Anyone know anything about these keyboard amps?

[SKYflyer]

I was thinking about getting this: http://www.behringer.com/K1800FX/index.cfm?lang=ENG when it comes out. On this: http://www.behringer.com/02_products...ang=ENG&cid=US
page, if you scroll down to the keyboard amp section, you can see the prices of this line of amps. Although this website: http://www.bananas.com/productdetail...RATONE-K1800FX claims it will sell the amp for cheaper once it is released. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me! All that amp for only 200 and some dollars!

Anyone know any other info about this to be released line of amps or know when they might be coming out? A while ago, it said they were coming out 3rd quarter 2005, but now it just says "To be announced." Any thoughts, etc?

[warble]

Does sound like a good deal, but I'm not confident that Behringer is known for "road tough" equipment. I remember reading on various places on the Net about the poor quality of their current keyboard amp (KX1200). Can't really say with these as they appear to not be released yet. Looks like they have a full new line of these amps at various wattages.

I did a Google search and didn't come up with any info. I'm anxious to see the schematic - I'm sure it will be "very" similar to another brand of keyboard amp - well, except for one little mod in the circuit

[sajs]

I like having a 15" speaker in my keyboard amps. I just think it gives you that extra punch.

Save your money and buy one of these:
http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i-ROL-KC550.html
I own one and would never replace it.

They sound great and get take a beating. They come with a 3 year parts and labor warranty. When we have to rent gear when we gig out of state, most of all the music rental places use Roland for their keyboard amps. They can take the abuse. You can plug your bass into it as well. Channel 1 has a XLR input for a microphone. I could not believe how good it sounded with a mic.
Just my $.02.

[Atterion]

Don't watse your money on the Behringer.

Buy the KC550 or even a Peavey KB5 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...se_pid/703370/ (or it's predecessor the KB/A-300).

You could probably buy a Roland KC-550 (or it's predecessor the KC-500), or a Peavey KB/A-300 on EBAY, for the same money you'd spend on the Behringer, and still have a more reliable amp (even if they have been to hell and back touring, they'll be better than a new Behringer). Just my opinions though.

[SonicAlbert]

I use a Roland KC-300 and it has been a great amp. the new model is called the KC-350 I think. The KC-500/550 is a monster, it's huge and heavy. If you need an amp to fill big rooms then maybe that's the one to use. But if you need an amp for smaller rooms or monitoring purposes, then the KC-550 is way overkill.

I have a TOA keyboard amp that has a 15" speaker, and there really have been few times I've needed such power. It actually gets in the way if you are using the amp for monitoring only. The big speaker like that needs space for the sound to develop, whereas smaller speakers you can put closer and actually turn down and hear better.

So unless you really need some serious butt-kicking power to fill big halls, the KC-350 would be great, and a lot easier on your back!

I'd totally avoid those Behringer amps.

Barbetta makes some nice keyboard amps as well.

[sajs]

The KC-350 has a 12" speaker with 120 watts and weighs 38 lbs.

The KC550 has a 15" speaker with 180 watts and weighs 69 lbs. but it comes with 4 removable casters.

I tried them both with my Korg keyboard and a digital sound level meter. I set both amps to about 70 db.

Without a doubt the KC550 just sounded better. It had a much more fuller sound then the KC-350. The 350 was thin sounding. The piano sounds on my keyboard sounded like a real grand piano on the KC550. The same was true for all of the Organ sounds and especially the brass and strings.

Moving the 550 around with the casters is a breeze. Just my opinion.

[mikeh]

"Moving the 550 around with the casters is a breeze. Just my opinion." It would appear you don't deal with stairs

I used a Peavey KB300 for a long time and now use a KB30 and simply run a line out - the 30 has less power and only a 12" speaker, but is much easier to haul.

Peavey and Roalnd both have units that are built like tanks and could take almost any amount of abuse, I am not convinced a Behringer would hold up nearly as well.

I am not a Behring basher, I do own some select pieces of rack gear that when left stationary has held up well, but I would not have much confidence in the road worthiness of Behringer.

[apl]

Carvin has some keyboard amps, and a reputation for ruggedness.

[warble]

Originally Posted by mikeh

"Moving the 550 around with the casters is a breeze. Just my opinion." It would appear you don't deal with stairs

That's the truth! Not fun at all on a regular basis.

[sajs]

Your right I don't deal with stairs, I deal with elevators.

[Atterion]

Originally Posted by sajs

Your right I don't deal with stairs, I deal with elevators.

Smart man!!!

Like SonicAlbert suggested, check out the Barbetta amps, which in my opinion are about the best sounding of all the combo amps out there, but they come at a price. $$$

Like apl says, Carvins are built like tanks too. I haven't personally heard Carvin's keyboard range, but there bass amps absolutely F@$&in' ROCK!!!

[MadAudio]

Besides, I hear the smoke that comes out of Behringer amps isn't even magic at all!

[sajs]

Our Bass player uses a Carvin amp. It does rock.

[Atterion]

Originally Posted by MadAudio

Besides, I hear the smoke that comes out of Behringer amps isn't even magic at all!

True... but it is a magical experience to see a Behringer go up in flames. I always enjoy witnessing such events...

[Atterion]

Originally Posted by sajs

Our Bass player uses a Carvin amp. It does rock.

You betcha'!!! My buddy has a Carvin "Bunny Brunel" Signature bass http://www.carvin.com/products/guita...temNumber=BB70 , and a Redline 1000w 4x10/1x15 stack http://www.carvin.com/products/singl...=RL1015&CID=BA .......Oh Yeah.......