FT: beam class sizes - smaller is better?

I would think having a high thrust factor would mean you want more little
weapons. You can get in close and stay close (a "knife" fight). I'd rather
have 8 class 1s, 360 degree arcs for free, than 1 class 4 with 1 arc; then
stick onto the enemy like glue. Plus one threshold check isn't going to knock
off your main weapon. And if fighters or missiles bother you those class 1s
can knock a few off.

My "combat" experience is limited to two lopsided combats (understrengthed NAC
vs NSL, darn those things can take a pounding.. and missing with pulse
torpedoes don't help). Can anyone with more experience give their views on big
beams vs more smaller beams?

Glen