I use 7 QB 288 V1 ( LM561B ) in total and 4 QB96elite. It covers a 4x8 tent well. I used to have just 7 QB 288 but added 4 of the elites to complete the footprint. Probably would have got Rspecs if they were available then. On the plus I don,t bump my head any longer on that longer 2 board fixture. Notice you can adjust the spacing. I notched the 3/4" angle aluminum on the QB fixture since the slate 6 cooling fins run across ( increased airflow on heatsink ). I shortened the fixture when I moved them to the ends of the tent ( fan blade clearance ).
There are perks having 1 driver as easier to connect pot, only uses 1 plug etc. Here is a before pic when when I had only 7 qb288 ( and 2 qb96 4000k on the ends, now used for veg ). It gives you an Idea though. I am a fan on single heatsinks ( more customizable for spacing ). The 2nd pic is some pink kush dankness after I added 4 qb96elites.
I do believe adding the reds from the 96Elites sped up flower time several days. You may want to look at Rspecs or some qb11/qb18 reds.
I actually read this entire thread a while back before joining ( it was a fair bit shorter though, 693 pages would be painful ). Just have to refine scanning skills and ignore that idiot Yodaweed at the beginning.. Speaking of, I wonder if he still rocks his old gear.. an anti LED freaking joker he was..
PS that center qb288 was looked after by HLG upon purchase. The told me to keep it so I did and got a new board.