Power amplifiers are not as basic and straightforward as they used to be. Back in the day, the custom was connecting them with a pair of speaker airports and analog inputs and outputs to safeguard your sound system. However, with the change of time and technology, handheld devices are increasingly becoming a popular source of entertainment, forcing the power amplifier with no other option but to evolve. In this review, we have selected the five Best Power Amps for Axe FX that are fit for your consideration.We may recieve commissions on purchases made our chosen links
Best Axe FX power amp on the market
There is no doubt about the importance of power amplifies when it comes to quality sound. Whether it’s a concert being set up or a home sound system, a power amplifier is significant in ensuring your environment comes alive. Today, most amplifiers contain in-built Bluetooth services, USB connectors, digital-to-analog converters, as well as smartphone stages for DJ services. At present, the market is flooded with different types of power amplifiers. These amplifiers differ in various ways, making it difficult for AXE FX owners to settle from the available options.
1. Crown XLS1002 Two channel – Best Power Amp For AXE FX
The XLS1002 is another reliable product from industry leaders Crown, who have graced the market with excellent amplifiers that offer quality amplified sound.
The Crown XLS1002 is another powerful Two-Channel amplifier that is genuinely among the best in the category thanks to its modest price and functionalities. Apart from its price, it is beautifully designed with a large display that gives you a sleek and enhanced look.
Weighing less than 5 kgs, the Crown XLS1002 is a Class D amplifier that incorporates ultra-efficient drive Core technology in its system.
Sound at low frequencies is very important for performing in halls and large rooms, so the amplifier has DriveCore 2 technology. We got a very detailed sound at low frequencies at any volume and load. If the room is very hot, the amplifier has active cooling and nothing will happen to it during long-term and continuous operation.
One of the things that we liked about this machine is its in-built DSP, which is accessible through the front panel display using the three buttons. With this functionality, you can fine-tune things like:
• Its input sensitivity level
• Its sleep and display mode
• Its 2-channel stereo
• Its low-pass, high-pass, and bandpass crossover frequencies
Amp For AXE FX 2
As for its back-panel features, the Crown XLS1002 has RCA inputs as well as XLR/TRS inputs that take care of the machine’s flexibility. You will find the speaker outputs screwed down, accepting banana plugs, Speakon plugs, and bare wire.
According to our analysis, the Crown XLS1002 is an ideal option for preferably two large standing speakers that have big internal woofers. Considering it’s a two-channel amplifier, using it in stereo mode will do it a lot of justice.
Crown is one of the leading amplifiers in the American market. the quality and reliability of this amplifier is at the highest level. Crown has a wide range of products, so you can get acquainted with all the amplifiers before you buy them for axe fx. The XLS1002 dual-channel amplifier stands out for its technology, design, huge functionality and ease of operation. It is designed specifically for professional speakers and has built-in protection against interference and overload. In combination with Axe FX you will definitely get a professional sound of your musical instrument.
The Crown XLS1002 has two independent channels, and you can choose their sensitivity (0.775 or 1.4). This will be useful for small spaces, cafes, and rehearsal rooms. The heart of this amplifier is the DSP processor, thanks to it, all the sound settings are displayed visually on the LCD display. A Limiter is also integrated into the amplifier, which avoids sudden overloads, which will be very useful for guitarists with axe fx. Note that the limiter works much better than the usual analog one.
You might not need to bypass the 700-1100-Watt RMS level as it is loud enough for most people who are using it at bridged mode.
Pros
• Crazy power
• Super quiet
• Value for money
Cons
• Average customer service
• Prone to fault during delivery
2. Peavey Classic Mini Amp Head – 20W power Amp For Axe FX
In case the brand name is not enough of a selling point for you, the Peavey’s Classic 20 MH amplifier is outfitted in an old fashion, all-American tweed cover that gives it a funky look.
This amp is one of our all-time favorite unacknowledged guitar amplifiers for the regular guitarist. As a pocket-friendly, reliable, and versatile machine, it is no surprise why smoky club owners, band rehearsal spaces, and concert organizers prefer this machine.
Some of the things that make this machine unique are its two power tubes, 20-Watt power output, and its 12AX7 preamp tubes. These features allow it to avail about 20 watts of power output, but its attenuator button will enable you to dip the power output to 5 watts.
Pros
• Versatile tone
• Dynamic range
• Can be controlled with Vari-Class
Cons
• Has overheating problems
3. Crown XLi1500 Two-channel
As a company, Crown is renowned for its quality power amplifiers. As for the Crown Xli1500 Two-channel, it is a distinctive version of a top-quality amp that delivers value for money for the different categories of buyers.
Unlike other previous versions, the Xli500 is ruggedly designed to give powerful output that is appropriate for different occasions and settings. Apart from its capabilities, this Crown amplifier is an inexpensive machine that offers excellent value for money in the amplifier market place.
