Plethora X5 vs HX Effects (2024)

What would you choose and why?

Thanks!

HX Effects because of:

- Midi Out
- Driver/distortion
- WahWah
- trs jack for amp channel switching

HX FX, no question.

More FX, more flexibility, and don't need no stupid app on the phone to change a few fairly basic settings.

HX FX hands down.

Lack of drives is a turn off for me and the plethora.

HX Fx has more fx variety but I like the format of the Plethora a lot more. Reverbs are the weak link of the Helix fx set too.

Line6 prices in EU seem to have gone up a lot lately based on Thomann pricing. Someone mentioned a +300 euro bump for the Helix Floor and the HX Stomp and Effects used to be under 500.

LaXu said:

Line6 prices in EU seem to have gone up a lot lately based on Thomann pricing. Someone mentioned a +300 euro bump for the Helix Floor and the HX Stomp and Effects used to be under 500.

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The street price has gone up in Australia for sure. Not just on Line 6 gear ... Boss too. Maybe other stuff. The AUD took a hit value-wise in March, but it's back up to the same level against the USD as it was 12 months ago.

bforest4 said:

What about the FX quality? HX effects is not great on verbs and delays, good on modulation but not the best.. This has to beat it, anybody compare sonically? Also I don't want this to do drives, I have pedals and amps that no modeler can match, just need fx, same product as the HX effects or FX8(fractal). And the price is fine as long as the quality is great. People spend $500 on 1 Chase Bliss Pedal or Eventide H9 that only does 1 FX at a time(but high quality.).

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I can't think of any complaints about delays on the Helix stuff. Only the verbs. Otherwise no idea, have not seen a Plethora to try.

bforest4 said:

What about the FX quality? HX effects is not great on verbs and delays, good on modulation but not the best.. This has to beat it, anybody compare sonically? Also I don't want this to do drives, I have pedals and amps that no modeler can match, just need fx, same product as the HX effects or FX8(fractal). And the price is fine as long as the quality is great. People spend $500 on 1 Chase Bliss Pedal or Eventide H9 that only does 1 FX at a time(but high quality.).

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Whut....quality?....more stuff is always better right?

From what i heard online I was not impressed by helix verbs at all. In my mind its the kind that when you hear it...it bothers you.

On the other hand, TC has an obvious trackrecord of great sounding verbs and modulation...so I would almost assume they will outclass helix in that department.
All said without hands on experience with the unit, but I’d definitely wouldn’t dismiss TC cause of its feature set.

For efx only...do check the Boss MS3 also.
Nothing exotic or fancy in that box....but all simply good sounding efx..what you would expect of Boss, but this time around without the typical signature their previous digital rigs seemed to come with.
Together with its switching, midi, and looping options to me its a great practical open sounding nerve center for both my traditional as well as modeling rig.

HX Effects owner here. I think the Plethora's implementation is great. I think TC's digital pedals are way better than what Line 6 is doing.

The HX Effects has decent effects and lots of options. If you only have an amp and want no pedals or this is your first foray, the HX is the way to go. $499 for a bunch of pedals is a bargain.

If you already have drive/fuzz pedals (or even some other ones you just love) and you're looking for that great modulation pedal, then the Plethora is the way to go.

The HX Effects pedal models are OK at best. The Verbs do suck. I'll take a Hall of Fame any day. I'll be ordering one very soon and if I like it better, I'll be selling the HX for sure.

bforest4 said:

What about the FX quality? HX effects is not great on verbs and delays, good on modulation but not the best.. This has to beat it, anybody compare sonically? Also I don't want this to do drives, I have pedals and amps that no modeler can match, just need fx, same product as the HX effects or FX8(fractal). And the price is fine as long as the quality is great. People spend $500 on 1 Chase Bliss Pedal or Eventide H9 that only does 1 FX at a time(but high quality.).

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When comparing any multifx to dedicated boxes, if that dedicated box isn't specifically modeled there will always be folks who prefer the specific sound of the stand alone device. To be honest, I think the HX reverbs are fine. The way a lot of people talk, you would think when one engaged it suddenly the sounds of duck's quacking comes out of their amps. I'm possitive for some very specific ambient tones where the reverb is mixed extremely high folks are going to gravitate to certain tones which perhaps the HX can't do. But general ambiance? It does just fine. Even the spring verbs sound pretty realistic IMHO (again, maybe not exactly like that vintage Fender unit, but it will come damn close to the spring reverbs in most amps these days).

HX Effexts by a mile. Overall, the Line 6 effects sound appreciably better to me. I’ve owned a number of the individual TC pedals that are included in the Plethora and not one was spectacular. In fact, some were outright awful. The delays and reverb are good but I wouldn’t consider them superior to the Line 6 stuff. Remember, Line 6 made one of the best selling delays of all time and it’s in the HX. I also think the reverbs are quite good on the HX.

In addition, the HX has IRs, drives, wahs, filters, synths, etc. I think the HX form factor and design is much better than the Plethora.