Benchmark AHB2 Amplifier, opinions and competition

@jetter

They might have stated in-room sensitivty (Klipsch almost always does this for instance, but they are even worse and use corner (2-wall) loading, so +6dB).

Bass-limited speakers usually get +2dB while almost full-range speakers get +3dB.

So, if they stated 89dB, it might be 87dB in actuality, or even 83dB if it were a Klipsch speaker.

Also, that’s at 6ohm, which takes in 1.335x the wattage, so my stated 25W which was for 8ohm nominal is thus >33W, not to mention if their minimum impedance take up a large bandwidth.

100W (8ohm) is +3dB vs 50W (8ohm); 
https://www.audiocheck.net/blindtests_level.php?lvl=3
It’s a good difference in volume.

You also don’t know if it’s just a better amp in general and that’s also why it sounds better to you.

The more I listen to the Benchmark, I’m hearing that the reviews are accurate: it has laser-like precision, but is not forgiving on mediocre recordings. As most recordings are not audiophile, that becomes a problem.  I have thousands of CDs and records.  I want to be able to listen to them without gritting my teeth.
 I’ll have to see how the amp breaks in before I decide whether or not to keep it.

@douglas_schroeder  Ever consider making a youtube video of your cable format? 

@rvpiano

Blame the music studios not the gear 😬.

Good gear just shows which songs were handled with care, which ones wanted to win the “loudness war”, and which ones were simply not handled with any care.

If after a few days it still doesn’t sound good, try alter speaker placement (reduce toe-in for instance), and see if that helps. If not, then return it.

Mzkmxcv,

All of a sudden everything came together.  I guess the amp broke in, or the weather, or something, but the sound is full, rich, powerful and detailed!
And the sensitivity switch is in the middle as recommended.
 I couldn’t be happier, or more surprised!

 It’s a keeper.