Top 5 Best Keyboard Amps 2023:
Choosing the best keyboard amplification is challenging, especially if you’re a novice to the world of audio equipment. This is simply because keyboard amplifiers are so versatile, and there are a lot of options to choose from.
If you’re an experienced keyboard player, you’re probably familiar with key features of keyboard amplification. However, make sure to take a look at our buying guide just to stay up to date at the current best choices when it comes to keyboard amps.
And if you are not so experienced, don’t worry! In our list of the best keyboard amplification, we’ve included not only our top choices, but also the most important factors you have to consider to make a smart decision and invest your money wisely!
So, if you want to see what keyboard amps made our list, keep on reading!
Related:
5 Best Keyboard Amps In 2023: Detailed Reviews
1. BEHRINGER ULTRATONE K900FX – Best Overall
There’s no doubt that the BEHRINGER ULTRATONE K900FX deserves the number-one place on our list. It’s a keyboard sound magnifier and a PA System all in one. What makes it even more amazing are the 3 separate sound channels and 90W of power!
The great thing about K900FX is that it’s surprisingly inexpensive so it offers the best value for money. It’s a durable amplifier built for live use. Most owners of K900FX praise its durability and longevity and the reason it’s so durable is because of the reinforced corners and a metal grill that make it able to withstand heavy use. With 42 pounds, this amplifier is not the lightest but it’s also not so heavy compared to some others. Carrying it around shouldn’t be much of a problem!
K900FX also has some incredible features, like 3 channels, each with separate volume and FX SEND control, a CD IN, a headphones output, a ¼” stereo output, a SUB OUT that you can connect to a subwoofer and a 5-band EQ to sculpt your sound.
A really interesting feature of K900FX is the effects section. It has 100 effects presets, including chorus, delay, reverb, and many more! When it comes to sound quality, you won’t be disappointed with K900FX. Thanks to the 12” woofer, 1” tweeter, and 90W of power, it’s loud with clear highs and good bass response.
Pros
- Clear sound with good bass response
- Integrated 5-band EQ
- 100 effects presets
- 90W of power
Cons
- Few users complained it’s not powerful enough
2. Motion Sound KP-500S – Premium Pick
The KP-500S is one of the best high-end keyboard amplifiers. It’s capable of delivering the deep and dynamic sound to live performances that can be heard through a good set of studio monitors or headphones. This is an amplifier designed for dimensional sound, and with 500W, it has enough power to fill any stage!
KP-500S amplifier by Motion Sound was built with an angled cabinet that projects and dramatically widens the stereo keyboard sound. You can further enhance the sound thanks to the Motion Sound’s proprietary 3D expander control.
The cabinet is built out of lightweight MDF, and with the weight of 49 pounds, this amplifier is not bulky and it’s relatively easy to carry around. The setup is also easy, quick, and convenient!
Once you take a look at the features, you might be able to understand the way too high price point. It has 500W of power, so 250W per channel and each channel has a ¼” input. There are two stereo preamps with volume, 3D expander, bass, mid, and treble controls, as well as master volume control and master low bass control.
On top of all this, the KP-500S also features an XLR mic input, XLR left and right outputs, a ¼” subwoofer output, DIN slave amp output, and two 12” Eminence Beta-12A speakers! All this means that this amplifier has plenty of inputs and outputs to meet the requirements of any professional performance.
Pros
- Two channels each with 250W of power
- 3D expander control
- Two 12” Eminence Beta-12A speakers
Cons
- The price is steep
3. Donner DKA-20 – Budget-Friendly Choice
If you’re looking for an affordable keyboard amplifier, you’ll not go wrong with this one. With 20W of power, it’s not as powerful as some other amplifiers, but it will get the job done! The DKA-20 is equipped with two 8” woofer and 2” tweeter speakers that provide a rich tone.
With the weight of 16 pounds, it’s one of the most lightweight keyboard amplifiers out there. This means it’s very easy to carry it around and also to store it when not in use. DKA-20 also has some great features, like the volume control, 3-band EQ, and the treble/mid/bass control that helps you shape the high and low frequencies.
