Comparing Tones: The MT 15 vs Archon 50 | PRS Guitars

It’s a showdown between two of our high-gain titans: the MT 15 and the Archon 50. How are they similar? How are they different? Join us as Bryan Ewald walks us through the features and tones of these two amps and provides a playing demo where we seamlessly switch between the two amps, showcasing how these two amps are tonally distinct.
To learn more about the MT 15: prsguitars.com/products/mt
To learn more about the Archon: prsguitars.com/products/archon
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Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:10 - What the MT 15 and Archon 50 have in common
1:04 - Archon 50 Clean Channel Playing Example
1:22 - MT 15 Clean Channel Playing Example
1:38 - Archon 50 Specs
2:15 - MT 15 Specs
3:27 - Tone Comparison - Archon 50 Rhythm
3:37 - Tone Comparison - MT 15 Rhythm
3:47 - Tone Comparison - Archon 50 Lead
3:56 - Tone Comparison - MT 15 Lead
4:07 - Tone Comparison - Archon 50 Solo
4:17 - Tone Comparison - MT 15 Solo
4:27 - Tone Comparison - Archon 50 Solo 2
4:37 - Tone Comparison - MT 15 Solo 2
4:47 - Talking Outro
4:57 - Outro Playing

[@10FootMushroom]

Ive got an older Archon 25 and absolutely love that amp! Super easy to dial in great tones (my last amp was a Mesa Mark V).

[@bradhargis2261]

Love my archon can't wait for the mt100!!

[@felipeavlopes]

Very interesting comparison. Was kinda surprised how much fuller, more open sounding the lead channel on the Archon 50 was vs the MT 15. The clean tones to me are a bit closer. That being said, it would've been useful and interesting running both through the same cabinet though

[@michaelgottlieb9083]

Good point...

[@DMezz28]

I have had an MT 15 for years. Love the clean tones on it better than my EVH stealth... but the Red channel is so muddy. I can never get a good tone out of my red channel. I have a eq pedal on it, and once you try to bring the brightness out of it... its starts with the hissing or overtones. The Archon is the lead sound I wished the MT15 had. I would love to see this video one more time with the gain cranked, and some chugs in between.

[@felipeavlopes]

@@DMezz28 In this video the lead channel on the MT15 sounded quite nasal (for lack of a better term) most of the time (to me anyways) with the exception for the very last lead parts in the video's outro (but it might have been some hearing illusion on my end)

[@KRayxKodessA]

The MT15 is great, but I think the biggest issue with this being a "VS" video is that they're running through different cabs. I realize they're designed for each head, but the smaller MT cab sounds... smaller. And thinner. Just my opinion, having owned an MT`15 for a few years now. Looking forward to the 100w that I most certainly don't need but will nonetheless own...

[@EvilDragon666]

Indeed, the comparison is really not very good and I'm shocked they didn't run them through the same cab. This is where most of the tone difference lies!

[@simaojoseph]

I wonder if they even have the same speakers in it…

[@metl_massacre]

⁠​⁠@@EvilDragon666 the 8ohm 2x12 Archon cab they used is not compatible with the 16ohm MT15 unfortunately..

[@EvilDragon666]

@@metl_massacreAFAIK MT15 does have 8 Ohm outputs available.

[@metl_massacre]

@@EvilDragon666 Yep, those are used to combine 2 16ohm cabs making an 8ohm parallel

[@flybywire7284]

I own them both. 5881 MT15 and the Archon 50 MkII with 6AC7 tubes. They don’t actually sound the same. One is more Rectifier like and the other is more 5150. Both are great amps though I personally feel the Archon is quieter, more flexible in regards to volume control and sounds more pleasing at a variety of volumes. The MT15 rips when loud but sounds a bit honky quiet. For the small price difference I think the Archon is the pick. It is a beast loud and has plenty of midrange. You honestly can’t go wrong with either amp.

[@PaulMontano-yw2wp]

Yep Archon sounds brighter n crisp 👌

[@andrewbecker3700]

Like most high gain amps, the MT15 is very sensitive to presence settings. Though it's voiced a little more mid scooped than Archon amps, when EQ'd properly they can sound exactly the same. It's my belief this comparison was done specifically to differentiate them in that manner. They're more alike than different. Unless your trying to make them sound different. Let the debate, begin.

[@avielkharrat5788]

Man Bryane, you're such an amazing guitarist !

[@michaelgottlieb9083]

He may be PRS's biggest asset. They guy can flat out play. I'm trying to steal some of his licks. The videos are great learning tutorials for his playing style.

[@roba7737]

Someone who is an electronic tech tested the outputbof the MT 15 and it is actually putting out about 25 watts. The video of him testing it is on KZbin.

[@HowieC3]

Great job as always Bryan

[@milkandmeat]

the mt15 does not sound that dark/muddy irl, idk what's up with those settings. great player, bad high gain sound.

[@docdaytona108]

I hear a bit of a ‘cocked Wah’ in that tone. Am I crazy? Regardless, I heavily (ha!) prefer the Archon’s high gain.

[@Scott__C]

Looked like controls were basically up the middle to show where you'll start off.

[@brianknapp2000]

I just got a great deal on a used Archon 50 combo and it’s an amazing amp! Thank you.

[@paisteplayer1040]

I have both.. My Archon 100 is the USA version and love them both. I would have suggested both into the mt15 cabinet, or 2 of the 2x12.. Both these cabs sounds very different. What speakers are in the bigger cab the archon is on ?

[@spartafxrs5]

that 24-08 se looks sick, though

[@timothyweesner6286]

I always judge any amps “clean tone” based on the Roland JC 40 I have. Just saying. I’ve got an MT15, love it!! But I always go back to the Roland for cleans.

