superedge88 Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 I'm always trying to get the best bang for my buck in this home theater hobby. I currently have two Marantz MA-700 amps powering my Klipsch KLF-30's. I am wondering if I could expect similar sound quality if I sold my two Marantz MA-700 mono blocks and bought a Behringer 2500 two power the KLF-30's. I would be able to pocket some cash, gain some headroom, and gain the long term durability of a pro audio amp that would never be pushed anywhere near its limits. Is this idea blasphemy? I could end up with about $250 in my pocket by doing this switch.[:^)] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olorin Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 Not blasphemy per se, but I'm skeptical. Marantz makes a mighty fine amplifier. The EP2500 is gone, replaced by the EP4000. Same innards, new rating and model number. An Emotiva UPA-2 costs $20 more than the Behringer and will give plenty of juice with no fan noise, and I know the UPA-7 sounds really good with my La Scalas. I haven't hooked up the Chorus IIs, though, and they would probably be a better comparison to the KLFs. Anyway, food for thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superedge88 Posted February 28, 2011 Author Share Posted February 28, 2011 Not blasphemy per se, but I'm skeptical. Marantz makes a mighty fine amplifier. The EP2500 is gone, replaced by the EP4000. Same innards, new rating and model number. An Emotiva UPA-2 costs $20 more than the Behringer and will give plenty of juice with no fan noise, and I know the UPA-7 sounds really good with my La Scalas. I haven't hooked up the Chorus IIs, though, and they would probably be a better comparison to the KLFs. Anyway, food for thought. I'm aware that the EP2500 is the older model, which is why they are available used for under $200 in some cases. Is there a reason why the behringer shouldn't produce good sound quality? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssh Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 Do you need more headroom than the Marantz provide? Are the Marantz not "durable"? Are they pushed to their limits? Do you need cash? I don't get this, since I've been very satisfied with Marantz for my solid state listening for years. If you were moving to tubes, I'd understand, but this doesn't compute with me. SSH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 Do you need more headroom than the Marantz provide? Are the Marantz not "durable"? I would have to agree here. Those MA-700's are very musical monoblocks and offer plenty of juice. Where else can you buy 200w/ch monoblocks for less than $500.00/pair? Super bang for the buck. I have used them in many different applications and found them to be durable, musical, and provide plenty of headroom for my Fortes, Heresys, RB-5's, and RF-63's. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 I think the Behringers are an incredible bang for the buck amp, but I'd only use them for sub duty. Critical listening, not so much. To my ears, they're not as good sounding as the Crown or QSC's. I can't imagine they'd compare favorably to a Marantz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olorin Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 Not blasphemy per se, but I'm skeptical. Marantz makes a mighty fine amplifier. The EP2500 is gone, replaced by the EP4000. Same innards, new rating and model number. An Emotiva UPA-2 costs $20 more than the Behringer and will give plenty of juice with no fan noise, and I know the UPA-7 sounds really good with my La Scalas. I haven't hooked up the Chorus IIs, though, and they would probably be a better comparison to the KLFs. Anyway, food for thought. I'm aware that the EP2500 is the older model, which is why they are available used for under $200 in some cases. Is there a reason why the behringer shouldn't produce good sound quality? Other than the notion that it's a cheap knock-off of a QSC-2450 that's produced with inferior components in order to meet a price point for clubs, bands, and DJs on a shoestring budget, while your Marantz is a high quality piece designed to sound really really good to audio weenies who think paying more for things that sound really really good is a good idea, I can't really think of any. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuBXeRo Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 sounds to me that you want a change? Marantz is a very good brand. I havent dealt with berhinger at all so i really can't comment on that. 200 wpc is a alot of power and your marantz monoblocks should yield all the necessary usable and unusable power that you would ever really need to power your setup efficiently. Personally, crown and qsc, gli etc are just dj amps to me, used in large scale audio setups where audiophile quality isnt such a critical concern. but then again, thats just me. Those brands are all very high quality amps, i had a gli when i did some djing and well, crown and qsc are everywhere. I would stick to the mor home theater driven systems. Can/do you hear a difference? Id unno, i never pitted one another in a controlled environment to give you a good stern answer on that. Being that i havent done that, id say i am more inclined to just buy a home theater driven brand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superedge88 Posted March 1, 2011 Author Share Posted March 1, 2011 Well the answer seems to be resounding! I will keep the Marantz amps! Thank you to everyone that gave me their two cents, I am always seeking to learn more than just the do's and don'ts but more about the "Why's" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 Personally, crown and qsc, gli etc are just dj amps to me, used in large scale audio setups where audiophile quality isnt such a critical concern. but then again, thats just me. Oh ye of little faith. If you ever have occasion to come to TX, stop by. I'll break some of those stereotypes for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olorin Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 Kazackly. A GOOD pro amp is a good amp; they're not all the same. Put another way -- QSC:Behringer :: Marantz:Sanyo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuBXeRo Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 Personally, crown and qsc, gli etc are just dj amps to me, used in large scale audio setups where audiophile quality isnt such a critical concern. but then again, thats just me. Oh ye of little faith. If you ever have occasion to come to TX, stop by. I'll break some of those stereotypes for you. will do haha, im always looking to expand my knowledge and comparison basis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 will do haha, im always looking to expand my knowledge and comparison basis. Next time you're headed from AZ to NJ, swing a little south in TX[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyman Posted March 5, 2011 Share Posted March 5, 2011 Wow i have both these amps and the behringer wins over the marantz IMHO ......in tone way way more head room paired up with a good pre amp they rock best bang for the buck. I got the 2500 to just run a sub at first and then tried on my klf 30"s and has been running them ever since.I can"t even hear the fans from 10 feet away they are very musical.Just make sure they get the right singnal from you pre amp...They do sub duty excellent.Ihave compaired them A.B tested them to side by side to other pro amps for the money of these behringer 2500 amps you can"t go wrong.Its all in the singnal the pre amp gives them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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