The best amplifier for electronic drums is needed to produce sound. One of the main reasons drummers or parents of prospective drummers purchase electronic drum sets is because they are quieter than their acoustic counterparts. Essentially, electronic drum sets are digital acoustic drum sets. Its pieces do not produce sounds themselves but instead, use electronic signals to translate hits to the actual sound. Because of this property of electronic drums, there must be a way for drummers to hear the drums sounds these electronic kits produce. Headphones or in-ear monitors usually fulfill this role for silent practice.
“For readers who need great in-ear monitors that don’t bust the bank, we have reviewed some of them here.”
However, there are times when we need to be loud. Whether for practicing with bandmates or actually performing on a stage; electronic drum kits need some sort of speakers to let not just yourself, but everybody hear what you are playing. This is where the best amplifiers for electronic drums come into play.
What are Amplifiers for Electronic Drums?
Amplifiers for electronic drums are speakers which let the drummer, their bandmates, or an audience hear the sound electronic drums produce. It could either be an amplifier and speaker combo or a single powered speaker system. However, notice the distinction in the name; “Amplifiers for Electronic Drums.” There is a distinction because electronic drums are a different class of instruments compared to the usual type of instruments that need amplification.
Interested in the best and most affordable electronic drum sets out there? Check out our guide for the best electronic drum sets here.
Why the distinction?
Electric guitars and bass guitars need amplifiers as well however, the sound of the instruments themselves occupy only a certain range of frequencies in the sound spectrum. Thus, their respective amplifiers take only the range these instruments sound in. Electronic drums sound fundamentally different from bass guitars and electric guitars so simply using a guitar or bass amp will not produce the correct sound. Electronic drums produce sounds that cover a wide range of frequencies in the sound spectrum therefore, electronic drums require wide-range speakers.
What is the right kind of amplifier for electronic drums?
Due to being able to handle the wide frequency ranges of electronic drums, PA speakers whose primary purpose is to let an audience hear all the instruments in a band are generally the best choice of speakers for electronic drums. Many of the dedicated electronic drums out in the market are essentially smaller PA speakers, designed to produce electronic drum sounds in lower volumes for a drummer, a band, or a small audience.
This video explains how dedicated electronic drum amplifiers are essentially PA speakers.
Top Ten Best Amplifier for Electronic Drums
Donner DDA-35 AMP 35-Watt Electronic Drum Amplifier
Features:
- 35 Watts
- 8-inch Woofer
- 2.5-inch Tweeter
- 2-channel Input
- 3-band Equalizer
- ⅛ Audio Input for Playback
- Wireless Input
- DI Output
Description:
The Donner DDA-35 AMP 35-Watt Electronic Drum Amplifier is a dedicated electronic drums amplifier that is designed to be used in smaller spaces. It is one of the best amplifier for electronic drums because it can produce the wide range of sounds an electronic drum set makes. Its built-in 3-band equalizer allows you to dial in the perfect mix of lows, mids, and highs, to tailor your drum sound however you like.
Because it is a 35-watt amp and speaker combo, it is intended for use in smaller spaces such as a practice room or small venues. In this role, the Donner DDA-35 AMP 35-Watt Electronic Drum Amplifier performs well. Boasting an 8-inch main speaker/woofer and a 2.5-inch tweeter, this amplifier can fill up a small practice room or venue with a substantial sound.
Coolmusic DK-35 50W Personal Monitor Amplifier
Features:
- 50 Watts
- 10-inch Woofer
- 1.5-inch Tweeter
- 2-channel Input
- Channel-1 Input built-in Reverb and Tone Control
- Channel-2 Input 2-band Equalizer
- RCA Input for Playback
- DI Output
Description:
The Coolmusic DK-35 50W Personal Monitor Amplifier is a multitool. Although mainly designed to take in a vocal microphone or an electronic keyboard, it can also handle an electronic drum set, at the same time! This cements its status as one of the best amplifier for electronic drums in our eyes.
The speakers are a 10-inch main speaker/woofer and a 1.5-inch tweeter, designed to put out the best sound for your electronic drum set and fill a small practice space or venue with an ample volume. A 50-watt power amp drives the speakers.
ddrum DDA50 BT 50 Watt Electronic Percussion Amp with Bluetooth
Features:
- 50 Watts
- 10-inch Woofer
- 2.5-inch Tweeter
- 2-channel Input
- 1-channel Aux Input
- 3-band Equalizer
- ⅛-inch Input for Playback
- ⅛-inch Phone Output
- Wireless Bluetooth Input
Description:
The ddrum DDA50 BT 50 Watt Electronic Percussion Amp with Bluetooth is a 50-watt electronic drum amplifier that is designed for use in small spaces such as small clubs or practice rooms. The ddrum DDA50 BT 50 Watt Electronic Percussion Amp with Bluetooth’s small package allows it to be easily transported for live gigs in small cafes or for street performances.
