A Note from Mark: Note that I started this list years ago and haven't updated it since January 2009. Some of these amps probably aren't available anymore, and certainly many more good options have surfaced since then. In another year I'll probably take own this page, so if you know of another good list let me know and I'll link to that one instead.
This is all based on my internet research NOT personal experience. I have no direct experience with any of these amps (UPDATE: I now have a Tapco Thump, which is since discontinued). The "General opinion" column is based on searches done at vdrums.com, edrumming.com, and various internet reviews. If you think I'm wrong then tell me!
If you have a comment to add about a particular amp, let me know. If you would like to add an amp to this list please try to include as much of the listed information as possible! Thanks.
| Model | Watts | Woofer | Common price new | Useful for | Other info | General opinion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Behringer kx1200 | 120 | 15 | 120 | Door stop | 4 channels Behringer amps are generally not considered at all reliable and have been known to stop working as soon as the warranty expires. |
Not recommended |
| BEHRINGER B215A | 400 bass/200 highs | 15 | 250 | Door stop | Weak bass at high volumes. Behringer amps are generally not considered at all reliable and have been known to stop working as soon as the warranty expires. |
Not recommended |
| Behringer k3000fx | 300 | 15 | 300 | Door stop | 4 channels Behringer amps are generally not considered at all reliable and have been known to stop working as soon as the warranty expires. |
Not recommended |
| Simmons DA200S | 100 bass/50 mid/50 highs | 12 | 300 | Practice | Made specifically for drums, but the sound is not powerful or clean enough for many live applications. | Not recommended |
| Yamaha MS50DR | 50 | 8 | 300 | Practice | Too weak for the price, not recommended | |
| Tapco Thump TH-15A | 180 bass/60 highs | 15 | 350 | Practice, stage monitor, FOH for small clubs | Made by Mackie (usually a good thing) Good sound |
Recommended |
| Yorkville YX15P | 200 bass/unknown highs wattage | 15 | 350 | Practice, stage monitor, FOH for small clubs | Exceptional warranty Good sound Bass response not as good as some others |
Recommended |
| Alesis Sumo 300 | 300 | 15 | 350 | Built-in effects. Poor sound quality reported. |
Not recommended? | |
| DB Technologies Basic 200 | 240 bass/80 highs | 12 | 350 | Practice, stage monitor | ??? | |
| Peavey PR 12P | 200 bass/70 highs | 12 | 360 | Practice, stage monitor | Get the PR 15P instead | |
| Peavey PR 15P | 200 bass/70 highs | 15 | 400 | Practice, stage monitor, FOH for small clubs | Recommended | |
| Peavey KB 4 | 75 | 15 | 400 | Practice, stage monitor, FOH for small clubs | Decent, but underpowered. Get the PR 15P instead | |
| Carvin LM15A | 300 bass/50 highs | 15 | 440 | Recommended | ||
| DB Technologies Basic 400 | 450 bass/100 highs | 12 | 450 | Practice, stage monitor, FOH for small clubs | Recommended | |
| Crate PSM15P | 300 bass/100 highs | 15 | 460 | Practice, stage monitor, FOH for small clubs | Recommended | |
| Peavey KB 5 | 150 | 10 (x2) | 500 | Practice, stage monitor, FOH for small clubs | Recommended, but also check out the Peavey PR 15P | |
| DB Technologies Opera Live 202 | 150 bass/50 highs | 12 | 500 | Practice, stage monitor | ??? | |
| Mackie SRM350 | 165 bass/30 highs | 10 | 550 | Practice, stage monitor | Get the SRM450 instead | |
| JBL Eon10 G2 | 125 bass/50 highs | 10 | 550 | Practice, stage monitor | Get the Eon15 instead | |
| samson db500a | 400 bass/100 highs | 15 | 550 | Practice, stage monitor, FOH for small to medium clubs | See also matching sub ex500 (500 watts) | Recommended |
| Roland KC-550 | 180 | 15 | 600 | Practice, stage monitor | Over-priced but sound good | |
| DB Technologies Opera Live 402 | 250 bass/50 highs | 12 | 600 | Practice, stage monitor, FOH for small clubs | Recommended | |
| Yamaha MS100DR | 100 bass/40 highs | 10 | 600 | ??? | ||
| JBL EONSUB G2 | 250 | 15 | 650 | Subwoofer only for bass reinforcement | subwoofer ONLY | Recommended |
| Mackie SRM450 | 450 bass/100 highs | 12 | 700 | Practice, stage monitor, FOH for small to medium clubs | Recommended | |
| JBL Eon15 G2 | 300 | 15 | 700 | Practice, stage monitor, FOH for small to medium clubs | Recommended | |
| Roland PM-30 | 100 bass/50 highs (stereo) | 12 | 700 | Practice, stage monitor | Over-priced but sound good | |
| Peavey Impulse 1015P | 200 | 15 | 700 | Beware the un-powered version when bargain hunting. | ??? | |
| DB Technologies Opera Live 405 | 250 bass/50 highs | 15 | 700 | Practice, stage monitor, FOH for small clubs | Recommended | |
| B52 Matrix 1000 V2 | 400 bass/150 highs (stereo) | 15 (with two 10" satellites) | 800 | Practice, stage monitor, FOH for small to medium clubs | Recommended | |
| Mackie SR1521z | 300 bass/100 highs | 15 | 800 | Practice, stage monitor, FOH for small to medium clubs | Recommended | |
| Mackie SR1530z | 300 bass/100 mids/100 highs | 15 | 1000 | Practice, stage monitor, FOH for small to medium clubs | Recommended | |
| Roland PM3 | 100 bass/50 highs (stereo) | 10 | n/a | Practice, stage monitor | Old model, replaced by PM_30 | Over-priced but sound good |