Is the HX Effects getting long in the tooth?

[LuniTunes]

Is the HX Effects still worth it in 2026?  It looks like the price has come down, but it’s not that $100 that’s going to haunt me — it’s missing out on what I should have bought instead.  It’s pushing nine years old, doesn’t have Bluetooth, doesn’t have a mobile app, doesn’t have the very enticing selectable input impedance of the HX One… I don’t doubt that the HX Effects is a good product that will provide hours of wholesome fun, but how close are we to a successor?  Can such things be known to mere mortals?

[silverhead]

Not long in the tooth. Just short in the gums.

[mookyshoots]

I would love to see an HX Stadium Effects come out. Would be perfect for my needs.

[silverhead]

How would it be any better for your needs? HX FX = HX Stadium FX, except for the small number of new FX introduced in Stadium. All other FX in Stadium are exactly the same DSP as those in HX FX. Exactly the same modelling technology. Stadium introduces Agoura amps, Showcase, Clones, and who knows what else later on. But none of those would be expected in a Stadium FX device.

 

What exactly would you expect to see in the Stadium FX that is consistent with the concept of the HX FX device vis-a-vis its parent Helix device, and is not already in the HX FX device?

[mookyshoots]

Right, but I'd love to see it as an updated platform with the newer features as well as addressing some of the omissions on the OG HX FX.

[pianoguyy]

As someone who is still using the HD500, and prior to that used the same rig for 25 years....

If your product isn't "keeping up", you are either bought the wrong item or you are using wrong. 

[LuniTunes]

Buying the wrong item is exactly what I’m trying to avoid right now.

[LuniTunes]

After minutes of careful deliberation, I decided that this thread could only get more interesting if I had one of these things.   

 

And so it begins.

[silverhead]

On 10/11/2026 at 3:49 PM, LuniTunes said:

Buying the wrong item is exactly what I’m trying to avoid right now.

Define and understand your requirements. Search the marketplace for a device that currently meets all requirements. Don’t buy something that may (or may not) meet one or more of those requirements sometime in the future. Just because something is older doesn’t mean it doesn’t meet your requirements. Every electronic device eventually fails, so age is a consideration but if it’s working when you buy it, it could continue to work for several years, but don’t expect the manufacturer to keep it up to date with evolving computer OSs.. If you buy it used make sure you have an adequate test/trial period or return policy. Don’t expect infinite product support from the manufacturer. If you buy it used for cash from a stranger in a parking lot with no opportunity to test it … that might work out OK, but it might not. Good luck.

[LuniTunes]

On 10/20/2026 at 11:41 PM, silverhead said:

Define and understand your requirements. Search the marketplace for a device that currently meets all requirements. Don’t buy something that may (or may not) meet one or more of those requirements sometime in the future. Just because something is older doesn’t mean it doesn’t meet your requirements. Every electronic device eventually fails, so age is a consideration but if it’s working when you buy it, it could continue to work for several years, but don’t expect the manufacturer to keep it up to date with evolving computer OSs.. If you buy it used make sure you have an adequate test/trial period or return policy. Don’t expect infinite product support from the manufacturer. If you buy it used for cash from a stranger in a parking lot with no opportunity to test it … that might work out OK, but it might not. Good luck.

 

1.) Define and understand your requirements.

        Effects thingie that can run multiples and has a desktop editor.  Must have MIDI, scribble strips, and lots of buttons, doohickeys, and entire I/O sections that I’ll never use.

 

2.) Search the marketplace for a device that currently meets all requirements.

         Check.

 

3.) Don’t buy something that may (or may not) meet one or more of those requirements sometime in the future.

        Check.  I doubt Line6 will bother to remove the YouTube app in a subsequent firmware update just because they don’t want to patch it to run the latest ad service.

 

4.) Just because something is older doesn’t mean it doesn’t meet your requirements.

         I’ll say!  Sitting out an entire product category for a couple of decades can really yield a makeover in the landscape.

 

5.) Every electronic device eventually fails, so age is a consideration but if it’s working when you buy it, it could continue to work for several years. . .  If you buy it used make sure you have an adequate test/trial period or return policy.

        Buying new from a reputable merchant has its perks.

 

6.) [D]on’t expect the manufacturer to keep it up to date with evolving computer OSs.. . . . Don’t expect infinite product support from the manufacturer.

       I’m preparing myself for the sad day already.

 

7.) If you buy it used for cash from a stranger in a parking lot with no opportunity to test it … that might work out OK, but it might not.

     To make the most of our time together, I’ll ask the guy if he has any Pokemon booster packs while he’s rifling through the trunk of his 1989 Chevy Cavalier to see if he has the power supply.

 

8.) Good luck.

       God save the Queen.