Skip navigation
Up to Discussions in POD HD
1658 Views 19 Replies Latest reply: Jan 14, 2012 10:01 AM by lef38 RSS
spencer122188 Just Startin'
spencer122188
9 posts since
Oct 28, 2010
Currently Being Moderated

Dec 28, 2011 12:51 AM

Best Amp / PA for HD500?

Hey guys,

     Really sorry if these threads are getting old, but I understand that the context of your playing has a huge impact on the answer here; and I didn't see any other similar threads that fully answered my question.

 

     I am not in a band, so I strictly play in my room. Right now I'm running my LP through the HD500 and in to a vox VT30 that I purchased before I had either the LP or the HD500. Needless to say this kills the quality of my sound when comparing what I get through my headphones to through the amp. I started out looking for good amps that would make the 500 sound just as good as through my headphones/direct but in my search it seems that a very common answer is to use a PA speaker rather than a guitar amp. I have no preference one way or the other as of right now, I'm really just looking for what is going to give me the best sound. I play a lot of high-gain stuff like Tool and Metallica, and a decent amount of FX heavy stuff like floyd. The DT50 seems like an obvious solution here but its just a little out of my price range and I'd actually rather just have a solid state to take it easy on the maintanence. I appreciate any advice and suggestions very much, and again sorry if this thread topic has been beaten in to the ground already.

 

So just to sum up:

 

Looking to get best quality high gain-ish sound out of my HD500 on these conditions:

 

Setting --- Room / Personal studio

Type --- solid state or PA speaker

Price Range --- Ideally around 500$, but I have a little flexibility with this.

 

Thanks again guys.

  • Rowbi Expert Line 6 User
    Rowbi
    7,745 posts since
    Nov 25, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    Dec 28, 2011 1:37 AM (in response to spencer122188)
    Re: Best Amp / PA for HD500?

    KRK Studio monitors are great for guitars.  You could just use 1, and for that I suggest getting a Rokit G2 8" model.  if you want a pair, then the 6" or 5" models will do.  of course it does depend on your tone.  if you like a thick lump of bass in your tone, the bigger speakers may help a little, but the 5's and 6's are surprisingly good at giving a lot of bass too... so I guess it also depends on the volume level you want...

    Myself and several of the other experts here all use KRK Rokit's...

     

    Sennheiser HD280Pro Cans are good for late night jamming if you don't want to wake your family or neighbours.  At least one of the other experts also uses these Sennheisers too.

     

    for your bedget you could get a pair of the 6" KRK's and the headphones for $500 from sweetwater.  If it was my choice that's what I'd be buying.

     

    Rowbi

    • spencer122188 Just Startin'
      spencer122188
      9 posts since
      Oct 28, 2010
      Currently Being Moderated
      Dec 28, 2011 1:11 PM (in response to Rowbi)
      Re: Best Amp / PA for HD500?

      Thanks for this reply. I've looked in to these rokits for several hours now and I'm really liking what I see. My main question after this much research is - Would having 2 speakers in stereo really benefit me that much if I am just using it in my room and primarily for my guitar? Right now I'm leaning towards getting a single 8" speaker because I feel like I can control most of what I want with my sound on the HD500 itself. As mentioned before, I can shell out a few extra bucks if need be but I'm not sure it's necessary/worth it. I have an amazing pair of headphones right now, so I could potentially go under budget with these speakers and that would be awesome. Rather than max out my dollar amount on a speaker I could get an 8" and a new Wah pedal or something (since I am not too fond of any of the on-board Wahs). Thanks once again for your help and advice, so far the one reply has benefitted me greatly towards narrowing down my search for a new speaker.

      • silverhead Expert Line 6 User
        silverhead
        9,592 posts since
        Apr 1, 2009
        Currently Being Moderated
        Dec 28, 2011 1:50 PM (in response to spencer122188)
        Re: Best Amp / PA for HD500?

        spencer122188 wrote:

         

        ...- Would having 2 speakers in stereo really benefit me that much if I am just using it in my room and primarily for my guitar? ...

        That depends entirely on how important stereo FX are to you. It sounds like they're not very important, and you are making a good case to yourself that your money would be better spent elsewhere. I think you are right!

    • Christafa Just Startin'
      Christafa
      13 posts since
      Nov 30, 2010
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jan 4, 2012 8:50 PM (in response to Rowbi)
      Re: Best Amp / PA for HD500?