[@FormulaXFD]

Still waiting on the MT-100...(Would love an MT-50 though...)

[@johnramsey2480]

There are a few videos of people converting the MT 15 into a 50 watt head by changing out a few parts in the head. If you are electricly proficent.

[@thermos1978]

Love the fact that he is playing a custom 24/8 SE! and not a core model.

[@youmustmonthebiff]

Nope.

[@michaelgottlieb9083]

Yeah.... I enjoyed that as well.

[@stm113]

I would have liked to hear them through the same cab/mic. I wonder how much of the MT15 sounding that much smaller is due to the cab/mic?

[@WeiWenLai]

Wow, this video is what I'm talking about

[@reggiemoses2508]

How about 100 watt Archon vs. MT100.

[@ravisoaresgt]

Not the best comparison imho. Looks like they're comparing the 1x12 MT15 cab with Celestion Vintage 30 vs 2x12 Archon cab which has Celestion V-type. So much of the difference we are hearing comes from the speakers/cabs. Idk, do most people buy the matching cab? Otherwise I think those amps would sound kinda close to each other.

[@adenmendoza_]

Production Core Custom 24 Hardtail when?

[@cooldrew11]

This is cool and all, but where's the MT100. We know it's ready to ship! Come on PRS!

[@srh361]

Where's the high gain demo??????

[@NateJennings-fh8mc]

i love my archon

[@timothyweesner6286]

Seriously, the Mt 15 Clean sounds fuller, and a bit more open and natural ! But, the lead channel is almost the opposite! Almost! Some tones sounded the same, but some, the Archon sounded better. Hmm!!

[@EvilDragon666]

Two completely different cabinets, it's not a good comparison at all. They should've ran both heads through the same cab for equal footing in the comparison.

[@reggiemoses2508]

Clean sound, chimey af.

[@pauljohnson9445]

Bryan reminds me of Tyler Grey, former member of the Unit before getting injured in Iraq.

[@paisteplayer1040]

Presence and treble on the MT15 are both too low..

[@greekfreak1980]

>Demo for 2 amps aimed at metal players >Plays only clean and low-gain blues-rock riffs/licks 🤦‍♂

[@wolvesandguitars]

Fuuzzzzy

[@jeremydahm2124]

Paul's gotta stop making crazy versatile guitars and amps or we may have to only buy one of each 😂........yeah right

[@Kraken00ch5]

I love Bryan, so don't mistake this for a personal jab. This. Is. Not. High. Gain. I'm so tired of PRS doing this and I have to believe it's Paul himself who is playing a part in this. Maybe what I'm about to say would be detrimental to PRS but I doubt it. Can't y'all get your artists to do high-gain demos? You have maybe 1% of your demos representing modern metal. I don't understand why you endorse Mark Tremonti, Mark Holcomb, and Dusty Waring, with signature models, and why you have countless more metal and progressive musicians playing PRS, and you continue to demo EVERY model of everything with blues licks and guitar lesson jam tracks. Your spoken definition of high gain is laughable which is ironic given that the Archon 50 is one of the best high gain amps of all time. Show it off! Turn the gain up. Grab an extended scale. Do something for people under the age of 40, we buy your guitars too. I LOVE this brand. I own multiple and have owned even more over my guitar life. I think what's great about PRS is that it's a guitar for everyone. So I understand you don't want to pigeonhole your marketing. I understand you have customers who buy signature models and have no idea who the signature artist is. I also know I've never seen a Mark Holcomb model owned by someone who doesn't listen to Periphery. So for Pete's sake, will you guys stop saying high gain when it's simply high gain TO YOU? This is upper-mid gain at best. Someone get Bryan into a modern metal lesson, show him a tube screamer, and show us what the thing can do for more than my Dad.

[@greekfreak1980]

Preach it!

[@robertlucas9867]

I understand your frustration. He should have more representation but For me it’s a relief hearing the guitars played in different style’s because all I hear is people playing metal only with PRS. I like to hear it in different styles to know what’s it’s capable of but I’m swamped by metal only guys.

[@thebenlyshop]

Regardless of the quality or sound of this amp, I would never again buy an amp from PRS. I bought a then new PRS custm 50 in 2016 from a PRS dealer. Amp failed within 2 months. Took it to my guitar/amp tech. He refused to touch it because PRS would not offer any wiring schematic. So I sent it to PRS. It came back in working order... sort of. Did not sound the same, and the gain channel was leaking into clean channel. Then it completey stopped working again a few months later. I used the online request to return the amp for repairs (out of warranty of course but I still wanted the amp to work). PRS never responded to my request. I resubmitted the request and never received a response. I have 3 PRS guitars. All bought new from PRS dealers. The guitars are all outstanding. The amp is junk. MPRS dealer in thousand oaks California hosted an event recently and a PRS representative was there. The dealer asked the rep to please call me. The rep never called. Then bought a new amp from that same dealer. This time a Mesa engineering 50 watt Badlander. I asked the dealer if he would offer me anything in trade for my PRS (POS?) Custom 50. Dealer just said, sorry, no. I love PRS guitars but my suggestion is to stay away from their amps. Possibly the amps are better now but customer support is awful Ron

[@mrzac83]

I feel your pain, every amp I’ve ever looked into all you tubers just play blues licks in them, I’ve looked at a lot of vox amps and all they do is the vox clean chime nonsense where I just wanted them to jump the channels and crank it a bit

[@adamdam]

Sure the playing and style of riff is not metal. But you can clearly hear the gain on these amps, trust me, there's enough there for any genre, I recorded a metal project with my MT15 and the thing crushes.