One of the speakers is an 8” Special Design Low-Frequency speaker, and the other one is a 2” Special Design High-Frequency speaker. There is also an auxiliary input so you can plug in your phone or an mp3 player, and a ⅛” headphone output jack that also mutes the speaker output.
Donner DKA-20 has a custom perforated grill mesh sheet, and rugged housing that makes it very durable. The edge is surrounded by hard material that protects it from damages, and there’s also a pad of rubber that makes it stand safe and stable.
All things considered, this is a great choice if you need a budget-friendly keyboard amplifier. It may not be as powerful as some other amplifiers, but it’s durable, lightweight and it will get the job done!
Pros
- Super affordable price
- 8” woofer, 2” tweeter speakers
- treble/mid/bass control
Cons
- Not very powerful
4. Peavey KB 2 – The Best Amp For Solo Performances
The number four place on our list goes to Peavey KB 2. This is a great choice for anyone who wants a high-quality keyboard amplifier that’s reasonably priced. This amplifier performs the best when it’s used for practice, solo performance, monitoring, and small venues.
KB 2 has 45-watt power capacity and it weighs around 34 pounds. This weight combined with the top-mounted handle means it’s easy and convenient to carry. It has 4 channels, meaning it can support four instruments plugged in simultaneously. Channels 1 and 2 are ¼” inputs, channel 3 has an XLR mic input as well, and channel 4 has a monitor input with level control.
Channel 1 and 2 have a 2-band EQ, and channel 3 has a 3-band EQ for fine-tuning. The amplifier also has a balanced XLR main line out, a headphones output and the inclusion of an effects loop send and return.
The 45W of power and the 10” speaker make this a medium-sized keyboard amplifier. This means it’s definitely powerful and loud enough for live performance, but how it will perform also depends on the size of the venue and the instruments you’re playing along with. The only limitation of this amplifier is that it may not be able to keep up with loud drums or bass, but it’s more than enough if you plan to play live solo in a medium-sized venue!
Pros
- 4 separate channels
- Ideal for solo performance
- 3-band EQ
- 10” speaker
- Reasonable price
Cons
- Not great for large venues
- Can’t keep up with loud drums and bass
5. Behringer Ultratone K450FX – Ultimate Sound Reproduction
This is another great keyboard amplifier by Behringer. Behringer is a German brand with 30 years of experience in the audio equipment industry, and this is one of their most popular products.
This is an ultra-flexible keyboard amplifier with a 45-watt power capacity, 3 separate channels, and a PA system. Each of the three channels has separate volume and FX SEND controls, and channel 1 has an additional XLR mic input for direct connection to a dynamic microphone. K450FX is the all-in-one ideal solution for keyboards and vocal applications.
It features a 5-band graphic EQ, a 24-bit digital FX processor and 100 amazing presets, including reverb, chorus, flange, delay, pitch shift, and so many more. The MAIN Section gives you separate controls for FX Return, master volume, phones, and shape. There is also a CD input which can be very useful because it allows you to play recorded music during performance breaks. K450FX has some other useful features, like a separate headphone output, and an integrated 35-mm pole socket for stand mounting and use as a PA system.
This amplifier achieves ultimate sound reproduction thanks to the 10” BUGERA woofer made entirely by Behringer’s skilled engineers. It works with a custom-made 1” driver for full-range sound. Besides this, there’s also a subwoofer output and a line output for direct connection to your mixing console!
Pros
- Doubles as a PA system
- 5-band graphic EQ
- Onboard 24-bit digital FX processor
- 10” BUGERA speaker
Cons
- Some users complained it’s difficult to figure out how to make proper connections
Things To Consider Before You Buy Keyboard Amplification
Keyboard amplifiers are usually pricey, so you have to think about some things before you spend your money. If you’re not sure what to look for in keyboard amplification, take a look at our buying guide, and then you can make an informed decision!
