Behringer KM1700 Amplifier

Behringer KM1700 Power Amplifier — 1,700 W of Class H Headroom for Live Sound

The Behringer KM1700 is a 1,700-watt Class H stereo power amplifier designed to drive passive PA speakers, stage monitors, and subwoofers in small-to-mid sized venues. Built around Behringer's Accelerated Transient Response (ATR) topology and a high-current toroidal transformer, this 2-channel amp delivers tight, controlled low end and clean attack on transients — exactly what a working band or mobile DJ needs when the kick drum and bass guitar have to cut through the mix. The KM1700 power amplifier is the right choice for musicians, houses of worship, and small venue operators who want genuine Class H power at a price that leaves room in the budget for the rest of the rig.

What Sets the KM1700 Apart in Its Class

Where many budget power amps rely on linear Class AB designs, the KM1700 uses Class H operation, which modulates the supply rails to track only the peaks of the input signal. The result is efficient performance with low signal distortion and noticeably more punch on dynamic material. Independent DC and short-circuit protection on each channel, plus a switchable limiter, keep both the amplifier and connected speakers safe when levels climb.

Power Output — Headroom for Tops, Monitors, and Subs

Power is the headline spec for any PA amplifier, and the KM1700 delivers genuine Class H output across stereo, mono, and bridged configurations. In bridge mode the unit pushes 1,700 W into an 8 Ω load, while stereo operation provides 2 x 800 W @ 4 Ω or 2 x 500 W @ 8 Ω — enough headroom to drive a pair of 15" tops and a subwoofer cabinet, or to power a full wedge-monitor rig on stage.

• In bridge mode the unit delivers 1,700 W @ 8 Ω, enough to feed a single subwoofer or full-range stack with maximum output.
• Stereo Power @ 4 Ω: 2 x 800 W — drives two passive tops or two monitor wedges from one rack unit.
• Stereo Power @ 8 Ω: 2 x 500 W — clean headroom for typical 8 Ω passive PA cabinets.

Inputs, Outputs, and Connectivity — Drop-In Compatibility

Universal connectivity is one of the KM1700's strongest selling points. The rear panel accepts XLR and 6.3 mm (1/4") jack inputs, so the amp can be fed directly from a mixing console, a DJ controller, or a crossover without adapter cables. On the output side, locking Speakon connectors and touch-proof binding posts cover every common speaker-cable termination, and the front-panel mode switch selects mono, stereo, or bridge operation in seconds.

• Each channel accepts balanced or unbalanced sources through XLR + 6.3 mm jack inputs, so no adapter cables are needed.
• Outputs: Speakon (locking) + binding posts — secure connection for any speaker cable type.
• Mode Switch: Mono / Stereo / Bridge — reconfigure the amp without rewiring the rack.

Build, Protection, and Control — Road-Ready Hardware

At 12.5 kg in a 2U all-steel chassis (88 x 482 x 375 mm), the KM1700 is built for repeated load-ins and load-outs. Front-to-back ventilation keeps the Class H output stage cool during long sets, while independent DC and short-circuit protection on each channel guards the amp and the connected speakers. A switchable limiter, ground-lift switch, and sensitivity selector on the rear panel give the operator fine control over system behaviour.

• Full-bandwidth reproduction from 20 Hz – 20 kHz covers everything from kick drum fundamentals to vocal presence, so the amp handles both music and speech without compromise.
• Chassis: 19" / 2U, all-steel — standard rack fit, durable for touring and installation.
• Protection: Switchable limiter, DC + short-circuit protection per channel — safeguards amp and speakers under heavy use.

Who This Power Amplifier Is For

The KM1700 power amplifier is the right choice for working bands, mobile DJs, small-to-mid venue operators, and houses of worship that need reliable Class H power for passive tops, monitors, or subwoofers without paying flagship-amp prices. Solo performers running a pair of 15" tops for a 100–200 person room will appreciate the 2 x 800 W @ 4 Ω stereo headroom, while bands adding a subwoofer to an existing rig can switch to bridge mode and feed a single 8 Ω cabinet with the full 1,700 W. The 2U form factor and 12.5 kg weight make it easy to slot into an existing rack or fly-rig, and the XLR/jack input flexibility means it pairs with virtually any analogue mixing console or DJ controller already in the setup.

Behringer and the KM Series — Affordable Pro-Audio Workhorses

The company has built its reputation on delivering professional-spec audio equipment at price points accessible to working musicians and small venues. The KM series of power amplifiers — including the KM750 and the KM1700 — applies the company's Accelerated Transient Response design philosophy to a Class H output stage, giving gigging musicians a road-tested platform that has earned a 4.7/5 average rating across 185 customer reviews on Thomann since the model's release in November 2016.