Running Benchmark AHB2 in bridged mode and 4 Ohm Speaker

Read my review of them at Dagogo.com 

The AHB2 is far superior in Mono mode, no comparison. YMMV 

Work with the power cord on the Legacy Wavelet; it will make a difference. Also, the quality of the XLR cables used for the bass section will likewise make a difference. I have had many experiences with Legacy speakers in such matters (reviews), so you may trust my guidance. I am not interested in debating my recommendations.  

From the review: 

"So, what about that comparison of cables between the Benchmark and Clarity sets? I set up the following components and rotated sets of cables between them: Salk Audio StreamPlayer III, DAC3 DX, AHB2 Amp (two in Mono mode), and PureAudioProject Trio15 PAP Horn 1 Speaker. "

and 

"Again, the four components in question were the DAC3 DX, AHB2 Amplifier (2)"  

I think the typical reader would understand that "(2)" meant used in Mono mode, as I had been doing earlier. 

As I said previously, better in Mono.  :)

Legacy Wavelet and Aeris are an integrated system. 

Meanwhile... Some ears at Stereophile are hearing the same attributes from the AHB2 as I have. Two honors each for the Benchmark DAC3 and AHB2. Kudos to Benchmark. 

Lordcloud is not making a claim (an assertion without evidence). He is sharing the experience of using the AHB2 in Mono mode. 

George, let's suggest someone bought two parasound bridgeable amps, and they said they sound better in Mono mode than biamping.  Would you suggest that Parasound bridgeable amps are a sales gimmick to sell more amps, and Parasound, "should never have released this amp in stereo form, they should be all bridged, as the Stereo version is in some way hobbled and should not be purchased." 

I'm checking for consistency.  Imo you are making claims far beyond that of biamping versus bridged operation, suggesting that the AHB2 has been poorly designed or intentionally hindered to sell more units. To date I don't think you have provided one shred of evidence to support such claims. Frankly, I think you are walking on very thin ice with such claims against Benchmark.   :) 

Just noticed this on the Benchmark website: THE AHB2 IS SOLD OUT. ORDERS PLACED TODAY WILL SHIP ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 7TH. 

I had mentioned in my review that the AHB2 is not able to drive the Kingsound King III electrostatic to an unlimited level of listening. However, there is no degradation of sound as the amp is pushed to its limit, and there is no degradation associated with mono use.

I will clarify; the bridged AHB2 drives the Kingsound King III ESL much better than a stereo unit alone, or two stereo units in passive biamp mode. 

As the discussion of the thread centers around bridged operation, I don't believe I have stated the capacity of a stereo unit on this forum to drive the Kingsound King III.

When I refer to "level unlimited" I mean that the amp is at maximum output of the preamplifier turned full on and the speakers not hitting past perhaps 87-88 dB. I would call an amp "level unlimited" where in my use I would not turn the level up more, but the amp could certainly provide a higher listening level. It may not be a technically correct description, but it serves to indicate the situation. I do not attempt to listen to systems at "live", i.e. above 90 dB levels, and I do not recommend others to do so. 

I have said several times previously that there is NO sonic degradation in bridged mode, nor distortion associated with running the amp full out. The amp is FAR superior sounding in bridged mode regardless of the speakers used, efficient or less efficient. 

 The AHB2 was never even close to clipping. Relevant to that, summarizing the discussion from the Owner's Manual, "... the AHB2 has an Over-Temperature Fault circuit that monitors the heat sinks constantly. If either one reaches the max allowable temperature the channels are muted to protect the amp and speakers. All high-power systems are shut down to facilitate cooling... One or both heat sinks will be very hot.. power reset after cooling." (Again, summary) 

The amps were actually running cool with the Kingsound King ESL, I could keep my hand on them. The amp also has a "Clip" light indicator, which never, ever came on. The King III is nominal 6 Ohm and 83 dB sensitivity.