Line 6 Helix Stadium Talk

[EOengineer]

A = Legacy
B = Agoura

I thought people were complaining about the new Panama? This is why you only partially intake the mob hype.

I wouldn’t call it complaining, but there were definitely 5153 owners raising questions and concerns in this thread. Were you not around for that?

“Mob hype” makes it sound like BS but several users did some pretty solid work providing audio examples demonstrating some possible issues with the top end in that model.

 

[[Nathan]]

I wouldn’t call it complaining, but there were definitely 5153 owners raising questions and concerns in this thread. Were you not around for that?

“Mob hype” makes it sound like BS but several users did some pretty solid work providing audio examples demonstrating some possible issues with the top end in that model.

I glanced at it and would honestly need to re-digest a lot of the information. I went into it thinking there was going to be a problem with the Panama. I can only base things off my usage but so far so good for me. I'm not trying to make big bold claims about it, I'm just one guy who uses a lot of this stuff and I was surprised how well the Agoura Panama was considering the sentiment I've seen around.

At the end of the day I just want the best product possible, so if people pointed stuff out and it went to Line6 HQ ready for fixing, I'm all for the updates. But on the flip side I unboxed a new stadium and the current Panama sounds good/better than the legacy one, I can't sugar coat that either.

 

[EOengineer]

I glanced at it and would honestly need to re-digest a lot of the information. I went into it thinking there was going to be a problem with the Panama. I can only base things off my usage but so far so good for me. I'm not trying to make big bold claims about it, I'm just one guy who uses a lot of this stuff and I was surprised how well the Agoura Panama was considering the sentiment I've seen around.

At the end of the day I just want the best product possible, so if people pointed stuff out and it went to Line6 HQ ready for fixing, I'm all for the updates. But on the flip side I unboxed a new stadium and the current Panama sounds good/better than the legacy one, I can't sugar coat that either.

Everything that I’ve played in Agoura is better than Hx. I’m baffled by anyone preferring Hx amps but I’ve just chalked that up to preference or whatever.

While I do think there might be a couple weird little things with a couple of the models, overall Agoura is just such a massive step forward when it comes to plugging in and playing the device. It feels and responds so much better.

 

[Mongillo19]

Everything that I’ve played in Agoura is better than Hx. I’m baffled by anyone preferring Hx amps but I’ve just chalked that up to preference or whatever.

While I do think there might be a couple weird little things with a couple of the models, overall Agoura is just such a massive step forward when it comes to plugging in and playing the device. It feels and responds so much better.

Agoura feel is 10/10.

I think the best of any modeler at the moment.

 

[EOengineer]

Agoura feel is 10/10.

I think the best of any modeler at the moment.

Yeah I think I agree, with perhaps only some of the V2 capture stuff getting there feel wise.

I bounce back & forth between Stadium and the AM4 - while I greatly prefer the AM4’s editing depth and often their choice of reference amp, Agoura just does something Fractal isn’t doing when you hit a big distorted chord and let it ring out. Even through cans it will almost trick me into thinking notes are blooming into feedback.

Pretty cool stuff.

 

[[Nathan]]

So I’m not crazy it is better
Instead of trying to test 100 things I’m trying to show restraint and go through it a bit slower. Only really spent time with Panama and it’s either on par with the best or is the best feel, just glorious to play. The cabs also feel super usable I’m not sure if they got an overhaul from the old stuff or if I never gave the old stuff the credit it deserves, either way it’s great.

I only used helix native, never had the hardware. I’ll die on this hill but the sliders always killed my joy using helix native, it just bugged me out and I’d have to force myself to open it. Having the knob option with stadium is a huge positive update for me.

 

[Orvillain]

A = Legacy
B = Agoura

No hype or anything added, settings matched (some old ones which arent there on Agoura etc).
I thought people were complaining about the new Panama? This is why you only partially intake the mob hype.

I don't think its crazy different but it feels like a nudge in the right direction, im happy with it. The Agoura stuff also feels better under the hands (as well as being represented a bit in the clips). I'm 2-3 days into this so im not saying this stuff as absolute truths, its just my experience so far.

Also attached non potato photo of the unit
View attachment 58950

It's genuinely a lot sexier without the expression pedal. Just wish they didn't reduce the I/O !

 

[BenIfin]

Alright nerds who doesnt love a good A/B... which one do we think is Agoura/Legacy.



Here's a pic of the wav's if you're so inclined as well (A --> B)
View attachment 58941

Listening through my 40+ year old NS10's ... at quite low volumes they are close'ish.

As I turn up the playback volume to a normal level the differences become quite stark. The 2nd clip has much more "gluey" mids and chimey-non-harsh highs.

The louder I go - not stupid loud - the more pronounced the difference.

At stupid loud, its too stupid loud

B by a clear margin. I would not hesitate using A if I didn't have B, but B is audibly more-better'er.

As usual, I'll probably be wrong :)

Nathan - did A or B "feel" different ?

 

[BenIfin]

.... sh*t a freakin brick .... I just scrolled up to listen again - with fresher ears - and saw the reveal .... I freakin got one right for a change .... time to buy a lotto ticket :)