      Rowbi, I see you suggested the Sennheiser HD280Pro Cans for the HD500. I did some research and they look like 64 ohms, although I read in another thread (http://line6.com/support/thread/77311) that you really shouldn't go under 150 ohms as it could damage some componentry. What those components are exactly, I have no idea. In light of this, what are your thoughts?

      • Rowbi Expert Line 6 User
        Rowbi
        7,745 posts since
        Nov 25, 2006
        Currently Being Moderated
        Jan 5, 2012 2:54 AM (in response to Christafa)
        Re: Best Amp / PA for HD500?

        Christafa wrote:

         

        Rowbi, I see you suggested the Sennheiser HD280Pro Cans for the HD500. I did some research and they look like 64 ohms, although I read in another thread (http://line6.com/support/thread/77311) that you really shouldn't go under 150 ohms as it could damage some componentry. What those components are exactly, I have no idea. In light of this, what are your thoughts?

        I have actually asked for clarification on that 150-600ohm range, as if you look out there most studio cans are under 150ohms.  there are some Sennheiser HD280Pro's in a 300ohm version, but they're not as easy to get hold of as the 64ohm versions.  BUT Line 6 has confirmed previously that the 150-600ohm range is accurate.

         

        that said it seems cans with 60ohms or more seem ok, it's when you start getting to below 40 that people report audio problems like hearing a hum all the time or the audio quality being affected... DJ headphones usually have under 30ohms so you should stay well away from them.

         

        there is a post on this forum where even one of the LIne 6 tech's says you should stay between 150 and 600 ohms, but then suggests using Sennheiser HD280Pros, with a link to the 64ohm versions...  quite a few users seem to like them, and I have never noticed any hum or audio issues, so they seem like a solid option and they work which is why I suggested them. 

         

        But it's your choice in the end.

         

        Rowbi

    • defected07 Just Startin'
      defected07
      11 posts since
      Dec 22, 2011
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jan 5, 2012 9:20 AM (in response to Rowbi)
      Re: Best Amp / PA for HD500?

      How do you compare those to the Mackie MR5mk2s? I guess, the 5" Rokits instead of the 6" since they'd have more similar specs. I picked up the Mackies since they were suggested at GC as being more flat than the Rokits, which would be more bass heavy.

       

      I think they sound great when connected direct to the HD500, but wondering if the Rokits would be a better fit (also, they were out of the 5" Rokits at GC, or else I probably would have jumped on them per a few friends' suggestions.)

       

      Same price range, so I'd imagine these monitors are similar in both build and sound quality, correct?

  • Krontab Just Startin'
    Krontab
    201 posts since
    Mar 15, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    Dec 28, 2011 2:09 PM (in response to spencer122188)
    Re: Best Amp / PA for HD500?

    If stereo effects are not so important I would suggest a Keyboard amplifier. They tend to have a flat responce that will set in nicely with the modeled environment. Also they are pretty road worthy. Roland has a 65W thats nice on the budget. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/KC150?utm_source=CSE&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=none&utm_term=KC150&SID=0&zmam=89202644&zmas=1&zmac=1&zmap=KC150

  • mdmayfield Just Startin'
    mdmayfield
    353 posts since
    Feb 24, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Dec 28, 2011 3:05 PM (in response to spencer122188)
    Re: Best Amp / PA for HD500?

    If you're sure you won't play out, I'd also recommend a pair of the inexpensive KRK lines. You might even find the older RP8 series 1 used for a bargain. I used to own a pair of the original RP5s and was very happy with them before moving to Yamaha HS80Ms. With studio monitors, you can also use them for recording and mixing.

     

    BUT... they are not well suited for live use. Studio monitors are much more likely to give out if you try to compete with a drum set. If you think you might ever play live, I recommend a powered PA speaker like the QSC K8. I've used the K8 as my only live guitar amplification with a Pod and can easily get it louder than I'd ever need. Of course, the Pod means you can also plug directly into the PA.

     

    I have also owned both the Roland KC150 and KC500, and Krontab, I'm sorry but my experience leads me to disagree with your recommendation. I would only recommend them if you get an truly once-in-a-lifetime deal. The 150 gives out at anything approaching gig volume (and my band's drummer was very quiet) - it clips noticeably and won't go loud enough. So it would be more expensive, but no better than, a Rokkit RP5; and the 500/550, while powerful, weighs 70 pounds and is really unwieldy. The QSC K8 actually gets louder than the Roland KC500, is around half the size, less than half the weight... and only $50 more.

