Electronic drum sets are fantastic when you want to achieve a silent practice. But how about when you want to jam with others? Or when you need to take your drums with you to a gig? Or times when headphones become bothersome? In any of these instances, electronic drum amps are your go-to.
Although there is more than one way to amplify your electronic drum sets, electronic drum amps give you the best bang for your buck. Thereforoday, we’re going to be learning what electronic drum amps really are. Also, we will be showing you 10 of our favorite ones in the market right now.
So, get ready. The show is about to hit the road. But just before we get into the main review, check out this quick comparison table.
Contents
- Top 10 Best Electronic Drum Amps To Buy Of 2023 Reviews
- 1 Roland Drum Monitor (PM-100)
- 2 Simmons DA50 Electronic Drum Set Monitor
- 3 Ddrum DDA50 Electronic Percussion Amplifier
- 4 Roland PM 10 Personal Monitor Amplifier
- 5 Simmons DA200S Electronic Drum Amp
- 6 KAT Percussion 50 Watt Amplifier
- 7 Powerwerks PA System (PW50)
- 8 Behringer Ultratone KT108 Ultra-Compact Amplifier
- 9 Peavey KB 1 Keyboard Amp
- 10 Coolmusic DK-35 Personal Electronic Drum Amplifier
- Best Electronic Drum Amps Buying Guide
- Conclusion
Top 10 Best Electronic Drum Amps To Buy Of 2023 Reviews
Name | Power Output | Speaker Size | Features | Dimensions | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Choice Roland Drum Monitor (PM-100) ![]() View Price | Power Output 80 Watts | Speaker Size 10 inches | Features Integrated mixer with independent volume controls and global EQ | Dimensions 19 x 19 x 19 inches | Weight 35.4 pounds |
Power Output 50 Watts | Speaker Size 10 inches with 2.5 inch tweeter | Features Headphone jack, 5 soft touch knobs | Dimensions 19 x 19 x 19 inches | Weight 34.5 pounds | |
Power Output 50 Watts | Speaker Size 10 inches with 2.5 inch tweeter | Features Headphone jack, MP3 plug in | Dimensions 15.5 x 15.5 x 16.25 inches | Weight 15 pounds | |
Power Output 30 Watts with 3 inch tweeter | Speaker Size 10 inches | Features Multiple inputs, mix input, Large handle, Dedicated volume controls, 2-band EQ | Dimensions 21 x 18 x 18 inches | Weight 31.5 pounds | |
Power Output 50 Watts | Speaker Size 12 inches with high frequency tweeter | Features Ribbed handle, heavyweight steel grille, slot-port for enhanced cabinet | Dimensions 20.3 x 21.6 x 23.7 pounds | Weight 63.2 pounds | |
Also Great KAT Percussion 50 Watt Amplifier ![]() View Price | Power Output 50 Watts | Speaker Size Not specified | Features 3-band EQ, Large carry handle | Dimensions 19.5 x 19 x 19.5 inches | Weight 37.2 pounds |
Also Great Powerwerks PA System (PW50) ![]() View Price | Power Output 50 Watts | Speaker Size Twin 4.5 inch drivers with high frequency horn | Features High and Low EQ for Music channel, three channel mixer | Dimensions 18 x 6.5 x 7.5 inches | Weight 14.7 pounds |
Power Output 15 Watts | Speaker Size 20 Watt, 8 inch dual-cone Bugera Speaker | Features VTC Virtual Tube Circuitry for tube-like sound, ultra-musical 3-band EQ | Dimensions 12.7 x 6.4 x 14.1 inches | Weight 11.9 pounds | |
Also Great Peavey KB 1 Keyboard Amp ![]() View Price | Power Output 20 Watts | Speaker Size 8 inch extended range speaker | Features 2-band EQ per channel | Dimensions 19.5 x 18 x 13.1 inches | Weight 16 pounds |
Power Output 35 Watts | Speaker Size 10 inches | Features Built-n 2-band EQ with bass/treble controls, Built-in reverb with level control | Dimensions Unknow | Weight Unknow |
1
Roland Drum Monitor (PM-100)
Okay, we start with a Roland amp because Roland is a great place to start. The brand is known for its quality audio and musical instruments. So, naturally, we’re excited to examine its Roland Drum Monitor (PM-100) and find out what exactly it can do. Let’s go!
