Blind test: H&K Duotone tube amp 4 x 10 cab vs Kemper 2 x QSC K12
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So after working for 2 weeks with the Kemper on headphones I tried it with a 1 QSC K12 and I liked it very much. I profiled my H&K Duotone and tweaked it in a way that the sound compared as close as possible to the original amp/cab. I came very close on the Kemper to the original sound and after more tweaking I liked the Kemper / QSC more than the H&K. Then I searched for stock profiles and I found some I liked more than the selfmade HK profiles. I played a lot with it and I began to like the Kemper / QSC sound more and more. I’m not saying Kemper / QSC is better than H&K but I like the sound more and I find it more compelling. When saying this I’m talking about clean, crunch and distorted sounds. I borrowed my friend’s K12 and played 2 K12’s at rehearsel / stage level in my studio. 2 K12’s give a lot more pressure and of course the possibility to hear stereo effects. IMHO it blows the H&K out of the water.
My brother Henri is stagemanager in 2 bands I play in. He knows my live guitar sound very well and I asked him to do a blind test. I know he is a very good listener and if he doesn’t like a sound he tells me so. He agreed and he didn’t know what I set up in my studio. He knows the H&K amp sound very well and he is familiar with the QSC K 12 sound. So the set up is:
- H&K duotone 100 watt valve amp head and 4 x 12 cab
- Kemper out (xlr) straight to 2 X QSC K 12
- no effects on Kemper and noisegate off (to hear the noise just like the real amp)
- all sounds volume level equal as possible
- rehearsel / stage level (full size symfonic rock band)
I made a playlist containing 13 sounds (7 times Kemper, 6 times H&K). When switching from one sound to the other I made a lot of noise en faking sounds (switches) so it was not obvious what was happening. This is Henri:
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Blindfolded in the kitchen:
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On the way to my outdoor studio.
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There he was placed in a chair and the test begun.
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I asked Henri to tell me if he thought the sound was Kemper or H&K and to give the sound a rating from 1 (bad) to 10 (the best). Henri had never heard sounds from the Kemper before. The first 5 sounds are clean, then 4 crunch sounds and finally 4 OD sounds. Al sounds played with Fender EC strat, Kinman PU’s. H&K has new tubes (3 months ago).
Behind the number you'll find the settings of the Kemper or H&K that was played. The item "device" is what Henri thought was played.
The results:
1. H&K clean channel (treble 3 ‘o clock):
Comments Henri: a sharp direct sound. Shrill sounding. A lot of punch.
Device: I think Kemper
Rating: 7
2. Kemper selfmade profile H&K duotone, 4x12 cab, clean channel (treble at 9 ‘o clock)
Comments Henri: nice sound, more control, less agressive highs, cleaner sound
Device: I think H&K
Rating: 7,5
3. Kemper Fender '65 de Luxe clean Cactus (stockprofile tweaked for K12’s)
Comments Henri: Nice sound, a lot of pressure/punch
Device: I think H&K
Rating: 8
4. H&K clean channel (treble 9 ‘o clock)
Comments Henri: nice familiar sound, less pressure/punch, frayed highs
Device: I think H&K
Rating: 7,5
5. Kemper Black Visage Basemen gain zero (stockprofile tweaked for K12’s)
Comments Henri: great sound!, genuine, real
Device: Absolute H&K (tubesound!)
Rating: 8
6. Kemper selfmade H&K profile OD channel without boost
Comments Henri: not impressed, reserved/remote sound
Device: Must be Kemper
Rating: 6,5
7. H&K OD channel (no boost)
Comments Henri: more direct, more drive, a lot of irritating background noise
Device: At first Kemper, later changed to H&K
8. Kemper Black Visage Basemen gain zero
Comments Henri: warmer sound, I like it, less direct, dynamic
Device: Kemper
Rating: 8 (7 at first, 8 on second thought)
9. H&K OD channel (no boost)
Comments Henri: nice sound but restless in highs
Device: I think H&K
Rating 7+
Comments Roland: This was the same sound as 7 to see how Henri would judge this the second time.
10. H&K OD channel boost on
Comments Henri: Nice sound for solo playing
Device: I think H&K
Rating: 7,5
11. Kemper JIM3 - JCA20H stockprofile (tweaked for K12)
Comments Henri: beautiful sound, I love this one, don’t change it!!!!
Device: Must be H&K (real tube sound!)
Rating: 9
12. Kemper selfmade H&K OD + boost channel profile
Comments Henri: more pressure/punch and more bass
Device: I think Kemper
Rating: 8
13. H&K OD channel boost on
Comments Henri: sounds good to me
Device: I think H&K
Rating: 8,5
Comments Roland: This was the same sound as 10 to see how Henri would judge this the second time.
Conclusion:
The sounds with highest ratings for clean, crunch and OD are all Kemper while Henri two times (nr 5 and 11 ) thought it was H&K because of the “tubesound”. Furthermore it was difficult for Henri to choose in most casus which was Kemper or H&K…… And keep in mind we’re comparing a real tube amp with Kemper on FRFR speakers and live on stage there will be a mic for the cabinet! I believe this wil do no good to the PA sound. I believe PA sound through Kemper will sound much and much better than H&K miced cabinet!
I was glad Henri confirmed my impressions. Bottom line is that Kemper sounds clean, crunch and OD got the highest ratings in a blind test! After the test we analysed the results and I let Henri hear (and this time see ) what the Kemper possibilities are. I showed him how effective the noisegate is and let him hear a bunch of profiles. He (just like me) was thrilled! Unbelievable. Henri said he was very surprised that these beautiful sounds came from a digital device. Now I could let him hear sounds with stereo delay and clean sounds with stereo airchorus. Awesome! He asked me: So, what are you going to do with the H&K?
Well, I’m going to sell my H&K and buy another K12. And I’m cancelling my order for the Axe2 of course! Henri my friend, thanks a lot for your professional judgement and comments!
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