TEST: Engl Ironball R606 20 SE

 As much as the big all-tube heads of the top league are considered the ultimate in cultivated sound, they have lost a lot of their presence in the live sector in recent years. You can often only find them in the area of committed hobby musicians who are not above dragging the heads from the rehearsal room onto the stage or in the upper league of artists who have a corresponding crew that takes care of the artist's technical needs takes care. The majority of “working musicians” either rely on digital simulations of the analog original, or they work with lunchbox amps, which can hold a candle to their big brothers in terms of quality and sound. Today's test is about such a "little brother"; we have the Engl E606 Ironball Head 20 SE for testing.

The construction of the Engl E606 Ironball Head 20 SE

Introducing the Engl company in the field of full-tube amplifiers would mean carrying owls to Athens. Hardly any other German company has achieved such great worldwide popularity in this segment as the company based in Tittmoning, Germany, along with the claim to be able to compete with all the big names across the pond or the English Channel.

The Engl E606 Ironball Head 20 SE is an extended version of the Ironball Head, which is based on the same basis as the regular Ironball head, but comes with a greatly expanded range of functions, with Engl attaching great importance to both the classic Engl full tube sound to reproduce, as well as to meet modern requirements in the simulation / emulation area. In order to do justice to this “Swiss army knife” philosophy, the entire front and especially the back area is used and is packed with a variety of control and switching options.

The amp sits in a solid, high-quality metal housing, which sits on four soft and high rubber feet, which in turn are high enough to place the amp above any cabinet carrying handle, which may be located on the top of the cabinet. A black grille on the front of the housing reveals 4x ECC 83/12 AX7 preamp tubes and 2x EL 84 power tubes. The power of the head is given as 20 watts, which means the amp is at least half as loud as a 100 watt all-tube top, which is already at home in the “infernal if necessary” volume group.

All controls, both on the front and back of the housing, are slightly set back so that objects impacting on the surface do not cause one or more potentiometers to be immediately torn off. To transport the amp, there is a solid metal carrying handle on the top of the housing, which can be folded up if necessary. The amp is also delivered in a high-quality soft bag, which has an additional pocket for cables etc.

The Engl E606 Ironball Head 20 SE is a two-channel all-tube amp in which the two channels share a common 3-band tone control. In order to make the lead channel even more flexible, the amp has an additional presence control in this channel. Furthermore, a lead volume control offers the volume gradation between the two channels, while a master volume control regulates the overall volume of the amp. All controls are marked with a bold white line, so that you can easily read the respective control position even in poor lighting conditions. Otherwise, at the end on the right side there is a power switch and a standby switch, so far so clear.

The total of eight mini switches appear more interesting, which are located between the master controller and the standby switch and each provide information about their range of functions using a small LED. In addition to a store switch, which is particularly important in the MIDI setup mentioned later, the remaining seven switches offer the following switching options:

M.V.B. (Master Volume Boost): a second master volume, for example to switch between rhythm and solo playing.
Reverb: Reverb activation, by holding the switch for two seconds the reverb tails are activated or deactivated
Delay: Delay activation, by holding the switch for two seconds the delay tails are activated or deactivated
Gain Boost: the name says it all
Clean Lead: the manual switch between the two channels
FX Loop: Activation/deactivation of the serial loop path
Noise Gate: Activate/deactivate the noise gate

The back of the Engl E606 Ironball Head 20 SE

Anyone who is already impressed by the front of the amplifier with its diverse control options in a comparatively small space will rub their eyes in surprise when they look at the back. Every square centimeter is really used here to provide the user with an extensive set of rules. First, the questions that some readers have probably already asked themselves regarding the delay, reverb and noise gate controls will be answered. The areas of delay mix, delay time, feedback, reverb amount and noise gate threshold can be adjusted using a total of 5 rotary controls.

Furthermore, the internally installed Powersoak can also be accessed here, which offers the setting options Full Power, 5 Watt, 1 Watt and Speaker Off. To address it again directly, if the amp is to run in IR mode without a box connected, the same switch MUST BE switched to “Speaker Off”, as without the internal load resistor the amp will be damaged within a very short time. This is a full tube amp, which, in contrast to solid state amps, is short-circuit proof, but dies immediately under load! In this context, careful attention must be paid to the correct impedance selection for the speakers. Engl enables the connection of a single 8 ohm box, a single 16 ohm box (the amp gives you this ohm leeway) or two 16 ohm boxes, which means that a total impedance of 8 ohms must not be undercut. Therefore, check carefully whether you have a full stack with 2 pieces. You have 8 ohm speakers at the start or maybe you have used the 4 ohm input on your stereo 412 cabinet!

In addition to a serial FX loop, the amp also offers a jack-shaped footswitch input for channel changing using traditional cabling. But if you want to use the full range of sound management, you are guaranteed to operate the Engl E606 Ironball Head 20 SE with a MIDI baseboard, which can be connected via MIDI In. Unfortunately, the amp does not offer MIDI Out/Thru, i.e. H. if you have an additional MIDI instrument, e.g. For example, if you want to connect a Multi FX, the amp must be the last link in the MIDI chain. With a third-party MIDI bar, you can switch off the phantom power of the Engl footbar using a switch if necessary.

Finally, the Engl E606 Ironball Head 20 SE offers 8 pieces. IR Cabinets, which are both on the built-in D.I. Box, as well as on the adjustable headphone output, can be charged via a USB port and can be switched whether the signal should be pre or post with regard to the FX section. Finally, at the bottom left is the cold appliance socket along with a fine fuse that is accessible from the outside.