The Roland PM-100 is an excellent monitor by all standards. It comes with an 80 Watt power output rating. And what does that translate to for you? Of course it translates to serious volume. It’s definitely a fantastic buy if you’re going to be practicing in a band or gigging at a small or medium venue.
Keep in mind though that Roland designed this monitor with the Roland V-Drums in mind. However, that doesn’t really matter as it will work with any electronic drum set. In fact, since they designed this with drums in mind, it means the monitor will cover the full spectrum of sound from highs to lows.
It will also give some serious shine to the sounds from your kickpad.
Now, this is a pretty versatile unit when it comes to features. There are two inputs (drums and other accessories/instrument) here as well as two volume knobs.
These volume knobs allow you to control the volume of each of the inputs independently. There are also two EQ knobs for bass and treble as well.
And now to the physical aspects of this thing, it is quite heavy we must admit. It weighs a whooping 35 pounds. So, it might not win first prize for most portable monitor. But then again, there’s a plus side to the weight as it makes the amp more durable and sturdy.
Finally, what you really need to consider when getting this amp is if you’re up for some weightlifting to get some serious sound output.
- 80 Watts packs some serious volume for this monitor.
- Comes with two stereo inputs – a ¼ inch and a 1/8 inch.
- 2 equalizers and 2 separate volume control knobs for each channel.
- Sturdy and durable construction.
- A bit high end.
- Quite heavy and therefore, not so portable.
2
Simmons DA50 Electronic Drum Set Monitor
Next up is the Simmons DA50 Electronic Drum Set Monitor. It’s an awesome system and is especially great for drummers who wish to get an amp for personal practice at home. It’s also great for performing in small venues.
The 50 watt power here makes this monitor a great system for volume. Plus, it comes with a high frequency tweeter too. This tweeter works excellently for high frequencies, delivering them with absolute clarity.
Besides the tweeter, this speaker also comes with a woofer – a heavy duty one for that matter. So, in addition to the high ends, this monitor is more than capable of delivering on the deeper, low end frequencies.
From all indications hence, this system will deliver the full range of sounds nicely which is something you want for your electronic drum amp.
Now, what features do you get with this amp? This amp comes with a 3-band EQ which allows you tweak your sound the way you want. This way, you can bring a nice blend between all the instruments just the way you like it.
Additionally, there’s also a headphone jack here for private practice. This way, you don’t have to bother those around.
The aux input here allows you to plug in your MP3 player pr your stereo. Hence, you’ll be able to jam to your favorite music while using this amp.
Lastly, in construction, the Simmons DA50 is pretty durable. It comes with a protective metal grille which keeps it in good condition with all the handling. It’s pretty heavy though at 33 pounds so it might not be the easiest thing to move around. Nonetheless, this is still an amp worth considering.
- Can amplify both low and high pitched frequencies.
- Features aux input as well as a headphone jack.
- Great sound with high volume.
- A bit heavy and high end.
3
Ddrum DDA50 Electronic Percussion Amplifier
The Ddrum DDA50 is next up on our review today. This is also a 50 Watt drum amp just like the last amp we reviewed. It also comes with a 10 inch woofer as well as a 2.5 inch tweeter just like the Simmons DA50. Funny enough, they share similar model names? Coincidence? Maybe?
Anyway, the woofer and tweeter in this amp are pretty good. And working together, you can be certain that this amp will cover all the bases of sound properly. The 10 inch woofer is more than enough to cover the low ends and the tweeter is sufficient to drive the high end frequencies.
Generally, feedback from those who have used this amp is quite positive. The amp apparently does great in the volume department. In all, we can tell you that this amp will excel in any small or medium venue. And if you just need it for your personal practice at home, then this will definitely serve.
To tweak your sound to your preference, there is a 3-band EQ.
For inputs, this amp features two ¼ inch input jacks – one for mono and the other for stereo. It also comes with an MP3/CD input which is quite common with many electronic drum amps. This way, drummers are able to play along to their favorite songs easily.