Featuring a 10-inch main speaker/woofer, the ddrum DDA50 BT 50 Watt Electronic Percussion Amp with Bluetooth can put out substantial volumes because it is driven by a 50-watt power amp. It also features a wireless Bluetooth option for playback. If for some reason this feature cannot be used, it has a ⅛ inch input for audio playback.
Its small size and features make it one of the best amplifier for electronic drums.
Powerwerks PW50 PA System
Features:
- 50 Watts
- 4.5-Twin Main Speakers
- 1 High-Frequency Horn
- 2-channel Input
- 2-band Equalizer
- Powerlink System Synchronization
- Built-in Echo Effect
Description:
The Powerwerks PW50 PA System is a powered PA speaker that can function not only as a powered speaker but also as an electric drum set amplifier. It puts out 50 watts of power that drive 2 twin 4.5-inch main speakers and a high-frequency horn for use in small venues and practice spaces. The two main speakers produce the low to mid-frequency drum sounds such as the kick drums the snare drums and the toms while the high-frequency tweeter deals with the cymbal sounds.
Its tall form allows it to be easily transported and placed in small gig situations or cramped practice rooms. Therefore, this makes the Powerwerks PW50 PA System one of the best amplifier for electronic drums out there.
LyxPro SPA-8-8″ Compact Portable PA System
Features:
- 100 Watts
- 10-inch LF Driver
- 1-inch Titanium Diaphragm HF Driver
- 2-channel Input
- 2-band Equalizer
- ⅛-inch Aux Input
- Wireless Bluetooth Input
- DI Output
Description:
We are now getting into the big hitters. 50 watts can only provide proper headroom for small spaces. Crank a 50-watt powered speaker a little louder for larger venues and your sound will begin to clip. Your sweet drum tone will start to distort and people will notice. With a 100-watt speaker system, however, you can fill up larger spaces with a wall of sound befitting of a proper drum beat.
With the LyxPro SPA-8-8″ Compact Portable PA System, you can do exactly that. Powered by a 100-watt power amp, this can handle higher volumes. The LyxPro SPA-8-8″ Compact Portable PA System can be used as a stage monitor. Its DI output allows it to send audio to the front-of-house while fulfilling a stage monitor role. Electronic drum amplifiers are essentially PA systems rebranded as dedicated electronic drum amplifiers and the LyxPro SPA-8-8″ Compact Portable PA System will definitely fulfill your needs making it one of the best amplifiers for electronic drums.
LyxPro SPA-5.5 Small PA Speaker Monitor Class-D
Features:
- 125 Watts
- 5-inch Main Speaker
- 2-channel Input
- 3-band Equalizer
- +48V Phantom Power
- Built-in Echo Effect
- RCA Input for Playback
- SC Card Slot for Playback
Description:
The LyxPro SPA-5.5 Small PA Speaker Monitor Class-D primarily focuses on taking vocal microphones and functions more like an EQ and power amp for passive speakers. Still, it has a 5-inch speaker that allows it to function as an amplifier for electronic drums. The power amp drives a respectable 125 watts which can power passive speaker systems. It can also function as a one-stop PA power amp and control system for small gigs or outdoor busking performances provided that passive speakers are included in the setup.
While serving as a PA power amp, the 5-inch speaker allows it to perform as a stage monitor as well.
Truly, the LyxPro SPA-5.5 Small PA Speaker Monitor Class-D is a great multitool that will easily find its place in many electronic drum setups making it one of the best amplifiers for electronic drums out there.
Coolmusic 100W Bluetooth Personal Monitor Electronic Drum Amplifier
Features:
- 100 Watts
- Coaxial Dual Speaker System
- 10-inch Woofer
- 1-inch Tweeter
- 2-channel Input
- 3-band Equalizer
- USB Audio Input for Playback
- Wireless Bluetooth Input
- DI Output
Description:
The Coolmusic 100W Bluetooth Personal Monitor Electronic Drum Amplifier is the bigger and more powerful sibling of the Coolmusic DK-35 50W Personal Monitor Amplifier. Powered by a 100-watt power amp, this can handle volumes that the Coolmusic DK-35 50W Personal Monitor Amplifier cannot. Because it comes in a wedge form factor, the Coolmusic 100W Bluetooth Personal Monitor Electronic Drum Amplifier can be used as a dedicated electronic drum amplifier and also as a stage monitor. It has a DI output that allows it to send audio to the front-of-house mix while simultaneously being a stage monitor. Because it can perform this multi-purpose role, the Coolmusic 100W Bluetooth Personal Monitor Electronic Drum Amplifier is one of the best amplifier for electronic drums.
