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I know others have compared the 500 & 500X in side by side comparisons when the 500X appeared on the scene, but I don't recall anyone mentioning what I've observed, so far.... I used my 500 for a couple of years after moving up the models from the XTL to the X3L, then the HD500, and was very comfortable with it, but having experienced a failure of the XTL at a gig, had in the back of mind, I'd need a backup in such a case with the 500. At that time is when the 500X came out, and I opted for it, seeing as it was the latest in the line and the same patches were useable in both. I like the new switches, but never had any issues with the old. I did not usually run up against the DSP limits on the 500, so that was not a huge factor. I transferred the patches from the 500 to the 500X and went from there, and as usual, with continued tweaking of sounds, and going from a mid-heavy guitar speaker to a more full range speaker to address some tonal issues with the acoustics of the JTV's again, the settings as I had them "drifted" apart over time. Recently before the latest firmware updates, I figured I would take my now current patches in the 500X and synch them back into the 500, so I could have an exact duplicate setup in my 500. I noticed that the 500X compared to the 500 was fuller with more "body" -- hard to define, exactly, but more bottom end with the same JTV, same Studio output, same Crown XLS1000 power amp, and same full range speaker, and same patches. The 500 sounds a bit more "trebly" than the 500X. I tried the acoustic patches, and they were about the same between the 500 & 500X, but the patches with amps seemed to sound different. I messed with different output modes, and found the closest I got was with the 500 set to Combo Power Amp In, but the distortions seemed "raspier" with this setting, but it was the best I could do. I considered maybe I should re-install the FW version, thinking something might be afoot there, but by that time the latest batch of FW was out, so I save my Set Lists and updated the 500 & 500X and my 2 JTV's to the latest with the ability to use HD Worbench with the HD500(X) and Link revisions, etc., did the updates to both. I reloaded my Set Lists, and did the global resets and pedal calibrations, but the tonality differences were the same between the 500 & 500X. Has anybody else noticed this? To preserve the use of Studio out, will I need to tweak the bass levels up on all my amped models for the backup 500 unit? Any ideas are welcomed. Thanks, Dave

Hey all, I'm about to make the transition to the HD series. Been a XT Live owner for many years and I think it's time to upgrade. I've been lurking the forums for a long time and read countless threads on the usual 500/500x comparisons, but I can't make up my mind yet. So, if possible, I'd like your opinion on this: I'm on a really tight budget (what with the crisis and all) and I can find a used POD HD 500 for around 250€ here in Greece. The 500x sells for ~500€ (new). Being an active musician, playing in 3 bands - all gigging regularly, should I go for the used one or is the 500x really "worth" double the money and the wait to get that kind of cash? I know the worthiness is subjective, but in an actual live situation when you'll probably won't be able to chain a bunch of weird FXs and dual amps, is the extra DSP power, the slightly upgraded footswitches and brighter LED screen, a deal breaker?

I feel like this used to be an option... maybe on the X3L, M13, or I'm confusing it with the Boss GT-10, etc. Is there an option to select where you can just hit a FS and however long you hold it the effect is active? This is great for delays, over the top modulation, fast fuzz outs, that kind of thing. I search the forum and don't see much talk about it. Thanks in advance for reading.