http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_10_2/outlaw-audio-200-amplifier-4-2003.html:

"The frequency response is the only area I see room for improvement. It starts rolling off about 3 kHz, although it is down only 0.3 db at 20 kHz. The low end though suffers a bit, dropping 1 dB at 20 Hz. Perhaps this is an overzealous use of an input capacitor (these are commonly used to prevent DC from getting into the power amplifier from the preamplifier). I would suggest using a higher value to keep it reasonably flat to 20 Hz. It is not so much that you can't boost the low end with a tone control somewhere, but there is phase shift where you have frequency response rolloff."

The rolloff is not as bad as I remember, though: it's down only 0.3 dB at 20 Khz -- arguably inaudable. I had thought it was 3 dB down.

Still, when an Odyssey Stratus Plus sports 2 Hz to 400 kHz +0-1dB (admittedly, a $1200 amp - not cheap, but not uberexpensive, either), one has to wonder why the M200 isn't flatter. Most of the expense of the Stratos is due to the fact that it's an over-built 160 wpc class A/AB amp. (Class A to about 5 W).

Thanks Rene!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, .3 dB is nothing, absolutely nothing.

I suspect that these monoblocks are not used to drive subwoofers so anything much below 60-80 Hz is a moot point.

Comparing the Odyssey to the Outlaw, $1200 to $300, is probably not a good comparison. It would appear the the Outlaw is a really good buy for the money.

In case anyone hasn't noticed it, look at Scott's news, today, of the receiver and the amplifiers. Some things to think about.

I read the article and it is fairly impressive. The output power curves show the roll off at both ends. It is only down about .5 dB at 30 Hz.

Nice for the price!!!!

Oh, I agree that comparing the Stratos to the M200 spec-wise is a bit unfair since the Stratos is double the price (well, 4x, but for two channels instead of one): it is overbuilt like a tank, with a massive torroidal power transformer and humungous heatsinks, weighs about 55 lbs. and is class A/AB (Class A to anywhere between 5 and 30 watts, depending on who you ask). The warranty is 20 years on parts, transferrable to a second owner (one year on labour).

Personally, I think the Stratos is a bargain at $1200.

But, I see no justification for the kind of rolloff the M200 exhibits, even if it is inaudible -- it makes me wonder where else Outlaw scrimped to produce a $300 amp. 20Hz to 20 kHz, an amp should be ruler flat.

I'd also be concerned about using a class AB/G amp, like the M200 to drive my BG Radia 520i speakers because of any high-frequency distortion created during AB to G switching -- such distortion is death to ribbon speakers (even if inaudible), and BG notes that the warranty on them is void if they are driven by a "digital" amp (class G) for this reason. Finally, the Radias present a somewhat difficult 4 ohm load.

That said, I'd see nothing wrong with using an M200 to drive a more conventional speaker. I had considered them (biamping my Radias with a pair each), but would have preferred balanced inputs and better specs at a somewhat higher price, say $500 to $600. I DO remain leery of using AB/G amps with ribbon speakers.