This MONSTER is really butt ugly!
Pretty sure my wife wouldn't tolerate THAT in the room...
Also, I can't see the point of having 3 channels, maybe to feed the barbecue speaker?
Or you'd have to buy TWO...

I've always heard that the three-channel amp was a result of the move from stereo to 5.1 (folks with a two-channel rig could get a three-channel amp to drive a center and two surrounds), although I've also seen folks use it to power the front soundstage and let a receiver handle the surrounds. The five-channel and seven-channel amps do seem to have largely driven the three-channel to extinction...

Firstly the Monster amp isnt too bad to look at but is too long to fit in the equipment rack, so I hide mine on the floor behind subwoofer. I definitely turned off the stupid power rating lights.

As for 3 vs 7 channels, I think there is also a matter of putting your dollars where the money counts. The front 3 channels carry well over 60% of the music and movie information/load (power wise). It is a marketing ploy from manufactures to sell that you must buy 7 channels of equal amplification.

I sold my Outlaw 770 channel amp and put less money (per channel) into the back 4 speakers and more into the front three. 2 used Parasound HCA-1000A amps for rear 4 channels, amd the Monster MPA 3250 for the front three.

I defintely like the Monster/Parasound setup better than the 770. I did make extensive comparisons on the Parasounds to the Outlaw and found the Parasounds a better match to my speakers. Better bass and highs, mids slightly better on the outlaw. Must wider sound stage in two channel music on the Parasounds! I sold the Outlaw before buying the Monster, but find the monster better in all regards to the Parasounds.

For the $800 price tag on the Monster (new on e-bay w/ 2 years warranty), I have absolutely no regrets making the switch.

I think the idea that you have been batting around that the LCD meters are accurate and that the number of watts being drawn is between 0 and 3 is accurate. when you have an A/AB class amp and the AB comes in after say 8 to 10 watts, it it very rare that the AB will be used at all except for brief moments when there is a particularly high draw on the power. In reality most of the time, particularly with efficient or highly efficient speakers the amp is coasting along with 1-3 watts.

jbler50