Now that you’re on the road to become a professional musician you will naturally think about expanding your gear. Keyboard amps are pieces of equipment that may always come as a neat backup, especially if you’re playing at some venue for the first time and you’re unaware of the sound system they provide.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Keyboard Amps
- OUR TOP PICK: Behringer Ultratone K900FX
- BEST SMALL KEYBOARD AMP: Peavey KB 3 60-Watt
- BEST BEHRINGER KEYBOARD AMP: Behringer Ultratone K450FX
Table of Contents
What Size of Keyboard Amp Do I Need?
The size of a keyboard amp is defined for your main use mostly. Its size rather than physical form is defined in watts more often. For at-home practicing, you may find 30-watts to be more than enough to jam along. But, for rehearsals, we wouldn’t recommend going under 60 or 75-watt models. And for the live performance, anything below 100 won’t be enough and it depends on venue size.
You should also be aware that sometimes you will get better sound quality if you place your listening in two separate keyboard amps than one louder.
Behringer Ultratone K900FX
How to Choose a Keyboard Amp
Here are some quick sidenotes:
Main Purpose
Do you need a keyboard amp for practicing at home? Do you plan some rehearsals soon? Or maybe you have an upcoming gig where you might need to use it? Depending on your needs, you might select a different type of keyboard amp and we have covered it all briefly in this article.
Number of Inputs
In case you’re using or considering to use more than just one keyboard, it’s always nice to pick a model that has at least one extra input than you’re using currently. Of course, you could do just fine if you already have a personal mixer, but maybe you won’t need one this way.
And since the keyboard amp is well-covered in frequencies, you can share it with other players as an additional loudspeaker at your rehearsals.
Design and Additional Features
Some models can have a kickback feature so that it can be tilted back. This can result in better monitoring on stage, especially if the keyboard player is standing while performing. Other models may have more detailed equalizers, sound effects or a special balanced output that will deliver better sound quality at larger venues.
Comparison Chart of the Best Keyboard Amps
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Review of the Best Keyboard Amps
Now that we know more than just basics about keyboard amps, let us present to you the available gear in stores.
Best Overall:
Behringer Ultratone K900FX
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
We can see by reports that this keyboard amp was purchased not just from keyboard players, but singers, drummers with an electronic kit and acoustic guitar players as well. They all agree it’s a good buy and the only concern is that it might not be loud enough for playing live in a rock band.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It comes with 3 channels so you can probably link your complete keyboard rig into one keyboard amp. Feedback Detection System will help eliminate occasional feedback from the microphone so you can focus on your rehearsal while the singer can benefit from the effect processor it comes with.
Who Will Use This Most
It’s not very loud so it can be used regularly as a practice amp, but it has enough power to cover smaller venues. And thanks to the integrated pole socket it can be used as a typical PA loudspeaker. XLR input on channel 1 means you can plug your microphone as well.
Bottom Line
This keyboard amp seems to be an all-around solution for all your needs. Whether it’s playing live or home, it can do both. It can be used for more than just keyboard monitoring and live rig coming at a very affordable price.
Runner-up:
Peavey KB 3 60-Watt
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users comment that they are very satisfied with the build and sound quality. Some even used it as a PA loudspeaker for smaller gigs and even drummers were satisfied with how electronic drums were produced. The only complaint is that it’s very heavy, but that's a well-known issue of all Peavey equipment.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It’s an excellent call to equip channels with separate equalizer control instead of a global one. Dedicated monitor input is a nice feature so you can playback click tracks or receive monitor mix back without sending it to the main output again. Additional speaker output improves the versatility of this unit.
Who Will Use This Most
It is more oriented towards home and rehearsal use for keyboard players that may play on more than one keyboard. It can be used as a personal monitor for live performances but we wouldn’t recommend it for all mid-size venues as 60-watt may be too quiet.
Bottom Line
This Peavey keyboard amp can be ideal for your needs. Its speaker will provide you with enough range at the lower end while volume output will make it responsive enough to make your high tones crisp and clear.
Best for the Money:
Behringer Ultratone K450FX
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PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Some comment that the frequency curve is not as flat as expected so consider turning down the lower end on a general equalizer. If you carry it around, take extra care. It has been reported several times of being broken after a year of use. But overall, they are not unsatisfied with this product.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It comes with a 5-band equalizer that can help you to tune your overall sound much better than the usual 3-band on other keyboard amps. Effect processor will be useful for other musicians, while you can utilize an automatic feedback removal system in case you use a microphone with this keyboard amp.