Furthermore, the headphone output is also cool as it allows for in-ear monitoring which some drummers would like to achieve once in a while. Plus it’s also great for when you don’t want your neighbors hearing you.
Finally, this amp is pretty portable at 15 pounds and it’s also more compact than other amps we’ve reviewed so far. So, if size is a huge deal breaker for you, here’s something to consider.
- Balanced at the low and high frequencies.
- Control knobs are easy to adjust.
- Two inputs.
- A bit high end.
- Some users wanted more inputs like an RCA.
4
Roland PM 10 Personal Monitor Amplifier
This is a more compact Roland on review at our number four position. As the brand advertises, this is a more compact amp for the smaller drum kits. If you use either the TD-3Kit or the TD-6KV, they will fit perfectly. But besides these Roland models, any other small drum kit will definitely work.
So, like you can see from the name, this amp is fantastic as a personal drum monitor. If you’re in the market solely for a practice monitor, check this out.
It has a smaller footprint than the other Roland we saw – the PM-100. It is also a bit lighter too. But then again, it costs more for reasons best known to Roland.
Furthermore, this is a 30 Watt amp with a powerful 10 inch woofer capable on delivering on those low end frequencies. The 3 inch tweeter in here also covers the high frequencies for your snare and cymbals. All round balanced sound for sure.
Moreso, with its 2-band EQ, of course, options are limited when compared to that of the Roland PM-100. Nonetheless, you’ll still be able to do some customizing.
Moreover, you’ll also be getting enough inputs from line to mix to V-drums. So there’s a lot you can achieve with this amp including playing along to a song.
Finally, you can trust Roland to give you a highly durable unit and that’s what it did with this amp. It’s sturdy although still a bit heavy.
- Quality speaker with quality output.
- Heavy duty woofer.
- Great practice amp.
- Not very loud.
- Sound tends to get a little distorted at high volumes.
5
Simmons DA200S Electronic Drum Amp
The Simmons DA200S is built like a tank. No jokes! This bad boy weighs more than 50 pounds. So, yeah, get ready to do some heavy lifting if you decide on this one. That said though, we still think there are a couple of things this drum amp can do for you.
For one it comes with a power output rating of 50 Watts. So, it’s enough to deliver powerful volumes.
Plus, with its heavy duty mid-range speakers, get ready for punchy mids. Its high-frequency tweeters are also great enhancing cymbal clarity. And then there’s the powerful subwoofer delivering the bass response.
When it comes to ease of use, the Simmons DA200S does really well. The amp comes with soft touch knobs that you can adjust with your drum sticks. Plus, there are several inputs too which allow you to connect a host of other accessories.
Lastly, with a sturdy construction, you can count on this amp lasting you a long while. It’s probably why this amp is so heavy. There’s a large handle to help with transport though, but back to construction for a bit. This comes with a heavyweight steel grille which protects the amp. So, yes, it will last.
- Produces clear sounds with minimal distortions even at high volumes.
- Clear frequency response on the high and low frequencies.
- Users have found this to work with other instruments like bass guitars well. (Get an active pickup or bass preamp if you intend to try this).
- Easy to use controls.
- Pretty heavy.
6
KAT Percussion 50 Watt Amplifier
For an electronic drum in the sub-$200 category, the KAT Percussion is a strong contender. So, if you’re a drummer on a budget, this 50 Watt amp from Kat will do you good.
This amp is great if you need to do some personal rehearsal. All the same, it’s still pretty loud enough to work in small to medium venues where there might not be a PA system. Again, from the design of this amp, it won’t find it difficult to deliver a truly precise, acoustic response.
The KAT Percussion 50 Watt Amplifier comes with three ¼ inch inputs. So, this gives you the opportunity to plug in any other instrument you wish to amplify, although this is an amp specially for electronic drums.
With its 3-band EQ, it’s easy to get a sound you’ll like. The controls are pretty easy to use.
Furthermore, in build, this amp is somewhat heavy at 37.1 pounds. Fortunately though, there’s a large handle though which should help to make lifting a little easier. But then again, on the plus side, the quality of work put into the building of this amp is part of the reasons it’s a bit heavy.
In all, here’s a sturdy, high-performance amp with a price that’s friendly to most drummer’s budgets. Check it out.
- Great sound.
