The BEST small tube amp for metal, no contest | ENGL Fireball 25

[@valdiorn]

You have thoroughly filled the void that Ola Englund left after he stopped doing routine gear reviews. I'm watching every video you put out, keep it up! :)

[@newrockorder]

Sometime I think Ola is just doun it for the clicks

[@nana-w4h]

ola making all amps sound the same. and when you test a amp at real it sounds nothing close to ola come on dude

[@thatoneocto]

​@@nana-w4hdoes he make them sound the same just by how he dials it in or with eq and cheating

[@Kathayne636]

@nana-w4h How could he possibly make amps sound nothing like themselves? That makes no sense.

[@Professional.Bro.777]

I want a 10 hour loop of the intro chuggs. I've been all over your channel but never heard anything like this. I'm a chug connoisseur and you are the chosen one

[@prometherion3089]

If you add a foot switch, you open up a couple features besides the usual just switching of channels. With a foot switch you get a volume boost and the ability to switch on and off the loop.

[@IDGAF_PLUS]

When you switched to low output pickups you hit a sweet spot that made me drool. I love that you tried very different guitars. Sounds like this amp could basically do just about anything. Allegedly it has a clean channel too. And how dafuq does this channel only have 27k subs? That seems completely wrong.

[@mozeby1975]

Bought one last year. Love it. Still doesn’t replace my old Peavey 5150 combo, but it’s a way more versatile amp with less noise.

[@michaelmastropietro2606]

How do you like it compared to your combo tone and feature wise? I have the 5150 combo as well

[@danomnihility2453]

Ive owned evh, mesa, peavey lunchbox amps and i agree the Fireball 25 kills them all. Not only louder than the others and holds together well while cranked- but the 1 watt setting for low volume jamming gives you that great tube saturation that the other lunchboxes just dont sound great at low volume. This little amp is so killer I got the 100 watt and that one destroys everything imho. Great review and on point opinion.

[@jconner3891]

I have the stealth 50. I want the fireball 25 so fucking bad. ❤

[@JTHarrisHF]

Is it loud enough for gigs? I had the Mark 25 and it wasn't loud enough but the Mark 35 was.

[@danomnihility2453]

@JTHarrisHF I'd say it is- it's not as deafening as the Fireball 100, nor as full. Definitely loud enough for moderate gig volumes. It lives in the midrange so as long as it's not scooped out it'll hang with a loud deathmetal drummer triggered through a PA

[@JTHarrisHF]

@@danomnihility2453 Thanks for the reply dude!! Much appreciated!

[@myfukinarmhurts]

@danomnihility2453 Is it decently louder than the invective mh?

[@Timothy0430]

I love this amp!! My favorite out of the low watt amps!! It will never leave my collection!!

[@belligerentamateur]

Agreed dude. It's a monster of a mini boy

[@rtaylor1105]

appreciate how you get straight to the point and actually know what youre talking about.

[@Schizmatizmify]

Every time I hear this amp, I lament that people mostly play it with the mid boost off. So thank you for giving us some good riffage with it engaged - it's like a magical "sound good" button!

[@givemeajackson]

agreed. on all my engls the mid switch is always on

[@jaychen2000metal]

Mids can be too much with certain amps though.

[@Schizmatizmify]

@@jaychen2000metal Some amps, yeah,, but not this one! I had the pleasure of playing through a Fireball in a store a while back, the amp really comes alive with the mids cranked.

[@Bassix92]

I run this through a ENGL pro horizontal 2x12 and/or a Mesa traditional recto (not mini) horizonal 2x12. Everybody who's ever heard it has good things to say about the way it sounds! Love the ability to turn the output to line out for recording.

[@tonefreak3403]

Killer tone for such a small amp! I'm a big ENGL fan. I really like this series on ENGL. 🤘🤘🤘

[@mikemitchell7529]

Loving the tone of this at 8.47 . As someone considering this vs an ironball i cant wait to see the next few uploads. Cheers!

[@lewisbatten4684]

Hey Kyle, love your vids. Pulled the trigger on a fireball 25 largely on your recommendation and I couldn't be happier with it. Amazing amp. Keep up the good work!! THANKS

[@belligerentamateur]

Hell yeah man, congrats on the new amp!!