The Crown XLI 1500 amplifier is assembled in a single metal case with a height of 2U. The case is very strong and reliable, the transformer in it is screwed on 2 bolts, all this makes the amplifier convenient for transportation. You can safely use it in clubs, discos, concerts, as it is very reliable and easy to connect. All Crown amplifiers are made in rack cases, which is very comfortable for owners of Axe FX and Axe FX 2.
The Crown XLi1500 is a two-channel amplifier that has a power output of 450-Watt at 4 ohms. It also comprises of two-level controls, six LED lights that show signal strength, a power LED, a stereo/parallel/bridge-mono mode, a power switch, and a clip and fault for each channel.
Its XLR and RCA inputs are automatically balanced to ensure maximum quality with binding and Speakon post output. As for its user-selectable input settings, it comprises of 0.755V and 1.4V.
The Crown XLI 1500 amp is designed to produce clean, clear and accurate sounds. It is perfect for recording, for both musicians and beginners, and is known for its reliability and durability. Its distortion-free circuitry makes it great for the recording studio or home recording studio. When looking for an amp that will last for many years for Axe Fx, it is well worth spending the money on a good one like this one.
This type of amplifier has two channels. One channel has a high level preamp for making your recordings sound more professional. The other channel is designed for the low end of the frequency spectrum, so you can hear your music clearly and make your own adjustments if needed. This amp comes with the same features found in other Crown amps, such as a clean bass, midrange, and treble.
Another feature that appeals to many users is its cooling system that prevents the amplifier from overheating.
Pros
• Powerful
• Inexpensive
• Reliable
Cons
• Average customer service
• Channel 1 has issues after sometime
4. Sound Town NIX 4000IB – Best Budget power amp
The Sound Town Pro amp is an outstanding machine that avails colossal power output at a low price. It comes with a ¼-inch an XLR and TRS input connectors that are easy to connect to most public address systems.
It has two channels that have their separate thermal and DC overload breaker, which protect your speakers as well as your amp. In the chassis, two fans assist the machine from experiencing excessive heat, ensuring it keeps running for extended periods.
According to our analysis, the Sound Town Pro amp is designed with durable components that can be trusted to offer great audio experiences and reliability. This model can avail 500-Watt RMS per channel at about 7.5 ohms and about 1000-Watts RMS per channel at about 4.5 ohms.
Its outer cover is made using a heavy-duty metal exterior, which ensures it remains durable for a long time.
If you are looking for an amplifier for a church, medium-sized club, school hall, restaurant, and such establishments, the Sound Town Pro amp might be the perfect fit for you.
Pros
• Excellent sound
• Inexpensive
• Great power and reserve
Cons
• A bit noisy and underpowered
• The left channel is prone to faults
5. Peavey 6505 Mini Guitar Amplifier Head
It is hard to assume an amplifier that has been in the market for more than 20 years. The Peavey 6505 amp has been ruling the airwaves of metal music and other heavy genres since the beginning of those genres.
Unlike other tube amplifiers, the Peavey 6505 offers a unique type of distortion in the market. For instance, its 6L6 valves give it an incredible texture that is one of a kind.
One of the things we noted about the Peavey 6505 amp is its durable and rough head, which makes it extremely attractive. The Peavy’s outer covers are made in such a way they can take a lot of mishandling both in terms of handling and tone variation.
The Peavey 6505 is a classic rock guitar amp, and We chose this model because of its size of 356 x 185 x 197 mm. Of course, it is not rack-mounted, but it is also convenient to take it with you to concerts, its weight is 8 kg. Everyone has heard about its legendary sound, and it does not need a detailed description. The feature of the “Mini head” model is 20 watts and a built-in attenuator for 5 watts and 1 watt. 3 12AX7 preamp lamps and 2 EL84 lamps in the main amplification make the sound as warm as possible
There is no doubt about Peavy 6505 durability. It was designed to last and serve you for an extended period, no matter the number of gigs you have.
Also, it’s a 120-Watt amplifier that uses multiple 12AX7 tubes in its mechanics. While the quality of its sound is pretty impressive, its power demands are taken care of by numerous 6L6 units.
Pros
• Excellent and clean sound
• Flexible and powerful
• Value for money
• Quiet with great tone
Cons
• Has overheating issues
• It sometimes has tone issues
Choose Power Amp For AXE FX (2) – Reviews
In places of worship, clear sound is vital in ensuring the excellent message reaches the congregation. While having good speakers is of obvious significance in the delivery of sound, the importance of a good amplifier cannot be overstated.
If you’ve been wondering if an amp for Axe Fx is a good choice for you, here’s what you need to know. There are many different brands (Crown, Peavey) that make these types of amps and they all offer different features. I’ll give you my opinion of the pros and cons of each type and then I’ll explain why I think that it is important to choose one of these amps. After that you can decide if this is the right choice for you. We have compiled a few factors to consider before settling on a new amp.
The first main question is whether to take a tube amplifier for Axe Fx? Musicians who perform a lot respond: If you want a stable sound that will sound equally good at all events – Yes. What is the advantage of a tube amp for playing on stage? The warmed-up sound is saturated with overtones and various “roughness” of analog sound. If you have practiced on TUbe Amp, you will sound more lively and expressive, unlike Solid State. You can conduct an experiment: a Guitarist who has practiced all his life on Transistor Amp and a Guitarist who has practiced on Analog Sound. The second guitarist will play much more dynamic and better.