  • spencer122188 Just Startin'
    spencer122188
    9 posts since
    Oct 28, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Dec 28, 2011 5:35 PM (in response to spencer122188)
    Re: Best Amp / PA for HD500?

    Again thanks for all of the input guys. I've been spending most of today lookin in to all of these options and some others and I'm getting a much clearer picture of what I want now. As it stands at the moment, I'm fairly certain I will be getting a rokit g2, just not sure which yet. Since my last post I have been debating what was suggested in the original reply (1x8" or 2x6"). I have no kind of flipped to the other side and decided it would be pretty nice to have some stereo going, but my concern is loosing some depth of the bass for tones such as Adam Jones'. Question that you guys might be able to help out with this:

     

    Anyone else have experience with the rokit g2 6" monitors that can confirm that the bass is still very present? I like having a really thick tone and from what I am gathering I can still achieve this with the 2 6" monitors, but it will obviously not be as bassy as a single 8". So -- knowing that -- if you were in my shoes would you be springing for the stereo 6's or the mono 8?

    • Rowbi Expert Line 6 User
      Rowbi
      7,745 posts since
      Nov 25, 2006
      Currently Being Moderated
      Dec 29, 2011 12:19 AM (in response to spencer122188)
      Re: Best Amp / PA for HD500?

      spencer122188 wrote:

       

      Again thanks for all of the input guys. I've been spending most of today lookin in to all of these options and some others and I'm getting a much clearer picture of what I want now. As it stands at the moment, I'm fairly certain I will be getting a rokit g2, just not sure which yet. Since my last post I have been debating what was suggested in the original reply (1x8" or 2x6"). I have no kind of flipped to the other side and decided it would be pretty nice to have some stereo going, but my concern is loosing some depth of the bass for tones such as Adam Jones'. Question that you guys might be able to help out with this:

       

      Anyone else have experience with the rokit g2 6" monitors that can confirm that the bass is still very present? I like having a really thick tone and from what I am gathering I can still achieve this with the 2 6" monitors, but it will obviously not be as bassy as a single 8". So -- knowing that -- if you were in my shoes would you be springing for the stereo 6's or the mono 8?

      the dual 6's will give you likely just as much bass as the single 8, or maybe more.  the pair of 8's I have can go to silly loud volumes, and make the whole room shake with bass well before they're up anywhere near max volume... a pair of 6's will easily compare to a single 8... the difference would be if you were comparing a pair of 6's to a pair of 8's...

      I think Nick and Karl (2 of the other experts) both have KRKs, and I'm thinking one of them has 5's and the other 6's... they both like them as far as I remember...

       

      in your shoes I'd get a pair of 6's, I'm sure you will find they are very capable of producing some good thick bass just as you require.

       

      Cheers

       

      Rowbi

  • Captain_Sensible Just Startin'
    Captain_Sensible
    81 posts since
    Dec 11, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Dec 28, 2011 7:31 PM (in response to spencer122188)
    Re: Best Amp / PA for HD500?

    You can get two Rokit 6 monitors on Hellomusic.com right now for $300.

    • spencer122188 Just Startin'
      spencer122188
      9 posts since
      Oct 28, 2010
      Currently Being Moderated
      Dec 29, 2011 12:36 AM (in response to Captain_Sensible)
      Re: Best Amp / PA for HD500?

      Man that looks like an awesome deal. Only reason I haven't ordered them from there yet is the whole "If it seems to good to be true - it probably is."

       

      Can anyone confirm that hellomusic.com is a legitimate website? I searched google for website reviews but couldn't really find anything helpful. I just don't understand how they can offer prices like that as their only source of business (daily deals). Seems a little fishy... any comments?

       

      I might be shooting myself in the foot here (because it is a DAILY deal...) but I think I'm going to hold off on this until someone can confirm that they've successfully used this website to order some gear. That being said, if you're reading this and have any info on it a prompt reply would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

  • Krontab Just Startin'
    Krontab
    201 posts since
    Mar 15, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    Dec 29, 2011 4:31 AM (in response to spencer122188)
    Re: Best Amp / PA for HD500?