[@misfitwookiee3177]

Kyle, you're killing me! Here I am, trying to build a home studio from absolute scratch... I don't even have a 2x12 yet, just a non-belligerent open-backed 1x12 & a Jet City Picovalve! And yet you continue to taunt my bank account with Fireball dreams! No, I must resist. I need my 2x12 and a Synergy SYN-2 for the home studio! Don't inhale Kyle's G.A.S.! Love the video, your insight is wonderful into these high-gain beasts. Keep it up!

[@tombrookes2923]

I own the older Fireball 100 and its still to this day the best amp I've ever owned. I used it to record a black metal cover of a shock blues song from the 60's using that amp, my SW cab loaded with Fane speakers (Think they're the Sovereign model, but I could be wrong). That thing gives off a sick as fuck black metal tone

[@OfficialSNMvids]

I bought a used one from GC to try out and was impressed with the amp honestly, but it sounded very similar to my recto's and 5150 and just returned it. Plus I read that the way they are made the amps are hard to work on and honestly that was another reason for the return, but good sounding amp honestly. \m/

[@gravelrocks5588]

I have the fireball 25 awesome amp. I just got the KSR Orion ..Kyle you need to get one. I would say it's the best amp in my collection so far..incredible

[@bengirard1984]

Cannot wait to hear more demos about that amp! It’s seems to be a great all rounder in a small package at a decent price!

[@SapperRJMorgan]

Need to hear that one.

[@wootks]

Better than the Fireball 25?

[@gravelrocks5588]

@@wootks not as gritty as a fireball it's very smooth I also put kt88 sin mine you can use el34 6 L 6 or kt88

[@wootks]

@@gravelrocks5588 Gunna have to look into one.

[@resington]

Still rocking my one and only tube head, destroys the small amp competition.

[@thatguyinaband6341]

I love you testing amps man, you got the best critiques, cheers man!

[@booganaga123]

Fireball 100 owner here, I love it! Kyle - if I wanted something with a different voicing for some variety what would you recommend?

[@Professional.Bro.777]

I'm not Kyle but i would get the new Peavey 6505 1992. I'm sure he would recommend one too...or at least any 5150 style amp

[@JohnWiku]

The "new" 6505 is the same circuit as "old" 6505, which is the same as the original 5150, don't fall into marketing hype. However, the used market is bonkers, meaning that the new current production is a way to get these tones for cheaper

[@ordohereticus3427]

Finally! ENGL week/month! The Fireball is pure raw fire in tonal form.

[@mediocremetalguy]

I have the FB25 with the 212pro cab! A favourite amongst my amps, and the DuncanSolar pups on my V1.6C is a match made in hell! Gritty high gain right up my alley🤘🏻

[@elliottd8329]

This I what I’m going for, seems good for small gigs right?

[@Gearhart_Music]

Engl seems to have a souped-up Marshall kind of sound to me and I'm loving it.

[@SapperRJMorgan]

I want one. They’re a little bit pricey in Canada.

[@DDBasse1]

Hey Kyle! Thanks for a great video! Just ordered mine. :) I've seen alot of videos where it's being used together with a load box like the two notes captor X. Is there a difference using that kind of setup compared to the allready built in line-out? I allready have a bunch of good cab sims in my DAW. Cheers!

[@NIX-AtelierdeFotografia]

The Boost on this amp is tight. Eq on both channels are perfect match. German still do great pieces of tech. I am using it on a 4cm with my hx stomp. A loud and balance beast. I do not use any noite gate even. The dynamics are immense. I have 2 Telefunken speakers from 1953 and they are still running, again, german tech.

[@WarpedENT94]

Yeah Kyle!! 15:30 that is a gnarly tone, holy s^%$

[@gregmccourt4730]

I've got an Engl Fireball 25 and I love it! I play it through a Genz Benz G-Flex 2x12. I hear it even has a clean channel. The pedal switches are stupidly priced, though.

[@Jak_Low]

Okay damn, I really want this amp now. Super keen to hear to comparison with the bigger models!

