Just how noticeable the transition from Class A to Class B depends on different conditions. Often times the transition will happen as either bass demands and/or overall volume increases. During such times ones ears might not be as sensitive to the change from Class A to Class B. Usually the longer an amp can maintain Class A operation, the longer the amp can offer it's contribution to better sound, but the longer an amp can maintain Class A, the more expensive and less efficient the amp becomes. Better to to switch to Class B than to run out of Class A Watts, and run into distortion and clipping. High biased Class AB amps can be an appropriate combination of sound quality, efficiency and economy.
Class A to XX Watts
I've only used pure Class A (Aleph J), never an amp that started out in Class A for the first few watts only. Wouldn't the transition out of Class A be audible? Seems to me that if it is then that would be a bad thing. If it isn't audible, then why would anyone design it that way to begin with (marketing?)?