Amplifier or Cabinet for Fractal Axe FX ?
Amplifier or Cabinet for Fractal Axe FX ? You have a great musical instrument, Axe FX, wires to connect, but what to choose as an output speaker? let’s describe different situations.
You have a great musical instrument, Axe FX, wires to connect, but what to choose as an output speaker? let’s describe different situations. For a home Studio, use good monitor speakers such as the KRK Classic 5 or the JBL Professional 305P MkII. Connect your Axe FX to your sound card, record and practice with Monitor speaker, and you’ll get the natural sound of your effects processor.
You don’t have to have a Guitar amp to practice in small spaces. Connect your Fractal Axe FX to active speakers. If your speaker is passive (does not have a built-in amplifier), you need to purchase it separately. Otherwise, the signal will be very quiet.
Performing with Axe FX requires you to have an external amplifier, as the club only has passive speakers on stage. Consider an amplifier with high power, then it will be enough for any speakers
Headroom
The headroom is one of the standard terms that is used in the amplifier world. For those who are not familiar, it is the amount of power your amplifier can produce before your audience starts hearing breakups and sound distortion.
If you find an amplifier that has extra headroom, you should receive better sound quality from your speakers without any distorted sound.
However, it would help if you kept in mind that an amplifier that has extra headroom should be accompanied by a set of speakers that share the same power rating.
Power
The power rating on both your amplifier and speakers is a significant component to consider during the purchase. Every amplifier should have an RMS power rating, Wattage, and headroom.
According to our analysis, it is always best to settle for an amplifier that avails twice the speaker’s power rating. For instance, an amps power output should be about 650-Watt if the speaker’s power rating is 300-Watt.
People who came to listen to your live performance may get more emotions when they hear you on Axe Fx 2 with the world’s most powerful chips warmed up by real Tube. This is the conclusion that musicians come to when they already have a lot of experience performing
It is always advisable to overpower your speaker than to under-power.
Venue
Before settling on an amplifier or speaker, it is always prudent to consider the venue itself. You might have top-notch equipment that anybody would wish for, but if the location plays a significant role.
The location where the sound system is installed dictates the sound quality. For instance, if you are looking to buy equipment for a church, you need to know how the size of the sanctuary.
With large venues, a lot of power is needed to deliver sound reinforcement to project the required volume required. There are some instances where you might require to have more than one amp.
For smaller spaces, you do not need a lot of equipment. However, smaller venues tend to create sound quality and acoustic challenges. Always be on the lookout for such issues.
Impedance
Impedance refers to the amount of current a speaker is going to place on an amp. Usually, speakers and amps have something called ohms, which assists in measuring the units of resistance in these pieces of equipment.
Ideally, amplifiers should not have a higher impedance than speakers. In a case where an amp is putting out more power than its production capabilities and has low impedance, you are more likely to experience a challenge.
It is always prudent to calculate the ohm rating on your speakers. You can do this by dividing the ohm rating with the number of speakers.
Matching Equipment
It is always better to settle for an amplifier that is of the same brand as your other sound appliances. Some amplifiers tend to supply power to speakers that are not developed by associated companies resulting in damage.
Classes of Amplifiers
Different amplifiers are classified differently according to their circuitry specifications. Most amps fall under the Class-A to Class-D range, with the Class-A models having the highest audio quality. Usually, audio quality takes a dip when you move from Class-A to Class-D.
Signal-to-Noise Ratio
What signal-to-noise ratio means is the amount of background sound an amp creates. It is always prudent to settle for an amp that has a healthy signal-to-noise ratio. You can know this by checking the level of signal power to the level of noise.
Test Before Buying
You will do yourself a lot of justice when you test your amplifier before buying it. By doing this, you will be able to check the condition of your amplifier and whether it is compatible with your other sound appliances.
Always research accordingly to see which amps are suitable to your needs and specification to ensure your venue receives good sound quality.
Conclusion
Once you enter into the world of amplifies, it might feel as though you are in a different world full of technical and complicated jargon. However, this is not the case. Matching amps and speakers mostly require you carry your common sense and little technical skills.
Using Axe Fx 2, this is the most convenient way to perform on stage, adjust the guitar sound. You will sound almost the same on any equipment that the organizer will provide you with. This is the advantage of digital sound. In the rack, you can compactly place the AXe fx, Amp, power supply, additional effects, and switching.
If you are new to this space, we will urge you to go shopping around and compare the different specifications to get familiar with speakers and amplifiers.
It is always prudent to check out speakers and amplifiers that are of the same brand that are not only compatible but are long-lasting.
Remember to listen to your preferred amp and speaker connection while they are connected before settling on any. If you follow our instructions above, you should be good to go.
Also, we do not want to discourage potential users who are looking for an amplifier that is different from their speakers. We have come across different brands of speakers and amplifiers working together to produce good sound quality.
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