Who Will Use This Most
It was designed for home practice or smaller jams and rehearsals. Singers and guitarists can find the use of an effect processor included and because of the 10” speaker it can be used as a subwoofer for your home theater sound system as well.
Bottom Line
If you’re not looking for a bulky live stage keyboard amp but you don’t like how quiet practice amps can turn out when you need them most, this Behringer model has that additional oomph that might be balanced just right for your plans.
Best Lightweight Keyboard Amp:
Vox VX50KB 50-Watt
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PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
They love how portable this unit is while remaining powerful enough to cover some smaller gigs while they report that its main use is for rehearsals. Some may even consider using it in pairs for stereo mode. Also, it’s worth mentioning that we couldn’t find critical reviews for this model.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It comes with the Nutube, the tube circuit feature that creates warm compression made especially to enhance the sound of both acoustic and electric piano. We love that all the necessary inputs are placed on the top panel. We especially appreciate its lightweight factor of 9 pounds.
Who Will Use This Most
Keyboard players will use this amp for smaller jams and rehearsals as it’s portable. But, thanks to the tube circuit, it can come very handy in a studio environment if you want to record your vintage keyboard sounds with some unique extra flavor that only tube-driven amps could do.
Bottom Line
This Vox keyboard amp is doing great for your rehearsal needs. The sound it delivers is very clear while Nutube can do wonders to your piano sounds. You may even get used to it that you wouldn’t like to perform without it.
Best Roland Keyboard Amp:
Roland KC-600
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are thrilled with the sound quality it delivers, especially concerning not just keyboard but other instrument sounds even including some electronic drums. Knobs are commented as big and easy to navigate. The only complaint found is that it’s huge and that you shouldn’t carry it on your own.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We don’t see that often an option for different channel output routing. This allows you to play click or metronome on your keyboard amp without sending it to the main output feed. And on top of that, this is one of the loudest keyboard amps out there.
Who Will Use This Most
This keyboard amp was designed for players who play more than one keyboard. Selectable routing for channel 4 is a very useful feature even for top-class professionals. On the other hand, it has enough power and line inputs to cover your whole acoustic gig at coffee houses or similar venues without additional loudspeakers.
Bottom Line
If you want a keyboard amp that comes with a lot of features that would require an additional mixer for you, this is your favorite. It comes with everything you might need both on big stages and in rehearsals.
Best Behringer Keyboard Amp:
Behringer KXD12
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
But, we must warn you that its rating power is not 600W as rated how Behringer proclaimed. To cut the explanation short, it comes with quite decent 150 to 180 Watts at max. Anyway, users are satisfied with how loud it is, especially at the price it comes with.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We salute stereo inputs on all four channels and stereo outputs. This way, the keyboard amp can act both as a monitoring speaker and a mixer. Bi-amping is also very rare to be found in this category and it enhances overall sound quality by having a dedicated amp for low and high frequencies.
Who Will Use This Most
This keyboard amp is powerful enough for any live performance. We believe it has enough power to cover every typical stage you’re going to perform in years to come. It has enough inputs to cover most typical live keyboard sets and comes professionally equipped to send it directly to the main mixer.
Bottom Line
If you ever consider buying a keyboard amp that would match the loudness of your guitar player, this is your gear. Maybe you can finally overcome the loudness of your guitar player during rehearsals. But, let’s not bet on that for now.
Best Small Keyboard Amp:
Donner DKA-20 AMP 20-Watt
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
People say it’s quite affordable, compact sized and that it met their expectations. It was even bought by some guitarists as they could jam with their friends together over backing tracks playback. However, as expected, it tends to be muddier at higher volume levels.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We are thrilled to see that it comes with 2 channels mixer at this small format. It’s not so often to see that aux input comes with a dedicated volume control. Also, it’s very nice to see a kickback design as it will help that you hear most from it.
Who Will Use This Most
You will use it as your practice keyboard amp at home. You may carry it with you for street performance because it’s very portable and maybe you can cover some smaller acoustic gigs or private karaoke parties. It can be used to boost some conference speeches a little bit more.
Bottom Line
This model is not something that you will use often. But, if you need a quick way to play along with some song, you can simply plug your phone and keyboards together and you’re all set.
Best Bass Amp for Keyboard:
Yamaha Stage Subwoofer (KSSW100)
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users are amazed with this unit. They couldn’t imagine how much sub frequencies they were missing from their sound field until they added this to their regular sound system. It improved their overall sound incredibly. We couldn’t find any complaint about it so far, literally.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It’s one of the rare subwoofers specially designed for keyboards. Also, most loudspeaker subwoofers are bulky and designed for larger venues, so Yamaha fills the gap nicely by creating this one in smaller and compact size while providing a more than decent sound quality.