- Easy to tune your sound to your tastes.
- Will definitely last thanks to a sturdy build.
- Not great for large spaces.
7
Powerwerks PA System (PW50)
Boasting a 50 Watt power output rating, the Powerwerks PA System (PW50) comes in at our number seven position today. This amp works for different kinds of environments. And if you want to use this at a larger venue, you can link several units together.
It might be a small speaker, in fact it’s our lightest so far, nonetheless, it’s still quite powerful. Moreover, it comes with high frequency drivers which help to balance the highs and mids. Hence, this helps you to reduce harsh residual noise to a minimum.
Furthermore, you also find a 3-channel mixer here which helps you create crisp and clean music with a simple adjustment of the settings.
Moreso, there’s a headphone jack here. So, if you need some privacy for your practice, you can achieve that on this unit. The headphone jack also doubles as a MP3 plug in. So, you can hook up your MP3 player here and play along to any song you choose.
Super portable, the Powerwerks PA System (PW50) comes in at 14 pounds. Nonetheless, it is still pretty sturdy with the heavy-duty steel protecting your speaker in front and metal corner protectors protecting the corners.
- Pretty affordable.
- Can link multiple units in a larger venue.
- Comes with a music input and headphone jack.
- Lightweight, compact, and portable.
- At high volumes, sound tends to crackle a little.
8
Behringer Ultratone KT108 Ultra-Compact Amplifier
And the prices keep falling on our review. This is the Behringer Ultratone KT108 Ultra-Compact Amplifier which comes at a price even lower than the last one we just reviewed. By the way, both amps sell for less than $100.
Alright, this amp is originally a keyboard amp. However, keyboard amps also work for drums as well. Sound engineers design both amps to cover the low, mids, and highs unlike guitar amps that focus on the mids or bass amps that focus on the lows.
So, if you cannot afford to bring out more than $100 for a drum amp right now, here’s one way to go.
It’s a powerful amp that delivers, high quality, clear sound. Furthermore, the Behringer Ultratone KT108 is also great for practice and small performances. With the VTC feature, sound is even nicer and warm kinda like vintage.
Additionally, the two channels on this amp come with their independent volume controls which allow you to use two instruments at a time. And then you can manipulate your sound to perfection with the 3-band EQ.
Moreover, for privacy, there’s a headphone jack and there’s also an input for CDs as well.
In all, sturdy, yet lightweight, the Behringer KT108 makes a strong contender for best budget amp.
- Decently priced.
- Comes with two channels.
- Features CD and headphone inputs.
- Lightweight, compact, and portable.
- Power isn’t enough for a large venue.
9
Peavey KB 1 Keyboard Amp
Still around the $100 price range, the Peavey KB 1 Keyboard Amp makes it to our number 9 spot today. It’s also a keyboard amp like the last amp we saw and we’ve already explained why a keyboard amp can work. If you missed it, check the last product.
The Peavey KB 1 is a small speaker with a 20 Watt power rating and an 8 inch extended range speaker. So, as you can see, it might be small, but it does hold its own. Plus, its extended range speaker gives your sound a wider range which, in turn, gives you more bass.
Furthermore, for input, this amp comes with 2 separate channels, each with its own 2-band EQ. This helps you customize the bass and treble from each channel to your tastes. There’s also a headphone out so you can also practice quietly too.
Finally, the Peavey KB 1 weighs barely 16 pounds so you can move this around fairly easily or very easily in comparison to other amps we’ve seen so far. It’s also quite durable with a sturdy construction, metal grille, and metal corner protectors. A 5-year warranty is also not bad.
- Decently priced.
- Great starter amp.
- Sound quality is solid.
- Not for large venues.
10
Coolmusic DK-35 Personal Electronic Drum Amplifier
Last but not the least, the Coolmusic DK-35 might not be the best electronic drum amp in the market. However, at the decent price tag it carries, we can’t complain. Just ensure that you keep the use of this amp to small spaces or personal practice.
Anyway, the Coolmusic DK-35 produces a decent quality when it comes to sound. However, we did find that at higher volumes, you’d hear some level of distortion which can be quite distracting.