    This thread got me a bit curious so I started hooking my HD500 up to various amps in my environment. I tested using the following:

     

    1. A Yahmaha Reciever with B&W Bookshelf Speakers (Most Expensive $1200+)
    2. A line 6 FlexTone III XL running into the FX return ($250 on ebay)
    3. A line 6 FlexTone III XL running into the guitar input using the Flextone L6 clean model.
    4. Running into my M-Audio BX8a monitors (~$400)
    5. L6 link to a DT25 (~$850 with a coupon at GC)

     

    In the end the DT25 really gave me the most interractive feel. If you are used to a tube power amp this will be the best result as it changes the power section to match the pre. Of the solid state options (1-4) number 1 and 3 had the best results as you could shape the tone with the builtin EQ's of both devices. The issue I had with the solid sate is the it felt like my guitar amp was in a different room and I was hearing it via a microphone plugged into monitors in my room. In comparing it to the Flextone III (POD XT models) on similar amp model settings it had a slightly more interactive feel.

    • Line6Don Line 6 Support
      Line6Don
      5,274 posts since
      Mar 14, 2011
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jan 4, 2012 9:51 AM (in response to Krontab)
      Re: Best Amp / PA for HD500?

      I personally use a pair of the KRK VXT 8's and they sound great with the HD500. They have a silky smooth high end, deep rumble low end, and focused tight mid range. The 8's have plenty of low end for a bed room studio type setup, in fact, I had to use the low end roll off switch on the speakers themselves, becase the low end response is so good on these speakers that my mixes were coming out thin. So I lowered the bass response, and now my mixes sound thick and full. So I think the 6's will work just fine for you.

  • hollis1003 Iknowathingortwo
    hollis1003
    342 posts since
    Feb 6, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jan 4, 2012 11:24 AM (in response to spencer122188)
    Re: Best Amp / PA for HD500?

    Just to add my two cents....

     

    I think stereo monitors are the way to go.  You can run your entire set up through your computer and if you ever get into recording they will be nice to have.

    Looking for a mono solution I would suggest a Tech 21 amp or maybe the Roland Cubes.

    The other suggestions are all very good.  I don't think you'll be very dissappointed with whatever you choose.  Line 6 really made the POD HDs to be versatile.

  • nevla Just Startin'
    nevla
    13 posts since
    Oct 31, 2008
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jan 5, 2012 1:16 AM (in response to spencer122188)
    Re: Best Amp / PA for HD500?

    I used to have a solid state Marshal amp, but i was running a PODxt into the effects return so it was just being used as a big speaker.

    More and more i found that the amp was only useful for rehearsals, and at live gigs it was making everything sound crappy as venues would mic it up.

    Eventually i changed my rig to a DI box, and a Keyboard amp. This meant i could monitor myself on stage, and the engineer could take a signal out of the DI for the PA.

     

    Things got even easier with the POD HD500 i bought a few months ago. I just run the unbalanced out to my keyboard amp for personal monitoring, and run the balanced output to the PA in a live situation.

     

    The keyboard amp i use is just a Laney AH100, i can reccomend it. Nice and simple. Have used this setup for about 3 years now.

    A lot of musicians i talk to, or gig with, slag of Line6 and modelling in general - swearing that the only way to get a good sound is with a proper amp and pedals. I've found it to be the opposite. When i play i want consistancy and controlability

  • spencer122188 Just Startin'
    spencer122188
    9 posts since
    Oct 28, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jan 13, 2012 10:46 PM (in response to spencer122188)
    Re: Best Amp / PA for HD500?

    So just got everything in and set up, so I thought I'd get back to you guys. Thanks for all of the suggestions, I'm pretty confident that the advice I followed here got me the most bang for my buck. I went with a pair of Krk rockit rp6 g2s, and man I love them. I got them bundled with a whole bunch of stuff, which included a pair of pretty nice microphones. I used the money I got from selling my old amp to get a talkbox for the mics, so my setup just went from decent to amazing. Thanks again for all the help guys, here's some pictures of my new setup in case you're interested.

     

    photo (2).JPG

  • lef38 Just Startin'
    lef38
    34 posts since
    Sep 4, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jan 14, 2012 10:01 AM (in response to spencer122188)
    Re: Best Amp / PA for HD500?

    I'm plugging my Pod HD500 into the aux input of my computer's Creative Gigaworks T3 ($180), which is a multi award 2.1 unit and it sounds really great for my personal home use.

    It has stereo, and I can mix it easily with backing tracks coming from my PC.

    And of course I use it all day long for my PC needs.

     

    If you need to play live it wouldn't suit though,  I would suggest a power amp such as:

    TECH 21 POWER ENGINE 60 1X12

More Like This

  • Retrieving data ...

Incoming Links

Bookmarked By (1)

Legend

  • Correct Answers - 5 points
  • Helpful Answers - 3 points