Who Will Use This Most
People who are oriented towards electronic music or hip-hop will use it the most. It enhances the bass frequencies that are essential in these genres. Studio producers may find it handy to get a better vision of what's going on in the lower end of their current song production.
Bottom Line
This is not your regular keyboard amp. But, if you need that extra depth in the low-end that your current keyboard amp is missing, please consider this Yamaha product and link them together for a complete sound delight.
Keyboard Amp vs. Powered Speaker - Comparison Overview
It’s easy to mix up keyboard amps and powered speakers as they both are used with keyboards. Let’s take a while and compare the basics:
On-Board Features
Keyboard amps will usually provide more input options. It may come with additional equalizers and effects processor.
Powered speakers will most often provide more simple setup as they were made to be used paired with a mixer at first. But, there are some portable powered speakers solutions with all-in-one solutions that may resemble keyboard amps.
Frequency Range
Keyboard amps and powered speakers share the frequency range and there is no significant difference.
Behringer Ultratone K450FX
Mounting Options
Keyboard amps are floor-based equipment. They can be tilted backward like powered speakers used for better monitoring. But, powered speakers will usually come with a hole at the bottom so that they can be mounted on a pole.
Price Range
Powered speakers were made for generating a sound in general. They can be designed to spread sound far or wide and are equipped with special electronic parts that allow them to be incredibly loud. Of course with such technology applied, bigger prices come as well. Keyboard amps are made in a much more traditional way like all amps are made.
Types of Keyboard Amps
The main difference between keyboard amps lies in the size and number of speakers it has.
Small Keyboard Amps
We would categorize all amps that come with 10” speakers or smaller. These are ideal for home practicing and instant jam solutions as they are somewhat lightweight and not so loud. Because of the smaller speaker size, they don’t generate bass frequencies the best. But, their speaker cone reacts much faster and thus, trebles are crisp and clear even at a lower volume.
We also need to note that such keyboard amps could benefit from using an external subwoofer a lot.
Big Keyboard Amps
12” and 15” speakers are found in big keyboard amps. They are built for small to mid venues and are able to reproduce bass frequency respectively. But, the speaker cone moves slower, so they need to be turned up louder to play the mid and high range clear. Of course, with a bigger speaker comes the bigger weight so you may need an extra hand to carry them around.
Stereo Keyboard Amps
Most keyboard amps come as mono speakers. But, there are models that come with two speakers set in stereo. This allows sound to spread wider and result in sound that’s more clear in general.
Conclusion
So, no matter what your need will be in the end, you can find a benefit from owning a keyboard amp. Even if the venue has excellent loudspeakers, you can always bring it with you as a floor monitor already tailored exactly for your personal needs.
People Also Ask
In case you still have doubts about keyboard amp specifics, we’ll talk here about some of the most usual questions keyboard players ask. What confuses them the most, how to use it and we will even discuss its necessity in the modern music world.
Do Keyboards Need Amps?
Keyboards amps are not necessary equipment. While other instruments use amps for making a distinctive sound character, the keyboard does that internally and can go directly to the mixer and then loudspeakers. That being said, any powered loudspeaker can be a substitute for a keyboard amp.
Can You Use Guitar Amp For Keyboard?
While it may not produce the best sound for your keyboard, it is possible. It may lack some frequency range, especially in lows and highs. But, using a guitar amp for your studio recording can result in some very interesting and authentic outcome to your organ and lead sounds.
How Do I Connect my Keyboard to my Amp?
You would need an audio cable that matches your keyboard output on the one side and the keyboard amp input on the other. If your keyboard is semi-pro, a regular instrument cable with ¼ jacks will be enough. In other cases, some audio adapters or special cables may be required.
What is the Difference Between a Guitar Amp and a Keyboard Amp?
The main difference is that the keyboard amp provides a much broader frequency response than a guitar amp. Keyboard amps also come with a mini mixer onboard, allowing you to connect more than just one instrument while guitar amps can provide different channel types for clean and drive guitar sounds, for example.
How Many Watts is a Keyboard Amp?
Keyboard amps come in various sizes. Their power range from portable 25 watts ideal for home use up to whopping 300 watts that’s enough to cover every mid venue stage monitoring or sidefield feed. Roland even made an ultra-portable, battery-powered keyboard amp with 2 x 2.5 watts.