Fortunately, there’s a headphone jack which allows you to practice privately. In fact, as a matter of honesty, this amp sounds better through headphones than out loud. But like we said, if you keep it at moderate volumes, you’d enjoy it better.
Furthermore, it comes with a 2-band EQ which is great for tuning your sound the way you want. You can adjust your bass and treble just fine using the 2-band EQ.
Finally, in build though, the amp is quite sturdy which means you can depend on it to last for as long as possible. It’s a bit overpriced in our eyes. However, we can’t deny the fact that it is a pretty decent amp all the same.
- Quit affordable.
- Decent quality sound.
- Sturdy and durable build.
- Not great for large spaces.
- Distorted at high volumes.
Best Electronic Drum Amps Buying Guide
Like we mentioned in the introduction, there is more than one way to amplify your electronic drum set. To be precise, there are two ways to do that. You can either use a PA system, or you can use a drum amp. However, a drum amp, like we said, is the more cost-effective option.
Of course each of these methods has its own pros and cons. Nevertheless, for the sake of our discourse, we’re going to be looking at electronic drum amps.
However, before we go into other matters, here are reasons you should consider getting an electronic amp. You might want to consider them before deciding on electronic drum amp.
Benefits of Electronic Drum Amps
One of the primary benefits of using electronic drum amps is that they are your most your cost-effective options for amplifying your electronic drums. For a small sum, you’ll be getting a large subwoofer in a compact unit. Moreover, it’s a much less expensive option than going for a PA system.
To put things in perspective, most quality electronic drum amps cost between $300 to $400 most times. On the other hand, to get a decent PA system, you should be looking at prices between $700 and $800.
Moving on, the good thing about electronic drum amps is that the makers designed them specifically for drums. So, they sound really good for the small price you pay for them. Also, these amps cover all frequency ranges really well, unlike guitar amps which tend to focus on the mid frequencies.
For this reason, therefore, it’s important that you only use amps specifically for drums. In some cases, you can also use a keyboard amp as it also covers all frequencies well. In contrast, guitar and bass amps are not good enough for reasons we already stated.
Guitar amps focus on the mids while bass amps won’t cover the high ends which you’ll need for the cymbals.
Usually, electronic drum amps come with knobs that allow you to EQ your sound to your tastes. Many will also come with an extra input to connect another instrument.
Factors To Consider when Getting Electronic Drum Amps
How much Power will you Need?
If the reason you’re getting the drum amp is for personal monitoring on your own, then you can literally use any drum amp and be fine.
Also, if you’re going to be playing in a really large venue, you don’t need a super powerful amp either. Why? You just need the people with you on stage to hear. The PA system is already doing the heavy lifting for the people in the audience.
So, in such scenario, consider getting an amp between 50 and 100 watt, and then with an XLR out too. That’s all you really need.
Funny enough, the really powerful amps are for medium to small venues. It’s also useful when you need to rehearse with a loud group and there is no PA system to amplify your drums.
Weight
Generally, you want an amp that’s easy to carry about when going for gigs or rehearsals. Hence, while looking for all the features you desire in an amp, don’t forget to check this aspect too. Portability is key.
EQ, Channels, Other Features
Lastly, you’ll need to consider also the number of input and output channels your amp comes with. Plus, you also have to check out what kind they are.
Most amps you find will come with ¼ inch stereo drum inputs. And some may also have more than one aux input. Aux inputs are great as you’ll be able to connect other external devices like percussion pads for instance.
Furthermore, as for output channels, a common one you’ll find on most amps is the XLR line out. XLR line outs provide, noise-free, balanced signal flow which you can then connect to a live console or a recording.
In addition, some amps might also come with multi-band EQ which helps you adjust your sound to your preference.
Besides these, there are some other extra features that could help you enjoy your amp even more especially in a live setting.
Finally, features such as battery-powered options, slanted cabinets, CD/MP3 inputs when you want to jam with a song. Additionally, a headphone jack is also great in cases when you want to do some in-ear monitoring or you want to practice.
Conclusion
The Roland Drum Monitor (PM-100) is nearly flawless and that’s why it takes first prize on our review today. It is quite versatile and performs well in the sound and volume. It is a bit heavy and comes a bit high end too. But overall, nothing beats the Roland Drum Monitor (PM-100) in the market.