See Also: The Best Klon Clone
1. Watts
When reading the description of a keyboard amplifier, the first thing you’ll notice is its capacity, expressed in watts. This is very simple, the more the watts, the more powerful the amplifier is. So it all depends on your needs. If you plan to have a gig at large venues or at outdoor events and you need an extremely powerful and loud keyboard amplifier, you should choose the one that has more than 50 watts, and if you’re going to perform in smaller or medium-sized places, or at home, 20-50 watts is more than enough.
Another important thing about watts is whether you perform solo or in a band. If you’re going to play solo, amplifiers with a smaller capacity will do the job. However, if you play in a band alongside other loud instruments, like drums or bass, you need an amplifier with a large capacity, one that will be able to keep up!
In this list, we’ve included amplifiers with a wide range of capacity, from 20W to 500W, so we’re sure you’ll be able to find the one that suits your needs the best.
2. Channels
Having a few separate channels on a keyboard amplifier is crucial if you plan to play multiple keyboards at the same time, or you want to play different instruments simultaneously. If you’re also going to sing, you need an amp with a channel that has an XLR mic input.
The most common number of channels on keyboard amplifications is from 2 to 4. This is more than enough to suit all your needs! See Also: The Best 2 Channel Stereo Receivers
3. Size And Weight
The size and weight are very important features when it comes to keyboard amplification. It’s crucial that you choose the one based on your needs. If you’re going to carry it around everywhere you go, you need a compact and light amplifier. On the other hand, bigger, bulkier and more powerful amplifiers are a great choice if you need an amplifier that will always stay in one place, like in a club.
The same goes for weight. There are some keyboard amplifiers that weigh up to 60 pounds, so moving them often is a tiring process. In conclusion, it’s crucial that you think about your specific needs before you choose a keyboard amplifier!
4. Speakers And Subwoofers
The most commonly found speaker setup in keyboard amplifications is a 12” woofer with a smaller tweeter. Of course, this is not always the case, so you can also find amps with 8” or 10” woofers. The woofer and the tweeter should create a well-balanced combination for a wide frequency range. Woofers project low-end basses, while tweeters deliver high-treble sounds.
Many amplifiers allow you to connect a subwoofer to extend the capabilities of a keyboard amplifier to its maximum. Subwoofers provide deep bass frequencies so you should also add full-range speakers to keep up with the extra bass. See Also: The Best 8 Inch Subwoofers & The Best 10 Inch Subwoofers
5. Sound Effects
Some amplifiers come with built-in sound effects. This can be very handy if you want to experiment with your sounds. For example, most keyboard amplifiers by the brand Behringer have this feature and can create chorus, reverb, pitch shift, delay, and many other interesting effects!
Read More: The Best Boomboxes
Final Thoughts And Recommendations
Nowadays, the technology and innovations that go into creating the ultimate audio equipment are truly amazing. When it comes to keyboard amplification, you can find so many incredible choices, both affordable and high-end.
We’ve reviewed our top five choices, and now we’d love to tell you about our final recommendations!
Best Overall: BEHRINGER ULTRATONE K900FX
- Made by a German brand Behringer, this K900FX keyboard amplifier is a high-quality, high-performance device that has an integrated 5-band EQ, 90-watt capacity, 100 effect presets, and many more features that make it one of the best keyboard amplifiers money can buy!
Premium Pick: Motion Sound KP-500S
- If you’re going to perform in front of a large audience, there is no better keyboard amplification than KP-500S by Motion Sound. It’s a 500W amplifier designed for dimensional sound, and with the unique 3D expander, you can enhance the sound to perfection! The only downside of this otherwise exceptional amplifier is the high price.
Best Budget-Friendly Choice: Donner DKA-20
- Donner DKA-20 is a great choice for those who want a simple and affordable amplifier that can perform highly in smaller venues or for a small audience. It’s a durable device, with a lightweight and compact design, ideal for carrying around. Don’t let the low 20-watt capacity fool you, because, in the right conditions, this amplifier will get the job done!
