TEST: Engl E600

 It is what it is, all guitarists love the thick phallus in the form of the ultimate full stack, everyone wants it, everyone wants to play it, but no one wants to transport it, let alone set it up before the show or, even worse, take it down after the show. If you are in the fortunate situation of being able to call up a correspondingly high fee in order to pay the corresponding backliners, the problem is put into perspective. However, since perhaps only one per thousand of active musicians are in this position, in times of in-ear monitoring people are more inclined towards the practice-oriented version, the smallest possible but still very good-sounding version that fits in every trunk and can be used by the musician alone can be transported without back damage. One of the most successful German amp manufacturers, the Engl company, offers a very practical variant with the Engl E600 Ironball Combo, which has some very interesting details.

The structure of the Engl E600 Ironball Combo

When the Engl company quotes a retail price of 1,099 euros for a 20 watt combo, you can count on five fingers that this is not a Schrammel-class practice amp. In fact, Engl has also recognized that a practical concept can reach significantly more groups of buyers than just planning for battleships in the style of Invader or Powerball. Nevertheless, Engl will probably never make the mistake of offering products in the low budget range with a corresponding loss of quality for cost reasons.

This combo, which is also available as a top part https://www.thomann.de/de/engl_ironball_head_20_bundle_306938.htm, is manufactured in Germany and thus maintains the level of production that has distinguished Engl for years. The combo offers a two-channel all-tube amplifier that essentially offers half a third channel via a boost switch. Channel switch, boost and the internally installed digital reverb can also be accessed via footswitches.

Even though the Engl E600 Ironball Combo was designed for mobile use, due to the solid construction plus all-tube components, you can't avoid the impressive weight of almost 19 kilograms, which is due to the powerful housing compared to the Head with almost 8 kilograms. But there is also solid plywood plus the legendary speaker protection metal grille, which in terms of stability could easily have come from an American prison series. With the dimensions (W x H x D): 49 cm x 44 cm x 25 cm, however, for a 12" it is just in the league of a 1x12" cabinet, which means it is very handy. The construct rests on 4 pleasantly soft rubber feet, which actually offer a high level of stability against lateral forces on smooth surfaces and not just hope that the weight of the combo provides enough support for the amplifier.

The top of the Engl E600 Ironball Combo

When it comes to channel management, the Engl E600 Ironball Combo is classic, meaning the two channels share a three-band tone control plus the presence control in the power amplifier. The clean and lead channels each have a gain control, with the lead channel having its own volume control. As expected, both channels are managed at their final volume via a master volume. Power switch, standby, done! Just classic.

The back of the Engl E600 Ironball Combo

Like many other combos with top controls, the Engl E600 Ironball Combo also shares the problem of rear access to the connections. To get to the respective sockets, you have to reach through the combo that is open at the back and do a little fiddling upwards, which is made easier by the assignment printed on the back. The fact that this is an identical version of the top in terms of amplifier technology can already be seen from the speaker outputs, which, in addition to the internally installed Celestion G12 Vintage 30 with 8 ohms, also offer the operation of 2x 16 ohm speakers. A luxurious but rather unusual circuit for a combo.

For speaker-less operation, the Engl E600 Ironball Combo also offers the option of a frequency-corrected D.I. output and headphone operation. Please note the ohm number of 8-32 ohms, high-end studio headphones with 600 ohms or more are not the amplifier's target group. Then we have the reverb control, a serial FX loop and the footswitch connections. IEC plug, main fuse, done!

There is a switchable power soak at the top left of the back of the case, which greatly expands the flexibility of the product. However, this is only available at the 8 ohm output of the power amplifier. The 20 watts supplied by default, which are generated from 4x ECC83 plus 2x EL84, can be reduced to 5 or 1 watt, or the speaker can be completely deactivated. With this trick, the amp can range from a stage volume (20 watts of all-tube power is VERY loud in a club) down to the overused term “bedroom amp” (if you've ever hit your loved one with 1 watt in the bedroom, you'll definitely be thrown out of it! ) cover a wide range of applications. The practical test will show to what extent he, like many of his colleagues, may have to accept loss of sound.

The Engl E600 Ironball Combo in practice

Combos that open to the back have an advantage and a disadvantage. The advantage is that approximately half of the loudspeaker's vibration energy is delivered tonally to the front and back and a musician placed at the back of the stage, such as B. the drummer can hear a lot of the guitar tone without having to use his own monitor path. The disadvantage is that an open combo generally generates less bass and forward thrust than a closed cabinet, possibly even with a bass reflex opening.

Now the Celestion G12 Vintage 30 is an established loudspeaker that has its supporters all over the world, but it is generally characterized by an always nasal, high-mid-heavy tone, which is very well established in the bang structure, but also has a latent “bite” in it heights are noticeable. This sound character is noticeable from the first note with the Engl E600 Ironball Combo. There is a tendency to always set the bass control to full, but this only colors the character, not changes it. The comparatively low excursion and the headroom of the speaker, which is reduced due to the wattage, are always present and give the combo a very unique character.

Let's start with the clean sound first. If you are looking for an ultra clean Fender tone, the Engl E600 Ironball Combo is the wrong choice. The clean channel already has extremely high gain reserves (see sound files 01 - 03) and can only be persuaded to produce a really clean sound with a gain control setting of up to a maximum of 8 o'clock. The sound is clear, crisp and very slim.

At 9 a.m. the first crunches start, which generate a very nice sixties vintage tone. Crisp and snappy, nice classic rock.

