This is a great solid state D Class amp. I have connected the amp to a Warwick WCA 410-4 = 4 X 10 @ 4 Ohm 300 Watt. My bass guitar is an HB with active pickups. The amp has 2 channels, switchable on the amp and with the included footswitch.
Channel 2 is with an overdrive emulation as Gain, and a Shape control that scoops out a frequency area depending on the setting you use. I keep the amp on channel 2 as I like using a clean sound just near to over-driven and using the Shape control.
The 7 band EQ works well, together with the other controls I am able to shape and get a very good tone.
Compression works well, it functions as far as I can tell as a 'limiter' to reduce peaks and does not squash the overall sound. Very good.
Ultrabass effect is a sort of octave effect, it works on my set up around the mid freq range, and is a worthwhile effect to use when you need it. Switchable with foot switch.
The amp is very loud and clean, shakes my house when up to 50% power, I play it at home mostly around 30%. No noise noticed at all, no hum or any unwanted distortions. D class amps are now increasingly used by bass guitarists as the light weight, clean sound, instant power and simple reliable power supply all add up to a low price to quality sound ratio.
How do Behringer make this amp at such a low price? Most guitar and PA amplifier manufacturers buy the power stage module from a supplier and then build the pre-amp section and other components around the module. Behringer make the power stage module themselves and then the overall manufacturing of the amp is at a lower cost.
I know 'Behringer' make a lot of low price gear and making it at an ultra low price you sometimes have to compromise - which often means 'you get what you pay for'. I feel over the recent years Behringer are now also producing more very high quality equipment and very low prices. This amp head is a high quality solid state D Class amp. It is housed in a plastic shell with the internal amp mounted on a metal chassis.
The fan - it is not loud, I would say compared to other fanned equipment I have this amps fan is relatively quiet. If you play and stand away from the amp you will not hear it anyway. I never sit close to the amp and speaker. The ultra bass combo version that contains the same amp does not have a fan there is adequate air flow in the combo housing. I have removed the fan, and find the amp only gets warm and not hot.
If you put the head on top of a speaker box with a carpet cover then the amp head needs to be raised up a bit to allow air intake for cooling the amp head.
On another amp head I have I disconnected the internal fan. This is ok if you do not play at full volume for 4 hours non stop. The amp gets a little warm but nothing much.
Verdict - Great amp, loads of power, onboard effects work well. The low price does not equal low quality or compromise in this case. This amp head added to the Warwick WCA 410-4 is a perfect setup for me, very happy with the sound I have. I can play loud and get a perfect sound, and play at low volumes and get a great sound too.
With the amp comes a big yellow triangle Behringer sticker, I stick mine on the outside of the amp with pride.
Buy this amp and stop fussing about 'what shall I buy' - and make some serious bass.