Benchmark AHB2 Amplifier, opinions and competition

The Benchmark is tough to beat when it comes to resolution, transparency, and neutrality.  Especially at the price point.

Just got the Benchmark amp.  Preliminary impressions: cleaner than my old amp, wider sound stage, better definition, better bass.  I’m sure has to break in yet.  Just turned it on.  But, very promising so far. 

I upgraded to AHB2 from class D Rowland 102.  I had similar impressions, but what really surprised me was bass extension.  I started hearing lowest bass notes more pronounced.  How different could be 5Hz@-3db (Rowland) vs 0.1Hz@-3dB (Benchmark) when the lowest bass note is 41Hz ?

I find better bass is a common observation with Benchmark products. It isn’t simply more bass as in fact their bass response is flat. Just better definition of pitch and timbre - you hear more detail in the bass and better separation of instruments at those frequencies.

rvpiano OP


Nice amp, if you want to hear them at their best, don't bridge "if there's no need to", as all you'll gain is watts, everything else takes a hit.

And if you have two of them better to run them in stereo mode and vertically bi-amped, instead of bridging.
http://www.av2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/biamp2.jpg

Cheers George