[@dalejacksonmo]

Very cool...little more metal than the MT15 it seams by this video would love to see a shootout of both...i love my MT15...but now want an ENGAL

[@G-NutZ]

Been playing Marshalls (JVM 410h/215c, dsl 40/20, sc20h, a blackstar series 1 50h, and an orange 🍊 50 watt head. Then I got this Engl fireball 25 on impulse and wtf? Why have I waited so long to play an engl? It slays

[@joebyrd1119]

Sick riffs and super sick tones bro.

[@jprosentreter]

Another top shelf video! I'd love to see you take on the new Orange OR30!

[@iloveitall]

I'm really curious how the Fireball compares to the Ironball 20min your opinion. To me the Ironball is even punchier and more focused.

[@moneortiz1614]

Just the sound I need! Great review.

[@TarshishedCactus]

I want to try this i've been using an MT15 and I love it. I wonder how this will compare for me personally.

[@dalejacksonmo]

Same 4 me...I've had the MT15 too for a year...kicks ass

[@jasonfleenor1099]

There about the same

[@jasonfleenor1099]

@seanobrien9299 they both have same tubes very similar

[@JKissling]

I’m running my MT-15 through a Mesa 212 vertical and I love it, but I really want to give this one a shot too. Built in noise gate and attenuation is making me jealous lol.

[@Sven.Jeschke]

Damn, that sounds sooo good. Love the Fireball!

[@immyownbestfriend9338]

got one, love it. great video, looking forward to engl month.

[@Skram72]

well shit, I was getting ready to purchase the Ironball Special Edition 20-watt Tube Head and then I came across this video. Thanks Kyle! Now I am trying to decide between the Ironball Special Edition 20-watt Tube Head and this one. Someone make the decision for me? Hahaha. Great vid as always Kyle! Keep em coming! Be safe people

[@luisbarrera5740]

Im holding off for a savage 25. hopefully my patience pays off

[@rmkk89]

oh man, last riff is a piece of art. reminds me good old OTEP.

[@BNA_Est.1988]

10:12 that tone 🔥🔥🔥

[@samuelsanchez3213]

Hi Kyle! Do you remember the settings for the Electric Eye Mud Killler??

[@artytoney2057]

I have one and love it ive been running my Helix for effects and sounds great

[@williamsoule4905]

dang that amp was born from a jackal pure evil i luv it bro awesome

[@romanshredz]

What 😱🤯😱 first I’m told the EVH Stealth is the best Metal amp, then some dude on Instagram told me today the Mezzabarba Mzero overdrive is the only Metal amp I would ever need … so started selling all my amps. Now wait … the Matt Damon of Metal telling me the ENGL fireball is the best Metal amp 😮

[@TheCyberMantis]

Because there is no "best metal amp". Don't drink the kool-aid.

[@rik-keymusic160]

I bet you can dial in a Great tone with other brands aswel… although I bought an Engl. because i liked it a lot 😅

[@davidtguitar]

Would it work to connect the line out to an ir loader pedal?

[@quittingyoutube45753]

Nice now I can't decide witch amp to get either the engl fireball 25 or the evhiii 50w

[@majkon93]

right, engl should make fireball 50w (just to be sure) with larger transformer and in evh5150iii50w format (fireball 100w is awesome but soo large)

[@NOEFFECTS27]

Finally Kyle! Great job showcasing this beast of a mini head. I have this and dsl20hr and it is just huge difference, specially for modern gain tones! And even the clean channel is good. By the way, what is that first 7 string riff? I have heard it before but don't remember the name of the song.. Waiting to see the comparison with the big brother fb100

[@metalinsights9664]

Do you think the ENGL is better than the DSL, or are they just different and good in their own way?

[@NOEFFECTS27]

@@metalinsights9664 they are definitely different. The Dsl20hr is more traditional, more appealing to trash sounds. The ENGL is much more modern and clear. The dsl has some fiziness on the high gain channel that you need to dial around it. To be honest, at the end, I just use the engl a lot more

[@jeffreyschroder8004]

Yeah, that Mud Killer with the PT, was on point 🔥

[@pat1012]

I have this amp with the engl 2x12 and love it 🤘

[@lesterksi4521]

Im a small wattage high gain guy and this is one of them. I wish there are something lower than 10watts. Hope to see that one day.

