KSR vs ENGL

[CJ7]

Hey all, I had my mind completely set for some time on getting the KSR Orion as my first tube amp, but I'm on an Engl kick. Engl patches have always been a favorite of mine in my modelers. I love the Engl characteristics from the Fireball and Savage, that snarl, to me it sounds like it's in the highs or high mids.

My question is, I love what the Orion offers, but can it be dialed to have that Engl snarl? I'm itching to pick up an Ironball and am not sure if getting both would be worth it.

Does anyone have both the Orion and some Engl's (Fireball or Ironball, specifically)? Can they dial similarly?

 

[PiggySmallz]

No experience playing an Engl but I own a KSR Orion and it sounds pretty massive for a 40 watt head. If you're looking at the orion vs the 20 watt iron ball, I highly recommend the Orion as it has some great features and is relatively easy to dial in for a variety of tones. It punches pretty hard as well for a "smaller" head.

 

[LP Freak]

Build quality easily goes to the KSR

 

[napalmdeath]

Only an Engl sounds like an Engl.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

Only an Engl sounds like an Engl.

That is too bad. The engl build quality and tech nightmare stories always kept me at arms length, but I have heard them in person and they sound great

 

[DanTravis62]

That is too bad. The engl build quality and tech nightmare stories always kept me at arms length, but I have heard them in person and they sound great

That's one of those situations where both things are true; ENGLs both sound great, and they also have horrific customer service and questionable build quality. Especially for the prices they cost.

KSR isn't the same sound, but they are very good and have excellent build quality.

Honestly they are different enough amps and brands where there isn't a ton of overlap. KSR is much more modern and ENGL is much more marshally

 

[napalmdeath]

That is too bad. The engl build quality and tech nightmare stories always kept me at arms length, but I have heard them in person and they sound great

Yeah, they're ugly inside, but I've never had any reliability issues. I've owned several, and currently have a Fireball 25 KT77 version. They're expensive in the U.S., but it's all the import tax B.S.

 

[DanTravis62]

Yeah, they're ugly inside, but I've never had any reliability issues. I've owned several, and currently have a Fireball 25 KT77 version. They're expensive in the U.S., but it's all the import tax B.S.

I've had an Artist with no issues for a while now

But I have had multiple fireball 60s and 100s that had issues

They are fantastic sounding amps, its just one of those things where you pray they don't go wrong

 

[Techdeth]

I've had an Artist with no issues for a while now

But I have had multiple fireball 60s and 100s that had issues

They are fantastic sounding amps, its just one of those things where you pray they don't go wrong

My best up powerball 1 still going . Thanks to jackbooted . It’s so great for like modern death still . Then blend it with a way better amp and it’s even better . It’s my underneath the main tone amp

 

[DanTravis62]

My best up powerball 1 still going . Thanks to jackbooted . It’s so great for like modern death still . Then blend it with a way better amp and it’s even better . It’s my underneath the main tone amp

The powerball can work really well as a main tone too, Kai Hansen's tone on "Powerplant" and that era is sick af

 

[Techdeth]

The powerball can work really well as a main tone too, Kai Hansen's tone on "Powerplant" and that era is sick af

Show me a link bro

 

[glpg80]

Honestly, go Engl if that’s your dig. KSR has better build quality but what’s the point if it’s not your tone you love.

 

[DanTravis62]

Show me a link bro

You haven't heard Gamma Ray?



His gear is well known, he's been using the powerball II since it came out, but used the powerball I before that, and even ENGL modded marshalls in the helloween days

https://equipboard.com/pros/kai-hansen

 

[Rottweiler]

I should've ate hotdogs for a few months and bought that Engl artist KT77. I am really trying to not buy new gear.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Engl vs KSR are two completely different sounds and feels. Engle is much sharper, faster attack, stiffer and more processed sounding. KSR is thicker with a rounder attack. Build quality is much better on KSR. The Orion is a great sounding amp and comes off much bigger than its lunchbox stature would indicate. Its a sharper attack with more upper mid grind as far as KSR goes but still not as tight, fast and sharp as an Engl. Original Savage 120 and FB100 were my fav Engls. AE and Blackmore I didn't care for. The build quality on Engl is highly disappointing and a very strange layout inside but that said I've owned a bunch and never had an issue but I never gigged them and longest I kept one around was maybe two years.

 

[LPMojoGL]

Had an Engl Ironball. Killer sounding amp, with cool features. Build quality was no good. It developed issues, and all of the others at GC were the same.

Played a friend's KSR Orion. Lots of great sounds packed into that little box. More versatile than the Engl Ironball.

For the same price, and even a few hundred $ more, Orion.

 

[CJ7]

Honestly, go Engl if that’s your dig. KSR has better build quality but what’s the point if it’s not your tone you love.

I like the Orion clips I've heard, too. There's just not as many clips showing the type of tone and playing I'm most interested in.

The build quality thing has me a bit apprehensive, though. I'd not heard about that before.

 

[CJ7]

Engl vs KSR are two completely different sounds and feels. Engle is much sharper, faster attack, stiffer and more processed sounding. KSR is thicker with a rounder attack. Build quality is much better on KSR. The Orion is a great sounding amp and comes off much bigger than its lunchbox stature would indicate. Its a sharper attack with more upper mid grind as far as KSR goes but still not as tight, fast and sharp as an Engl. Original Savage 120 and FB100 were my fav Engls. AE and Blackmore I didn't care for. The build quality on Engl is highly disappointing and a very strange layout inside but that said I've owned a bunch and never had an issue but I never gigged them and longest I kept one around was maybe two years.

I love the Savage. I'm a big fan on Necrophagist and Muenzner era Obscura, as well as Fountainhead and Muenzner's solo work and work with other bands. A lot of the death metal I "grew up" on was Engl.

KSR is only a few hours away from me, and I love supporting local, so I may get the Orion, but maybe down the line.

I appreciate everyone's input, especially about the quality issues. I can't work on an amp myself, so that's a big negative towards the Engl.

 

[DanTravis62]

I should've ate hotdogs for a few months and bought that Engl artist KT77. I am really trying to not buy new gear.

I totally get the engl savage and powerball for the more processed modern sounding thing, but for my tastes, the artist (along with the blackmore and a few others with similar topology) is the best sounding engl and it isn't particularly close

It's got a way sharper, more focused midrange with way more "kerrang" than any of their normal line of amps, and it completely out punches most other amps in its price range... which I suspect the build quality is the reason why lol

I've used it in all the last few recordings for my punk band and it's sounded great.



Fingers crossed, I haven't had any problems with mine. I've gigged and done a couple mini tours so far and have had zero issues. It's been rock solid.

 

[CJ7]

Had an Engl Ironball. Killer sounding amp, with cool features. Build quality was no good. It developed issues, and all of the others at GC were the same.

Played a friend's KSR Orion. Lots of great sounds packed into that little box. More versatile than the Engl Ironball.

For the same price, and even a few hundred $ more, Orion.

What kind if issues? I don't gig, I don't take my gear out of my office. An amp will sit on my desk and and go direct into a Captor X+ to my AI. I don't even own a cab, so this thing will just chill on my desk, whichever route I go.