When the boost is switched on, the compression of the sound increases. The tone becomes softer and gains sustain. In this sound file you can hear very well the basic character of the Vintage 30 loudspeaker, which is known to always have a latent high-mid-heavy effect.

In the lead channel you can immediately see which company emblem is on the protective grille. The fact that Engl is famous for his high gain sounds can also be seen in this combo.

The finale is a sustained solo guitar with the boost switched on in the lead channel. Here the Engl E600 Ironball Combo can show its full strength in the high gain range.


The following assessment is not meant to be judgmental as it is based on the author's own personal preferences, but I personally believe that a slightly more powerful speaker in the style of e.g. B. the Vintage 60 would be good for the combo. The combination with a pair of EL84 power tubes, which for structural reasons also tends to have a strong treble presence, could generate more bass and low-mid range, which would bring the strengths of the Engl E600 Ironball Combo even more to the fore.

The amp performs excellently in the high gain range at room volume with 1 watt output power. While many competitors only emit a thin preamp chirp as the final volume decreases above a certain level, the Engl E600 Ironball Combo actually manages to produce a structured and, above all, dynamic tone even at minimum volume. You could actually “misuse” the amp as a luxurious practice amp; I have rarely played an amplifier that performed so well at low volumes. This is where the slim design of the Vintage 30 can show its strengths.

Of course, a 12" loudspeaker sounds different at minimal deflection than when the cardboard is really pumping, but the amplifier section performs excellently despite the speaker's almost non-existent return currents. By the way, 1 watt power amplifier is opened up strongly and then a moderate preamp distortion, preferably via the clean channel, and you have an excellent AC/DC rhythm sound at club volume. Now if the drummer joins in...

Conclusion

With the Engl E600 Ironball Combo, one of Germany's most successful amp manufacturers has a very hot iron in the fire. The combo is a real rocker that serves all the nuances of rock music in very high quality, from the many shades of crunch to real high gain.

In addition, the Powersoak works with only minimal sound changes and delivers the very good basic sound even at room volume if required. If you are looking for a very good all-tube sound at all volumes, you should definitely give the combo a try.

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Additional Informations:

**Exploring Engl Amplifiers' Comprehensive Lineup of Combo Amplifiers**

Engl Amplifiers has long been revered in the guitar community for its commitment to crafting high-quality, versatile amplifiers that cater to the diverse needs of musicians. While Engl is often associated with its iconic head and cabinet setups, the company also boasts an impressive lineup of combo amplifiers. These all-in-one units offer the convenience of a compact design without sacrificing the signature Engl tone and performance. In this detailed exploration, we'll delve into Engl's range of combo amplifiers, examining their features, tonal capabilities, and suitability for various playing styles.

**RockMaster Series:**

The RockMaster series represents Engl's foray into the realm of combo amplifiers designed specifically for rock guitarists. Models like the RockMaster 20 and RockMaster 40 feature all-tube designs that deliver the dynamic response and harmonically rich tones that define the Engl sound. With switchable wattage options, these amplifiers are equally at home in the studio, rehearsal space, or on stage, offering ample power for gigging musicians while remaining manageable for bedroom practice sessions. The RockMaster series boasts versatile EQ controls, built-in reverb, and responsive dynamics, making it an ideal choice for players seeking classic rock tones with modern flexibility.

**IronBall Series:**

Compact yet powerful, the IronBall series embodies Engl's commitment to portability without compromise. These all-tube combo amplifiers pack a punch with their 20-watt designs, making them suitable for both stage and studio use. The IronBall E606 and IronBall E606/2 amplifiers feature a streamlined control layout that prioritizes ease of use, making them ideal for players who crave simplicity without sacrificing tone. With selectable gain stages, built-in power attenuators, and onboard reverb, the IronBall series offers a wide range of tones ranging from pristine cleans to searing lead tones, making it a versatile option for guitarists on the go.

**Thunder Series:**

For players seeking a versatile all-in-one solution, the Thunder series offers a compelling blend of power and flexibility. Models like the Thunder 50 and Thunder 50 Reverb combine Engl's renowned tube-driven tone with modern features designed to meet the demands of today's guitarists. These combo amplifiers feature multiple channels, onboard effects loops, and footswitchable boost functions, providing players with the tools necessary to cover a wide range of musical styles and applications. Whether you're performing on stage or recording in the studio, the Thunder series delivers reliable performance and exceptional tone in a compact and portable package.

**Classic Series:**

Drawing inspiration from vintage amplifier designs of the past, the Classic series combines timeless tone with modern functionality. Amplifiers like the Classic 50 and Classic 60 offer a blend of vintage warmth and responsiveness, making them ideal for blues, rock, and country guitarists seeking authentic vintage tones. These combo amplifiers feature tube-driven spring reverb, selectable output wattages, and responsive EQ controls, allowing players to dial in their desired sound with ease. With their compact yet robust construction, the Classic series amplifiers are equally suited for home practice sessions and live performances, making them a versatile choice for players of all skill levels.

**Conclusion:**

Engl Amplifiers' lineup of combo amplifiers showcases the company's dedication to craftsmanship, tone, and versatility. Whether you're a rock guitarist in need of dynamic tube-driven tones or a blues player seeking vintage warmth and character, Engl offers a combo amplifier to suit your needs. With features like selectable wattage options, built-in effects, and responsive EQ controls, Engl combo amplifiers provide players with the tools necessary to unlock their creative potential and achieve their desired sound. From the rehearsal room to the stage, Engl combo amplifiers deliver uncompromising performance and exceptional tone, earning them a place among the industry's most respected amplification solutions.