[@lordgraga]

This one has power scaling

[@matrixofsaturn1906]

I have the KT77 version. It's a beast. Truly unbeatable tone.

[@Doomlord74]

@KyleBull Dude what is your day job lol. You have a MASSIVE Killer amp collection for someone with a smaller channel. Really dig your content.

[@XMetalChefX]

Dude you are FLIRTING with the Ashe zu Ashe riff with the Ltd Phoenix lol

[@LeDechaine]

I made the same face at 16:00 😈Great vid again, thanks!

[@BigMuff520]

I wish these were not so expensive in the USA. I looked up the price on Thomann and it’s basically half but they cannot ship them to the US

[@ivanzivanovic4013]

Wonder if we can get an MT15 vs Fireball25 comparison

[@belligerentamateur]

Unfortunately I no long own either.

[@josephrusso7069]

I can't believe how good and big it sounds!

[@MrPhantomdream]

What cabinet did you use? Mine didn't sound big at all.

[@breakfastbuddy5]

just keep the output tubes without distortion , it the tube is El 84 the resistor need to be higer than 47 K , so 68 K in the PI section would help ,

[@232lazy]

This amp rocks with synergy setup in four cable.

[@turboaggro949]

Thanks for the demo! I tried a mini-rectifier and the volume i needed to get it to sound good was way too loud for my apt…does this thing sound better at lower volumes? Also, do you use attenuators?

[@brutalslam8443]

Great video. Loved the tones. Sounded amazing through every guitar.

[@jgmopar]

The Fireball 25 will be my next purchase. I have the Fireball 100. A little loud for a bedroom amp. I mainly use my REVV G20. How do you say the G20 compares to the Fireball 25?

[@danc3746]

You are 100% dead on with needing to turn on the Mid Boost when using this amp live. I gigged with it and needed to turn that on to cut though better.

[@nm-156]

Just got the Fireball 100, blows my fking mind! My buddy played it and went and got the 25😂 I can't say enough about these amps... even though I mainly play high gain brutal stuff, I can play 80s metal/hair/glam and it sounds amazing with the right tweaks. Plus I finally gave the clean channel a whirl😮 omg... downright HOLY...I farted around with the shimmer reverb and it felt like I could collapse the house if I kept it up 😂

[@vaclavslovak3104]

did you try the most basic ENGL thunder head ? it has the same killer tone...

[@soundstorm9508]

It sounded the best by far with the LP standard. Sounded more open and percussive.

[@joetate8563]

Dude this amp rips! Thanks for the badass video 👌

[@robpetoletti826]

👍👍👍 I'm sold, thanks!

[@smokebillowin]

Gibson sounds great with or with out OD! Sheesh!

[@ryanberry5594]

Do you need to use a gate pedal when using an overdrive with this amp, or is the built in gate enough?

[@necroticpoison]

Sounds good, though it sounds a bit like the signal is being compressed in the DAW or on the way in. Doesn't happen all the time, though

[@belligerentamateur]

no compression pre or post

[@jamesosterberg2510]

I'm curious to see what the ENGL Ritchie Blackmore 100 has in its guts ??!!

[@metaldreams3595]

Omgosh that thing is thu-thu-thu..thirteen hundred and fifty smackeroons?!

[@warnerlohse]

should i get the recto cab or the matching cab from engl? hate lifing shit. gig on vce a month or more.

[@Darth.Shredder]

I've got a few Engls and a bunch of different cabs. I'd recommend matching this with an Engl 2x12 vertical cab over the Mesa (I have both). The Fireball 25 sounds sick through them, even the 1x12 (which I also have).

[@martinhensley2377]

Sounds great bro.

[@jakeliftsnshreds6670]

Sounds sick. What about the Friedman jj Junior? Love the friedman jj

[@martinhensley2377]

My favorite ENGL amp is the Invader.

[@brettlingle]

MT 15 is great also. Plus it has full size 6L6’s.

