP2500 to my knowledge. In addition, the EP1500/EP2500 have much more power and can handle 2 Ohm loads. The EP1500 and EP2500 are perfectly good transparent amplifiers that can drive any quality of speaker without imparting any coloration. You just need to swap the fan to the quiet Panaflo model.

-Chris

 

[yamaha102]

First of all thanks for the answer.
I'm writing in english because in the italian forum nobody has listened both this amps.

My decision is now between the A500 and the 1500(or the new EP2000, that is the same with an additional tecnology)
this because the 2500 is a classH while A500 and 1500 classAB(of course better)

For the power I agree with you, but in Behringer main site the A500 seems to be that with the cleanest sound, and if you do a ratio $/watts the A500 has a bigger price-per-watt.... you know, usually this means more quality

anyway I said "usually"

So for you 1500 is qualitatively better??
It's for an home tehater so my only interest is that
and last but not least the bass reproduction is the same?

again, sorry for english
bye

 

[jliedeka]

I wouldn't equate $/watt with quality. The whole reason a lot of home theater folks use pro style amps is that you get more watts for less money.

The A500 is probably just the right size for most of us but if they are having quality issues, you may be taking a risk with it. Other brands that have been used are Crown, Carvin, Yamaha and QSC. Not all of them have single ended RCA inputs, however. That means you may need an outboard adapter.

Jim

 

[WmAx]

My decision is now between the A500 and the 1500(or the new EP2000, that is the same with an additional tecnology)
this because the 2500 is a classH while A500 and 1500 classAB(of course better)

Class H is Class AB; the only difference is that the voltage supply rails have dual voltage levels that switch to high or low depending on the power output any given moment. But the output device stage is standard class AB.

-Chris

 

[yamaha102]

Ok thanks to everybody for the informations.
I'm goung to buy the EP1500

Bye

 

[mike c]

Ok thanks to everybody for the informations.
I'm goung to buy the EP1500

Bye

if you're not on that tight of a budget, consider the 2500 over the 1500. im sure the 1500 would be overkill for any speaker (non-subwoofer) but i just feel the bang for the buck is in the 2500