[marleymarl]

Regardless of price, in a home theater set up, what would be better to use, a 6BSST2 to drive a Magnepan MG1.7 CC5/DWM front end and a 4ch 9BSST2 to complete a 7.1 channel Magnepan surround system, or just a 4ch and 3 ch 9BSST2?

[Phil A]

How big a room and how loud do you like to listen?  I have a 6BSST for the center and rears (Thiels in a really large room - see my Gallery)

[marleymarl]

Around 18X12 ....9ft high ceiling. Hmmm...I prefer an accurate sound as opposed to just plain loud but I guess I'd like it loud enough to make a conversation not worth having. I'd like to be as loud as if there was a live band playing in my living room, enough volume to be able to enjoy all the big sound/explosions of a good action movie such as the Avengers.

[Phil A]

I've helped install over the years a bunch of 9BSSTs and 1.6s but don't recall ever doing both in the same system.  From the reviews I've seen (e.g. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-20010500-47.html), they would seem to indicated the newer 1.7s like power too.  I remember years back when I was in an audio shop and knew the owner and he told me a customer wanted to buy another 4BST (and knew I had one I could consider selling) for his 1.6s to go with the 4BST he already had.  I didn't end up selling it at that point as I was using the amp in a test system to make cables.  I'd think they based on the size of the room and your preferences a 6BSST would be better.   I was using my 6BSST for the center and rears (the main system is temporarily 2-channel as things are apart for a move about a year down the road).  Even though the room is very large (about 16x20 with a 19 ft. ceiling that opens into other spaces) and the 6BBST is probably a hair of overkill, I decided to stay with it.  The new room will be smaller (perhaps an 11 ft. ceiling and 16x18 that opens into other spaces), but unless I found a deal on a 9BSST squared (my tentative plans for the new room are 9.2 and I was going to get a receiver for the height and back channels but if I found a good deal on the 9BSST squared which would not take additional rack space, I could consider using the spare 3BST I have as it is small), I'll probably keep the 6BSST.

[m00nhawk]

How about a 4B and a 5 channel 9B?


I'm thinking along those lines, too.  There is a significant price difference between the 4B/9B combo and the 6B/9B combo you mentioned.


The other question is are you more interested in 2 channel music, multi-channel music, or movies?


IOW, do you need your LR front speakers and your center channel to match perfectly?

[servingko]

I have been running a 4BSST2 and a 9BSST in a 5.1 setup with 2 channels of the 9B unused.  It was a very good match.  Since your center isn't the same as the left and right speakers, any sonic differences in the amps will be a non issue.  The 9B should be more than adequate for he surrounds, it is the center that may be a bit lacking.

I recently purchased another 4BSST and a 3BSST and have replaced the 9B.  The 4B is powering the center and the 3B is powering the surrounds.  No noticeable difference on the surrounds, but it was a noticeable improvement on the center.  Dynamics and low level detail improved more than I would have thought.  I would look at a 6B and a 9B ifi I was in your shoes.  The Maggies like current and if you like things a bit louder, I wouldn't short change your center speaker amplification.

[marleymarl]

Hmmm...I favor a hometheater set up with equal power to the Left, Center, and Right speakers.

[john1970]

I went through the same question about two years ago when I upgraded my Outlaw Audio amps to a Bryston amp for the center channels and surrounds.  Eventually I went with the 9B SST2 in a 5 channel configuration for the following reasons:

1) In the future, I could separate the 9B SST2 from my 4B SST2 if I ever wanted to have a 5.1 HT system separate from a dedicated two channel audio system.  Currently, my system is integrated with the 4B SST2 on stereo L/R channels and 3 of the 5 channels of the 9B SST2 for center and surrounds

2) If I wanted to upgrade to 7.1 in an integrated system it can be easily accomplished without having to purchase an additional amp.

3) The 6B SST2 is extremely heavy at 96 lbs.  Difficult to move especially as one gets older.


Best,

John

[bjski]

I use the 9SST/2 in my home theater without any problems. The 9b operates just fine for my home theater. Speakers are rated 4ohms 94db efficiency.

I have the 7SST/2 located in the man cave. I'm getting older so one day I might combined the 2.

[srb]

I use the 9SST/2 in my home theater without any problems. The 9b operates just fine for my home theater. Speakers are rated 4ohms 94db efficiency.

Those are fairly sensitive speakers.  Using the 9BSST with 94dB 4 ohm speakers (with an output of 200W/ch) would be roughly equivalent to using the 6BSST with 90dB 4 Ohm speakers (with an output of 500W/ch).

The even less sensitive 86dB Magneplanar MG 1.7 would require an amplifier of ~1200W/ch @ 4 ohms for the same relative maximum peak SPL capability.

Steve

[alexone]

hi, John!

you are using the 4B for the front L/R and the 9B for the center channel. the 9B has less than half the power than the 4B...would you say that there is an audible difference in sound?

thanks,

al.