The Engl E606 Ironball Head 20 SE in practice

With dimensions (W x D x H): 335 mm x 217 mm x 142 mm, the Engl E606 Ironball Head 20 SE requires a little more space than many other lunchbox amps, especially in depth, but the carrying handle is perfectly placed so that it can be used Despite the weights of the different transformers, the amp has no list whatsoever. Even if the weight of 8 kg could make a Kemper user sweat (just kidding!), the amp can be transported without any effort and can also be easily lifted onto a full stack.

I can imagine that some readers are worried about a two-channel design, along the lines of “only two sounds”. I can take this worry away from every user as long as you keep two points in mind. On the one hand, with the Gain Boost you have an additional sound option for both channels, and on the other hand, the old Jeff Beck principle can be implemented to perfection with this amp. Jeff Beck opened up the preamp to the max for his gain sounds and controlled all of his crunch sounds with the volume control on his guitar.

Exactly this principle can be implemented excellently with the Engl E606 Ironball Head 20 SE. Both channels are designed to be comparatively “hot” and depend very well on the guitar’s volume control. With a hard attack and appropriate pickups you can coax the clean channel into a subtle crunch, but at the same time you can create completely clean sounds even with the volume turned down. The same applies to the lead channel, which converts the well-known Engl high gain sound into a subtle crunch using the volume control. Both channels have a very high sound quality and offer an excellent basic sound at all volumes. It is also interesting that, despite the EL84 equipment in the power tubes, the amp sounds significantly more “massive” than some other competitors with the same equipment.

In summary, an excellent amp that scores with compact dimensions, an outstanding sound and great flexibility in all relevant areas!

Conclusion

With the Engl E606 Ironball Head 20 SE, the German manufacturer has an excellent lunchbox amp in its portfolio, which is also completely manufactured in Germany and thus secures jobs. A complete absence of any negative points is offset by an armada of positive points such as sound, concept, workmanship and flexibility, so if you are looking for a compact and powerful all-tube amp, you have come to the right place with this amp.

Be sure to check it out!

————————-

Additional Informations:

When it comes to crafting premium amplifiers for musicians, few companies can match the expertise and reputation of Engl Amps. Established in 1983 by Horst Langer, Engl has consistently pushed the boundaries of sound engineering, delivering high-quality amplification solutions sought after by professional musicians worldwide. With a commitment to innovation, craftsmanship, and sonic excellence, Engl has amassed a diverse product range tailored to meet the needs of guitarists across various genres and playing styles.

**Classic Series:**

The Classic Series embodies the timeless essence of tube amplification, delivering warm, vintage tones reminiscent of iconic rock and blues eras. Models like the Classic 50 and Classic 100 showcase Engl's meticulous attention to detail in circuit design and component selection. These amplifiers feature EL34 power tubes for rich harmonic saturation, along with responsive EQ controls that allow players to sculpt their desired tone with precision. Whether it's creamy overdriven textures or crisp clean tones, the Classic Series captures the essence of classic rock tones with modern reliability.

**Powerball Series:**

For guitarists craving high-gain firepower and versatility, the Powerball Series stands as a formidable choice. Engineered for sonic aggression, models like the Powerball II and Powerball 100 offer blistering distortion capabilities without sacrificing clarity and definition. Four independent channels provide a wide spectrum of tones, ranging from sparkling cleans to searing lead tones, making it an ideal companion for metal and hard rock players. Features such as built-in noise gates and adjustable power amp damping ensure tight, articulate response even under the most extreme gain settings, catering to the demands of modern heavy music.

**Fireball Series:**

The Fireball Series embodies simplicity and raw power, catering to the needs of players who prefer straightforward operation without compromising on tone. Models like the Fireball 25 and Fireball 100 deliver muscular tube-driven tones with a focus on punch and aggression. With two-channel layouts optimized for rhythm and lead playing, these amplifiers excel in delivering tight low-end response and cutting through dense mixes with ease. Enhanced features such as onboard reverb and adjustable bright switches offer additional tonal flexibility, making the Fireball Series a go-to choice for players seeking no-nonsense performance.

**Ironball Series:**

Compact yet mighty, the Ironball Series packs a punch in a portable format, making it an ideal companion for gigging musicians and recording artists. Models like the Ironball E606 and Ironball 20 deliver authentic tube tone in a lunchbox-sized package, perfect for studio work or stage performances where space is limited. Despite its small footprint, the Ironball Series doesn't compromise on sound quality, offering a wide range of tones from pristine cleans to high-gain mayhem. Features such as built-in power soak and line output make it a versatile tool for both live and studio applications, appealing to players seeking portability without sacrificing tone.

**Signature Series:**

In collaboration with renowned artists, Engl has developed a range of signature amplifiers tailored to meet the specific sonic requirements of individual players. From the aggressive tones of the Savage SE to the melodic versatility of the Steve Morse Signature, each amplifier in the Signature Series reflects the unique playing style and tonal preferences of its namesake. These amplifiers undergo rigorous testing and refinement to ensure they capture the essence of the artist's sound while offering the reliability and performance expected from Engl products. With features like MIDI compatibility and custom voicings, the Signature Series amplifiers empower players to unleash their creativity on stage and in the studio.

**Conclusion:**

In conclusion, Engl Amps' product range offers a comprehensive selection of amplification solutions designed to cater to the diverse needs of guitarists across different genres and playing styles. From classic tube-driven tones to modern high-gain aggression, Engl amplifiers combine craftsmanship, innovation, and sonic excellence to inspire musicians and elevate their performances. Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring enthusiast, Engl's commitment to quality and reliability ensures that you'll find the perfect amplifier to unleash your musical potential.