Anyone using the Kemper powered kabinet ?

melod · August 2023

I am considering the Kemper stage + powered kabinet but was wondering what experience people here have with the latter.

the alternative would be a power amp to my 12” speaker (which hitch can double on a different pedalboard based rig I guess).

thank you

Dan_Halen · August 2023

I borrowed one off a mate and messed around with it with my Stage for a bit. It was really good and would buy it from him should he sell it.

For stuff that would normally roar through a 4x12 it sounded like a good monitor. The sound was great but, naturally, isn’t a substitute in the room for the real thing.

However, for stuff that would normally go through a similar 1x12 like a Princeton or Tweedy thing it was fantastic. It really did sound like the amp you were using a profile of in the room.

I guess that’s kind of expected - ask it to replace something similar in the room like a deluxe reverb and it’s bloody close. Ask it to replace some sort of stack and it’s obviously not going to get as close… although still sounded more convincing that the Yamaha monitor I used to use.

He said it struggles a bit with the band which surprised me as it seemed to have loads of volume. Although wouldn’t be an issue on a small band or at home.

melod · August 2023

Thank you for the info. It really helps.

I am trying to decide between Kemper and QC but I do like the fact Kemper have solutions (like the powered kabinet ) on how to actually output their profilers sound.

With any other modeller I need to figure out power amps/speakers etc. Still on the fence, though, between the two.

Dan_Halen · August 2023

Some of the guys on here use a power amp like the Seymour Duncan Powerstage (which fits on a pedal board) then a regular guitar cab which, by all accounts, gets you basically there with regards to making it sounds like a real amp. Intent to give it a go myself at some point in the near future.

grappagreen · August 2023

I've used a Kemper Powered Cab for the last three years with my Stage.

It's brill, sounds like a cab on stage and I've had no desire to change to anything else.

If you're anywhere near Hertfordshire then happy for you to have a go..

Si

nero1701 · August 2023

I have a kemper with a 1u power amp and a pair of Kemper Kones in a Zilla 2x12

The speaker imprints are very good and its allowing me to go ampless

allen · August 2023

If you are choosing between the QC and the Kemper they are different in more ways than one.

Here's my top of head evaluation in no particular order:

QC
- immature product with fairly limited range of effects/models (compared to the competition)
- fantastic user interface, my creativity and pace has increased a huge amount with it v the kemper
- can profile drive pedals and run multi-amps (kemper can't)
- models are very usable and easy to set up (best of both worlds of capture and modelling?)
- development has been slower than promised
- can run multiple instruments simultaneously with independent effects path

Kemper
- physical knobs (generally a positive thing)
- lots of buttons and menus to remember (positive and negative)
- a lot of i/o (but QC is almost as good)
- mature ecosystem of profiles and hardware
- very tweakable profiles and effects
- no 'models'
- computer editor (but I would say you don't really need one on the QC unless it lives permanently on the floor)
- iphone/ipad editor (not even scheduled on the QC yet)
- setting it up for gigs/setlists can be a bit tricky (super easy on the QC)

I'm not sure of the summary, but I have to say I really like the QC a lot. It's so easy to think of a sound and then set it up in one minute. The whole thing depends on what is important to you.

Probably a bunch of other pros/cons that I can't think of right now. Good luck!

nero1701 · August 2023

I'd add

Kemper IEC Mains cable

QC 12v Dc power brick

melod · August 2023

allen said:

If you are choosing between the QC and the Kemper they are different in more ways than one.

Here's my top of head evaluation in no particular order:

QC
- immature product with fairly limited range of effects/models (compared to the competition)
- fantastic user interface, my creativity and pace has increased a huge amount with it v the kemper
- can profile drive pedals and run multi-amps (kemper can't)
- models are very usable and easy to set up (best of both worlds of capture and modelling?)
- development has been slower than promised
- can run multiple instruments simultaneously with independent effects path

Kemper
- physical knobs (generally a positive thing)
- lots of buttons and menus to remember (positive and negative)
- a lot of i/o (but QC is almost as good)
- mature ecosystem of profiles and hardware
- very tweakable profiles and effects
- no 'models'
- computer editor (but I would say you don't really need one on the QC unless it lives permanently on the floor)
- iphone/ipad editor (not even scheduled on the QC yet)
- setting it up for gigs/setlists can be a bit tricky (super easy on the QC)

I'm not sure of the summary, but I have to say I really like the QC a lot. It's so easy to think of a sound and then set it up in one minute. The whole thing depends on what is important to you.

Probably a bunch of other pros/cons that I can't think of right now. Good luck!

This is really useful.

for me, form factor is important as well as the fact the QC could double up as audio interface.

I am much more keen on the Kemper ecosystem, though, and I feel that deep inside I just want Kemper to refresh their product and go with that . However, it seems that will happen when you least expect it.

Are there big differences in terms of feel?

p.s. had the Hx stomp shortly and disliked it , although it is an extremely useful tool.

susbemol · August 2023

nero1701 said:

I'd add

Kemper IEC Mains cable

QC 12v Dc power brick

The Kemper also had proper SPDIF and related routing options. It may not mean much for many but it's a big plus for anyone with an established studio.

Also recently introduced by the latest Kemper update is the ability to use it as a USB audio interface.

nero1701 · August 2023

A really useful feature would be a few 9v out sockets for pedals in the effects loop. (Tc electronics g system does this)

equalsql · August 2023

Laney do a powered full range cabinet for considerably less money than the Kemper and from what I've read online it seems to be highly regarded. It's certainly used by a fair few Kemper owners.

nero1701 · August 2023

equalsql said:

Laney do a powered full range cabinet for considerably less money than the Kemper and from what I've read online it seems to be highly regarded. It's certainly used by a fair few Kemper owners.

I've owned one, I returned it to thonman, I found it sounded very artificial.

Nerine · August 2023

nero1701 said:

equalsql said:

Laney do a powered full range cabinet for considerably less money than the Kemper and from what I've read online it seems to be highly regarded. It's certainly used by a fair few Kemper owners.

I've owned one, I returned it to thonman, I found it sounded very artificial.

These the ones that Guthrie is now using live?

jw_H-535 · August 2023

Stage and Powered Kab has been my rig for when I can’t use IEM’s since the Powered Kab came out. The speaker sims work really well, it’s very responsive in FRFR mode and is well loud enough to keep up with a medium sized band or used as a Stage monitor. If you’re thinking Kemper (And you should be) it’s the best one out there.

Blaendulais · August 2023

I have 2 Kemper Kabs from my stage. Absolutely awesome...

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Anyone using the Kemper powered kabinet ?

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