Dependability - Kemper | Dependability - AxeFx?

[amiller]

I'm not trying to start a war here. I'm going to get one of these units and dependability is a big part of the decision making process.

I like both of these units and was leaning a bit more toward the Kemper. I signed on to the Kemper website and checked out the the user forum, specifically the "Problem and Trouble Shooting" subforum. There are 20 pages of 20 threads on each page. That seems like a whole lot of problems to me. I haven't checked out the AxeFx forum yet but I plan to do that today.

So, what is your experience with the dependability of these two units?

 

[Audioholic]

I'm not trying to start a war here. I'm going to get one of these units and dependability is a big part of the decision making process.

I like both of these units and was leaning a bit more toward the Kemper. I signed on to the Kemper website and checked out the the user forum, specifically the "Problem and Trouble Shooting" subforum. There are 20 pages of 20 threads on each page. That seems like a whole lot of problems to me. I haven't checked out the AxeFx forum yet but I plan to do that today.

So, what is your experience with the dependability of these two units?

Have had my kemper for months now and it has never failed me.

 

[amiller]

I'm not trying to start a war here. I'm going to get one of these units and dependability is a big part of the decision making process.

I like both of these units and was leaning a bit more toward the Kemper. I signed on to the Kemper website and checked out the the user forum, specifically the "Problem and Trouble Shooting" subforum. There are 20 pages of 20 threads on each page. That seems like a whole lot of problems to me. I haven't checked out the AxeFx forum yet but I plan to do that today.

So, what is your experience with the dependability of these two units?

Have had my kemper for months now and it has never failed me.

That's great to hear. I few guys on the Kemper site have not had the same experience. They also mention that if there's a problem the unit has to be sent back to Germany...4-5 week turnaround. I'm don't know about the Axe Fx.

 

[redrol]

Keep in mind ALL the people with problems post there. Being a new product and all..
The Kemper is very well built.. much much better so than the Axe. Having said that these are computers and they are reliant on good software to run. I got mine with a pre-release version firmware which had corrupted settings. One firmware wipe later, I was all good and have been so for the last 8 months. It does have a 2 year warranty and I bought through Sweetwater.. so I am not worried in the least.

They also mention that if there's a problem the unit has to be sent back to Germany...4-5 week turnaround. I'm don't know about the Axe Fx.

If you buy from an American store like Sweetwater you will not have to wait at all for RMA. I have heard less than a week.

 

[Audioholic]

I'm not trying to start a war here. I'm going to get one of these units and dependability is a big part of the decision making process.

I like both of these units and was leaning a bit more toward the Kemper. I signed on to the Kemper website and checked out the the user forum, specifically the "Problem and Trouble Shooting" subforum. There are 20 pages of 20 threads on each page. That seems like a whole lot of problems to me. I haven't checked out the AxeFx forum yet but I plan to do that today.

So, what is your experience with the dependability of these two units?

Have had my kemper for months now and it has never failed me.

That's great to hear. I few guys on the Kemper site have not had the same experience. They also mention that if there's a problem the unit has to be sent back to Germany...4-5 week turnaround. I'm don't know about the Axe Fx.

Yeah you are gonna run into problems with any unit from time to time, and visiting a site you will about lots of problems as its the place to bring it up best. I had problems with my Axe FX, doesn't mean anything, just things happen with most stuff, issues arise. To be honest, Lately I have been having issues with most gear purchases for some reason, studio monitors, amps, ugh.

Depending on what problems people are having, sometimes its completely user fault, sometimes just something is wrong with the unit, and sometimes its def an issue universally. As far as sending back to Germany, nah, most places in the US have a return policy if something is amiss. For instance if something was wrong with mine, I would of just sent back to sweetwater for another one ya know...

There were lots of bugs in the kemper software upon initial release, and there is still stuff being ironed out, but for me and most it has been a non issue. I still have issues with a mature software company like pro tools from time to time. I think both companies will support their product, and as long as you buy from a reputable place, you shouldn't worry really. With latest OS, Kemper has been great, and even in the beginning it was all minor stuff that never slowed me down.

Kemper and team has a loooong and well respected history as far as builders and manufactures, they are not new to the scene. You should be good and covered with either. Both are killer options to have in the studio for sure!!! IF I was playing live, I am not sure what unit I would go for, but there are people enjoying both in that scenario

 

[amiller]

Keep in mind ALL the people with problems post there. Being a new product and all..
The Kemper is very well built.. much much better so than the Axe. Having said that these are computers and they are reliant on good software to run. I got mine with a pre-release version firmware which had corrupted settings. One firmware wipe later, I was all good and have been so for the last 8 months. It does have a 2 year warranty and I bought through Sweetwater.. so I am not worried in the least.

They also mention that if there's a problem the unit has to be sent back to Germany...4-5 week turnaround. I'm don't know about the Axe Fx.

If you buy from an American store like Sweetwater you will not have to wait at all for RMA. I have heard less than a week.

Again, this is GREATto hear! Among the issues I read about where failing LEDs, firmware updates, corrupt files and NOT-booting issues.

Yes, I take your point that ALL the folks with Kemper promblems post there.