Seismic Audio FL-10MP-PW
Features:
- 250 Watts RMS
- 10-inch Woofer
- 1-channel Input
- 3-band Equalizer
- ⅛-input for Playback
Description:
The Seismic Audio FL-10MP-PW offers a simple solution for electronic drum set amplification. It functions mainly as a stage monitor however, it can also be used for electronic drums making it one of the best amplifiers for electronic drums. The 10-inch main speakers/woofer which is supported by a tweeter is powered by a 250 watt (RMS) power amp, which is enough to fill a medium-sized venue with sound befitting of a drum set.
It also features a 3-band equalizer which helps you get the best sound balance and quality for your electronic drum set. Intended for use in practice spaces and gig venues, The Seismic Audio FL-10MP-PW is a great choice for electronic drums.
Behringer Eurolive B210D
Features:
- 170 Watts RMS
- 10-inch Woofer
- 1.35-inch Tweeter
- 2-band Equalizer
Description:
The Behringer is a staple brand in the pro audio sphere and Behringer’s Eurolive B210D is a staple in PA systems. It is a no-frills-powered speaker that delivers 170 watts (RMS) of power to drive its 10-inch main speaker/woofer and its 1.35-inch tweeter.
It also has a 2-band equalizer allowing you to boost or tame the low end or crank up or cut the high end of your sound.
As stated earlier, electronic drum amplifiers are basically rebranded powered PA speaker systems. In this regard, the Behringer Eurolive B210D functions well as one of the best amplifiers for electronic drums.
PylePro PPHP1037UB Powered Active PA Loudspeaker Bluetooth System
Features:
- 350 Watts RMS
- 10-inch Woofer
- 1-inch Tweeter
- 2-band Equalizer
- RCA input
- ⅛-inch Input for Playback
- MP3 Audio Recording Ability
- Wireless Playback Streaming vie Bluetooth
Description:
PylePro have outdone themselves when they offered the PylePro PPHP1037UB out in the market. It features a lot of qualities which cements is status as one of the best amplifier for electronic drums out there in the market and is our top recommendation here in this review.
Basically, another powered PA speaker system that enables you to let every piece of your electronic drums be heard, it has a 10-inch main speaker/monitor and a 1-inch tweeter which is powered by a power amp that puts out a whopping 350 watts (RMS) of power. One PylePro PPHP1037UB is definitely enough for a medium-sized venue.
What sets this apart however is the audio recording feature. There are many different ways to use this great feature. Record your drum performance at home or practice for review or record a whole live performance by your band when you use the PylePro PPHP1037UB as the main speaker.
All these features come with a very affordable price tag making it the best amplifier for electronic drums on the list.
FAQs about Electronic Drum Sets:
Do electronic drums need an amp?
Yes. A practicing band or an audience needs to hear a drummer’s performance via an amplifier. The usual route drummers take for hearing what they play is by using earphones for electronic drums. for solo and silent practice, earphones are adequate. For band practice or live performances, an amplifier for electronic drums is required.
Can you use guitar amp for electronic drums?
No. You cannot use a guitar amp or a bass amp for electronic drums. First, a guitar or a bass guitar uses a guitar/bass amp, not electronic drums. Electronic drums are a different type of instrument that sounds very different from a guitar amp. Even if you tried to use a guitar amp for electronic drums, it will not sound right. Second, you will damage a guitar amp and its speaker cabinet if you plug and play an electronic drum set through it. Third, guitar amps are more expensive than a typical dedicated electronic drum amplifier or speaker system, and using one with your electronic drums will break it.
Can I use speakers for electronic drums?
Yes. However, producing the best sound requires a certain type of speaker; dedicated electronic drum amplifiers or PA system speakers. Dedicated electronic drum amplifiers are basically PA speakers converted to take on a dedicated role for electronic drum sets. Needless to say, PA speakers are definitely a good way to go as well.
Can I use computer speakers for electronic drums?
Yes. However, it is always best to use a dedicated electronic drum amplifier or a PA speaker to get practical use out of electronic drum sets; either for band practice or performances.
What amp is best for electronic drums?
Generally speaking, a dedicated electronic drum amplifier that puts out 50 watts of power like those we reviewed here is a great start for solo practice. However, for practicing with a band where everybody tends to get loud, 100-watt electronic drum amplifiers and PA speakers are more practical. Live performances also require more powerful speakers like these.
Conclusion:
Drums should be loud. They drive the rhythm in music and all the other members in a band depend on it. Acoustic drums have no trouble with being loud. Electronic drums, on the other hand, need a proper set of noisemakers to be heard by the band and by an audience. We hope that our reviews of the best amplifier for electronic drums have helped you choose the best set of speakers and amplifiers for your electronic drums.