[@lowtunedg9211]

Engl nailed these, so much better than most other lunch box heads, cheaper and better than the Mesa badlander 25 by far

[@LeeHC33]

What's the difference between the fireball 25 kt77 ltd 25 and this one? Better tubes? Sound better?

[@sgg74]

how about to compare it with the Ironball 606 SE?

[@belligerentamateur]

Keep your eyes peeled 👀👀

[@LucasMastropasqua]

I wonder what the difference is between this and the ironball lunchbox head? I mean tonally.

[@craftyg2761]

Vs 5150 50s?

[@godojoshi1550]

Can this Amp be enough loud in clean without significant gain to gig with a band?

[@Derbixrace]

i wonder how this compares to the mt15 as they both have full sized tubes.

[@brianlarsenis]

I've owned both. Let's just say, I STILL own the ENGL.

[@karlmartin849]

Have you used the *Deadweald Duality DX* with it?

[@belligerentamateur]

Yep! Works great!

[@AdamRainStopper]

So.......headroom notwithstanding...... Those little lunchbox amps with EL84 push/pull output sections can actually be done really right, with a true 4 or 5 stage high gain preamp section and EL84Ms or 7189s if you can get 'em, or even the old leftover Soviet military equivalents (they'll have cyrillic characters saying something that looks like "6P14P-EV"). At least for recording. Headroom for a live show? Nah, you GOTTA have a mic on it and even then, if you need stage volume to hear yourself, have the cab close to you. However, for tracking metal guitar in a dense mix? They're actually sort of like a best kept secret type thing. So like, listen to a Boogie Mark V-25, recorded with the same mic(s) on the same cab, with only volume compensation is post. Solo'ed, they sound VERY close. BUT, in the mix? They actually work BETTER a lot of the time, due to the rounded character of the EL84 output. You won't need to do all that hard high-passing OR really much compressing of chugging parts, it's kinda already gone and did for you by them EL84s. That said, Engl makes MONSTERS, regardless of their size, and this is no exception. Nice demo.

[@Chuck5691]

Been looking for a 6l6 powered mini head this one is at the top.

[@roosky203]

Love these little things

[@jonathonwerner5968]

Compare it with the Soldano 30. I have this Engl amp.

[@edoardoferrarini]

Better then Mesa mark V 25?

[@xsnys13]

Plz do a 4 way shoot-out with Engl Fireball Powerball Inferno Ironball

[@Captainnitemare]

I have the same amp but a smaller cabinet, i cant get these tones at all

[@licccio2133]

Lucky me living in Europe :D Insane tone for a little lunchbox

[@g.e.a.2569]

This or the badlabder 25?

[@doug441]

Try the new KT77 version!

[@amirtak9886]

Its a great head, but i would still say the PRS mt15 is the #1 lunchbox head

[@nj1255]

I'm not a huge Engl fan, but I've always loved their Savage amps. The Fireball 25 also sounds pretty great for a small amp, but if they could get the price down to rival the MT15 it would definitely be more attractive to most people. The MT15 sounds simultaneously more chunky and smoother, and considering the price difference, I would probably choose the MT15 every time. The tone itself is ofc a very subjective matter though!

[@belligerentamateur]

German made vs made overseas. That's the price difference.

[@rickyturner2742]

​@@belligerentamateur Still not worth the extra outlay. £769 GBP for the Engl, compared to the MT15 at £522 GBP. I know what I rather get, the MT15 all day long. But for the same price I'd rather get the Engl Fireball 25 LTD Red as that has 6L6, for me EL84 in high gain amps just doesn't cut it, plus lower wattage amps don't have the same low end thump as higher wattage amps. The issue he's describing is the EL84s, nah the MT15 for me all day long.

[@lordgraga]

@@rickyturner2742the Fireball is 6L6 too, so that’s the same?

[@nj1255]

​@@belligerentamateur Is the Fireball 25 made in Germany? I thought it was one of their Chinese made amps. That price is pretty decent for an EU made amp then!

[@sokko67]

I sold my Fireball on Reverb a couple of months ago. I liked it but preferred the MT15.