I deal with Sweetwater all the time and really like them. I do see that Sweetwater is charging about $100 more than most.

 

[Juggernaut]

Have had my Kemper for months as well, not so much as even a sneeze from it, performs flawlessly.

Bought mine new from Brad.

 

[Audioholic]

Yeah sweetwater is usually not tr cheapest. I have like a decade experience dealing wth them and don't always buy from them but do often. As when I have had problems it was handled well and for that reason I keep coming back. Like recently I bought a b stock amp. It arrived with issues. I got a bran new one as a replacement and didnt have to pay more (like a 300 plus discount). So it's for stuff like that why sometimes I don't mind paying a little more for a place with good support team

Had brad been a dealer when I got mine I probably would of bought from him

All issues I have had have been very minor software hangups in tr beggining and that has been awhile since running into any glitches. Sometimes the issues being posted about if you follow the threads often are resolved

Can't guarantee you won't have any issues with either but I don't think Kemper is a shaky purchase


All the best with whatever you go with!!

 

[amiller]

Have had my Kemper for months as well, not so much as even a sneeze from it, performs flawlessly.

Bought mine new from Brad.

And my G.A.S is growing by the minute.

 

[bonedarrell]

I have an Axe II and have had no issues. I hear the Kemper is very reliable as well. It does seem that since the Axe will most likely live in a rack, (shock mount makes this more relative) that it stands less of a chance of getting banged around.....just my .02

 

[amiller]

I have an Axe II and have had no issues. I hear the Kemper is very reliable as well. It does seem that since the Axe will most likely live in a rack, (shock mount makes this more relative) that it stands less of a chance of getting banged around.....just my .02

I plan on using which ever unit I get as strickly studio gear. It will find a spot in my studio and be pretty much a permanet fixture there...no moving around.

 

[zentman]

Keep in mind ALL the people with problems post there. Being a new product and all..
The Kemper is very well built.. much much better so than the Axe.

Could you please provide evidence to support that statement?

 

[redrol]

Just measure the thickness of the metal casing. Its quite easy to see which unit is better built. But of course if you actually read the rest of my statement I said that the software matters more.

Oh and there is this youtube dude:

"Very high quality German made amp"

Have a look and decide for yourself.

 

[zentman]

Just measure the thickness of the metal casing. Its quite easy to see which unit is better built. But of course if you actually read the rest of my statement I said that the software matters more.

Oh and there is this youtube dude:
"Very high quality German made amp"

Have a look and decide for yourself.

Yes, of course the thickness of the metal casing. Never mind the caps, components, processors, pcb board etc....it's the thickness of the metal casing. Maybe line six could put the POD HD series in a three inch thick steel case then they would have the best made device EVAR!


PS a huge bwhahahahahahahaha for the Tony dude vid. LMFAO. I'll never forget his "There's two processors in here, it's just a marketing gimmick"....yep, real engineer there.

 

[zentman]

Back to reality now....the real answer is neither company is gonna publish their unit failure rate so buy whichever you think you like for your purposes.

They both have warranties and they will fix it if it breaks. Ta da /thread.

 

[redrol]

Just measure the thickness of the metal casing. Its quite easy to see which unit is better built. But of course if you actually read the rest of my statement I said that the software matters more.

Oh and there is this youtube dude:
"Very high quality German made amp"

Have a look and decide for yourself.

Yes, of course the thickness of the metal casing. Never mind the caps, components, processors, pcb board etc....it's the thickness of the metal casing. Maybe line six could put the POD HD series in a three inch thick steel case then they would have the best made device EVAR!


PS a huge bwhahahahahahahaha for the Tony dude vid. LMFAO. I'll never forget his "There's two processors in here, it's just a marketing gimmick"....yep, real engineer there.

He provided 100x the information you do.

I sense a butthurt AxeFX fanboy.

The Kemper is still built better.

 

[zentman]

He provided 100x the information you do.

I am a butthurt Kemper fanboy.

The Kemper is still built better.

Misinformation is not really information but kid, if it makes ya happy, think and post whatever ya want. Hope that makes ya feel better.


I corrected your post for you. No charge.




Note to normal readers: They are both built pretty damn well and use quality components.

 

[redrol]

There was a lot more information in that video you chose not to talk about. I have no clue what you hope to achieve by ignoring it.

 

[zentman]

There was a lot more information in that video you chose not to talk about. I have no clue what you hope to achieve by ignoring it.

Dude seriously, I have seen that vid. He's right, the Kemper is well built. He is an idiot but he's right here. That doesn't make your point at all though that it is built much much better built than the Axe. The Axe is built very well and works for hundreds of pros daily. So does the Kemper. Either one will work for a performing or recording pro.

You like your Kemper and that's fine but if other things are built well it won't hurt you, let go of the fanboy in you and explore reality from time to time. It's ok.

 

[rokker]

Guys...Zent is a big Axe FX2 fan and why not...it does sound pretty nice.
He's pretty much on every forum looking for any opportunity to defend/argue that the Axe-FX is the best.
Just calling it as it is. Now he's moved into RT to defend the Axe-FX, which he's entitled to do, just gets a bit tired.