I have been using the Firehawk FX for about two months now and wanted to share my feedback on it. Overall I am happy with the product, here are the good and the improvement opportunities:
1. The Good:
- Overall good product, work as advertised.
- The phone remote control is very convenient and also faster than direct editing on the pedal controls, even compared with other units (previously had an Pod XT Live).
- I like the sound. Many alternatives with good quality, not in par with the top of modelling (Bias FX, etc.), but good anyway.
- The build quality seems very good, as always on Line 6 products.
2. The Improvement Opportunities:
- Modelling limitations. I read the firehawk has the same DSP than the HD 500X, so I can not understand the why of the limitations. Only three blocks for effects. The fixed compressor and EQ blocks seem like a waste when I am not using them. Why not include the fixed compressor, EQ and reverb as effects and then we would have six effects blocks available. Just for the sake of versatility. Also there is no dual amps and paths. I know the hardware is capable.
- PC control app. I know the usual responses in this forum like "but doesn't it work as advertised?" or "there are those who see the glass half empty...", but really, POD has it, HELIX has ti, so it is what we expect from Line 6 (besides the big label in the box that states MAC and PC besides IOS and ANDROID).
In conclusion, very good product, as always from Line 6, with aspects to improve (which I know most probably won't be done).
P.D.: About the not-so-good aspects, I know they have been already stated elsewhere, just wanted to add that it all looks more like marketing decisions aimed to create product stratification, than say actual technical limitations. This is not bad per se, but I think it undermines the company image, specially for the loyal user base out there, who have got a different picture. Maybe next time they will prefer a product designed by engineers and musicians and not by salesman.
